For the second time in as many seasons, the Washington Capitals are rolling through the Eastern Conference with reckless abandon, setting themselves up for another league-leading finish, and perhaps more.
The Caps have looked especially dominant as of late, racking up 12 wins over their past 14 games - with the only two losses over that span coming in extra time.
That blazing run gave Washington 26 points over the past month of play, taking its season total to 70 points - tops in the NHL.
With over half the campaign in the books, the Capitals are separating themselves from the Presidents' Trophy herd once again, sitting a handful of points above similarly hot teams in Columbus, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh, and a mile above the more pedestrian clubs.
But considering their current trajectory, the Caps might be on track for something more illustrious than their second consecutive regular-season crown.
With 70 points through 47 games, the club is on track to hit 122 points by season's end. That mark would be good enough to clear both of their previous league-leading seasons - 121 points back in 2009-10 and 120 points last season.
In fact, it would rank as the best regular-season showing in Capitals history.
Washington would require a monstrous finish to reach that historic mark - 52 points over the final 35 contests - but considering the way the club has been cruising past the competition, it might not be out of the question.
The Caps have put up four goals or more 22 times in 2016-17, 11 of which have come in the past month. Meanwhile, they're allowing the fewest goals per game of any NHL club, with 2016 Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby putting together another strong season.
Of course, the true test for Washington will come after its 82 games are done, as the Capitals' sights are likely set higher than another sterling regular season.
At this point, it's all about becoming a team that can take down any playoff opponent put in front of it. Considering the numbers the Caps are putting up right now, that doesn't seem too far-fetched.
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