Takeaways: McMichael, Ovechkin & Protas Stay Hot As Surging Capitals Roll Blue Jackets, Take Metropolitan Division Lead

WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals just can't stop scoring.

That wasn't the case last year, but now, they have their veterans and younger players to thank for that as they've completely flipped the narrative this season.

Their hot start continued on Saturday, as Connor McMichael, Alex Ovechkin and Aliaksei Protas all extended their goal streaks en route to a 7-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Here are all the takeaways as Washington advances to 8-2 and overtakes the New Jersey Devils for first in the Metropolitan Division.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Connor McMichael, Aliaksei Protas Continue To Lead The Way For Capitals

The Capitals again got standout games from two of their rising stars, as Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas extended their respective goal-scoring streaks to three games and got things started for D.C.

Protas got on the board first, picking up a stretch pass from Alex Ovechkin and going on a 2-on-0 break with Dylan Strome before buryng a shot past a sliding Daniil Tarasov. He now has goals and points in three straight games, including six points over that span, and he's on a point-per-game pace.

McMichael was the true first star, though; he added two goals: one just 46 seconds after Protas' tally and another later in the second to put things further out of reach.

The 23-year-old leads Washington with seven goals through 10 games, and he has 12 points in 10 outings as he continues to produce at over a point-per-game pace. He's oozing with confidence right now for the Capitals, and it's easy to see as he's putting his hockey IQ, speed and strength on display shift after shift.

Alex Ovechkin Gets Career Goal No. 859, All Four Lines Contribute As Offense Stays Hot

It took Alex Ovechkin 30 games last season to manage six goals on the year; this time around, he just needed 10, as his point shot made it through Tarasov for career goal No. 859.

The 39-year-old is just 36 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring record. He's on pace for 49 goals, which would put him over 900 career goals.

In addition to Ovechkin, who also added two assists, all four lines were buzzing, and each unit got on the board in the win. Andrew Mangiapane scored his third goal of the season off a Jakub Vrana rebound, and Nic Dowd also struck en route to the victory.

This is the fifth time in seven games the Capitals have managed five goals or more, and they've managed ast least three in all but one game this season.

Hendrix Lapierre Returns To Lineup After Reset

After sitting out two games as a healthy scratch and getting some time to hit reset, Hendrix Lapierre returned to game action on Saturday and looked impressive in the win.

The 22-year-old was moving his feet, showcasing his speed and intelligence and making smart plays all around to generate scoring chances. He picked up an assist for his first point of the season, and he also had two blocks.

Logan Thompson Stands Tall To Remain Undefeated In D.C.

The game got a bit out of reach early on for the Blue Jackets, but that didn't stop Columbus from making an impressive push — and Logan Thompson stood tall to help D.C. hang on.

Thompson made some big stops, including a wild glove save in the second period, for his fifth win as a member of the Capitals. He finished the night with 34 saves on 36 shots and has yet to lose a game for D.C. since being acquired in the summer.

Top Shelf Takes

- Trevor van Riemsdyk has assists in four of his last five games and leads all Capitals defensemen in helpers this season.

- Dylan Strome had a goal and two assists to extend his point streak. He's found the scoresheet in all but one game so far this year and leads Washington with 16 points this season.

- Jakub Vrana has points in back-to-back games.

- Nic Dowd has three goals in his last five games.