After a season in which the Islanders had the third-worst power play in the NHL at 15.8 percent, they still haven’t been especially strong with a man-advantage this season.

Heading into Thursday night’s game against the Capitals in Washington, the Isles’ power play is still just at 16 percent, but they’ve scored power-play goals in three of their last four games — including Bo Horvat’s third-period tally on Monday that forced overtime versus Detroit.

“That was a huge power-play goal at a critical time,’’ coach Lane Lambert said following Tuesday’s optional practice.

Horvat has scored the Islanders’ last two power-play goals after scoring just one in 30 games with them last season following his trade from Vancouver.

He’d netted 11 power-play goals in 49 games with the Canucks prior to the trade last year and led Vancouver with 13 power-play goals in 2021-22 and also paced them with a dozen in 2019-20.

“He’s been important,’’ Lambert said in Horvat’s role on the power play. “He brings an aspect of helping, with a lot of communication.”

No one on the Islanders scored more than six power-play goals a year ago, with Brock Nelson and Anders Lee both netting six.

The Islanders have played just two games away from Long Island this season and beginning with Thursday’s game in Washington, six of their next nine games are on the road.

“I’m looking forward to it,’’ Mathew Barzal said.

Of the team’s start overall, which could have been better if they’d held onto the two-goal, third-period lead they had on Monday, Barzal said, “It’s pretty solid. I think if you told us eight games this was our record (4-2-2), we’d probably take it…”

Scott Mayfield (leg) skated again Tuesday, but Lambert said he didn’t know if Mayfield would play in Washington.