Capitals Prove They Are Contender by Winning 10 of 11

The Washington Capitals were expected to mount a charge after injured forwards Tom Wilson and Nicklas Backstrom returned to the lineup for the first time this season.

But the Capitals couldn’t wait that long.

The Capitals (20-13-4) blanked the New York Rangers 4-0 Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden for their 10th win in the last 11 games. Washington has climbed from out of a playoff spot to the NHL’s eighth-best record. They are now third in the Metropolitan Division.

This is a team that only had 10 wins after the first 26 games of the season.

The Capitals own a five-game winning streak and a six-game road winning streak. The latter ties a Washington franchise record, established in the 1983-84 season and tied in 2010-11.

“It’s been good to kind of grow our game…get that swagger back in the room,” Washington forward Marcus Johansson said.

It’s been a remarkable run for the Capitals, especially given that Wilson and Backstrom haven’t played yet because of offseason surgery. There’s no timetable for their return, although they are practicing with the team.

The Capitals also beat the Rangers without No. 1 defenseman John Carlson who is out indefinitely after being hit in the head by a slap shot. The Capitals are preparing as if he could be out for a lengthy period.

And as if that wasn’t enough, key forward T.J. Oshie hasn’t played in four games because of an upper body injury.

Meanwhile, the Capitals keep winning, primarily on the strength of their offensive might. They have scored three or more goals in 10 of their last 11 games. They have netted four or more goals in eight of those games.

🥇 McDavid snipes league-leading 31st goal, extends scoring streak to 16 games. Connor McDavid skated off all the half wall and into the slot before going right-post-and-in for the game-winner last night in Calgary (watch the goal here). McDavid has 15 goals and 17 assists during his 16-game point streak, which is one game short of his NHL career high set last season.

📈 The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Blackhawks for their 9th straight win. Martin Necas scored just over 3 minutes into the first period and Antti Raanta made 24 saves for his first shutout of the season as the 'Canes cruised to a 3-0 victory at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes are 13-0-2 in their last fifteen games, tying the Maple Leafs for the longest point streak in the NHL this season.

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