NHL’s Top Team is Idle

(AP) — The hottest team going in the NHL has the night off. The Capitals have earned at least a point in 12 straight games, going 10-0-2, to take over first place in the Metropolitan Division and all of hockey with 66 points. The Caps have scored 30 goals in their last five games and five goals or more in eight of their past 11. All season long they've been aggressive, outscoring opponents 45-17 in the first period for the best opening period advantage in the league.

The Caps next play Saturday against Dallas.

Pittsburgh is one of the teams chasing Washington in the Metropolitan. The defending league champs, who are five points back of the Caps in the division, are on the road tonight for a game against Carolina.

Montreal continues to set the pace in the Atlantic Division with 60 points. This evening the Canadiens are at New Jersey.

None of the other division leaders are in action tonight. As far as the rest of tonight's games, the Bruins are home to the Blackhawks, Detroit is in Buffalo, Nashville is skating in Edmonton and the Canucks are hosting the Panthers.