Preview: Coyotes vs. Capitals, 6:30 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona
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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Coyotes and Washington Capitals are a study in contrasts as they prepare to meet on Friday night at Gila River Arena.
The Capitals (51-17-8) are have a shot at their third 120-plus point season in the last eight years, are closing in on Presidents' Trophy as the league's top overall team and have the NHL's stingiest defense with 170 goals allowed.
The Coyotes (27-41-9) are closing out a fifth consecutive season without a playoff berth and hoping to salvage some positive feelings as they head into the off-season. They have lost four in a row -- scoring just one goal in each of the losses -- and seven of their last eight (1-6-1), giving up 28 goals during the eight-game stretch.
"We're playing in our D-zone too much," defenseman Alex Goligoski said. "When you do that, eventually you break."
The Coyotes will continue to give their younger players lots of opportunities to showcase themselves over the final five games of the season, but it means growing pains. They have allowed at least 30 shots in 13 of 15 March games, and 40 or more four times.
"There are some challenges right now because you've got some veteran players in there that are probably not happy with the way the season has gone, and you've got some young players that are just trying to feel like they fit in the league," coach Dave Tippett said. "There's a whole mixed bag in there that is not exactly ideal."
Coyotes captain Shane Doan should return to the lineup after a seven-game absence due to a lower-body injury. Tippett wanted to see Doan get through a full practice on Thursday before deciding, but Doan felt fine. The 21-year veteran could be playing his final season, and if so, he'll have three more games in front of the hometown fans.
Left winger Jamie McGinn rejoined the team after leaving it for a death in the family. He skated Thursday but probably won't play Friday.
Washington is coming off a 5-3 win at Colorado on Wednesday, running its winning streak to six games, but coach Barry Trotz wasn't pleased with his team's recent penchant for letting up after taking leads.
"I didn't like our third at all," Trotz told the Washington Post. "We gave up five three-on-twos, and a couple other potential three-on-twos. That's not how you manage games."
After Evgeny Kuznetsov scored to give Washington a 4-1 lead in the second period, Colorado's Matt Nieto and Nathan MacKinnon scored to cut the lead to one.
"We're a great team when we're really focused and making the right plays," defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk told the Post. "The thing we have to focus on now is why we're letting up those 4-1 leads, and it's really just getting a little too casual.
"The reason we get those leads is because we're making the right plays, and we're not doing anything individualistic. We just have to make sure we're maintaining our game plan, and then those leads will go up even more."
The Caps lead the Columbus Blue Jackets by four points for the Metropolitan Division title with six games left for each team, including one against each other on Sunday in Columbus.
"I'd like to be in a position where we have a three-point cushion in Columbus and go into Columbus and win that hockey game," Trotz said. "We'll put ourselves in a real good spot to secure the division. Now we've got to take care of business before we even get there. That's why I say, just win the day and stay focused on the task at hand."
Alexander Ovechkin leads the Capitals with 33 goals -- 17 on the power play, and Nicklas Backstrom has a team-high 60 assists and 82 points. Washington goalie Braden Holtby ranks second in the NHL with a 2.04 goals-against average.
Radim Vrbata leads the Coyotes in goals (18) and assists (35).
Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith left Thursday's practice due to illness. If he's unable to play, Louis Domingue would get the start in goal.
