NEWARK, NJ - The Rock is beginning to really feel like a home for the Devils. New Jersey completed their sweep of a five-game homestand on Friday night defeating the Washington Capitals 3-2.

“I’m glad we got the job done again,” said Patrik Elias. “Its really exciting for us and for the fans.”

The Devils got on the board in the first period to take control of the game. Midway through the opening frame, Vitaly Vishnevski intercepted a Brian Pothier clearing attempt, deked around a defender and backhanded the puck top-shelf for a 1-0 lead. It was the defenseman’s first goal since December 27, 2006.

Less than two minutes later Jeff Schultz took a tripping call on which he took down Jamie Langenbrunner in a chase for the puck. On the ensuing powerplay, Dainius Zubrus scored his sixth goal of the year on a shot by Elias that was deflected by Brian Gionta. Gionta took a beating in front of Olaf Kolzig to help create that opportunity.

“That’s what you’ve got to do,” Zubrus said of Gionta’s work in front of the net. “That’s a tough spot to be in. Guys are going to make you pay the price, but that’s what you have to do and Brian doesn’t shy away from that.”

The Devils out-shot the Capitals 12-5 in the first period, but the Capitals came back and outshot the Devils in the second 8-4. After two periods, however, the score would remain 2-0.

All hope seemed to be lost for the Capitals early in the third after Martin Brodeur robbed Caps rookie Nicklas Backstrom with his glove. But, the Capitals weren’t finished yet.

Alexander Semin scored his second goal of the season on a scorching slapshot six minutes into the third period. Backstrom fed him an easy one-timer from behind the net for the goal.

The Devils wasted little time striking back when Travis Zajac scored on a rebound shot by Sheldon Brookbank. It was Zajac’s fifth goal of the season after a ten-game goal-drought.

“He goes hard to the net all the time and never stops working,” said David Clarkson. “He’s the reason we got the two points tonight.”

The Capitals refused to quit and Brooks Laich would convert late in the third for Washington, but there would be no comeback tonight as the Devils shut the door in the final minute.

With the ninth straight win, the locker-room consensus is that the team must continue to work hard and not get complacent.

“You can’t get too high up when you’re winning and when you’re losing you can’t get too low. You’ve got to keep on a straight line” said Zubrus after the game.

Clarkson was in agreement with Zubrus’s statement

“Well, you love to come to the rink every day when you’re winning,” Clarkson said. “You just try to do the same thing you did the night before. You have to work hard because when you’re winning everyone wants to beat you. So that’s something we have to continue to do and we’ll be alright.”

Notes: Top-line center Michael Nylander was scratched due to an undisclosed injury. Alexander Ovechkin played with Viktor Kozlov and Alexander Semin, but continued to struggle against New Jersey. Ovechkin has only five points in nine career games against Washington. Jay Pandolfo missed a fourth-straight game with a groin injury.

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