Ovechkin has 655 goals in 1,074 games; Shanahan had 656 goals in 1,524 games. The 33-year-old left wing, who has 81 points (48 goals, 33 assists) this season, needs two goals to join Hockey Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy as the only players in League history with at least eight 50-goal seasons. Gretzky and Bossy each did it nine times. The Capitals are 8-2-0 in their past 10 games and are tied with the New York Islanders for first place in the Metropolitan Division with 10 games remaining. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood will start for the Devils, who are 2-7-1 in their past 10 games.
Players to watch
Capitals defenseman John Carlson has seven points (two goals, five assists) in a six-game point streak. Devils forward Kenny Agostino has five points (two goals, three assists) in his past five games.
They said it
"It would be easy to look ahead toward (our game against the Tampa Bay Lightning) tomorrow and skip this one, but that would be a mistake because the Devils work and compete really hard and have nothing to lose." -- Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen "It's important for me to finish the year strong. It gives me a better chance of being around next year. Every game is a tryout basically; you can't take nights off and have to be the best you can every single day."-- Devils goalie Mackenzie Blackwood
Djoos, a healthy scratch the past 10 games, will replace Orpik. ... Hischier, Zacha, Wood, Bastian, Vatanen and Mueller skated in a separate group. Hall and Bratt worked out off ice.
Stat pack
Ovechkin is tied with Phil Esposito for fifth on the NHL's all-time power-play goals list (246) and needs one to tie Luc Robitaille for fourth. ... Backstrom has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in his past 10 games. ... Butcher has four assists in his past five games.
