Bring On the Caps, Gm. 57: Islanders vs. Capitals, Game Notes & More

The New York Islanders (24-24-8) ride a three-game win streak into Washington D.C., as they take on the Capitals (32-18-10) Tuesday night. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM at Capital One Arena.

The New York Islanders went 4-2-0 on their homestand, capping it off with a 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. With a win against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, the Islanders’ potential four-game win streak would be the longest for them this season.

“I think we know exactly where we’re at in the standings and it’s nice that we’re starting to play well and feels like we got our groove back a bit,” Islanders forward Mathew Barzal said. “It feels like shades of last year and the year before, just having a lead and being able to close games out and feel confident in those moments.”

As for playing Washington, the team holding down the second-wild card spot with an 18-point lead over the Islanders, this game has some importance.

“Washington’s a team that you know if we were going to make the playoffs, they’re a team we have to try to catch,” Barzal said. “I think it’s pretty obvious anytime that you get to play, play them in the regular season you know, under the circumstances, it’s a big game.”

Semyon Varlamov (4-12-1, 2.85 GAA, .912 SV%) was the first goaltender off the ice at New York Islanders morning skate Tuesday morning.

The New York Islanders did not run lines at morning skate but the lineup will be the same as it was Sunday in the win over the Anaheim Ducks as Matt Martin, Sebastian Aho, and Kieffer Bellows stayed after for Thursday’s practice and will be healthy scratches for the second straight game.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has the potential to make history (shocker) as with one more goal he would pass Jaromir Jagr for the third-most goals in NHL history.

Ovechkin tied Jagr on Tuesday, March 8 with a two-goal performance against the Calgary Flames for 766 career goals. Over his career against the New York Islanders, Ovechkin has 41 goals and 21 assists (62 points) in 63 games.

“I mean, every time we seem to come and play the Caps, Ovechkin’s up for another milestone which is fantastic,” New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “And I I do wish him all the best, but just not tonight.”

Per Tarik El-Bashir, who covers the Capitals for The Athletic, Vitek Vanecek (7-5-3, 2.35 GAA, .917 SV%) will start in goal Tuesday night.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise-Barzal-Wahlstrom

Johnston–Cizikas–Clutterbuck

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Greene–Mayfield

Sorokin

Varlamov

WASHINGTON CAPITALS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Ovechkin–Kuznetsov–Sheary

Mantha–Backstrom–Oshie

Sprong–McMichael–Wilson

Fjalby–Dowd–Hathaway

Fehervary–Carlson

Orlov–Jensen

Van Riemsdyk–Schultz

Vanecek

Samsonov

ISLANDERS GAME NOTES

Tonight, the New York Islanders visit the Washington Capitals in the second of four matchups between the two clubs this season.

The last time these teams met was two months ago, on January 15 at UBS Arena. It is the first time the Islanders have visited Capital One Arena since April 27, 2021.

This evening, the Islanders will look to improve upon their three-game winning streak after they defeated the Anaheim Ducks, 4-3, on Sunday night.

The Islanders are 4-1-0 in their last five matchups with Metropolitan Division opponents.

WHO’S HOT?

New York Islanders forward Anders Lee has seven goals and an assist over his last three contests and is riding a four-game goal streak. Forward Anthony Beauvillier has seven assists over his last four games, with at least one assist in each game.

Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov has points in five straight games, with four goals and three assists over that span. He recorded a hat trick against the Vancouver Canucks on March 11. Defenseman John Carlson has six assists over his last five games.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the road underdogs against the Washington Capitals tonight, coming in at +128. They are +194 on the reverse puck line. The Capitals come in at -154 and +156 on the reverse puck line.

The over for this game is set at 5.5, with the over at -118 and the under at -104. These lines are subject to change.

HOW TO WATCH:

Tuesday’s contest will be available on MSG+ (local).  On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.