Don’t look now, but the Washington Capitals are streaking after defeating the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. They won two games in a row for the first time since December 3. Now they’re going for three, and it comes against a very important opponent.
The New York Islanders sit in third and directly in front of the Capitals in the Metropolitan Division standings, four points in front of the Caps. It’s one of those rare “four-point games” where a win could bring them right back into the playoff race, and a loss could really put them behind the 8-ball.
With all their goaltenders still hurt, the Capitals will turn to Clay Stevenson again, while the Isles will counter with David Rittich.
Puck drop for today’s game is scheduled for a little after 7:00 pm. Today’s game is on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call.
Lines
Washington Capitals
New York Islanders
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped. Frank-Dowd-Leonard and Chychrun-Roy get the start.
We’ve already got a scrum after the first whistle. This bodes well.
Clay Stevenson turnover, way too casual behind the net.
Ryan Leonard with a huge shot from the slot. Rittich makes the save barely. The puck goes off his arm and nearly squeaks by him.
Rittich is hurting after Nic Dowd pokes for the puck. Both teams are scrumming again.
Dowd is going off for slashing at 2:26. Islanders get the first power play of the game.
Horvat’s shot breaks Protas’s stick… uh oh. Seconds later, Protas’s broken stick breaks up a pass by the Islanders. Hell yeah, broken stick!
Capitals kill the penalty.
It’s always noticeable the lack of skill the Islanders have at forward. They play a good system, but every play seems hard for them in the offensive zone.
Sourdif tries a stuff attempt from behind the net. Nice thought.
Another misplay by Stevenson. This is becoming a theme. Puck was stolen, which was almost a layup for the Isles.
Duhaime with a crunching hit on Scott Mayfield in the offensive zone that gets Capitals fans roaring.
Nic Dowd draws a penalty on Matthew Schaefer at 10:41 with a great cutback move.
Horvat with a shorthanded breakaway. He goes to his backhand but lifts it high and wide. He was getting slashed by Jakob Chychrun trying to get back in the play, but no call.
Semi-breakaway for Anthony Beauvillier but he shanks it.
Caps power play over.
Tom Wilson, horrendous, horrible, bad turnover up the middle, Barzal easy score from the slot. Is Tom’s brain in Milan already?
1-0 New York Islanders
Goal: Mathew Barzal (18). Unassisted. Time: 16:38
Sourdif overskates, crashes into a Capitals player in neutral, Islanders the other way, and Wilson has to take a penalty
Wilson off for slashing Ondrej Palat at 19:41.
Islanders will carry 1:41 of that power play into the next period.
At intermission: The Capitals are losing 1-0. Islanders are outshooting the Capitals 12 to 6.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Fehervary’s hand is hurting.
Simon Holmstrom with a semi-breakaway. His backhand goes high and goes out of play.
MARTY. GOAL. DAD STRENGTH. Tom Wilson finds him at the point and he scores five hole.
1-1 tie
Goal: Martin Fehervary (4). Assists: T. Wilson (26), N. Dowd (12). Time: 5:29
BEAVUI ON THE WRAP. Two tallies in 31 seconds.
2-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Anthony Beauvillier (4). Assists: M. Roy (14). Time: 6:00
Islanders are leading in shots 20-10 now. If you think the Caps are playing well… they certainly did for 31 seconds!
Another Horvat breakaway, he appears to miss the net with his shot.
Lapierre with a hard double skate stop in the offensive zone sending an Islanders defender crumpling to the ice and sliding to the corner boards. What a play. Oohs and ahhs from the crowd.
At intermission: The Capitals are somehow winning 2-1 despite only playing well for 31 seconds. The Islanders are outshooting them 22 to 14.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Wilson shot, rebound, Roy misses it, but Chychrun puts it on net and Rittich makes a huge save.
Wilson and Mayfield fight at 1:47.
Tom Wilson and Scott Mayfield fight after a hit by Wilson on Holmstrom in the neutral zone. Looks like another Capital player was hooking Holmstrom so Tom could hit him. Mayfield ends up getting the extra minor for roughing because he instigated but they’re not calling an instigator. Caps to the power play.
Caps coming in waves somewhat here.
Sourdif stopped down low after a great cross-ice pass.
Islanders take another penalty while on the power play. Carson Soucy to the box for high-sticking Ryan Leonard. Caps will have a 5-on-3 for 10 seconds.
Capitals not aggressive on the 5-on-3 don’t even get a shot on goal. Carlson spent at least 5 seconds handling the puck at the point. Don’t understand the lack of game awareness here.
Islanders getting some chances in the Caps zone. Schaefer jumping way into the play.
Milano has an opportunity at the far post but Rittch gets over there.
Back to 5-on-5.
Ethen Frank gains the zone with speed, creating havoc. It comes around — OOO!!! — a Nic Dowd insurance goal. He tried to pass to Ovi. Instead it goes off Tony DeAngelo and in.
3-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Nic Dowd (4). Assists: R. Sandin (16), E. Frank (12). Time: 8:46
I will say this — the Islanders, at least tonight, do not look like a playoff team. But neither do the Capitals.
Rittich is out of the net with around 5 minutes to go. Roy being super aggressive here.
Nice save by Stevenson down low with 4:30 remaining.
John Carlson hits the back of the empty net from behind his own goal.
4-1 Washington Capitals
ENG: John Carlson (10). Assists: A. Protas (19). Time: 17:35
Sourdif slashed hard in the right hand by Duclair at 18:51.
Capitals win 4-1. Islanders outshot them 30 to 24. Capitals have a three-game win streak, but this was another ugly game.
Another huge intra-division victory on home ice: Capitals beat Islanders 4-1
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