NHL: Bergfors scores 2 PP goals, Devils beat Caps 3-2

NEWARK, N.J. — Niclas Bergfors scored two power-play goals 3:13 apart in the third period to break open a tie game and send the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 victory over the Alex Ovechkin-less Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

Just seconds after Alexander Semin's hooking penalty gave the Devils their third advantage of the game, Bergfors took a pass from Zach Parise in the right circle and whistled a rising shot over Semyon Varlamov's glove with 8:40 left to make it 3-1.

Bergfors then deflected in Travis Zajac's long shot with 4:50 remaining to give the Devils a two-goal edge.

The Devils ended Washington's streak of nine straight games with a point (6-0-3) that started with a shootout loss at New Jersey on Oct. 12. The Capitals also has earned points in eight consecutive games against the Devils (4-0-4), but they have dropped three in a row overall — following overtime losses to the New York Islanders and Columbus.

Ovechkin, the NHL MVP the past two seasons, sustained an upper-body strain on Sunday against Columbus and is considered week to week. Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said Ovechkin told him he felt much better Wednesday.

Ovechkin missed just the fifth game of his five-season NHL career, his third absence caused by injury. Washington is 1-4 without him.

Brian Rolston also scored, and Martin Brodeur made 26 saves for New Jersey, 2-4 at home. The Devils are 7-0 on the road.

Tyler Sloan scored in the first period, and Tomas Fleischmann brought the Capitals to 3-2 with 1:37 remaining. Varlamov stopped 30 shots.

Washington opened the scoring in the first when defenseman Sloan scored his first of the season and second in his NHL career.

Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner failed to get the puck out of the zone at the left point, and Chris Clark kept it in with some hard work. Mathieu Perreault — in his NHL debut — moved the puck into the slot and sent a pass left to Sloan, who also sees time at forward. Sloan showed precise offensive skill when he squeezed a shot between Brodeur and the left post with 2:50 left in the period.

New Jersey took the only penalty in the opening frame, a hooking call against Bryce Salvador, and got even 3:33 into the second with a little help from the Caps.

Langenbrunner worked the puck free in the left corner, and eventually Rob Niedermayer gained control. He handed the puck off behind the net to Rolston, who came out the right side. His pass attempt clipped Washington defenseman Mike Green and caromed past Varlamov into the net.

NOTES: Capitals C Brooks Laich played his 200th consecutive NHL game. He last missed a game on Feb. 21, 2007. ... Perreault, the Capitals' sixth-round choice in the 2006 draft, was recalled from Hershey (AHL) on Tuesday. He is the fifth member of that Washington draft class to make the NHL. Varlamov was taken with the No. 23 pick. Perreault earned an assist on Fleischmann's goal. ... Devils C Patrik Elias, out all season following groin surgery, might make his season debut Friday against the New York Islanders. ... Rolston has 99 goals during his two stints with New Jersey. Langenbrunner has 198 assists with the Devils.