Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 6, 2019 ) NY Islanders 3, Washington 0

The New York Islanders finished one point behind the Washington Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division last season and that was enough for team management to decide to stand pat in the offseason. Although the Islanders were swept by Carolina in the Eastern Conference semifinals, they will feature basically the same roster in Friday's season opener versus visiting Washington.

"The biggest challenge is maintaining your foundation," New York coach Barry Trotz said. "Don't forget who you are, what you do and why you do it and keep growing your game." The Islanders allowed the fewest goals in the league last season but sustained a huge loss with the exodus of goaltender Robin Lehner. Washington, a surprise first-round loser in last season's playoffs, spoiled the opener for reigning Stanley Cup champion St. Louis with a 3-2 overtime victory on Wednesday night. The Capitals spotted the Blues a two-goal lead in the first period before rallying to win it on Jakub Vrana's goal in the extra session.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN Plus, NBCS Washington, MSG-Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (1-0-0): Braden Holtby has seen his win total dip in each of the last three seasons -- from a career-high 48 in 2015-16 to 32 last season -- and he got off to a shaky start as the Blues scored on two of their first three shots. “It’s obviously not an ideal start to the season but I felt like I played the goals fairly well,” said Holtby. "I knew I wasn’t far off and ... at that point you just try and make the next save to stay in the game as long as you can.” Captain Alex Ovechkin scored a goal and is nine behind Luc Robitaille (668) for 12th place on the all-time list.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (48-27-7, 2ND IN METROPOLITAN): Thomas Greiss posted a 2.28 goals-against average and .927 save percentage to form an imposing tandem with Lehner, who was replaced by former Colorado netminder Semyon Varlamov. Mathew Barzal, the top point producer in each of his first two seasons, centers the top line of Jordan Eberle (19 goals) and captain Anders Lee, who paced the team with 28 tallies, while Brock Nelson will skate alongside Josh Bailey after each eclipsed 50 points. Veterans Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk and youngsters Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews are part of a deep blue line.

OVERTIME

1. The Capitals and Islanders split four meetings last season, with the away team prevailing each time.

2. Greiss was 1-2-0 versus the Capitals last season despite allowing only five goals.

3. Washington C Evengy Kuznetsov will serve the second of a three-game suspension for testing positive for cocaine at the world championships in May.

PREDICTION: Islanders 3, Capitals 2