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Ovechkin catching fire; Capitals host Canadiens

Nov 28, 2008 - 11:27 AM Montreal (12-5-4) at Washington (12-7-3) 7:00 pm EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- After a disappointing road trip, Alex Ovechkin made sure the Washington Capitals' return home was a happy one.

Ovechkin and the Capitals look to extend their home winning streak to seven games when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner, Ovechkin recorded his sixth career hat trick and added an assist as Washington defeated Atlanta, 5-3, on Wednesday.

Ovechkin extended his points streak to nine games, a stretch in which he has 10 goals and 11 assists.

Washington was coming off a five-game road trip that saw it go 1-3-1. The Verizon Center has been a much more comfortable place for the Capitals, who own the Eastern Conference's best home record at 8-0-1.

For the first time in nearly two weeks, Montreal did not need a shootout to put a mark in the win column. Carey Price made 31 saves and the Canadiens scored three second-period goals to top the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, on Wednesday.

Montreal entered the contest 2-3-2 in its last seven contests, with its two wins coming via shootout at St. Louis and Ottawa. The wins improved the Canadiens to 4-4 in the bonus format.

Following the matchup with the Capitals, the Canadiens play 10 of their next 11 games at home.