The Islanders considered their first loss in Washington a missed opportunity. Thursday’s defeat two nights later was a blown one.
The Capitals erased a three-goal, first-period deficit with five goals in the second period, including four within five minutes and nine seconds on shaky goalie Semyon Varlamov. The Islanders lost their third straight to start this season-high, five-game road trip, 6-3, at Capital One Arena.
And because it’s never too early to start worrying about the standings in a shortened, 56-game season, the Islanders (3-4-0) already are seven points behind the first-place Capitals in the East Division.
