Devils at Capitals
THE STORY: The Washington Capitals have a chance to climb into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference on Friday as they host the New Jersey Devils. Washington, which is 1-0-0 on its five-game homestand and enters with a three-game overall winning streak, trails Southeast Division rival Winnipeg by one point for eighth in the East. The Capitals are three points behind Florida for first in the Southeast. New Jersey, which is one point behind sixth-place Ottawa in the East, is hoping to snap its four-game losing streak. The Devils are 0-1-1 on their four-game road trip following a seven-game winning streak away from home.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New Jersey), CSN Maryland (Washington)
ABOUT THE DEVILS (35-23-5): David Clarkson scored his 25th goal of the season in Thursday's overtime loss at Boston, tying him with Ilya Kovalchuk for the team lead. Clarkson registered a total of 23 tallies over the previous two seasons. New Jersey became the first team in the NHL this season to boast four 20-goal scorers when Patrik Elias hit the mark Thursday. The veteran joined Kovalchuk, Clarkson and captain Zach Parise, who netted his 24th against the Bruins. Defenseman Marek Zidlicky has yet to record a point and has posted a minus-5 rating in three games since being acquired from Minnesota.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (32-26-5): While general manager George McPhee believes Washington's chances of qualifying for the postseason would improve if Nicklas Backstrom returns from his concussion, he is confident the team will be playing in the spring. "I certainly think we're capable of making the playoffs with this team right now," he said. "If Nicky Backstrom came back, it certainly would improve our chances of winning a Stanley Cup. We can make the playoffs with this team, and if he comes back, we can beat anybody in this conference." Troy Brouwer ended his 13-game goalless drought with a pair of tallies in Tuesday's victory over the New York Islanders. Brouwer needs five goals to match his career high of 22 set in 2009-10 with Chicago.
OVERTIME:
1. The Capitals are 1-0-2 against the Devils this season and have earned at least one point in each of the last five meetings between the clubs (3-0-2).
2. Washington has lost eight of its last 11 games against Atlantic Division teams.