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Red-hot Ovechkin, Capitals host Avalanche

Feb 20, 2009 - 3:09 PM Colorado at Washington 7:00 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The debate over who the best player in the NHL is becomes more of a one-sided argument with every goal Alex Ovechkin scores.

Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals go for their fourth straight win on Friday when they host the Colorado Avalanche.

The 23-year-old All-Star leads the league with 42 goals, and added to his total Wednesday when he registered yet another spectacular tally during the Capitals' 4-3 shootout victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

After backhanding the puck to himself in the neutral zone midway through the first period, the defending Hart Trophy winner skated up the left wing, fended off defenseman Mathieu Schneider and - while falling - tucked the puck past Canadiens All-Star goaltender Carey Price.

The goal was his fifth in the last three contests and Ovechkin has recorded 11 tallies and five assists during his current 10-game point streak. The Capitals are 7-1-2 over that span.

The Avalanche have struggled to find wins lately, but enter Friday seeking a third straight victory following four consecutive regulation losses.

After escaping with a shootout victory over the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, Wojtek Wolski scored 80 seconds into overtime, lifting Colorado to a 3-2 win against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.