New York Rangers (18-5-1, first in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Washington Capitals (12-8-3, fifth in the Metropolitan Division)
Washington; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Capitals host the New York Rangers after Dylan Strome scored two goals in the Capitals' 5-4 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars.
Washington is 5-2-0 against the Metropolitan Division and 12-8-3 overall. The Capitals are 5-1-2 in games decided by a goal.
New York has gone 18-5-1 overall with a 5-1-0 record in Metropolitan Division games. The Rangers are 9-4-0 in games their opponents serve more penalty minutes.
The matchup Saturday is the first meeting this season between the two clubs.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tom Wilson has eight goals and six assists for the Capitals. Strome has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Artemi Panarin has 16 goals and 20 assists for the Rangers. Jimmy Vesey has scored four goals with one assist over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Capitals: 5-4-1, averaging 2.4 goals, 3.8 assists, 3.9 penalties and 8.4 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.
Rangers: 7-3-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.1 assists, 4.1 penalties and 9.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.
INJURIES: Capitals: Nicklas Backstrom: out (hip), Max Pacioretty: out (achilles), T.J. Oshie: out (upper body).
Rangers: Chris Kreider: day to day (lower-body), Kaapo Kakko: out (undisclosed), Barclay Goodrow: day to day (upper body), Filip Chytil: out (upper-body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press