The New Jersey Devils got their first break at home this season when the Washington Capitals scratched injured Alex Ovechkin from the lineup.

The next batch of good fortune came when Niclas Bergfors busted out with a pair of third-period power-play goals.

Bergfors connected for goals 3:13 apart to break open a tie game and send the Devils to a 3-2 victory over the Capitals on Wednesday night. It was only the second time this season New Jersey has won at home (2-4).

The Devils are 7-0 on the road.

"It's different," coach Jacques Lemaire said. "It's good news and that is news."

Just seconds after Alexander Semin's hooking penalty gave the Devils their third advantage, 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 2-1.

Bergfors then deflected in Travis Zajac's long shot with 4:50 remaining to give the Devils a two-goal edge. Bergfors' game picked up Wednesday after Lemaire moved him to a line with veterans Zajac and Parise.

Bergfors' second goal was originally credited to Parise, but Bergfors knew it was his.

"As soon as I touched it," said Bergfors, who has five goals in 22 NHL games. "It was just a little tip. I'm glad we got the puck in the net. That was the best feeling."

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 had 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.

"Not only did some of them not stand out, but they cost us the game," angry Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. "It's a tough one to swallow."

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

The Devils were more than happy not to have to worry about him.

"The excitement level that he brings, the energy that he brings to the table _ that wasn't there," Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said. "When Ovechkin is touching the puck, it doesn't matter what building he plays in, everybody is looking for him to do something spectacular. It's tough to play.

"He is such a good player, so not having him, we'll take it. We dodged one bullet."

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

The last three penalties against Washington were taken in the offensive zone. Continued...