New York @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 3, 2019 ) Washington 3, NY Rangers 2

The Washington Capitals are still working on starting games better, but look to post back-to-back wins at home for the first time this season Friday night when the rival New York Rangers pay a visit. The Capitals gave up four goals in the first 10 minutes of a 6-3 loss to Colorado on Monday and surrendered the first two against Toronto on Wednesday before rallying for a 4-3 triumph.

“It is easy to maybe feel a little deja vu action happening,” Washington defenseman John Carlson told reporters. “And you know we didn’t want to be where we were and having meetings that we had and everything we worked on. Everyone responded really well, and maybe we don’t have to have those meetings again (Thursday).” The Capitals have won the last six meetings and own at least a point in the past 10 against the Rangers, who have played the least games (four) in the Eastern Conference after suffering a 5-2 loss at New Jersey on Thursday despite taking an early lead. Defenseman Tony DeAngelo along with forward Jesper Fast scored the goals for New York, which was playing its second game in 13 days, and leading scorer Mika Zibanejad (four goals, eight points) had six shots. Veteran Henrik Lundqvist (1-1-0, .904 save percentage) is likely to get the start in net for the Rangers after sitting out Thursday and is looking for his 451st career victory while trying to avoid his 300th loss.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network; TVA, MSG (New York), NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE RANGERS (2-2-0): Left wing Artemi Panarin, one of the big offseason acquisitions for New York, has been held off the scoresheet in the team’s two losses after recording two points in each of the first two games this season - both wins. Defenseman Jacob Trouba, who finished with five shots Thursday, is tied with Panarin for second on the team with four points while Pavel Buchnevich and Brendan Smith each posted their third in the loss at New Jersey. Rookie right wing Kaapo Kakko, the second pick in last June’s draft, scored his first NHL goal in the 4-1 loss to Edmonton on Saturday but was blanked in his other three contests and has totaled six shots on net.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (4-2-2): Carlson leads all blueliners in the league with 11 assists and 14 points after posting a goal and setting two others Wednesday to extend his point streak to five games. “He’s playing really well, and that was something that we talked about this summer with the departure of some other guys and his leadership back there,” Reirden told reporters. “. ... He does say things in the locker room, and he lets his play do the talking (as well).” Rookie Ilya Samsonov improved to 3-1-0 with 29 saves Wednesday, but Reirden said there is no goaltending controversy “at this point” and Braden Holtby (1-1-2, .846 save percentage) is still the team’s No. 1 netminder.

OVERTIME

1. The Rangers were 3-of-9 on the power play in the first three games before being shut out on six attempts Thursday.

2. Washington D Jonas Siegenthaler and F Richard Panik suffered upper-body injuries when they collided Wednesday and are questionable.

3. New York LW Brendan Lemieux, who battled illness this week, was scratched Thursday after playing the first three games.

PREDICTION: Capitals 5, Rangers 2