The Capitals' record dipped to 9-3-0 with Saturday night's 5-3 loss to the Islanders in Uniondale, N.Y.

Defenseman Karl Alzner says there is one common theme to all three defeats in Edmonton, Vancouver and Long Island -- neutral zone turnovers.

Losing," he said "beats into your head not to do it anymore."

Defenseman Roman Hamrlik took a big hit from behind into the boards by Islanders forward P.A. Parenteau Saturday night but after a few moments on the ice, Hamrlik remained in the game. Parenteau was assessed a 5-minue boarding major.

Center Mathieu Perreault, a healthy scratch Friday night in Columbus, returned to the lineup Saturday but was a minus-3. He was bumped from the second line to the fourth.