The Washington Capitals are in for a busy week ahead, as they'll not only look to end a three-game losing skid but also have to gear up for the remainder of the season with the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday.

General manager Chris Patrick spoke to reporters about the team's strategy and thoughts going into the deadline, and chose to play his cards close to the vest. Still, he revealed that "anything is on the table" as the Capitals look ahead to the postseason and watch Alex Ovechkin chase Wayne Gretzky's record.

That said, here are 17 thoughts entering this week.

Washington Capitals 17 Things

1. Patrick wouldn't point out specific areas where Washington wants to bulk up, but there needs to be an emphasis on bolstering the bottom-6 and adding secondary scoring. Third-line center could be a position the Capitals target.

2. It seems more and more likely that Ryan Leonard joins the roster come spring time and will bring a lot to that third line himself, but Washington isn't banking on him alone and is not factoring him into the deadline plans. The only player that will factor in is Sonny Milano, who was cleared for contact but is still ways away from drawing back into the lineup.

3. One possible target that could be of interest: Ryan Donato. The 28-year-old has 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points in 58 games for the Chicago Blackhawks this season, and is a force to be reckoned with who provides versatility and offense while logging key minutes on a nightly basis.

4. Washington doesn't want to go overboard, though, and upset the locker room chemistry. Patrick was adament about that.

"Chemistry factors into our decisions in every decision," Patrick said. We spend probably more time talking, when we're talking about signing a guy or trading for a guy, about where they fit, who do they play with? What kind of special teams role do they have? What are they like in the room? What are they like off the ice? That's always a thing we're concerned with. So just like any point in the year, it's an important factor now."

5. Take that as, Washington won't make a move just to make a move. Patrick also explained that the team wouldn't hesitate to move draft picks, but ultimately, the move needs to be one that counts and actually helps out.

6. One has to wonder if there will be moves made to accomodate two of the organization's blueliners in Ethan Bear and Alex Alexeyev. Per ESPN's Emily Kaplan, the Capitals have engaged with team regarding Bear in order to give him an NHL opportunity, though he does provide key depth.

Alexeyev, meanwhile, has played in just five games with D.C. this season and is on a conditioning loan with the AHL's Hershey Bears, allowing him to get some ice time and showcase what he can do ahead of the deadline. Given the lack of opportunity here for him to draw in, and him still being young, one has to wonder if he's looking to move, too.

7. Dylan McIlrath provided a good look at what life has been like for him and the scratches this week in The Hockey News. He explained that he's at peace with the situation of going lenghty stretches without playing, but said that it doesn't make it easier and that it's been difficult not being in the locker room.

How Are The Capitals' Regular Scratches Faring Without Playing Time? Dylan McIlrath Offers Insight ARLINGTON, V.A. — Dylan McIlrath wasn't oblivious to his role when he made the full-time jump up to the NHL this season, knowing that his games with the Washington Capitals would be few and far between as a seventh defenseman.

8. Back to the deadline, though. Patrick emphasized how the winning culture has taken the locker room by storm, and there's a desire to make a deep run, so the team is "open to anything" that will give it the best shot at a long run come spring time.

9. D.C. is also all in on trying to do what it can to help Alex Ovechkin, who is 11 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, a second shot at the Stanley Cup. However, he doesn't impact the Capitals' strategy entering the deadline.

"I don’t know if that really affects our plans. The better the team is around Alex, the better it is for Alex because it just gets harder for other teams to match his line, other lines. They have to spread out who’s defending against what line. So, for all our offensive players, that allows them to have a little more space," Patrick said. "Spencer does a really good job getting the matchups he wants and getting guys into opportunities to try to score. So, just like the summer, I think at the deadline it will be the same thing. We’re just trying to get harder for teams to play against us.”

10. Ovechkin's not limping to the finish line in his "GR8 Chase," either. He has nine goals in his last 10 outings and has struck in three of the last four on vintage Ovechkin plays. That said, his will to win again is very much there, and the focus, actually, isn't on the record much going down the stretch.

"Honestly, for me, the thing that's been really cool to see with Alex this year is, he gets the questions here, but (when) we go on the road, there's a huge group of media waiting for him. We go to Canada, there's even a bigger group of media, and they all want to talk about the chase and the goals, and he never wants to talk about it. He'll answer the question quick, but then he wants to talk about the team and winning the Stanley Cup, and that's what he cares about," Patrick said. "And that's not an act. He wants to win the Stanley Cup and that's really all he's focused on right now."

11. The 39-year-old vocalized the same thing to me when I sat down with him a couple of weeks ago. He's all about the team and isn't the type of guy to put too much pressure on himself. It's never been his style, and it won't be going forward.

Sitting Down With GR8Ness: There's More To Alex Ovechkin Beyond The Goals ARLINGTON, V.A. — Sitting in his stall at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, still wearing his gear, untying his trademark yellow laces and proudly wearing his No. 8 on a gold chain around his neck, Alex Ovechkin glances over.

12. Some wonder, too, if he breaks the record this year, if he'll ride off into the sunset. I don't think so; he's under contract for one more year, and also said that as long as it's fun, he'll keep playing.

“You give to hockey basically all your life,” he told me. “You enjoy the time, and you enjoy the moment. When you come to the rink, talking to the boys, have fun with them, players fans, whatever, you enjoy it.”

He'll also likely play some games for Dynamo Moscow, where it all started, when all is said and done in the Show.

13. Speaking of Ovechkin, his linemate, Aliaksei Protas, continues to hit major strides and has 50 points this season. The 24-year-old has been an absolute force, and Washington couldn't be more thrilled as he continues to defy expectations.

For him, a lot of his success has come from the fact that he's gotten a lot of trust from the coaching staff.

14. Another player who's defied expectations: Pierre-Luc Dubois. The outside noise surrounding the center made some question what he'd bring to the table when he was acquired in the offseason, and he's brought just about everything — and then some. He has 49 points in 60 games, putting him on pace for a career-high 67 points, and he is a plus-20 as he thrives as a defensive forward.

Honestly, his play has made him a sneaky candidate for the Selke .

15. Dubois spoke on what's worked out so well, and mentioned that it's mutual respect. He also has the will to win and a lot of confidence in his game, and told me this past week that the priority is to win a Stanley Cup.

16. Fellow new addition, Jakob Chychrun, has also fit in perfectly in the District. There haven't been talks regarding his future or contract since the 4 Nations break, and he doesn't want it to be a distraction, but Patrick said that talks are ongoing and there's no rush to get him signed. The same goes for Charlie Lindgren.

17. Lindgren spoke on the situation with his contract, and said that with Logan Thompson here for six more years, he's not really sure what the future holds as he looks to be a starter. Still, he loves it in Washington, and the team has been happy with what he brought to the table and has spoken with his camp.

Even with his future up in the air, don't expect him to move at the deadline. It’s also hard to imagine he leaves the District.

(Update: He inked a three-year extension on Monday)

Charlie Lindgren Has 'No Hard Feelings' After Logan Thompson's Extension, Shares More On What Future Holds With Capitals The Capitals goaltender said his three years with the organization have been "nothing short of unbelievable."

18. Bonus thought: A wonderful Legacy On Ice tribute for those lost in the plane crash on Jan. 29 at Capital One Arena. Max Naumov, who lost both of his parents in the accident, skated, along with several others. Ovechkin and several members of the Capitals were also in attendance.