WASHINGTON _ The Capitals scored three power-play goals and swept a home-and-home series on consecutive nights against the Islanders with a 6-3 win Friday night at Capital One Arena.
The Islanders (30-31-10), who also scored three power-play goals, lost 7-3 at Barclays Center on Thursday night. They remain in last place in the Metropolitan Division as they are in a 1-6-4 slide that has ended whatever playoff hopes they might have had.
The first-place Capitals (41-23-7) won their fourth straight as Braden Holtby made 22 saves.
Jaroslav Halak, who stopped eight of nine shots after relieving Christopher Gibson on Thursday, made 25 saves Friday night.
Nicklas Backstrom's five-on-three power-play goal at 7:12 of the second period snapped a 1-1 tie and Alex Chiasson's power-play goal at 1:46 of the third period extended the Capitals' lead to 4-1 as Islanders coach Doug Weight unsuccessfully challenged that Jakub Vrana interfered with Halak. Vrana's even-strength goal made it 5-1 at 10:56.
Rookie Mathew Barzal scored his 19th of the season with an unassisted power-play goal to tie the game at 1 at 5:30 of the second period. Brock Nelson's power-play goal at 13:52 of the third period cut the Islanders' deficit to 5-2 and John Tavares' power-play goal at 16:14 brought the Islanders within two.
It marked the 20th time this season the Islanders have allowed at least five goals.
