Capitals at Islanders
Mired in a five-game winless streak (0-3-2), the Washington Capitals are effectively playing themselves out of postseason contention. The Capitals look to end the slide and keep their flickering playoff aspirations alive on Saturday, when they visit the Metropolitan Division-rival New York Islanders. Captain Alex Ovechkin scored his league-leading 49th goal - and first at even strength since Feb. 27 - in Washington's 2-1 setback to New Jersey on Friday.
With five games remaining on their schedule, the Capitals reside four points behind Columbus for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. While Washington is careening in the wrong direction, cellar-dwelling New York skated to its third win in a row on Wednesday with a 2-1 triumph over Ottawa. The Islanders, however, officially were eliminated from postseason contention the following day after the Blue Jackets posted a 2-0 win over Philadelphia.
TV: 5 p.m. ET, CSN (Washington), MSG Plus (New York)
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (34-30-13): Ovechkin collected three goals and an assist and Nicklas Backstrom had one and three, respectively, in Washington's two victories over New York in November. Although Joel Ward was held off the scoresheet in both contests, the 33-year-old is enjoying a stellar season with a career-best 22 goals and 43 points. Ward was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is presented to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (31-35-10): Josh Bailey has struggled mightily after signing a five-year, $16.5 million extension last summer, but he's been paying dividends lately with a goal and an assist in each of his last two games. "Certainly, packing it in wasn't an option," Bailey told Newsday of the team's 5-0-1 stretch over the last six. "We're not going to let that happen. (Jack Capuano) wasn't a coach to let it happen. We're proud of the way we're working down the stretch."
OVERTIME
1. New York RW Michael Grabner participated in his first full practice on Friday since suffering a concussion on March 10.
2. Washington's potent power play has misfired on its last eight opportunities over the last two contests.
3. Islanders C Ryan Strome has collected six points (one goal, five assists) in his last five games.