The Capitals move into first place in the Metropolitan Division after an away win over the Devils

The Washington Capitals secured sole possession of first place in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division with their 6-5 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday evening. Washington entered the evening one point behind the Devils, but still had three games left.

Washington’s win also moves them to the top of the entire Eastern Conference. The top three teams in the East, Washington, New Jersey and the Carolina Hurricanes, are all from the Metropolitan Division.

The Capitals’ current four-game winning streak is the longest in the NHL. Their goal difference of plus-32 puts them second in the league, behind only the Winnipeg Jets (+36).

According to Capitals PR, Washington has scored five or more goals in 12 of its 24 games this season and is averaging an NHL-best 4.21 goals per game. In the 2023-24 season, the Caps scored five or more goals in just 10 of their 82 games.

Washington’s victory over New Jersey ended the two teams’ season series against each other just two months into the season. The Capitals won both games at the Prudential Center in Newark and dropped the two home games at Capital One Arena.

The Hurricanes were beaten 6-0 by the Florida Panthers on Saturday, meaning the Capitals will remain at the top of the division on Sunday. Washington only plays two games in December against teams in its division, the first being on December 12th against the Columbus Blue Jackets.