Capitals: Top 3 key players to watch against Devils

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 19: Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) celebrates after he scores during the second period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on March 19, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 19: Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) celebrates after he scores during the second period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on March 19, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 19: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) battles New Jersey Devils defenseman Egor Yakovlev (74) during the second period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on March 19, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 19: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) battles New Jersey Devils defenseman Egor Yakovlev (74) during the second period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on March 19, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

After a few days off the Washington Capitals are back in action on Friday night.

The Washington Capitals begin the first of a back-to-back affair beginning Friday night against the New Jersey Devils. The Devils are a team that won the offseason but so far has underachieved this season.

The Devils are 11-17-5 with 27 points. That’s the second worst record in the Eastern Conference in front of only the Detroit Red Wings. Although they’ve struggled they come into Friday night’s game winners of two straight.

On Wednesday night, they defeated the Anaheim Ducks after just trading Taylor Hall to the Arizona Coyotes. 3-1 was the final with the lone Ducks goal scored by former Devil Adam Henrique. His goal was the fist of the game and the Devils answered with three unanswered goals from Nico Hischier, Kyle Palmieri and Sami Vatanen.

The Capitals last played on Monday night where they dropped their second straight game to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Eric Robinson as well as Oliver Bjorkstrand had the goals for Columbus in their 3-0 win.

The Caps had three days off and now will begin a stretch of three games in four nights before the Christmas break. Here are the top 3 players to watch Friday night.