(Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals will shoot for a third straight win tonight when they host the New York Islanders in the finale of a three-game homestand at the Verizon Center.
After losing their season opener in Atlanta, the Capitals have notched consecutive victories over New Jersey and Ottawa. Washington routed the Devils, 7-2, on Saturday night, but needed an overtime winner from Alex Ovechkin to beat the Senators on Monday.
Ovechkin scored 4:28 into overtime to lead the Capitals to the 3-2 victory. As time wound down in the extra session, Ovechkin skated down the right side and deked a defender before pulling the trigger on a shot from the right circle that drifted along the ice and through the legs of goaltender Pascal Leclaire for the win.
Ovechkin scored his third goal in two games for the Caps. Eric Fehr registered a goal and an assist, whileAlexander Semin also scored. Michal Neuvirth stopped 29-of-31 shots to earn his second victory of the season.
Following tonight's home test, the Caps will be off until Saturday's test in Nashville.
Meanwhile, after dropping a shootout decision to visiting Dallas in the season opener on Saturday, the Islanders earned their first victory of 2010-11 with a home 6-4 triumph Monday afternoon against the rival Rangers at Nassau Coliseum. Blake Comeau scored twice, including the game-winner late in the game.
Josh Bailey, Matt Moulson and Frans Nielsen each had a goal and an assist for the Islanders, while Rick DiPietro stopped 29 shots in the win.
"It was a big win for us," said Comeau. "We've had two games here where we've battle back so it shows that this team has character. Everyone chipped in tonight, it was a big team effort."
DiPietro had played in just 13 total games in the previous two seasons for the Islanders, but has started both contests for New York this season. Dwayne Roloson assumed the No. 1 goaltender role last year with DiPietro sidelined for most of the campaign, but has yet to see any action in 2010-11.
The Isles were playing Monday without John Tavares, who suffered what has been called a mild concussion in Saturday's game against the Stars. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2009 draft will also sit out tonight's game, but he could be back in action this weekend. As a rookie last season, Tavares posted 24 goals and led the Isles with 54 points.
New York is hoping Tavares will not miss significant time as it is already dealing with long-term injuries to forward Kyle Okposo (right shoulder surgery) and Mark Streit (left shoulder surgery).
Washington took three of the four meetings against the Islanders last season. The first three matchups in 2009-10 were decided by just one goal, but the Capitals posted a 7-2 blowout at Nassau Coliseum in the last meeting on January 26. Washington has taken seven of eight overall in the series and three of the last four encounters in D.C.