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Caps try to extend win streak vs. struggling Devils

Mar 2, 2012 - 3:55 PM (Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals will aim for their first four-game winning streak in two months when they host the suddenly-struggling New Jersey Devils tonight at the Verizon Center.

The Capitals closed February on a three-game winning streak, beating Montreal, Toronto and the New York Islanders to salvage a 6-7-1 record for the month. A victory tonight would give Washington its first four-game win streak since Dec. 28-Jan. 3.

Washington's last three victories, however, came against teams that are beneath it in the East standings. Tonight's opponent, the seventh-seeded Devils, are five points ahead of the Capitals. Washington itself is currently seeded ninth and is one point in back of Winnipeg for the eighth and final postseason berth in the East. The Caps are also just three points behind Florida for first place in the Southeast Division.

The Devils have taken two of three from Washington this year, winning the last two meetings in a shootout. New Jersey also ended a three-game slide in D.C. with its 3-2 shootout win at the Verizon Center on Nov. 12.

The Caps and Devils have each scored eight goals over the three encounters this season.

Washington is coming off Tuesday's thrilling 3-2 comeback win over the Islanders, as the Caps stormed back from two goals down in the final four minutes of regulation before ultimately winning the test in overtime.

The Isles held a 2-0 lead after Matt Moulson's goal 2:16 into the third period and the score remained that way until Troy Brouwer tallied with 3:29 left. Brouwer tallied again with 26 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime, where the contest ended on Alex Ovechkin's team-leading 26th goal of the year.

Ovechkin's game-winner came after he grabbed a loose puck inside the defensive zone and raced down the left side of the ice. When he reached the top of the face-off circle, Ovechkin snapped a shot while using his defender as a screen that sailed through the legs of Evgeni Nabokov at the 1:35 mark.

"We needed one goal and I was proud to get it," Ovechkin said. "I got a lucky goal. I think I got a screen and I tried to get a shot through."

It was the 11th career overtime goal for Ovechkin, who has 14 tallies over his last 24 games.

The victory came at the start of a four-game homestand for Washington, which is 21-8-2 as the host this year compared to a poor 11-18-3 mark on the road.

The Devils have gone 0-3-1 over their last four games and are coming off Thursday's overtime setback in Boston. David Krejci scored the winner with 2:01 left in overtime to lift Boston to the 4-3 win. Krejci notched a hat trick and also tied the game at 3-3 with 14:30 left in the third period.

"We turned the puck over twice, once in overtime and the game-tying goal," said Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur. "They scored on both of them and that's the story of the game right there."

Zach Parise, David Clarkson and Patrik Elias all scored for the Devils, who are just one point behind Ottawa in the East standings and two in back of fifth-seeded Philadelphia. Brodeur was tagged for all four goals on 25 shots.

The Devils have a solid 19-11-2 record as the visiting team this year and are playing the third test of a four-game road trip tonight. Jersey will complete the trek Sunday against the New York Islanders.