Coming off a 2-0 loss in New Jersey where they could not find their stride, the Islanders will head to D.C. for their first of eight games against the Washington Capitals.

Islanders Storylines

Support for Sorokin

Rookie goaltender Ilya Sorokin has had a rude awakening to the NHL. In his first two starts, the Islanders are yet to provide him with any goal support. His first-ever start, against the Rangers, came unexpectedly as Semyon Varlamov was injured during warmups. Although he was shaky in that 5-0 loss, he played a much stronger game in his second nod against the Devils. Whether Sorokin or Varlamov are chosen to start tonight, goal support will be essential to take down a powerful Capitals offense.

Familiar Foes

The Islanders and Capitals are no strangers to each other. These division rivals faced off in last year’s playoffs, with the Isles prevailing 4-1 in that series. All four lines produced, with 10 different Islanders scoring in those five games. Anders Lee lit the lamp three times to lead the team, and they could use his natural scoring ability tonight. They held the Capitals to just eight goals in the series and closed it out with a 4-0 shutout in Game 5.

Beauvillier Sidelined With Injury

In their last game against the Devils, Anthony Beauvillier skated gingerly off the ice at 6:30 of the second period. He will not play tonight against the Capitals. “Lower Body and he’s day-to-day,” Head Coach Barry Trotz said.

There are a few different routes the Islanders can take in terms of replacing Beauvillier’s second line spot. They can put Michael Dal Colle alongside Bailey and Nelson, give Kieffer Bellows another shot after his benching on Sunday, or put trust in Oliver Wahlstrom to play big minutes. Whatever Trotz decides to do in lieu of Beauvillier’s injury, the Islanders have enough pieces to temporarily fill that role.

Beauvillier incident pic.twitter.com/UKWS65NYIj

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) January 25, 2021

Capitals Storylines

Absence of Star Power

Four Capitals’ players were placed on the NHL’s COVID protocol list, with two of those being Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. This came after the teammates hung out in their hotel on an away trip, an act forbidden by the NHL this season. They will not be able to play in either of their next two games against the Islanders and cannot return until 1/30 against Boston.

“I regret my choice to spend time together with my teammates in our hotel room and away from the locker room areas. I will learn from this experience.” Ovechkin said.

A New Look

The Capitals will unveil their third jerseys tonight against the Islanders, the first of seven times they will wear them this season. The giant “W” and color scheme pays tribute to both their 2015 Winter Classic and 2018 Stadium Series uniforms. They will also be honoring a frontline worker each time this jersey is worn, calling them the “Blue Star of the Game”.

Not Leaving Empty Handed

Sitting at 3-0-3, the Capitals are yet to finish a game without taking at least one point away. In fact, the Canadiens and Capitals are the only teams left without a regulation loss. Two extra-time defeats have come against Pittsburgh, in both an Overtime and a shootout, and the third in a shootout against Buffalo. The Caps have played free hockey in four of their first six contests, and only one of their games has ended with a score differential of more than one.

How To Watch

Tonight, the Islanders are featured on national TV. The game will be streamed on NBCSN at 7:00 p.m. EST, with home announcers Brendan Burke and A.J. Mleczko on the call.

#Isles game on NBCSN tonight vs. Washington. We'll be back on MSG+2 on Thursday.

I hope you guys can tolerate those "national announcers" tonight.

— Brendan Burke (@brendanmburke) January 26, 2021

John Smark