Photo: Justin Tang/AP

After a blowout 6-1 win earlier this month at Capital One Arena, the Washington Capitals travel north of the border for the second of three meetings this season against the Ottawa Senators. Friday’s puck drop from Canadian Tire Centre is set for 7:30 P.M. ET on NBC Sports Washington.

Capitals

The Capitals’ four-game winning streak snapped Wednesday night when they lost 5-4 to the Nashville Predators. The loss dropped Washington to 34-12-5 on the season. However, they continue to lead to the NHL with 73 points, which is three points over the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues.

Among league defenseman, John Carlson leads with 60 points and 47 assists. In the loss against Nashville, captain Alex Ovechkin scored his 35th goal of the season and passed Steve Yzerman for sole possession of ninth place on the All-Time Goals List. He needs two more goals to pass Mark Messier for the eighth-most goals in NHL history.

Goaltender Ilya Samsonov will start against Ottawa tomorrow night. The 22-year old has gone 15-2-1 this season, earned one shutout, and has a .927 save percentage. He is first among goaltenders with 2.06 goals-against average.

Washington’s 20.5% power-play efficiency places them 12th in the league. When a man down, the penalty kill ranks second, only behind the San Jose Sharks (86.9%), at 84.3%. Ovechkin is the team leader in power-play goals, scoring 11 goals thus far. Forward Tom Wilson leads with 71 penalty minutes.

Senators

The Senators defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 a First Niagara Center on Tuesday. The win improved Ottawa to 18-23-9 on the season. They are seventh in the Atlantic Division and 27th overall with 45 points, tying them with the Anaheim Ducks.

Forward Anthony Duclair leads with 33 points and 21 goals. Captain Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored his career-best 20th goal of the season in the victory over the Sabres.

Goaltender Anders Nilsson has been out with a concussion since December 19. Although he is progressing, there is no set timetable for his return. Forward Nick Paul will miss the next 4-6 weeks due to an ankle injury.

Goaltender Craig Anderson is likely to be in net on Friday. The 38-year old made 28 saves on Tuesday and has gone 7-12-1 thus far. In addition, Anderson has a .889 save percentage and 3.25 goals-against average.

On the man advantage, Ottawa has the second-worst efficiency at 14.4%. The team is 15th in the NHL with an 81% penalty kill efficiency. Both Duclair and forward Tyler Ennis have picked up 5 power-play goals. Forward Brady Tkachuk leads with 60 penalty minutes.

By Della Young

met my new buddd scout today !! he’s the new @MSE future service dog with @americasvetdogs 🐾 he will be holdinggg down the fort with the rest of our Monumental friends at @CapitalOneArena. cant wait to teach him some new tricks and see him at some of our games ! pic.twitter.com/4TdnNARiOa

— Captain (@CapsPup) January 30, 2020