Capitals at Islanders
THE STORY: The Washington Capitals square off with the host New York Islanders on Tuesday for the fourth and final meeting of the season. The Islanders took the first two contests before blowing a 2-0 lead late in the third period on Feb. 28 and eventually losing 3-2 in overtime. The Capitals enter on a three-game winning streak and have climbed into the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, while New York has dropped three straight.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CS Washington (Capitals), MSG Plus (Islanders)
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (35-28-6): Washington trails Florida by one point for the top spot in the Southeast Division, but the Panthers have one game in hand. The Capitals begin a crucial five-game road trip Tuesday against four possible playoff-bound teams. Washington travels to Winnipeg, Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia after its matchup with the Islanders. The Capitals have earned at least a point in four straight games (3-0-1) and are 6-2-1 in their last nine.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (28-31-10): The Islanders are 10 points back of the Capitals for the final playoff spot in the East with 13 games to play. Despite its fading playoff hopes, many of New York’s young players have enjoyed impressive campaigns. Center John Tavares is one point shy of his career-high of 67 and is four points short of becoming the first Islander to record at least 70 points in a season since Alexei Yashin had 75 in 2001-02. Right wing PA Parenteau has 46 assists, the most by any Islander since Pierre Turgeon had 56 in 1993-94 and left wing Matt Moulson is one goal away from recording his third straight year of 30 or more.
OVERTIME:
1. Capitals forward Brooks Laich has goals in consecutive games and three goals in his last four.
2. New York is only 15-1-7 when leading after two periods this season and its .652 points percentage when leading after 40 minutes is the worst in the NHL.
3. The Islanders are 10-5-1 against Southeast Division opponents.