We’re entering the silly portion of the first round, when accrued animosity and perceived mutually added tire pressure become Major Storylines. It’s so dumb, and I love it.
This tweet put it best:
[asks every Islanders player past and present about Tom Wilson] [to Wilson] "They seem focused on you. Talk to me about that."
— Dan (@cultureoflosing) April 23, 2015
Tonight the Washington Capitals return to the quiet, docile confines of Chinatown to play a hit-free and drama-less hour of hockey against the New York Islanders. No way we Bailamos tonight. No way.
The series is tied 2-2. Tonight’s game is on CSN at 7 PM.
| Team | Record | Possession | PDO | Power Play | Penalty Kill |
| Washington Capitals | 45-26-11 | 51.9% | 100.3 | 25.3% | 81.2% |
| New York Islanders | 47-28-7 | 53.5% | 99.1 | 18.7% | 78.0% |
Projected Lineup
Aww snap, here comes some moar emoji. Today’s your last day to buy em. Lines via Alex Prewitt.
Forwards
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Defense
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Goaltender
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What You Need to Know For Tonight
- It’s a Red Out so wear red to Verizon Center.
- Your loudness as a fanbase has been challenged.
- New cheers are needed. Bailamos?
- Please refrain from throwing beers at Brooks Orpik.
- Do not be mean to visiting fans.
- Uncle Ted may or may not be wearing a lycra bodysuit tonight.
Wes and I are on the the same wavelength. This is incredible:
Storylines
- For the Isles, Mikhail Grabovski is in, Lubomir Visnovsky is out. Good news and bad news and bad news and good news.
- Troy Brouwer isn’t producing or even generating shots.
- A rumination on Joel Ward‘s rump.
- Curtis Glencross is expected to be a healthy scratch again. File under “whoops” for GMBM.
- Game time for game six (not Game 6) is still TBD, which is an initialism for “to be determined.” Or, sometimes, “to be decided.” It seems like 3 PM and 8 PM are likely slots. (hat tip to Neil)
- Tim Gleason is still in. I hope he carbo-loaded.
- The world’s only hockey-playing supertanker, Hal Gill, has announced his retirement.
- And I just think this is funny:
https://twitter.com/alex_prewitt/status/591265721323286529
- And two more silly season tweets:
"I think we can throw those hits too" – #Islanders F Matt Martin about Tom Wilson's controversial hit on D Lubomir Visnovsky. Via @SNYtv
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) April 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/alex_prewitt/status/591257181229572096
And, as always, check out Caps Clips on Japers Rink for more.
What You’re Missing on Netflix Tonight
Uhh.. that was kind of awesome. I’m hoping Doug Petrie can smarten up some of the dialog next season, but in general I’m really excited about the new Marvel stories. AKA Jessica Jones should be even better. David Tennant IS the Purple Man.
Full RMNB Coverage of Game Five
