The Washington Capitals opened their five-game homestand with a strong first period, but you would not know that by the score.
Even though they spent most of the first period without the puck, the New York Islanders lead the Caps 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Josh Bailey scored his seventh goal of the season at 4:14 on a great individual effort. Bailey entered the offensive zone and wound up for what ultimately turned into a shot fake, Jeff Schultz bit on the fake and slid out of position, which allowed Bailey to carve his way through the rest of the Caps' defense in the slot and fire a backhand past Michal Neuvirth.
The Caps actually dominated play for most of the period, earning 13 shots on goal to the Islanders' three, but could not beat Evgeni Nabokov despite their best efforts.
Washington is 0-for-2 on the power play. New York has not had a chance with the man advantage.