Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 18, 2019 ) NY Islanders 2, Washington 0

The New York Islanders look to pull off an impressive back-to-back sweep and increase their lead in the Metropolitan Division when they host the Washington Capitals on Friday. The Islanders registered a resounding 6-1 victory over Toronto and former captain John Tavares on Thursday to move two points ahead of the reigning Stanley Cup-champion Capitals.

“Obviously, an emotional game,” New York goaltender Robin Lehner told Newsday of Tavares’ first game back since leaving as a free agent. “But I was very impressed with how we kept everything in check and did everything we should do.” The Islanders, who have one game in hand on Washington, received at least a point from all 12 forwards and posted their highest goal total since just after Christmas in Thursday’s triumph to improve to 1-1-0 on their five-game homestand. The Capitals, who are beginning a stretch during which they play seven of nine on the road, continue to apply pressure as they've won four of their last five contests after rallying from a two-goal deficit for a 7-2 victory over Ottawa on Tuesday. “That was a pretty good push from us tonight, and that was exciting to watch our team play like that, (with) the enthusiasm, the buy-in, the excitement,” Washington coach Todd Reirden told reporters after Tuesday’s win. “Today was the first time that you could feel it, that this is the group, and that we’re all in this together.”

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

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (36-21-7): Captain Alex Ovechkin continues to produce, recording six of his league-best 44 goals during a seven-game point streak that also has seen him notch four assists to pull within four points of 1,200 for his career. John Carlson has registered eight of his 57 points - fourth among all NHL defensemen - over the last seven contests and is fourth on the team behind Ovechkin (74), Nicklas Backstrom (60) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (58). T.J. Oshie (297 career assists) scored twice on Tuesday to reach 20 goals for the third time in four seasons since being acquired from St. Louis.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (37-19-7): Captain Anders Lee scored his fourth goal in six contests on Thursday after suffering through an 11-game drought and leads the team with 22 - two more than Brock Nelson, who has recorded seven points in his last six games. Mathew Barzal notched his 98th career assist against Toronto to push his team-leading total to 52 points while Josh Bailey set up one tally to move within two of his third straight 50-point campaign. Lehner rode a 34-save performance to his 20th victory on Thursday, which could give Thomas Greiss (17-9-2) the start against Washington.

OVERTIME

1. Washington RW Tom Wilson has recorded 33 points in 45 games this season and scored three times in his last four contests.

2. New York LW Anthony Beauvillier, who has scored twice in three games, is slated to play in his 200th NHL contest on Friday.

3. The road team won the first two meetings of the season series, which concludes on April 6 in Washington.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Islanders 3