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OILERS (8-4-1) at CAPITALS (5-4-3)
7 p.m. ET; NBCSWA, SNW, NHL.TV

The Oilers are 8-2-1 since opening the season with losses to the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins. That includes a 4-1 win against Washington at Rogers Place on Oct. 25.
They have won five straight on the road.
The Capitals have lost two in a row (0-1-1) and have one win in their past four games (1-2-1).

Players to watch

Oilers center Connor McDavid has 10 points (five goals, five assists) during a seven-game point streak, and has at least one point in 12 of Edmonton's 13 games.
Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in the past eight games.

They said it

"We're finding ways to manufacture wins and nights it's been different, depending on where, when we're playing. We've had to do it via comeback. We've played with a lead. We've relied on special teams. We've had great goaltending. So different nights mean different ingredients that come to the forefront." -- Oilers coach Todd McLellan
"If you look at our [first] month here, it's been all right. We're not in a terrible spot. We're not in a great spot either. So we know what our reality is. We've got to start winning here. … It's just about getting over that hump and getting on a roll again." -- Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom

Oilers projected lineup
Capitals projected lineup
Status report

Orpik will miss his third straight game and remains day to day. … Boyd will make his season debut after missing the first 12 games with a leg injury. … Dowd will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season. … Washington assigned forward Nathan Walker to Hershey of the American Hockey League after he cleared waivers.

Stat pack

Chiasson, a member of the Capitals' Stanley Cup championship team last season, has six goals in eight games after being a healthy scratch for the Oilers' first five games. … McLellan will coach in his 800th NHL game. He's 433-276-90 in 11 seasons with the Oilers and San Jose Sharks.