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Islanders blank Capitals

Feb 5, 2014 - 5:00 AM Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Andrew MacDonald scored the only goal of the game early in the third period to give the New York Islanders a 1-0 win over the Washington Capitals.

Evgeni Nabokov stopped all 22 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season for the Islanders, who snapped a five-game losing streak.

"I thought we did a good job," said New York head coach Jack Capuano. "Obviously, they had some chances on their power play, but I thought we did a good job limiting those chances. It's a good win for our team. We're a desperate team. I thought our guys really worked hard tonight right from the start."

Michal Neuvirth made 27 saves for the Capitals, who have dropped three of their last four.

"Every point right now is big," said Washington forward Martin Erat. "It doesn't matter if you are playing the Islanders or if you are playing Boston. You have to play the same way all the time, and we have to get the points from every single game."

The goal came at 2:16 of the third, as MacDonald received a pass from Brock Nelson at the right point and blasted a shot through several bodies for his fourth of the season.

John Carlson hooked Michael Grabner on a breakaway at 8:26 of the third, but Neuvirth kept his club in it with a stop on the wrist shot.

Nabokov stopped the six shots he faced in the third, as Washington was unable to establish any consistent pressure.

Game Notes

New York hosts Calgary on Thursday ... Washington hosts Winnipeg on Thursday ... Washington had won the previous two meetings against New York this season ... Nabokov has 57 shutouts in his career.