(Sports Network) - The struggling Washington Capitals will try to avoid a third straight loss when they invite the New York Islanders for tonight's battle at the Verizon Center.

The Capitals, who lead the Southeast Division with 29 points, have lost consecutive games to Columbus and Florida and are just 2-5-0 in their last seven outings. Before dropping five of seven, Washington had picked up wins in six of its previous seven contests.

Washington was blanked, 3-0, in Columbus on Saturday and then was dealt a home defeat Tuesday against the Panthers. Ville Peltonen, Radek Dvorak and Gregory Campbell each had a goal and an assist to lead Florida to a 5-3 decision as it handed the Capitals their first regulation loss at home this season.

Nicklas Backstrom, Tomas Fleischmann and Viktor Kozlov each posted a goal and assist for the Capitals. Alex Ovechkin added an assist in the losing effort.

The uneven Jose Theodore, who earned his 27th career shutout when the Caps defeated Montreal, 3-0, on Friday, allowed four goals on 21 shots for Washington, which is 9-1-1 at the Verizon Center.

The Islanders, meanwhile, ended a two-game losing streak and won for the third time in five games their last time on the ice. New York last played on Saturday when it notched a 4-2 decision over the visiting Ottawa Senators.

Freddy Meyer finished with a pair of goals and an assist to lift the Isles to the recent win at Nassau Coliseum.

Andy Hilbert and Trent Hunter each added a goal and an assist for the Islanders, while Joey MacDonald stopped 19 shots in the win.

New York has picked up 30 percent of its win total this year against the Senators, taking all three meetings between the clubs so far.

Beginning with tonight's test the Isles are playing five of six and seven of their next nine games on the road. New York is 5-5-1 as the visitor this year and has won three of its last four tests away from Long Island.

The Isles have had Washington's number in recent years, winning three straight, five of six and seven of the last nine encounters between the clubs.

New York has also had success in the nation's capital, as its earned wins in three straight and five of its previous seven trips to D.C.