Eyes On Isles
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Islanders Go Up 2-0 With 5-2 Win Over Capitals

By Matt O'Leary

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 14: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 14, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 14: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 14, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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With a 5-2 win, the New York Islanders take a 2-0 series lead over the Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs.

After an impressive comeback win in Game 1, the New York Islanders were attempting to take a commanding 2-0 series lead against the Capitals. Well, this one didn’t start off great for New York. In the first minute, Alex Ovechkin gave Washington the lead.

It was a weird bounce off the boards that gave Ovi the puck and he beat Semyon Varlamov on the backhand. It was one that Varly probably would’ve liked back as it was a weak one.

For the first 10 minutes or so, the Islanders didn’t look great but they were able to turn it around in the second half of the period. Early in the second, Nick Leddy got the Isles on the board with a power play goal 2:56 into the period.

Just over two minutes later, Matt Martin deflected one past Braden Holtby off a precision pass from Scott Mayfield to give them their first lead of the day.

1:38 later, the Islanders let one in as Alex Ovechkin was somehow left alone and was able to tip one home past Varly. Don’t go anywhere yet, 15 seconds after the equalizer from Ovi, Brock Nelson gave the Isles the lead again.

What a play from Brock Nelson to get the puck out of the zone and go in on the breakaway in order to beat Holtby. Through two periods of play, the Isles had 24 shots and a 3-2 lead after a wild middle period.

In the third, the Isles went into defensive mode. What they were able to do in the final five minutes or so of this game was incredible. They played keep away and seemingly toyed with the Washington Capitals.

After minutes of solid forechecking, Cal Clutterbuck was able to tip home a JG Pageau feed to give the Isles a two goal lead at the 17:14 mark of the period. Anders Lee would add his second of the series with the empty net goal to put this one on ice.

The Islanders are now up 2-0 in the series and have the Caps on their heels. Back to back games, the Isles have played their game and it’s been a thing of beauty.

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Winners: Brock Nelson, Alex Ovechkin, JG Pageau

Losers: Tom Wilson, Lars Eller, Leo Komarov

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