NHL ROUNDUP : Capitals Continue Best Start With Victory Over Devils, 6-5

Scott Stevens played for the Washington Capitals when the team was notorious for its slow starts. It’s a different story this season, and Stevens, now a member of the New Jersey Devils, knows why.

“The big difference is that they are getting more scoring from more people,” Stevens said Friday night after the Capitals beat the Devils, 6-5, at Landover, Md. “It’s not just one guy anymore.”

Before this season, the Capitals had never won more than five of their first seven games. But after Friday night’s victory, they are 6-1-0, including 4-0 in the Patrick Division.

Mike Ridley, who entered the game against the Devils with three points, scored twice and added two assists to help give the Capitals the best record in the NHL.

Peter Bondra, the team’s leading scorer, was held to an assist, but the Capitals got at least one point from 12 players.

The Capitals took a 5-2 lead into the third period and led 6-3 with 8:41 left.

David Maley of the Devils added goals with 2:32 left and with 70 seconds remaining.

Buffalo 3, Montreal 1--Doug Bodger and Dale Hawerchuk scored the Sabres’ first two goals in a 3:33 span early in the third period for the victory at Buffalo, N.Y.

It was only the second victory in seven games for the Sabres, who were behind, 1-0, after a controversial goal with one second left in the second period.

Denis Savard slapped a loose puck between the legs of goalie Clint Malarchuk as the horn sounded ending the period.

After initially making no call, referee Kerry Fraser consulted with the replay official and allowed the goal.

The replay indicated there were four-tenths of a second left when the puck crossed the goal line, the only time Montreal scored in 10 power-play chances.