NEWARK, NJ - Both the New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals got their first look at their teams that included their trade deadline acquisitions on Friday night, and the Capitals new starting goaltender made a big push for more playing time.

Cristobal Huet only faced 18 shots, but he stopped all of them shutting out the Devils 4-0 at the Prudential Center.

The Devils had three days off after Tuesday’s overtime loss to Carolina, but you wouldn’t have known it by the way they played. The Devils lacked energy and creativity and they made life very easy for the Capitals new netminder.

“I’d say it’s an ideal start,” said Huet. “We can’t stop here because we have a tough schedule ahead, but we got a good team win.”

After a scoreless first, Mike Green scored on the power play by walking in from the point and one-timing an offering from Alexander Semin into the back of the net. The tally was Green’s 17th of the season.

Viktor Kozlov scored very early in the third period taking a cross-ice pass from Alexander Ovechkin at the left circle and firing a wrist shot over Brodeur’s shoulder to make it 2-0.

Semin made it 3-0 on another cross-ice pass this one coming from Tom Poti. With Patrik Elias off for four minutes for high sticking, Poti sent the pass to Semin who one-timed it through Brodeur for his 20th marker of the season.

Enforcer Donald Brashear closed out the scoring firing a rebound upstairs with three minutes left in the game.

Perhaps the most distressing statistic was the Devils only getting two shots on goal in the final frame.

“We were not a very good hockey team the last two periods. Tonight was a reflection of the last two games. We lost a lot of battles tonight” said Coach Brent Sutter.

“We played well early on, but we just couldn’t match what they were bringing offensively,” said Brodeur. “We had a hard time handling their speed and we made it pretty easy for them.”

Newcomer Bryce Salvador was solid for the most part in his Devils debut. He appeared nervous at times, which he admitted to, but also at times looked to be the best blueliner suited up for New Jersey.

“Yeah, I was a little nervous, you know, first game, but I was ready to go,” said Salvador. “The bottom line is, it’s crunch time. Teams are going to bring their best game every night and everyone wants to beat the Devils. We’re at the top, but that doesn’t mean anything, because they’ll be bringing their “A” game every night.”

Notes: Salvador took the spot of Sheldon Brookbank alongside Andy Greene. Vitaly Vishnevski and Karel Rachunek were the other healthy scratches. Tonight’s win gave the Capitals their first 30-win season since 2002-2003. Matt Cooke was also acquired at Tuesday’s deadline, but he did not suit up for Washington, he was scratched along with John Erskine and Quintin Laing.