New York @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 24, 2018 ) Washington 5, NY Rangers 3

After ending a six-game road trip in the same manner in which it started, the Washington Capitals will hope to bounce back and take advantage of a pair of also-rans. Following a 3-3-0 trek that concluded with a 5-2 loss at Buffalo, the reigning Stanley Cup champions resume their pursuit of the top spot in the Metropolitan Division when they host the New York Rangers on Sunday.

Washington allowed five goals for the second time on the road trip in Saturday's loss, but it has won both meetings against New York this season to make it four straight victories in the series. Red-hot Alex Ovechkin increased his league-leading total to 44 goals by scoring in the fifth straight game Saturday and also has tallied three times versus the Rangers this season. New York seized an early three-goal lead en route to a 5-2 win over visiting New Jersey on Saturday despite the absence of forwards Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes and defenseman Adam McQuaid. One expected trade finally materialized as the Rangers sent Zuccarello to Dallas on Saturday night in exchange for a pair of conditional draft picks -- a second-rounder this year and a third-rounder in 2020.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network, Sportsnet, MSG (New York), NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE RANGERS (27-26-8): The absence of Zuccarello did not slow down New York's potent top line as Jimmy Vesey took his place alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider and produced a goal and an assist against the Devils. Kreider ended an eight-game goal drought to match Vesey's numbers while Zibanejad had two assists to give him 16 points over the last 12 games and 60 for the first time in his career. Pavel Buchnevich collected two assists Saturday to give him nine points in the last nine games while defenseman Tony DeAngelo set up another goal for his seventh assist during a career-high six-game point streak.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (34-21-7): Forward Carl Hagelin played his first game with Washington against the Sabres and defenseman Nick Jensen, acquired from Detroit on Friday, will make his debut for the Capitals in front of the home fans on Sunday. The 28-year-old Jensen, who was quickly signed to a four-year, $10 million extension by Washington, appeared in 190 games with the Red Wings over the past three seasons. “That’s huge that they put that kind of confidence in me,” Jensen told reporters of his new deal. “I never played for them, obviously they have watched me play. ... I’m hoping I can be a piece to what they want to do.”

OVERTIME

1. Capitals G Pheonix Copley has won three straight starts overall and looks to beat New York for the second time this season.

2. Rangers F Ryan Strome has seven points in seven games after scoring twice Saturday.

3. The Capitals have earned points in eight straight games (7-0-1) against New York.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Rangers 2