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Caps, Isles collide in New York

Nov 5, 2011 - 3:14 PM (Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals shoot for their third straight win tonight when they pay a visit to the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.

Washington has won two in a row since a two-game slide and posted a 5-1 win at Carolina last night. Cody Eakin, Troy Brouwer and Nicklas Backstrom each had a goal and an assist, while Jeff Halpern and John Carlson also scored for the Caps.

Michal Neuvirth, making his second start of the season, made 24 saves.

"I had a good practice (Thursday) and a good pregame skate today, so I was pretty confident coming into the game tonight," Neuvirth said. "I think I had a good game."

Tomas Vokoun is expected to be in net tonight in Long Island.

Capitals defenseman Mike Green (ankle) missed his fourth straight game and is questionable for Saturday. Star Alex Ovechkin had two assists in the win for Washington, which has scored five goals in back-to-back games and 14 over the previous three contests. The Capitals are playing on consecutive nights for the first time this season.

The Islanders are mired in a six-game losing streak and dropped a 3-0 decision Thursday versus the Winnipeg Jets in the middle portion of a three-game homestand.

Rick DiPietro made 23 saves for the Islanders, who have scored seven total goals during the losing streak.

"I think we've given guys an opportunity now to see what they can do, but the bottom line is minutes don't mean anything to me now," said Isles head coach Jack Capuano. "We've gotta win games."

The Islanders' last win was a 4-2 decision over the Rangers on October 15, and they own a 3-3-1 record at home this season. After hosting the Capitals in the finale of this homestand, New York will hit the road for three games against Boston, Colorado and Vancouver.

New York started the season with a 3-1 mark and is last in the NHL with 1.8 goals per game. The Islanders have scored more than two goals in a game just twice this season, and have not done so since that win over the Rangers.

Isles forward Brian Rolston is five games shy of 1,200 in his career and left wing Jay Pandolfo is one goal from 100 in his career.

Washington and New York are playing the first of four meetings this season. The Caps were 4-0-0 against the Islanders last year and have won six straight, 11 of 12, and 13 of the past 19 matchups between the teams. The Capitals are 19-7-1 in the previous 27 trips to Nassau Coliseum.

Ovechkin owns 15 goals and 26 points in 22 career contests against New York. He has seven goals and 12 points in 11 career games as the guest in this series.