Heading into the postseason, the Washington Capitals are playing some of their worst hockey of the year and are a horrendous 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. Now they’ll return to UBS Arena where Alex Ovechkin scored his milestone 895th career goal on April 6 to try and re-find their identity post-chase.
Spencer Carbery’s Caps lineup against the New York Islanders will be mindful of the team’s impending dance in the playoffs. While Ovechkin will play in tonight’s penultimate game of the season, the same cannot be said for Capitals defensemen John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun who will sit tonight’s matchup out to rest up. Charlie Lindgren will start in net and he’ll oppose Ilya Sorokin in net.
Puck drop for Caps-Islanders is at 7:30 pm on Monumental Sports Network. John Walton and Craig Laughlin will have the call. Joe Beninati remains out and will return for the first game of the playoffs.
Lines
Washington Capitals
New York Islanders
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped.
This game begins moving at a snail’s pace.
Anthony Beauvilier robbed by Ilya Sorokin after a nice cross-crease pass by Dylan Strome.
An observation:
The Capitals are going to their first power play after Tony Deangelo slashes Tom Wilson at 7:39.
🚨 1-0 Washington Capitals. WSH PPG: Dylan Strome (27). Assists: P. Dubois (45), R. Sandin (26). Time: 08:15.
Strome’s going-wide point shot goes off Pulock’s leg and in.
Martin Feheravary’s hobbling off the ice. Uh oh. This is not the time for stuff like this!
Ryan Leonard to the box for cross-checking at 12:56. The Islanders are 0 for 5 on the power play in their two previous games against the Capitals this season.
Casey Cizikas to the box at 15:14 for high-sticking Ryan Leonard. Caps to their second power play of the game. Strome scored on their first one.
Two huge chances for Ovechkin in his final shift of the first period. Not sure how he didn’t score there.
At intermission: The Capitals lead 1-0. They lead in shots 10 to 8.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Dylan Strome to the box for hooking Ryan Pulock at 1:21.
🚨 2-0 Washington Capitals. WSH Goal: Dylan Strome (28). Assists: A. Ovechkin (29). Time: 07:52.
Strome sets a new career high in goals with 28. Ovechkin found Strome with a great no-look backhand feed from behind the net. We’re officially on a Hat-Trick Watch for Stromer.
Martin Fehervary is back thank goodness.
Pelech to the box for hooking at 11:34.
PLD negates the power play after a trip at 12:42..
Capitals going back to the power play after the Islanders have TOO MUCH MAN at 17:28.
Dylan Strome had multiple wide open slot shots, but passed them all up for worse plays, such as trying to force feed Ovi who was covered. It’s like scoring a hat trick would upset him personally.
At intermission: It’s Dylan Strome 2 the Islanders nothing. Capitals leading in shots 23 to 20.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Columbus beats the Flyers, keeping them alive for the second wild card spot.
Islanders to the power play after Connor McMichael trips up Anders Lee at 1:12.
Lee tries to catch the puck out of the air near the crease and accidentally deflects the puck into the net. No goal.
🚨 2-1 Washington Capitals. NYI Goal: Jean-Gabriel Pageau (14). Unassisted. Time: 11:36.
Nic Dowd scores on Charlie Lindgren ending his shutout bid. An incredible own goal.
Islanders pull Sorokin with about 3 minutes remaining. Ovi on the ice looking for career goal no. 897.
🚨 3-1 Washington Capitals. WSH ENG: Dylan Strome (29). Time: 07:52.
Dylan Strome notches his first hat trick as a Capital and the third of his career.
Capitals win 3-1. Not the greatest outing by the Caps, the Islanders looked like they were playing it out, but a win is a win.
Picking up two points in their penultimate game: Capitals beat Islanders 3-1
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