The Washington Capitals have not lost three games in a row since prior to the All-Star break and look to keep that streak intact when they resume a four-game homestand versus the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday afternoon. The back-to-back losses cost the Capitals a chance to widen their slim lead atop the Metropolitan Division.

Back-to-back shutout losses had the New York Islanders wobbling, but they responded with a strong effort in one of their biggest moments of the season. Fresh off a 4-2 win in Philadelphia that drew them within a point of first-place Washington in the Metropolitan Division, the Islanders return home Sunday to face the slumping Arizona Coyotes.

Both teams hope to solidify their wild-card position in the Eastern Conference and remain on hot streaks when the Montreal Canadiens visit the Carolina Hurricanes for a critical contest on Sunday. The Canadiens have won three straight games to move three points clear of ninth-place Columbus in the East and remain two behind Carolina, which was victorious for the fifth time in seven contests Saturday with a 5-1 triumph against Minnesota.

The Colorado Avalanche hope to strengthen their position in the Western Conference wild-card race as they attempt to complete a home-and-home sweep when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. Colorado posted a 4-2 home victory over Chicago on Saturday to extend its winning streak to four games and move one point ahead of both Minnesota and Arizona for the second wild card.

The Columbus Blue Jackets attempt to salvage the finale of their four-game road trip and remain close in the Eastern Conference wild-card race when they visit the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Columbus has gone 0-2-1 on its trek and is in the midst of a five-game road skid (0-4-1) during which it has scored a total of four goals.