Capitals at Oilers
After getting victimized by one of the league's elite superstars in their latest defeat, the Edmonton Oilers must prepare to face another when they welcome Alex Ovechkin and the reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals on Thursday night. Edmonton looks to bounce back from an overtime loss to Pittsburgh in the finale of a four-game homestand.
The Oilers felt they deserved a better result against the Penguins, unleashing 46 shots on net before they were defeated by Sidney Crosby's highlight-reel goal. "I think we are trending in the right direction as far as our game goes," Edmonton forward Milan Lucic said. "I feel we are one mistake less from taking that stride to that next level." Ovechkin scored twice and Nicklas Backstrom had three assists as Washington opened a four-game road trip with a 5-2 win at Vancouver, but coach Todd Reirden was happy with his team's defense after allowing 18 goals in the previous four contests. "It definitely was an area of focus," Reirden said. "It was something that we wanted to get better at and we still need to improve on."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, Sportsnet1, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario (Edmonton)
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (4-2-2): Ovechkin has eight goals in eight games after his four-point eruption against the Canucks, which included the 233rd power-play tally of his career. Defenseman John Carlson set career highs with 15 goals, 53 assists and 68 points last season, earning him an eight-year, $64 million contract before hitting free agency. He is off to a torrid start, scoring a goal in three straight games and becoming only the 10th defenseman in league history to register five multiple-point games in the first eight contests of the season.
ABOUT THE OILERS (3-3-1): Forward Alex Chiasson is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Washington -- he spent last season with the Capitals and will receive his Stanley Cup ring on Thursday. It's part of an eventful week for Chiasson, who scored his first two goals Tuesday before leaving the game after taking a puck off the ear. "He worked his way up into the lineup and ended up on a line with Leon (Draisaitl), and he would've stayed there the rest of night," coach Todd McLellan said. "He hadn't played much at the start of the year and is still gaining confidence."
OVERTIME
1. Ovechkin has 10 goals and 20 points in 16 games against Edmonton.
2. Oilers captain Connor McDavid has 13 points through seven games this season and six in five games versus Washington.
1. The Capitals converted on a league-best 12 of 31 power-play chances through Tuesday. Edmonton was fifth (7 of 23).