WASHINGTON — The Islanders have risen up the Metropolitan Division standings in the first month of the season without playing many familiar opponents. Thursday is a chance to keep climbing against a Capitals team that has been the best in the East and the league the last two seasons.
The Isles have won five of their last six while playing almost exclusively against Western Conference opponents — their lone game against an Eastern Conference team in the past 10 was a 4-3 shootout win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Even Thursday’s game is an anomaly on this early season schedule, with the Isles facing four more Western teams before settling in to a more balanced schedule.