The Washington Capitals continue to lead the NHL in standings points after a 1-0 overtime victory over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. The Caps initially moved into sole possession of first place after their 3-0 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
Washington has recently been jockeying for position at the top of the standings with the Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets. Vegas lost their last contest to the Nashville Predators, dropping them to third place. Winnipeg has the same number of points as the Capitals (65) but has played one more game, which means their point percentage is lower.
With the win, Washington also extended their lead in the Metropolitan Division to seven points. The Capitals entered the night six points ahead of the New Jersey Devils but gained an additional point after the Devils lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime.
Washington still holds two games in hand over New Jersey. The Carolina Hurricanes, third in the division, have played the same number of games as the Caps but are an astonishing 10 points behind them.
The Capitals will play an intra-division game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. Pittsburgh has lost three games in a row and won just two of their last 10. The Penguins are seventh in the division and will play the Buffalo Sabres the night before traveling to DC.
Washington will enter Saturday’s game on a nine-game point streak (6-0-3) and an even longer 11-game home point streak (8-0-3). They have not lost in regulation at Capital One Arena since taking a 3-2 loss to the Devils on November 23.
