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The Washington Capitals have won three consecutive games for the first time since January 11-15. They hope to extend it to four Friday at Verizon Center, but the New Jersey Devils may care.
Washington opened its five-game homestand with a comeback 3-2 overtime win over the New York Islanders Tuesday. Troy Brouwer scored twice in the final four minutes to tie the game and Alex Ovechkin won it in overtime. The Caps will try to get back into the playoff picture with a victory; the Winnipeg Jets' 7-0 win over the Florida Panthers pushed them into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Yet, the Caps have three games in hand on the Jets.
Meanwhile, the Devils are in seventh place, six points ahead of the Caps. New Jersey will be playing its second game in as many nights Friday; the Devils lost 4-3 in overtime to the Boston Bruins Thursday.
Johan Hedberg will start in goal for the Devils. It is uncertain whether Michal Neuvirth or Tomas Vokoun will start for the Caps.