Kuznetsov-Severson 3-8

DEVILS (25-33-9) AT CAPITALS (39-21-7)
7 p.m.; NHLN, SN, NBCSWA, MSG+, NHL.TV

The Capitals, who have outscored opponents 23-13 during the five-game win streak, can move into sole possession of first place in Metropolitan Division, ahead of the New York Islanders, with one point.
Alex Ovechkin needs one point to become the 49th NHL player with 1,200. He has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in his past 10 games.
The Devils are on a four-game losing streak (0-3-1) and are 5-9-2 in their past 16 games. They have scored two goals or fewer in five of their past six games.

Players to watch

Devils forward Travis Zajac needs one point for 500 in the NHL.
Capitals goalie Braden Holtby is 5-1-0 with a 2.31 goals-against average and .921 save percentage in his past six games.

They said it

"What I'm really proud of is guys are coming in and they're really showing what they can do at this level, and I think that's important. And although we haven't gotten the wins in those last four games, we've certainly deserved better than we've gotten result-wise." -- Devils coach John Hynes
"It seems like we're kind of getting into that form that you want to be in going down the stretch. I'd say about a month ago it seemed like we were getting one period of solid play [a game]. I think that's bumped up to two and plus now." -- Capitals forward T.J. Oshie

Devils projected lineup
Capitals projected lineup
Status report

Quenneville is expected to play after missing four games because of an upper-body injury. … Bratt, injured during a 2-1 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, is considered week-to-week. ... Hynes said Vatanen and Rooney could play against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Stat pack

Ovechkin is three goals from tying Brendan Shanahan (656) for 13th place on the NHL all-time list, and one power-play goal from tying Phil Esposito (246) for fifth-place all-time. … Carlson is two assists from becoming the third defenseman in Washington history with consecutive 50-assist seasons (Scott Stevens, 1986-89; Larry Murphy, 1986-88).