Paul Cotter scored two goals as the New Jersey Devils wiped out the Washington Capitals' season opener thanks to a 5-3 decision on Saturday.

New Jersey defenseman Tomas Tatar, Dawson Mercer and Seamus Casey also scored, and Erik Haula and Stefan Noesen each had three assists. Haula also won 12 of 16 draws for the Devils, who held a 32-23 advantage in faceoffs.

Jacob Markstrom made 29 saves in his career against the Capitals, improving to just 2-8-2.

Washington's Dylan Strome and defenseman John Carlson each had a goal and an assist, and Tom Wilson also scored.

Charlie Lindgren stopped 28 shots for the Capitals, who lost to the Devils for the first time earlier in the season. Washington recorded a 6-1 victory over New Jersey on October 6, 2001 and a 5-3 victory on October 10, 2015.

Tatar gave the Devils a 3-2 lead at 3:56 of the second period after converting a second attempt from close range despite being thrown to the ice by the Capitals' Hendrix Lapierre.

Cotter doubled the lead nearly ten minutes later after beating Lindgren at the near post, giving him his second goal of the game and his fourth of the season. In comparison, Cotter scored a total of seven goals in 76 games with the Vegas Golden Knights last season.

Wilson scored from the slot to halve the deficit at 1:35 of the third period, but Mercer sealed the win by firing into an empty net.

Carlson's wrist shot from the point sailed between the legs of Wilson and past Markstrom to open the scoring at 10:48 of the first period.

Casey answered nearly three minutes later, beating Lindgren with a sharp wrist shot from the left circle. The goal was Casey's second in his last three games.

Haula, Noesen and Cotter executed a tic-tac-toe passing sequence to give New Jersey a 2-1 lead with 3:36 left in the first period. However, Strome responded by converting from the front door 32 seconds into the second period.

–Field level media