New York @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 1, 2019 ) Washington 3, NY Islanders 1

The New York Islanders' bid for their first division title since the 1987-88 season pretty much went by the boards after the team lost six of 11 decisions to begin the month of March. The Islanders have since won five of their last seven and can secure home-ice advantage for their upcoming first-round series should they secure a point in Saturday's season finale against the host Washington Capitals.

"It would have been fun to play Saturday for the division," New York forward Mathew Barzal said. "Washington is obviously one of the best teams in the league, if not a Stanley Cup favorite, so for us to be right in the hunt with them is a credit to how good our season has been." While picking up a point on Saturday will secure a second-place finish for the Islanders, a regulation loss opens the door for Pittsburgh (99 points) to possibly net home-ice advantage in the first-round series should it defeat the New York Rangers in its season finale. Washington clinched its fourth consecutive division title for the second time in franchise history on Thursday after improving to 16-5-1 in its last 22 games with a 2-1 triumph against Montreal. "I'm really proud of our team," Capitals coach Todd Reirden said. "Going through some ups and downs during the season and eventually winning out is a big accomplishment for our team and obviously the home-ice advantage, love playing here, love the fans."

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

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (47-27-7): Coach Barry Trotz welcomed the notion of Saturday's game carrying an extra bit of weight for his club as it prepares for the playoffs. "We still have something to play for," Trotz said. "That's good for our group to learn to play for something. It's easy to play for nothing. It doesn't take anything. There's no weight on your mind. ... It prepares us." Brock Nelson, who has been held without a point in three meetings with Washington, moved within one of his career high when he scored his 25th goal on Thursday before tallying in the shootout to give New York a 2-1 victory over Florida.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (48-25-8): Lars Eller ended a six-game goal drought when he scored late in the first period against his former team on Thursday. "We can't expect our top guys to score every game and win every game for us," the 29-year-old Dane said. "History shows as well that it is going to be crucial to have depth and have contribution from all four lines (in the playoffs)." Superstar captain Alex Ovechkin has done his fair share of scoring with an NHL-best 51 goals, with one being recorded in Washington's 4-1 win over the Islanders on Nov. 26 and another in a 3-1 triumph on Long Island on March 1.

OVERTIME

1. Washington C Nicklas Backstrom has notched four assists in the season series versus New York.

2. Although the Islanders are vying for home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs, they do own a 14-6-2 mark in their last 22 road contests.

3. The road team has won all three meetings between the teams this season.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Capitals 2