Capitals at Oilers
THE STORY: If this ends up being the final game in the NHL for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this season, it could be one he won't soon forget. Nugent-Hopkins and the Edmonton Oilers look to continue their strong start against the powerhouse Washington Capitals, who have opened the season on a seven-game winning streak. Nugent-Hopkins has clicked on a line with fellow No. 1 overall pick Taylor Hall and young sniper Jordan Eberle, but the club has yet to decide if that chemistry is worth keeping Nugent-Hopkins with the big club. Edmonton will be in tough against a Washington team that has been the class of the NHL at both ends of the ice. The Capitals are just three wins shy of equaling the record for most consecutive wins at the start of the season established by the 1993-94 Toronto Maple Leafs.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports Washington, TSN
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (7-0-0): The scariest part of the Capitals' amazing run is that it has come despite an ordinary showing by super sniper Alex Ovechkin. The former NHL goal-scoring leader has just three tallies through the first seven games, though he has added four assists and looks as strong as ever when it comes to his two-way play. Netminder Tomas Vokoun, signed almost as an afterthought in the offseason, is 6-0-0 with a 1.80 goals-against average and has been a steal to date.
ABOUT THE OILERS (4-2-2): The lightning-fast start by Nugent-Hopkins (five goals, three assists) has overshadowed a dismal showing by Finnish winger Magnus Paajarvi. Much was expected of the 20-year-old this season after he posted 34 points in 80 games in 2010-11 despite spending most of his time on the third line. Paajarvi is still looking for his first point of the campaign, and may find his playing time trimmed if he doesn't hit the scoresheet in the near future.
OVERTIME:
1. Ovechkin hasn't seen much of the Oilers in his career, but they've seen enough of him. He has five goals - including a game winner - and three assists in five career games vs. Edmonton.
2. The home team has won 13 of the last 15 meetings between the clubs.
3. Washington routed Edmonton 5-0 in their only meeting last season. The Capitals have prevailed in three of five encounters since the lockout, with the winning team averaging just over 4 1/2 goals.