(Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals will aim for just their second win in six games when they visit theNew York Islanders for tonight's battle at Nassau Coliseum.
The Capitals have lost four of their last five games (1-2-2), but they are still just one point behind Tampa Bay for first place in the Southeast Division. The Lightning are also in action tonight in Atlanta.
Washington was dealt an overtime loss in its last outing Tuesday in Philadelphia.
The Capitals erased a two-goal deficit in the third period to send the game past regulation, but Andrej Meszarosscored the game-winner for the Flyers 1:07 into overtime, lifting Philly to a 3-2 victory at Wells Fargo Center.Alex Ovechkin and Mike Knuble scored for the Capitals.
Michal Neuvirth started between the pipes for the Caps, but left after the first period with an apparent lower-body injury. Semyon Varlamov made 20 saves on 22 shots in relief.
"He is day-to-day with a lower-body injury," said Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau. "You could tell on the first goal that he didn't move that well. He was able to gut it out for the rest of the period."
Neuvirth was sent back to Washington for tests and Washington recalled Braden Holtby from the club's AHL affiliate in Hershey. Varlamov is also struggling with a lower-body injury, but the Caps hope he is healthy enough to start tonight.
Tonight marks the middle portion of a three-game road trip for the Caps, who are 9-9-3 as the visiting club this year. Washington will complete the swing Saturday in Toronto.
New York has also lost four of its last five games and Jack Capuano's club was handed a 5-2 home loss on Monday by the New Jersey Devils -- the only team with less points then the Isles this season. Mattias Tedenby and Rod Pelley each notched a goal and an assist, leading the Devils to the win at Nassau Coliseum.
P.A. Parenteau and Michael Grabner scored for the Islanders, who have been torched for 23 goals during the past five games. Kevin Poulin stopped 22 shots in defeat.
The Isles are 1-2-1 on a five-game homestand that is set to end tonight. They are just 8-9-4 as the host this season.
It's unclear if Isles No. 1 goaltender Rick DiPietro will be able to suit up for tonight's game after missing Monday's game. DiPietro also sat out Wednesday's practice with an illness and is questionable for tonight.