Weekly Snapshot, Nov. 28

A weekly peek at the state of the Washington Capitals.

Record/Standings Position: 17-6-2 (36 points), 1st Southeast Division/1st Eastern Conference/1st NHL

Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 5-0, at New Jersey Devils
* Won, 3-2, at Carolina Hurricanes
* Won, 6-0, vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
* Won, 3-2, vs. Hurricanes

This Week's Games:
* Wednesday at St. Louis Blues (8 p.m., CSN Plus-HD)
* Thursday at Dallas Stars (8:30 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Saturday vs. Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m., CSN-HD)

Injuries: Tyler Sloan (day-to-day). Total Man Games Lost: 53.

Recent Transactions: Assigned Brian Fahey to Hershey (Nov. 27); recalled Fahey from Hershey (Nov. 26); assigned Fahey and Braden Holtby to Hershey (Nov. 25).

Top Storylines:
* The Caps have outscored their opponents, 12-4, over the last three games after allowing five goals in three straight games.
* Alex Semin has three hat tricks in 35 days, the fastest three hat tricks for a Caps player and the fastest in the NHL since Marian Gaborik had three in 34 days in 2002.
* Alex Ovechkin's last eight points have all been assists.

Top Line (Who's Hot?): Semin (18 goals, tied for second in the league); Ovechkin (22 assists, tied for second in the league); Semyon Varlamov (1.88 goals against average in limited action this season).

Scratches (Who's Not?): Michal Neuvirth (after losing some of his magic touch, he's battled injuries and Varlamov); DJ King (proving to be a waste of space); Jeff Schultz (hasn't quite regained his form, especially in the plus/minus category, from last season).