Calgary Flames @ Washington Capitals, 5 PM MT, Capital One Area, Washington DC

TV: NHLN, SN - Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 8-6-2 (18 pts) - Washington Capitals 10-2-3 (23 pts)

NHL Standings

The Flames roll into Washington DC on a two game winning streak to take on the Capitals Sunday night in the final regular season meeting between these two teams. The stop also is the end of Calgary’s season long 10 day road trip which has seen them go 2-1-1 over the first four games.

Calgary is riding high on a two game winning streak, their second of the season and they look like a hockey team that is starting to gel. Calgary erased a four goal deficit against Nashville and defeated the Predators in overtime Thursday night and then David Rittich pitched a shut out against Columbus on Saturday. The Flames top players are also starting to perform lately with Matthew TKachuk scoring three goals in the Flames two victories, Sean Monahan scored a goal for the first time in 13 games against the Blue Jackets and while not scoring, Johnny Gaudreau has five assists in his last four games. So maybe the ship is starting to correct itself.

And if you want to test if the ship is right, this is the opponent to test it against. Washington is having an outstanding season and they are sitting atop the Metropolitan Division with 23 points. Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson are in the Top 10 in most offensive categories and the team as a whole is running roughshod over their division. Washington is 3-1-2 at home and they’ve won eight out of their last ten, including three straight.

Just how good are the Capitals? Here’s where they sit among the league’s top offensive categories: Goals: 59 (1st), Goals Per Game: 3.93 (1st), PP%: 25% (5th). They also lead the NHL in points with 23. Not a bad season. Where they are struggling is in stopping pucks from entering their net. For all the offence they are generating, they are 11th in the league in GA with 47, but their PK is 7th overall, killing penalties at a rate of 85.7%. So despite some lackluster defence and suspect goaltending at times, the Capitals have enough fire power to overcome some sloppy play.

These two last met in Calgary on October 22nd with the Capitals defeating the Flames 5-3. Despite the two goal difference, it really wasn’t a close game. Washington scored two goals quickly in the second, which Calgary was able to get back and tie the game 2-2. After that Washington decided to stop messing around and pumped in three straight goals putting this game away in the third period. The Flames are 4-6-0 in their last 10 trips to Washington.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected,C=Confirmed)

Flames: Talbot (C)- 1-2-0, 2.46 GAA, .908 Save%

Capitals: Holtby- (E)- 6-1-3, 3.30 GAA, .895 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals: Lindholm (9) Points: Lindholm (14) PIM: Lucic (40) Save%: Rittich (.915)

Capitals: Goals: Ovechkin (11) Points: Carlson (23) PIM: Gudas (19) Save%: Samsonov (.913)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Washington Capitals Coverage: Japers Rink

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 3 - Columbus Blue Jackets 0

Washington Capitals 6 - Buffalo Sabres 1

Players To Watch

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

Calgary Flames: Johnny Gaudreau (F): 5 assists in last 4 games

Washington Capitals: John Carlson (D): 4 goals in last 5 games