Connor Hellebuyck makes 43 saves and improves to 7-0 with Devils in 7-4 win over Capitals

WASHINGTON (AP) — Connor Hellebuyck recovered from a shaky start to make 43 saves, remaining unbeaten in net with New Jersey as the surging Devils defeated the Washington Capitals 7-4 on Saturday night.

Evan Rodrigues scored twice for the Devils, who earned their second win against Washington in three days. Jesper Boqvist, Connor Brown and Lenni Hameenaho each had a goal and two assists, and defenseman Luke Hughes added three assists.

Nico Hischier and Timo Meier also scored to help New Jersey improve to 11-2 since Oct. 20 with its seventh victory in eight games. Meier's power-play goal late in the second period gave the Devils their first lead, 4-3, and Hischier's short-handed goal made it 5-3 early in the third.

Rodrigues scored at 3:18 to make it 6-4 and added an empty-netter with 3:15 left.

Hellebuyck gave up three goals in the first period but only one after that. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner and 2025 NHL MVP has won all seven starts with the Devils after being traded by the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 23.

Ilya Protas, Anthony Beauvillier, Ryan Leonard and Pierre Luc-Dubois scored for the Capitals. Charlie Lindgren stopped 26 of 32 shots.

New Jersey's sixth goal came on a fluky play in front of Washington’s net, when Rodrigues' centering pass bounced off the skate of Capitals defenseman Timothy Liljegren and in without a New Jersey player anywhere near the crease.

Washington held a 3-2 lead after a frantic first period, but Boqvist tied it at 10:33 of the second.

The Capitals killed a four-minute high-sticking penalty to Leonard midway through the second to preserve their one-goal lead, but couldn’t capitalize on the momentum that provided.

Devils: Host the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.

Capitals: Visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) tracks the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Aliaksei Protas (21) skates with the puck against New Jersey Devils right wing Timo Meier (28) and center Nico Hischier (13) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

New Jersey Devils right wing Lenni Hameenaho (29) celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37), center Cody Glass (12) and defenseman Anton Silaev (52) celebrate after an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) stops the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

MIAMI (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo evidently knows a little bit about football, too.

The Miami Heat power forward looked like a football-playing long snapper on Saturday night, flicking the ball backward between his legs and setting up Klay Thompson for a 3-pointer from the left corner in a game against the Detroit Pistons. Antetokounmpo finished with 34 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists in a 137-117 Heat win.

The football-esque play happened about two minutes into the opening quarter. Antetokounmpo — a known soccer enthusiast — lunged toward the floor to corral a loose ball, as Detroit guards Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter converged on the play.

Thompson was watching the play the entire way, caught the “hike” from Antetokounmpo, pivoted and shot without a dribble. The shot went in, and those on the Heat bench leaped up in celebration. Even Thompson gave a look of disbelief as play headed the other way.

“It was an incredible snap, long-snapper style,” Thompson said in an on-court interview shown in the arena. “It's a testament to Giannis' skill level. People get enamored with his ability to dunk and run, but my goodness ... he just knew I was in the corner. Didn't even see me, and just right through the legs.”

It was the first of two wild assists from Antetokounmpo in the first half. The other was a no-look, over-the-shoulder toss to Ryan Conwell, setting up another 3-pointer late in the second quarter.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (7) shoots as Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins (24) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) passes defended by Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)