Today, the New York Islanders opened their 2020 Stanley Cup Playoff run to Washington Capitals. After the Islanders wrapped up the series  with the Florida Panthers in four games, they earned the sixth seed. They found out two days later they would be taking on the third seed Washington Capitals. The Islanders and Capitals are familiar opponents, as they faced off in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The series ended after 7 games, with Washington coming out on top. The Washington Capitals are not only a familiar face to the players, but Islanders coach Barry Trotz won his first Stanley Cup with the Capitals back in 2018. Barry Trotz will now have to use his familiarity with the Capitals to try and overtake them in the first round.

All fans knew what was coming when the NHL announced that the two teams would be facing off on Wednesday to battle out who advances closer to wining the Stanley Cup. The first period was extremely fierce as both teams threw a couple of punches, paid multiple visits to the penalty box attendants and created player advantages on the ice. Ten penalties were recorded by the referees alone in the first period, with four by the Capitals. Islanders captain Anders Lee asserted dominance for the Islanders through roughing up the Capitals players. Nicklas Backstrom was injured during the beginning of the period and never returned to the ice. Anders Lee and John Carlson, who is fresh off of injured reserve, took roughing penalties on each other which followed by Casey Cizikas and Tom Wilson both being rewarded with the same. After a chippy and heated first period, the Islanders and Capitals were both unable to find the back of the net.

The Islanders cannot slip against a team like the Capitals. Penalty kills are utilized as precious scoring opportunities and a chance for Alex Ovechkin to be found alone in the left circle. After the Capitals captain got a couple of shots off, Semyon Varlamov was able to stop his shots. Matt Martin was caught on an interference play with Carl Hagelin and the Capitals were rewarded the man advantage. Evgeny Kuznetsov took a shot on net which Adam Pelech blocked. When the skate of Pelech interfered with the shot, the puck was redirected off the boards behind the net to find T.J. Oshie on the other side of the net. As the puck approached Oshie, he was able to put the puck past Varlamov to start the scoring for the game. Shortly after, the Islanders got their second call of the period. Jordan Eberle took a hooking penalty against T.J. Oshie which allowed Oshie to give the Capitals a two goal lead. The Islanders quickly began to learn that they need to eliminate the penalties as much as possible. Eberle was able to redeem himself by getting the Islanders first goal of the night to help close the Capitals lead. “Playoff Eberle” is definitely a star on the ice during a series, he can get the job done in an orderly fashion which gets his teammates rallying.

Captain Anders Lee opened the third period with a successful rebound off of Ryan Pulock’s shot to record his first playoff goal. The game was tied at two and the Islanders have fully evened out the game. Eberle’s late second period goal has given the guys a “boost to go into the third period”, Barzal stated. The Islanders proceeded to score four unanswered goals to completely reverse the lead onto the Capitals. Josh Bailey scored a short handed goal and Anthony Beauvillier recorded his fourth goal of the series. Beauvillier currently leads the team in goals and points recorded in the playoffs. He has played five games and collected four goals and two assists. Alongside him sitting at second most playoff goals is Jordan Eberle at three. Anders Lee had two out of the three actions needed for a Gordie Howe hat trick. He fought Tom Wilson and scored a goal but was missing the assist. The Islanders came back from a two goal gap and won 4-2.

Barry Trotz has some options for the next game. Johnny Boychuk is back so should Trotz stick with Andy Greene or switch up the defense? Semyon Varlamov has been outstanding between the pipes, but should Trotz give Greiss ice time? The Islanders-Capitals series will continue on Friday at 8pm ET.

John Smark