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LEAGUE-LEADING CAPITALS EXTEND HOME WIN STREAK TO 11 GAMES.

The Washington Capitals are back at it again, winning at will!  T.J. Oshie (2-1—3) and Nicklas Backstrom (1-2—3) each collected three points as the League-leading Capitals (38-11-6, 82 points) earned their 11th consecutive win at Verizon Center on Thursday night.   Washington’s 11-game home win streak is their third-longest such run-in franchise history, behind streaks from Jan. 5 – March 6, 2010 (13-0-0) and Nov. 21, 2015 – Jan. 17, 2016 (12-0-0).  The Capitals have scored at least five goals in 10 consecutive home games. Elias notes that Washington became the second team in NHL history to score five or more goals in at least 10 straight home games; Boston accomplished the feat in 11 consecutive home contests from Dec. 6, 1970 – Jan. 23, 1971.  T.J. Oshie registered his fourth game of the season with at least three points, while Backstrom extended his point streak to six games (3-7—10). The latter leads the team with 16-41—57 this season and moved within a point of the 700-point milestone (181-518—699).  Braden Holtby (14 saves) has earned wins in his last 13 decisions (1.87 GAA, .930 SV%, 4 SO) and improved to 28-8-4 overall (1.97 GAA, .928 SV%, 7 SO).  The Capitals currently sit a-top the NHL with 82 points.  The Capitals have a 6-point lead over the Minnesota Wild for the league lead and a 8 point lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Metropolitan Division lead.

Kings forward Jeff Carter (2-2—4) registered his first four-point game of the season and moved within one goal of Sidney Crosby (30) for the League lead . . . J.T. Miller (2-0—2) registered his third multi-goal game of the season to extend his point streak to five contests (2-7—9) and guide the Rangers to their fourth consecutive win . . . Max Pacioretty collected 2-2—4 to eclipse the 200-goal milestone and help the Canadiens snap a four-game slide (0-3-1) . . . Patric Hornqvist (2-0—2) registered his second multi-goal game of the season as the Penguins extended their point streak to five games (4-0-1) . . . Ryan Miller (33 saves) registered his third shutout of the season (39th career) as the Canucks snapped a four-game slide (0-4-0) . . . Sharks forward Joe Thornton (381-994—1,375) scored to pass Mike Modano (561-813—1,374) for sole possession of 23rd on the NHL’s all-time points list . . . Avalanche forward Jarome Iginla skated in his 1,525th career game to pass Brendan Shanahan (1,524) for sole possession of 14th on the NHL’s all-time list . . . Stars forward Jiri Hudler skated in the 700th game of his NHL career . . . Patrick Marleau (7-5—12 in 8 GP), Brad Marchand (7-5—12 in 6 GP), Brett Connolly (4-3—7 in 5 GP), Ryan Strome (2-5—7 in 5 GP) and Chris Kreider (4-1—5 in 5 GP) each extended point streaks . . . Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle was fined $2,000 as supplementary discipline under NHL Rule 64 (Diving/Embellishment) . . . Members of the MLB’s Miami Marlins dropped the ceremonial puck at BB&T Center . . . Fatima Al Ali, a member of the United Arab Emirates’ women’s national hockey team, took a selfie with Henrik Zetterberg and Alex Ovechkin after dropping the ceremonial puck at Verizon Center as part of Hockey Is For Everyone month.

* Portions of the information provided via NHL Press Release