Devils Host Capitals Following Holiday Break | PREVIEW

NEW JERSEY DEVILS (20-16-1) vs. WASHINGTON CAPITALS (19-13-5)

The Devils return from the holiday break with a game at home Saturday against the Washington Capitals. The game time is 7:08 p.m. ET.

Read below for your game preview presented by Michael Martinetti Group and check back for the pre-game story.

MORNING SKATE RECAP

NEWARK, NJ. - Check back following the Devils morning skate around 11:30 a.m. ET.

THE SCOOP

The Devils look to get back on the winning side of things following a holiday break reset with a game against the Washington Capitals.

New Jersey has dropped each of its last two and are 4-6-0 overall in their last 10 games. They are one point behind the Florida Panthers for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and two points back of the Washington Capitals, who hold the first wild card spot.

The Eastern Conference remains tight as third place to 13th is only separated by five points. The Devils are tied with Ottawa for 10th in the conference at 41 points while Washington is tied with Tampa bay for 6th at 43 points.

The Devils' leading goal scorers are Timo Meier and Jack Hughes with 11 goals each. Hughes has remained atop the Devils' goal-scoring list despite missing close to six weeks with a finger injury.

Tom Wilson has had an outstanding season for the Capitals with 17 goals and 34 points. At 31 years old, he's on pace for the best season of his career in both goals and points.

At age 40, Alex Ovechkin is still incredibly effective. He's second on the Caps in goals with 14 and points with 31. His career regular season goal total -- an NHL all-time record -- is now at 911.

WHO’S HOT

Devils: Nico Hischier has three points, all assists to lead the Devils in both categories over the team's last five. Connor Brown's two goals are the most of any Devil in that span.

Capitals: John Carlson has five points and three assists in his last five games. Aliaksei Protas has three goals in five games to pace the Caps in that category.

INJURIES

Devils:
Nemec (undisclosed)
Dadonov (upper body)
Kovacevic (knee)
McLaughlin (undisclosed)
MacEwen (upper body)

Capitals:
Sandin (upper body)
Wilson (illness)

REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS

• Nov. 15 at Capitals, 3-2 W (SO)
• Dec. 27 vs. Capitals
• Mar. 20 at Capitals
• Apr. 2 vs. Capitals

GAME NOTES

• The Capitals have the fourth-best record in the NHL since Nov. 17 (11-5-3, .658 P%).

• Dylan Strome scored his seventh goal of the season on Dec. 23 vs. the New York Rangers and extended his point streak to three games (1g-3a–4p).