Alex Ovechkin has seen his career-high 14-game point streak (17 goals, six assists) result in 12 victories for the Washington Capitals, who host fellow captain Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. The bitter Metropolitan Division rivals split their first two contests this season after the Capitals brushed aside the Penguins in the spring en route to capturing their first franchise Stanley Cup title.

The Montreal Canadiens fell flat in their bid to wrap up a perfect homestand and now will close out 2018 with a six-game road trip that sandwiches the NHL's Christmas break. The Canadiens had won five of six before they were blanked by Boston on Monday night and look to get back on track Wednesday at the Colorado Avalanche, who are also coming off a lopsided defeat.