Three To Go, Gm 80: Lines, Previews & How to Watch vs. Capitals

The New York Islanders (35-34-10) take on the Washington Capitals ( 44-23-12) Tuesday night, the first of a home-and-home. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM ET at Capital One Arena.

The Islanders have three games remaining in the regular season and are currently riding a five-game losing streak (0-4-1).

The New York Islanders held an optional morning skate on Tuesday. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who had missed the last three games due to being in COVID-19 protocol, was back on the ice. Ilya Sorokin was in the starter’s crease and was the first goaltender off the ice and will make his 51st start of the season.

Anthony Beauvillier (upper-body, day to day) was not on the ice as he is likely to miss his fourth-straight contest.

Following the skate, the Islanders announced that Otto Koivula, who was emergency recalled back on Thursday prior to the contest against the New York Rangers, was sent back to Bridgeport (AHL).

Prior to the game, defenseman Robin Salo was recalled from Bridgeport (AHL). That likely means that a defenseman is unable to play.

For the Washington Capitals, head coach Peter Laviolette announced that Alex Ovechkin would be a game-time decision after leaving Sunday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs after being tripped by Leafs’ netminder Erik Kallgren and falling awkwardly into the boards.

It is likely, with the playoffs coming up, that Ovechkin will not play.

Ilya Samsonov was the first netminder off the ice at Washington Capitals morning skate as he will start against the Islanders.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Lee-Nelson-Bailey

Bellows–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise-Barzal-Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Johnston

Pelech–Pulock

Salo–Dobson

Aho–Greene

Sorokin

Varlamov

WASHINGTON CAPITALS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

McMichael-Kuznetsov-Wilson

Johansson-Backstrom-Sheary

Mantha-Ellers-Oshie

Larsson–Dowd–Hathaway

Fehervary–Carlson

Orlov-Jensen

Van-Riemsdyk–Schultz

Samsonov

Vanecek

ISLANDERS GAME NOTES

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

The last time these teams met was March 15, in Washington, when Noah Dobson and Brock Nelson each recorded multi-point games to help the Islanders collect a point in the shootout.

This evening’s matchup begins the Islanders’ fourth home-and-home of the season.

They are 5-1-0 in home-and-home matchups so far this year. Tonight is their final road game of the 2021-22 regular season.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the road underdogs at +165 (-155 reverse puck line) against the Washington Capitals, who come in at -195 (+135 on puck line).

The over for the contest is set at 6, with the over at +100 and the under at -120.

These lines are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

HOW TO WATCH:

Tuesday’s contest will be available on MSG+2.  On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.