Capitals at Flames preview

CAPITALS (6-2-2) at FLAMES (5-4-1)
9 p.m. ET; SNF, NBCSWA, NHL.TV

Carlson, who leads the NHL with 18 points (three goals, 15 assists), has at least one assist in seven straight games. An eight-game streak would tie him with Mike Green (Oct. 15-Nov. 1, 2009) and Scott Stevens (Feb. 19-March 6, 1988).
Carlson two points from becoming the fourth different defenseman in NHL history to have at least 20 points in October, joining Paul Coffey (20 points; seven goals, 13 assists in 1981 and 21 points; three goals, 18 assists in 1988), Al MacInnis (25 points; eight goals, 17 assists in 1988) and Brian Leetch (21 points; five goals, 16 assists in 1990).
The Capitals have won three straight games and are 4-1-0 in their past five games. Washington is 4-1-0 on the road this season.
The Flames are 3-1-0 in their past four games after having one win (1-2-1) in their previous four games. Calgary is 3-0-1 at home.

Players to watch

Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin has nine points (five goals, four assists) in a seven-game point streak and is four goals from tying Luc Robitaille (668) for 12th place on NHL all-time list.
Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau did not have a point in four games before getting an assist in a 2-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

They said it

"I think he's taken a step forward, obviously, in his game. His confidence level is really high. We're happy for him. I think he's playing a different game right now. It seems like everything goes in…passes, shots, plays. It's good for us." -- Washington forward Alex Ovechkin on John Carlson
"I've seen some pretty hot starts but I've never seen something quite like this. He's always been a guy who puts up numbers and he's right up there in the league offensively from the back end year in and year out. He's obviously feeling good right now." -- Calgary captain Mark Giordano on John Carlson

Capitals projected lineup

Alex Ovechkin -- Nicklas Backstrom -- T.J. Oshie
Carl Hagelin -- Evgeny Kuznetsov -- Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana -- Lars Eller -- Garnet Hathaway
Brendan Leipsic -- Nic Dowd -- Chandler Stephenson
Michal Kempny -- John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov -- Nick Jensen
Jonas Siegenthaler -- Radko Gudas
Braden Holtby
Ilya Samsonov
Scratched:Tyler Lewington, Travis Boyd
Injured:Richard Panik (upper body)

Flames projected lineup

Johnny Gaudreau -- Sean Monahan -- Elias Lindholm
Matthew Tkachuk -- Mikael Backlund -- Austin Czarnik
Andrew Mangiapane -- Derek Ryan -- Tobias Rieder
Milan Lucic -- Mark Jankowski -- Michael Frolik
Mark Giordano -- Rasmus Andersson
Noah Hanifin -- Travis Hamonic
TJ Brodie -- Michael Stone
Cam Talbot
David Rittich
Scratched: Oliver Kylington
Injured: Sam Bennett (lower body)

Status report

Wilson did not skate Tuesday but is expected to play. … Mangiapane will return to the lineup after missing two games because of an upper-body injury. …Talbot will make consecutive starts for the first time this season.

Stat pack

Holtby is one shutout from passing Olie Kolzig (35) for most shutouts in Capitals history. … Oshie has five points (four goals, one assist) in a four-game point streak. … Backlund has goals in two straight games. … Lucic is two goals from 200 in the NHL. … Lindholm is four goals from 100 in the NHL.