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Two To Go, Gm. 81: Lines, Previews & How to Watch vs. Capitals

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New York Islanders

The New York Islanders (36-34-10) take on the Washington Capitals (44-24-12) Thursday night, the second of a home-and-home. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM ET at Capital One Arena.

Back on Tuesday, the New York Islanders snapped a five-game skid with a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Thursday night is the first of a back-to-back for the Islanders, who end their season Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Capitals are also dealing with a back-to-back to end their season, as they take on the New York Rangers Friday.

This will be the Islanders 18th back-to-back situation of the season, as they are 9-7-1 on the front ends and 6-10-1 on the back ends.

There was no morning skate for the Islanders Thursday or any media availability. Head coach Barry Trotz spoke at 4:45 pm ET and gave the following updates:

Ryan Pulock would miss the contest with an illness, the same illness that has made its way around the locker room. Robin Salo will be back in. Zdeno Chara and Brock Nelson, who both missed Tuesday’s game with that said illness, will be back in the lineup.

Trotz also announced that Semyon Varlamov would make the start.

On Tuesday, the Islanders welcomed back Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who had missed the three games prior due to being in COVID-19 protocol.

Anthony Beauvillier (upper-body, day to day) did not play as he is likely to miss his fifth-straight contest.

For the Washington Capitals, Alex Ovechkin, who missed Tuesday’s contest, was on the ice for their morning skate on Thursday but he will not play per head coach Peter Laviolette.

Vitek Vanecek was the first netminder off the ice for Capitals per Samantha Pell, as he is likely to start against the Islanders.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Lee-Nelson-Bailey

Bellows–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise-Barzal-Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Johnston

Pelech–Dobson

Chara–Aho

Salo–Greene

Varlamov

Sorokin

WASHINGTON CAPITALS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Sheary-Kuznetsov-Oshie

Johansson-Backstrom-Wilson

Mantha-Ellers-Johnsson-Fijalby

Larsson–Dowd–Hathaway

Fehervary–Carlson

Orlov-Jensen

Van-Riemsdyk–Schultz

Vanecek

Samsonov

ISLANDERS GAME NOTES

Tonight, the New York Islanders host the Washington Capitals in the second game of a home-and-home series with Washinton, and the fourth
and final matchup between the two clubs this season.

The teams last played on Tuesday evening in Washington, when Ryan Pulock, Noah Dobson, Casey Cizikas, and Anders Lee each scored to help the Islanders earn their first regulation win over the Capitals since April 6, 2021.

This evening’s game begins the Islanders’ 18th and final back-to-back series of the regular season and is their second-to-last home matchup.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the home underdogs at +120 (-200 reverse puck line) against the Washington Capitals, who come in at -140 (+170 on puck line).

The over for the contest is set at 5.5, with the over at -120 and the under at +100.

These lines are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

HOW TO WATCH:

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

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