Sykora was held scoreless in the game against the caps, they definitely needed rafalski and niedermayer. Heres the recap:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In his first game with the Washington Capitals, Jaromir Jagr scored the goal that often wasn't scored in years past. After a nervous first period, Jagr gave the Capitals a two-goal lead and assisted on the next goal to help break the game open in a 6-1 rout Saturday night of the New Jersey Devils. Andrei Nikolishin, left, and the Capstied their club-best six goals in a season opener Saturday vs. Sascha Goc and the Devils. "If that's a sign of things to come, we're in for a great year," goalie Olaf Kolzig said. "That's why we got him. In the past, we're so used to winning games by one goal and holding on to leads. "Adding J.J., he's a guy that can break a game open, and he's a guy that can help us battle back if we're down. To me, it's been the missing element." The six Capitals goals were scored by six players, and four came on 12 shots in the second period. Washington tied a franchise record for most goals in a season opener. The Devils played without injured defensemen Scott Niedermayer and Brian Rafalski, and the Capitals were able to exploit the extra space in the offensive zone. New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur was chased at the end of the second period, replaced by rookie Scott Clemmensen. "It's the first game," center Bobby Holik said. "If you want to stink up the joint like we did tonight, I guess it's a good time." Jagr, acquired for three prospects in the biggest trade in Capitals history, figured it would take some time to get used to his new teammates. He had his stick broken and was pushed to the ice from behind by Colin White in the first period. Jagr was switched to Adam Oates' line in the second and responded with the first goal in his 12-year NHL career in a uniform other than Pittsburgh's. It came when he and Dainius Zubrus chased Zubrus' deflected pass in front of the net. Zubrus got his stick on the puck and slid a pass a couple of feet to his right to Jagr, who stretched Brodeur with his backhand, put the shot home at the 6:44 mark and blew a kiss to the heavens. "I was kind of shaky the first period," Jagr said. "After I scored a goal, I kind of relaxed." The goal made it 3-1. Jagr then got the second assist on the next goal by pushing the puck ahead to Oates on the right wing just as a Devils power play expired. Oates waited patiently, then threaded a perfect pass to Sergei Gonchar at the crease at 15:17. "You can't give openings and chances to guys like Jagr and Oates, and that's what we did," New Jersey coach Larry Robinson said. Ulf Dahlen had a goal and two assists, and Jeff Halpern, Calle Johansson and Peter Bondra also scored as the two-time defending Southeast Division champions beat the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions. The Devils' only goal was scored by a rookie called up from Albany the day before. Josef Boumedienne, playing because Niedermayer has a back injury, marked his NHL debut with a one-timer from the left circle at 15:19 of the first period to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead. The loss ended the Devils' 10-game road winning streak in the regular season, which tied the NHL record. Kolzig made 37 saves for the Capitals. After Boumedienne's goal, Halpern's line scored the next two goals. Halpern tied it at 16:53 of the first period with a one-timer from high in the slot. Johansson made it 2-1 at 1:50 of the second when he deposited a rebound after a shot by Dahlen appeared to hit the back of Steve Konowalchuk, who was sliding in front of the net. Dahlen put in a rebound on a power play at 17:36 to make it 5-1. Bondra scored the only goal of the third period with a slap shot on a power play with 15:29 remaining. "We are pretty confident," Jagr said. "But it's only one game. It's going to be tougher. Not every game will be like this."