'Star Sunday' on NBC: 5 Storylines

It wouldn't be Super Bowl Sunday for the Washington Capitals unless they were on the ice in front of their fans. The Capitals will host the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena (12:30 p.m. ET; NBC), marking the 11th consecutive year they've played at home on the day of the NFL's championship game.

Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin will be a prime focus on NBC's "Star Sunday."
Here are 5 storylines to keep an eye on:

Ovechkin's back

Ovechkin's decision not to take part in the Honda 2019 NHL All-Star Weekend meant he would be unable to play in Washington's first game after its NHL-mandated five-day break. Despite the absence of the NHL's top goal-scorer, the Capitals ended their seven-game losing streak with a 4-3 win against the Western Conference-leading Calgary Flames. Ovechkin is eligible to return for the game against the Bruins, and he'll try to build on his last two games before the break, when he scored four goals to boost his NHL-leading total to 37. He's on pace for 59 goals, which would be the most he has scored in a season since 2007-08, when he scored 65. As NHL.com's Tom Gulitti writes, Ovechkin's
one-timer from the left circle
remains one of the most dangerous power-play shots in NHL history. Ovechkin needs one point to pass Sergei Fedorov (1,179) to become the NHL's all-time leading scorer among Russia-born players.

Capitals go for 15 straight vs. Bruins

The Capitals have dominated the Bruins since the start of the 2014-15 season. Beginning with a 4-0 victory in Boston on Oct. 11, 2014, Washington has won 14 in a row against Boston; 11 of the wins have come in regulation, two in overtime and one in a shootout. Five have been shutouts, including a 7-0 victory at Capital One Arena on opening night this season. The Bruins haven't scored more than three goals in any of the 14 losses; the Capitals have scored at least four goals eight times, including each of their past four games. Considering the Bruins won 44 and 50 games in the past two seasons and are on pace for 96 points this season, Washington's run against them is even more impressive.

Holtby rules

One reason the Capitals have performed so well against the Bruins is the play of goalie Braden Holtby. He's 16-2-0 against Boston with a 1.85 goals-against average, .944 save percentage and four shutouts, the most he has had against an NHL opponent. His first League win came against Boston in 2010, and his NHL breakout performance unfolded when he helped the Capitals dethrone the defending Stanley Cup champions in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. He's 12-0-0 against Boston during the 14-game winning streak and has allowed two goals in two wins against the Bruins this season -- far better than his overall numbers this season (18-12-3, 3.10 GAA, .905 save percentage).

Bruins need to be better

Boston is in a rut, having lost five of its past six games (1-2-3), including back-to-back home overtime losses to the Winnipeg Jets and Philadelphia Flyers in their first two games after their NHL-mandated five-day break and All-Star Weekend. In each of the two losses, the Bruins took a lead into the third period and were unable to close out their opponent, settling for one point instead of two. Boston has scored first in each of its past six games, but mistakes, penalties and a lack of secondary scoring have been taking a toll. Boston is in a three-way battle with the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs to finish second in the Atlantic Division and get the home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ending their losing streak against the Capitals would be a good start.

Super Bowl Sunday success

Washington and Boston have been among the NHL's most successful teams on Super Bowl Sunday. The Capitals have won 17 games on Super Bowl Sunday (17-9, two ties), second to the Montreal Canadiens (19). Boston is tied for third with the Chicago Blackhawks with 13 wins (13-4-1, one tie), though the Bruins haven't played on the day of the big game since 2012, when they won 4-1 at Washington. It's the 11th consecutive season the Capitals have played at home on Super Bowl Sunday and the 27th time overall; they are 17-8 with one tie in front of their own fans.