New York lost 6-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, ending a stretch in which they had points in six straight games (5-0-1). Jaroslav Halak allowed all six goals before being lifted but will start against the Capitals after making 38 saves in a 3-0 win at Washington on Dec. 1. The Islanders allowed four goals in the third period against Columbus, but coach Jack Capuano wasn't concerned about the defensive issues. "It's just managing the puck," he said. "If you look at the goals we gave up, a couple were off the rush there, one or two in the zone, but for me, going through the tape, it's not defensively what we have to tighten up. It starts from our goaltender, and our power play needs to get going." New York is 2-for-19 on the power play in its past six games. Despite the recent stretch, which included a 3-0 win in Washington, the Islanders still trail the Capitals, who hold the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference, by 10 points. "We just focus on how we're playing. It's earlier in the year to look at the standings," defenseman Thomas Hickey said. "The top five teams in the Metropolitan Division are all on winning streaks of three games or more.
