ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Washington Capitals haven't lost more than two consecutive games since the middle of March. That includes the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where they are 4-0 following a loss.

They hope to keep that going in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the New York Rangers on Sunday (7 p.m.; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports) at Verizon Center. With a win, Washington would advance to the Eastern Conference Final.

It was a goal set before the season started, and Washington coach Barry Trotz said the past 30 games of the season were probably the best as far as achieving that goal.

"I think guys understand you lose a game, it's sort of the playoff mentality, you let it go and you figure out what to do for the next game," Trotz said Saturday. "It's a simple formula but it's a mindset you have to have."

The Capitals lost to the Rangers on March 11 and the Dallas Stars on March 13. They haven't had two losses in a row since.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Washington Capitals have been effective in their goal to shut down New York Rangers forward Rick Nash in the Eastern Conference Second Round and look to continue that success in Game 4 on Wednesday at Verizon Center (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports 2).

Nash has been held to one point, an assist, through three games in the best-of-7 series, which the Capitals lead 2-1.

"I think we've contained him fairly well," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. "[It's] strong 1-on-1 battles, good matchups and a five-man mentality on taking away time and space. It's no different than anybody else that you do in the regular season."

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Each game is a learning experience for Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson.

When Washington defenseman Brooks Orpik took a hard hit in the third period of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the New York Rangers, with the Capitals leading 1-0, Wilson took New York's James Sheppard to the boards and the Rangers were given a power play.

Capitals coach Barry Trotz said he had a chat about the play with Wilson.

"There's no need for him to make that hit," Trotz said. "It was a situation for support, not for contact. He's a young player. I tend to think he's sometimes a little older than he looks, but he's still a young player."

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Washington Capitals defenseman Tim Gleason is probable to play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the New York Rangers on Monday at Verizon Center (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports), Capitals coach Barry Trotz said.

"We'll make that determination in warmup but I would say he's a probable," Trotz said. "That is just on an emergency basis based on making sure that we're good to go rather than take that chance."

Gleason took a maintenance day Sunday and missed part of Washington's practice. Trotz called it precautionary, and Trotz and Gleason said there was an issue that needed to be checked out by a doctor, but that everything was fine. Gleason participated in the Capitals' optional morning skate Monday.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Washington Capitals defenseman Tim Gleason missed part of practice on Sunday but is expected to play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round series against the New York Rangers on Monday (7:30 p.m.; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports) Capitals coach Barry Trotz said.

Gleason called the absence a maintenance day but said he was healthy.

"I just had a check up with a doc to see if everything was good and everything’s good," Gleason said.

Trotz would not disclose Gleason's ailment but said he has been blocking a lot of shots, so they’re monitoring his health carefully.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- For the fifth time since 2009, the Washington Capitals will play the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

For some players, it's fun to play an opponent they know so well. At this point, seeing the Rangers in the playoffs is routine for the Capitals.

"It just feels right that we play them again," goaltender Braden Holtby said. "We've had great series with them before and it's going to be another tough one, a very big challenge for us. We've embraced challenges all year, so we're very excited about this one."

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Washington Capitals forward Eric Fehr will not be available to play against the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Second Round on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN), Capitals coach Barry Trotz said Wednesday.

Fehr, listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury, skated Wednesday but worked separately with a strength and conditioning coach and did not participate in practice.

Trotz would not disclose Fehr's status for Game 2.

"He's going to make the trip," Trotz said.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Washington Capitals forward Curtis Glencross will play in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the New York Islanders on Monday at Verizon Center (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports 2, MSG+, CSN-DC), Capitals coach Barry Trotz said.

"He can be a difference maker for us," Trotz said. "He's a guy that has scored big goals and he's new blood into the lineup, which is good. He can play a real gritty game, he can score some goals. I'm expecting him to be a good player for us tonight."

Glencross was scratched for three games because he wasn't playing at an acceptable level, according to Trotz. But with injured forward Eric Fehr unavailable for Game 7, Washington will lean on Glencross' experience.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Washington Capitals forward Eric Fehr will not play in Game 7 of Washington's Eastern Conference First Round series against the new York Islanders on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports 2, MSG+, CSN-DC), Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. The Capitals cancelled practice Sunday but Fehr skated for the first time since April 19.

Fehr has missed the past three Stanley Cup Playoff games because of an upper-body injury sustained in Game 3. He initially was expected to miss two games.

If Washington advances to the second round, Fehr will be ready to play, "or he wouldn't be on the ice [today]," Trotz said Sunday.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Washington Capitals forward Eric Fehr will not play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Thursday at Verizon Center (7 p.m. ET; CNBC, SN, TVA Sports 2, MSG+, CSN-DC), Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. Fehr also missed Game 4 because of an upper-body injury.

Fehr was injured during Game 3 of Washington's best-of-7 series against the New York Islanders. The series is tied 2-2.

He initially was expected to be available for Game 5 but he did not skate with the team Thursday and has not skated since being injured April 19. Trotz said Fehr is doubtful for Game 6 as well.