Anaheim @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 17, 2019 ) Washington 2, Anaheim 5

The Washington Capitals have faced little resistance from the opposition this season, rolling up NHL bests in wins (15), points (34) and goals (81) to stake their claim as a viable contender for their second Stanley Cup title in three years. The Capitals aim to continue their torrid run on Monday when they host the Anaheim Ducks.

T.J. Oshie scored in the last minute of regulation to tie the game Saturday and Washington recorded a point for the 14th time in 15 outings (12-1-2) with a 3-2 shootout victory over Boston. "I think it means we're doing some things right," the 32-year-old told reporters. "... Obviously, a tough loss (on Friday, a 5-2 defeat versus Montreal), we weren't really going except for maybe a couple guys, so it's nice to see us respond (Saturday) and play to the very end, that's what it took." While the Capitals have won 15 of their last 16 games against the Bruins, they have lost three in a row to Anaheim. The Ducks enter Monday's encounter with an uptick in momentum, as Derek Grant's first career hat trick allowed them to snap a five-game skid (0-3-2) with a 4-1 victory at St. Louis.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TVA, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE DUCKS (10-9-2): Ryan Getzlaf may be on the back nine of a productive career, but the superstar captain showed he can still contribute with a goal and an assist in Saturday's tilt. The 34-year-old Getzlaf's eight goals are one shy of team leader Jakob Silfverberg, who registered a career-high 24 tallies last season - including two in Anaheim's 5-2 win over Washington on Feb. 17. Adam Henrique collected two goals and an assist in that game, although he joined linemate Silfverberg in having their respective four-game point streaks snapped on Saturday.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (15-3-4): While whether John Carlson previously should have won a Norris Trophy is up for debate, there's no arguing the impact that he's had this season as he enters Monday's contest with NHL highs in assists (24) and points (32) for a defenseman. The 29-year-old Massachusetts native boosted his point streak to six games (one goal, eight assists) by setting up Travis Boyd's first-period goal versus Boston. Carlson recorded multi-point performances in both meetings with Anaheim last season, notching a pair of assists in a 6-5 setback on Dec. 2 before scoring a goal and setting up another in the latter contest.

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim has scored 22 goals en route to posting a 4-0-1 record in the last five meetings with Washington.

2. Capitals G Braden Holtby sports a 9-0-1 record in his last 10 starts.

3. Anaheim G John Gibson owns just a 1-2-2 mark with a 3.22 goals-against average in six career starts versus Washington.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Ducks 1