T.J. Oshie scored the tiebreaking goal, Ilya Samsonov stopped 25 shots in his NHL debut, and the Washington Capitals beat the Islanders 2-1 Friday night to spoil New York's season opener.

Jakub Vrana got his second goal in two games to help the Capitals remain perfect.

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Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) and New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) chase down the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

T.J. Oshie scored the tiebreaking goal, Ilya Samsonov stopped 25 shots in his NHL debut, and the Washington Capitals beat the Islanders 2-1 Friday night to spoil New York's season opener.
New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) is defended by Washington Capitals defenseman Radko Gudas (33) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Both teams had chances in this matchup of the Metropolitan Division's top teams from last season. The Capitals finished first but were beaten by Carolina in seven games in the first round. The Islanders, who finished a point behind, swept Pittsburgh in the first round before being swept by the Hurricanes.
Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) scores a goal against the New York Islanders during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

With the score tied 1-1 after 20 minutes, Samsonov made a nice glove save on a shot by Cal Clutterbuck 17 seconds into the middle period.
Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) and New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) chase down the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Vrana, who scored in overtime to give Washington a 3-2 win at St. Louis on Wednesday night, got the Capitals on the scoreboard first. He got a pass from Eller as he crossed the center line on the right side, skated up and fired a shot from the right circle that went off Varlamov's glove and in with 9:35 left in the opening period.
New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) is defended by Washington Capitals left wing Brendan Leipsic (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) is defended by New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55), during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

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New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal, against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal, against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)
A military aircraft, based out of the Westhampton Beach 106th Rescue Wing, flies over Nassau Coliseum prior to an NHL hockey game between the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

A military aircraft, based out of the Westhampton Beach 106th Rescue Wing, flies over Nassau Coliseum prior to an NHL hockey game between the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)
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Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) and New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) chase down the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

T.J. Oshie scored the tiebreaking goal, Ilya Samsonov stopped 25 shots in his NHL debut, and the Washington Capitals beat the Islanders 2-1 Friday night to spoil New York's season opener.

New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) is defended by Washington Capitals defenseman Radko Gudas (33) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Both teams had chances in this matchup of the Metropolitan Division's top teams from last season. The Capitals finished first but were beaten by Carolina in seven games in the first round. The Islanders, who finished a point behind, swept Pittsburgh in the first round before being swept by the Hurricanes.

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) scores a goal against the New York Islanders during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

With the score tied 1-1 after 20 minutes, Samsonov made a nice glove save on a shot by Cal Clutterbuck 17 seconds into the middle period.

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) and New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) chase down the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Vrana, who scored in overtime to give Washington a 3-2 win at St. Louis on Wednesday night, got the Capitals on the scoreboard first. He got a pass from Eller as he crossed the center line on the right side, skated up and fired a shot from the right circle that went off Varlamov's glove and in with 9:35 left in the opening period.

New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) is defended by Washington Capitals left wing Brendan Leipsic (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) is defended by New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55), during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

More AP NHL: www.apnews.com/NHL and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports

New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal, against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal, against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

A military aircraft, based out of the Westhampton Beach 106th Rescue Wing, flies over Nassau Coliseum prior to an NHL hockey game between the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

A military aircraft, based out of the Westhampton Beach 106th Rescue Wing, flies over Nassau Coliseum prior to an NHL hockey game between the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Devon Toews scored for the Islanders and Semyon Varlamov, making his Islanders debut, made 26 saves.

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) and New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) chase down the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) and New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) chase down the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Both teams had chances in this matchup of the Metropolitan Division's top teams from last season. The Capitals finished first but were beaten by Carolina in seven games in the first round. The Islanders, who finished a point behind, swept Pittsburgh in the first round before being swept by the Hurricanes.

Lars Eller nearly extended Washington's lead to two goals but his shot went off the crossbar 5:40 into the third period, and Mathew Barzal's attempt to tie it hit a goalpost nearly two minutes later.

The Islanders pulled Varlamov for an extra skater with about a minute left, but couldn't get the tying goal.

New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) is defended by Washington Capitals defenseman Radko Gudas (33) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) is defended by Washington Capitals defenseman Radko Gudas (33) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

With the score tied 1-1 after 20 minutes, Samsonov made a nice glove save on a shot by Cal Clutterbuck 17 seconds into the middle period.

Tom Wilson nearly put Washington ahead at the 5 1/2-minute mark of the period as he beat Varlamov with a hard shot, but the puck went off the left post.

Oshie gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal late in the period. With the Islanders' Brock Nelson off for hooking, John Carlson's shot was blocked by Scott Mayfield, but the puck came to Oshie in the middle and he backhanded it in from his knees up over Varlamov's glove with 2:17 left.

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) scores a goal against the New York Islanders during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) scores a goal against the New York Islanders during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Vrana, who scored in overtime to give Washington a 3-2 win at St. Louis on Wednesday night, got the Capitals on the scoreboard first. He got a pass from Eller as he crossed the center line on the right side, skated up and fired a shot from the right circle that went off Varlamov's glove and in with 9:35 left in the opening period.

The Islanders tied it with a fluky goal that deflected off multiple Capitals players with 7:33 left. Toews sent a harmless looking shot toward the goal from the left side, and the puck deflected off Nic Dowd's right skate toward the middle, where it deflected off Garnet Hathaway's right skate and then Radko Gudas' left skate toward the right corner of the net. Samsonov slid over and stretched his left leg out, but the puck bounced off his left skate and then the post and in.

NOTES: Carlson has three assists in two games this season. ... Since trailing St. Louis 2-0 in the first period on Wednesday night, the Capitals have a 5-1 scoring edge. ... The teams meet three more times this season: Dec. 31 at Washington, Jan. 18 at the Nassau Coliseum, and Feb. 10 at Washington. Last season, the teams split their four-game series, with the road team winning each contest. ... Varlamov signed a four-year deal on July 1, replacing Vezina Trophy finalist and fan-favorite Robin Lehner. ... C Derick Brassard, signed to a one-year deal, also made his Islanders debut. ... The Islanders, beginning a season at home for just the 10th time in franchise history, dropped to 0-4-3 in their last seven season openers on home ice.

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) and New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) chase down the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) and New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) chase down the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

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Capitals: Host Carolina on Saturday night in their home opener

Islanders: Host Winnipeg on Sunday night for the middle game of a season-opening three-game homestand.

Follow Vin Cherwoo at www.twitter.com/VinCherwooAP

New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) is defended by Washington Capitals left wing Brendan Leipsic (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) is defended by Washington Capitals left wing Brendan Leipsic (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

More AP NHL: www.apnews.com/NHL and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) is defended by New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55), during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) is defended by New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55), during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

 New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal, against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

New York Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal, against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

 A military aircraft, based out of the Westhampton Beach 106th Rescue Wing, flies over Nassau Coliseum prior to an NHL hockey game between the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)

A military aircraft, based out of the Westhampton Beach 106th Rescue Wing, flies over Nassau Coliseum prior to an NHL hockey game between the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP PhotoSteven Ryan)