Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 18, 2019 ) NY Rangers 2, Washington 5

The Washington Capitals have put themselves on the fast track toward becoming a favorite to win their second Stanley Cup title in three seasons, with defenseman John Carlson and goaltender Braden Holtby leading the way. Carlson and Holtby aim to continue their streaking ways on Wednesday when the Capitals visit the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Carlson extended his point streak to seven games (one goal, 10 assists) after setting up Alex Ovechkin's power-play goal in the second period of Washington's 5-2 contentious win against Anaheim. The 29-year-old Carlson also had an assist on Tom Wilson's tally in the third period to notch his 11th multi-point performance for the Capitals, who saw Holtby make 32 saves to improve to 10-0-1 in his last 11 starts. Holtby's streak began after he turned aside 26 shots in a 5-2 victory versus New York on Oct. 18. New York's Artemi Panarin scored in that contest and enters the rematch against Washington with an 11-game point streak (five goals, 12 assists) and a run of six straight contests with at least one assist, both career highs.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TVAS

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (16-3-4): Garnet Hathaway will have a hearing Wednesday for spitting on Ducks defenseman Erik Gudbranson in the second period of Monday's game, NHL executive vice president and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell announced. "Yeah, it has no place," the 27-year-old Hathaway said when asked if he regretted his action. "It was an emotional play by me. You don't plan any of that stuff in your head, and it was a quick reaction, and unfortunately the wrong one for me, after a sucker punch." Ovechkin routinely has knocked out opponents with his success on the power play, as his 254th career goal with the man advantage has him one behind Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne for third place all-time in NHL history.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (8-8-2): Panarin, who has recorded five goals and two assists in his last seven meetings with Washington, scored his team-leading ninth goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Florida. Panarin's goal total this season is three better than Ryan Strome, who collected a goal and an assist against the Panthers for his third multi-point performance in his last six games. Pavel Buchnevich scored in the first encounter with the Capitals and saw his run of seven assists in five games come to a halt after being held without a point versus Florida.

OVERTIME

1. New York G Henrik Lundqvist's 21 career regular-season wins against Washington are tied with Mike Richter for the most in franchise history.

2. Capitals C Travis Boyd has six points (one goals, five assists) in his last eight games.

3. Rangers D Brady Skjei has recorded five points (three goals, two assists) in the last six contests versus Washington.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Rangers 2