The Washington Capitals probably want to forget the last four periods they've played over the last two games. Having been outscored 8-3 since the third period of last Saturday's 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders, the Caps have lost four of six. Things won't get any easier Friday when Washington faces the red-hot New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center.
Once the only undefeated team left in the NHL, the Caps are 2-4-0 in their last six games and are in second place in the Southeast Division. After Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Dallas Stars, head coach Bruce Boudreau put his team through a grueling 90-minute practice that featured four rounds of suicides. With a statement made, the Caps will look to rebound from their second two-game skid of the season.
Meanwhile, the Devils have won three straight. Rookie Adam Henrique has six points over his last four games, while veteran Patrik Elias leads the team with six goals and 13 points. New Jersey may be without Ilya Kovalchuk, who has missed the last two games with a pulled muscle in his leg. His status for Friday is uncertain.
If the Caps have one thing going for them heading into this season's series with the Devils, then it's the fact that they won three of four last season by a combined score of 15-8. The two teams will meet again Saturday at Verizon Center.