Islanders vs Capitals Game Three: Odds, Lineups, TV and more

The New York Islanders will be looking to take a 3-0 series lead against the Washington Capitals today at noon. Here’s everything to know about the matchup.

When you have a chance to take a three games to none series lead, against one of your biggest rivals, you must take it. The New York Islanders have the chance to run away with their first round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Washington Capitals today.

Friday night was a great night for the Islanders. The Islanders took a 2-0 series lead and played an all around great game, with spectacular team defense, to beat the Capitals 5-2.

For the first time this series, the Islanders will be the home team. This will allow Barry Trotz and the Islanders coaching staff to play the favorable matchups they want against the Capitals lines. It will be intriguing to see what line, if any in particular, Trotz uses to shut down Alex Ovechkin and the Caps top line.

The last change has had no effect on this matchup though. The away team is 10-0-0 in the last ten games between the Islanders and Capitals.

Tale of the Tape

Betting Odds

The Islanders come into today as the underdogs, courtesy of the Action network.

After watching the first two games of this series, playing the blue and orange has a lot of upside. The Isles have found their stride, while the Caps play has been inconsistent on a period by period basis.

I do expect the Capitals to bring their “A” game today, but the Islanders will be ready for the challenge. I expect this game to go right down to the wire.

I would play the underdogs in this one!

Projected Lineups

For the third straight game, the Islanders are not expected to make any changes to their lineup.

This should come as no surprise to anyone. The Islanders have looked solid the past two games of this series and have done a great job to shut down a high powered capitals offense. The Isles coaching staff will be reluctant to make any changes.

The Isles have been playing great defense and completely dominated the Caps on Friday when protecting a third period lead.

Semyon Varlamov will get the start in net for Game three, after getting the win and stopping 23 of 25 shots faced in game two.

The Islanders are projected to lineup like this:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Komarov-Pageau-Brassard
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Pulock
Toews-Mayfield
Leddy-Greene

Varlamov (Greiss)

Todd Reirden said he is “looking at all things” regarding Washington’s lineup. The Capitals are expected to make a change or two to their lineup.

One player that is projected to come in to the Caps lineup is Radko Gudas. Gudas is a big body and plays a tough and physical game, which can provide a boost to the Capitals. Jonas Siegenthaler will most likely be out of the lineup, if Gudas comes in.

It is projected the Caps will still be without, their top center, Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom was hurt in game one and missed game two due to being ” in protocol.” Reirden has not yet given any update on Backstrom.

Both Lars Eller and T.J. Oshie will be looking to pick up their games, after both being a -4 in game two. With Backstrom out, Washington will be looking for Eller and Oshie to step up and fill in the void that Backstrom leaves.

Braden Holtby is projected to be in net and will try to get the Caps back on track for this first round playoff series.

The Capitals are projected to lineup like this:

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Eller-Oshie
Hagelin-Boyd-Kovalchuk
Panik-Dowd-Hathaway

Kempny-Carlson
Dillon-Orlov
Gudas-Jensen

Holtby (Vanecek)

Where to Catch the Game

TV: MSG, MSG+, USA, SN360, TVAS, NBCSWA

Radio: 88.7FM

*All Stats Provided by the NHL*