Washington @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2019 ) Washington 6, Chicago 0

After finally posting back-to-back home wins for the first time this season, the Washington Capitals hope to continue their success away from Capital One Arena when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night in the opener of a five-game road trip. The Capitals own a 3-1-0 record away from home, knocking off three playoff teams from last season.

Washington coach Todd Reirden had dismissed any talk of a goaltender controversy due to a slow start by Braden Holtby, who responded with a strong performance in a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers on Friday night. "I didn't really like how I was playing," Holtby told reporters. "It was nice to get a couple days to work on a couple things, get back to feeling comfortable in certain situations." The Blackhawks opened the season with three straight one-goal setbacks, but bounced back to hand Edmonton its only loss before rallying for a 3-2 overtime victory over Columbus on Friday night. "Sometimes it's nice to learn some lessons when you win," coach Jeremy Colliton told reporters after the victory over the Blue Jackets. "We have a little momentum and hopefully we can continue that."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, NBCS Washington, NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (5-2-2): Defenseman Michal Kempny, who had been sidelined by a hamstring injury, wasted no time making an impact by scoring a goal in his season debut but he was more focused on the sizzling start of fellow blue-liner John Carlson. "He's been amazing so far," Kempny told reporters after Carlson collected three assists to tie Connor McDavid for the league lead with 17 points through Friday's games. "He's unreal. He's hot right now, and he's feeling it." Also feeling it is T.J. Oshie, who scored twice Friday to push his season total to six goals.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (2-2-1): Colliton expressed little concern earlier this week over the slow offensive start by captain Jonathan Toews, who picked up his first point in Monday's win over Edmonton and notched his first goal by scoring in the first minute of overtime Friday. "I guess if that's the way I have to score to get things going then I'll take it," Toews told reporters after his franchise-record 13th game-winner deflected off his shin pad. "It's definitely nice to get one any way you can." Patrick Kane added two assists to boost his team-high point total to seven.

OVERTIME

1. Capitals captain LW Alex Ovechkin is riding a six-game point streak overall and has 18 in as many games versus Chicago.

2. The Blackhawks recalled F Kirby Dach, the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, following Friday's game.

3. The home team has won eight of the past nine meetings.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 3, Capitals 2