NHL On Tap: Devils seek to keep momentum going against Capitals

Welcome to the NHL On Tap. Three NHL.com writers will share what they are most looking forward to on the schedule each day. Today, they look at the one game Wednesday.

Hughes, Toffoli, finding chemistry together

It may have taken a bit more time than expected, but the New Jersey Devils seem to have found a winning combination in center Jack Hughes and right wing Tyler Toffoli. In a 5-2 victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, Toffoli had his first hat trick since joining the Devils in an offseason trade with the Calgary Flames, and Hughes had four assists, including one on each of Toffoli's goals. There were some bumps in the road for New Jersey (3-1-1) after it won one of its first three games (1-1-1) and scored a total of 10 goals. But heading into their game against the Washington Capitals at Prudential Center on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; MAX, TNT, TVAS), the Devils have scored five goals each in consecutive wins against the New York Islanders (5-4 in overtime on Friday), and the Canadiens, and Hughes has moved into a tie with Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin for first in the NHL scoring race with 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in five games. With Hughes, Toffoli and Timo Meier getting comfortable on one line and Nico Hischier developing between Ondrej Palat and Jesper Bratt on a second line, New Jersey is beginning to show why it's considered by many to be a Stanley Cup contender. -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

Ovechkin seeks to recapture scoring touch

The Capitals will be looking to bounce back in the second game of a back to back following a 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Washington's lone goal was scored by forward Alex Ovechkin, on the power play with 11 seconds left in the second period to ruin the shutout bid for goalie Joseph Woll. The loss dropped the Capitals to 1-3-1, outscored 19-6. Ovechkin has three points (one goal, two assists) in his first five games this season after having 75 points (42 goals, 33 assists) in 73 games last season, and with 823 NHL career goals is 71 behind Wayne Gretzky's all-time record of 894. -- Derek Van Diest, staff writer

Looking to get an EDGE

The NHL launched the website NHL.com/EDGE on Monday, giving fans access to data from its Puck and Player Tracking technology. The site gives us some new things to watch in this game. Ovechkin and Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton each has had four shot attempts of at least 90 miles per hour so far this season, tied for seventh in the NHL. Bratt has been one of the best possession players in the NHL by one metric; the puck has been in the offensive zone 51.0 percent of the time when he has been on the ice, fifth most in the League. The puck has been in the offensive zone 44.0 percent of the time for New Jersey, tied for second in the NHL -- 42.6 percent of the time at even strength, eighth in the NHL. -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

Wednesday game

Washington Capitals at New Jersey Devils (7:30 p.m. ET; MAX, TNT, TVAS)

The Capitals have scored six goals in regulation in five games this season. They are last in the NHL in goals per game (1.20) and 30th in power-play percentage (6.3 percent). The Devils are sixth in goals per game (4.00). New Jersey has scored 10 power-play goals, the most through five games in a season in Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts history, and leads the NHL in power-play percentage (44.0 percent). Hamilton has six points (three goals, three assists) during a season-opening five-game point streak.