Devils at Capitals preview

DEVILS (22-9-6) at CAPITALS (23-13-3)
7 p.m. ET; NBCSWA, MSG+, NHL.TV

The Devils lead the Capitals by one point; Washington defeated New Jersey 5-2 in their first game of the season at Prudential Center on Oct. 13.
The Devils had a five-game winning streak end with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, but have a point in eight consecutive games (6-0-2) and have not lost in regulation since a 5-2 defeat at the New York Rangers on Dec. 9.
The Capitals ended a three-game losing streak (0-1-2) with a 4-3 shootout win against the Boston Bruins on Thursday but have points in seven of their past eight games (5-1-2). Forward Andre Burakovsky, who has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 19 games, will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season.

Players to watch

Former Capitals forward Marcus Johansson, who has eight points (five goals, three assists) in 19 games this season, returns to play his first regular-season game in Washington since being traded to the Devils on July 2.
Former Devils forward Devante Smith-Pelly, who has been promoted to the Capitals top line, has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 37 games this season.

They said it

"They're a strong team. They're a deep team. They're an experienced team. So, they're a challenge, but I think they're a good challenge for us at this point to see how we can measure up against one of the elite teams in this league." -- Devils coach John Hynes on facing the Capitals
"We've got to force him to get to the next level, and sometimes it's a little bit of tough love, sometimes it's getting the player to realize how much being on the ice means to him." -- Capitals coach Barry Trotz on forward Andre Burakovsky being a healthy scratch

Devils projected lineup

Taylor Hall -- Nico Hischier -- Jesper Bratt
Marcus Johansson -- Travis Zajac -- Kyle Palmieri
Blake Coleman -- Brian Boyle -- Brian Gibbons
Miles Wood -- Pavel Zacha -- Stefan Noesen
Andy Greene -- Steven Santini
John Moore -- Sami Vatanen
Will Butcher -- Damon Severson
Cory Schneider
Keith Kinkaid
Scratched:Ben Lovejoy, Jimmy Hayes, Drew Stafford
Injured:Mirco Mueller (clavicle)

Capitals projected lineup

Alex Ovechkin -- Nicklas Backstrom -- Devante Smith-Pelly
Jakub Vrana -- Evgeny Kuznetsov -- T.J. Oshie
Brett Connolly -- Lars Eller -- Tom Wilson
Chandler Stephenson -- Jay Beagle -- Alex Chiasson
Dmitry Orlov -- Matt Niskanen
Christian Djoos -- John Carlson
Brooks Orpik -- Taylor Chorney
Braden Holtby
Philipp Grubauer
Scratched: Andre Burakovsky, Madison Bowey
Injured: None

Status report

Lovejoy has been a healthy scratch for eight consecutive games. … Stephenson will take Burakovsky's spot in the lineup. … Bowey will be a healthy scratch for the second time in five games.

Stat pack

Washington has won seven straight at home, where it is 14-2-0 in its past 16. … Capitals coach Barry Trotz is tied with Lindy Ruff for fifth in NHL history with 736 wins.