Alex Ovechkin (785-634-1,419 in 1,285 GP; all w/ WSH) returns to the ice with points in each of his past three games and goals in each of his previous two road outings. The Capitals captain sits one goal shy of tying Gordie Howe (786-1,023-1809 in 1,687 GP w/ DET) for the most by a player with a single franchise - a feat "Mr. Hockey" accomplished with Washington's opponent Thursday.
* Igor Shesterkin (6-0-2) remains without a regulation loss as the Rangers get set to welcome the Bruins, who have an undefeated netminder of their own in Linus Ullmark (7-0-0). Shesterkin can match the franchise record for the longest season-opening point streak, a mark set by Gilles Villemure in 1971-72 (9 GP; 7-0-2). In the past decade, five netminders have recorded a point streak of nine-plus games to start a season: Jack Campbell (11 GP in 2020-21; 11-0-0), Pekka Rinne (10 GP in 2019-20; 8-0-2), Carey Price (12 GP in 2016-17; 11-0-1), Antti Niemi (9 GP in 2013-14; 8-0-1) and Corey Crawford (14 GP in 2012-13; 11-0-3). Ullmark, meanwhile, can match the Bruins' benchmark for most consecutive decisions with a win to begin a campaign (Tim Thomas: 8-0-0 in 2010-11).
* Connor McDavid (11-11-22 in 10 GP), the NHL's current leader in goals and points, will enter Thursday coming off his fourth four-point outing of the season. The Oilers captain has at least three points in each of his past three games (6-5-11) and will look to match the longest such stretch of his career (4 GP in 2020-21). The only other players in the past 20 years with three-plus points in four straight contests are Steven Stamkos (5 GP in 2021-22), Roman Josi (4 GP in 2021-22), Tyler Bertuzzi (4 GP in 2018-19), Keith Tkachuk (4 GP in 2005-06) and Patrick Marleau (4 GP in 2005-06).
* Jesper Bratt will put the NHL's lengthiest point streak of 2022-23 on the line Thursday across the ice from McDavid when the Devils visit the Oilers. Bratt can surpass Tim Higgins (10 GP in 1984-85) for the Devils/Rockies/Scouts franchise record for
longest season-opening point streak
and become the fifth Devils player in the past 20 years to record a run of 11-plus games at any time of the season. He would join Taylor Hall (19 GP in 2017-18), Ilya Kovalchuk (12 GP in 2010-11), Brian Gionta (15 GP in 2005-06) and Jeff Friesen (12 GP in 2002-03).
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