The Washington Capitals have been playing some great hockey of late and now are just three points behind the first place Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metropolitan Division. Their success this year has come from a few players that are really playing their tails off. With a head-to-head meeting against Pittsburgh only a week away, can the Capitals continue their rise to the top of the division?

The Capitals can continue this streak for a few reasons. It all starts and ends with Alexander Ovechkin. His struggles over the past couple years have been well documented. He’s gotten his groove back after winning the Hart Trophy last year. Ovechkin is off to a great start this year as well for the Capitals, re-establishing himself as one of the best players in the world. The Capital’s captain is looking like he could challenge for the scoring title this year and could add the Rocket Richard Trophy, as the NHL’s top goal scorer, with Steven Stamkos out for a large chunk of the season. Ovechkin is one of my favorite players to watch because he’s just so explosive. He can put the Caps on his back and guide the team to a great record in November.

Braden Holtby will also be a big factor for the Capitals to continue their streak. He’s one of the more underrated goaltenders in the NHL. Holtby has had some great games during the season and made some unbelievable saves to keep the Capitals in other games. He’s still need to prove that he can beat the elite teams in the NHL. And steal a game or two along the way. Through his first four games in November, Holtby is 3-1-0 with a GAA of 1.96 and a save percentage of .942. Like the Caps, Holtby started slow, but has played at an elite level over the last 10-plus games.

Overall, this Capitals team will continue their hot streak this month. Through November so far they are 5-1-1 with the lone regulation loss to red-hot Colorado. The Capitals are putting together a nice push up from the basement of the Metropolitan Division and will continue to push the Pittsburgh Penguins moving forward.