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

The New York Islanders will look to sweep the Washington Capitals tonight. Puck drop is scheduled for 8p.m. Here’s everything to know about the matchup.

It is always said in hockey, by the team one game advancing to the next round of the playoffs, that “elimination games are the toughest to win.” Tonight the New York Islanders have the chance to  eliminate the Washington Capitals from the Stanley Cup Playoffs and advance to the second round.

On Sunday, the Islanders and Capitals played their closest game of the series yet. The Isles dominated five on five play, but the Caps, on the back of Braden Holtby, stayed with the Isles. Eventually the game went to Overtime and Mathew Barzal found the net to give the Islanders a 2-1 win over the Capitals.

Sunday was the first time in eleven games between the Isles and Caps that the “home team” won. In the last eleven, the home team is 1-10-0 in this matchup. The Islanders will be the home team again tonight and will have the last change.

Tale of the Tape

Betting Odds

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

This is the first time this series that the blue and orange come into the game as the favorites. The Isles have been playing great hockey and have absolutely dominated even strength play. They deserve every right to be favorites in this matchup.

The Islanders are not going to waste this opportunity to put the Caps away. I expect another complete performance from the Islanders and they will frustrate the Caps again tonight.

I would play the favorites in this one!

Projected Lineups

It will be more of the same for the blue and orange tonight. The Islanders are projected to use the same lineup that has gotten them to one game away from advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This lineup has featured in the last four games for the Isles and have played extremely well. The only place that there is room for improvement is on special teams.

The Islanders have had a commitment to team defense and have stifled the Capitals offense all series. They have been led by the great goaltending of Semyon Varlamov, who is expected to be in net for tonight’s game.

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)

The Capitals made some lineup changes in game three and it is projected that they will keep the same lineup tonight, depending on Nicklas Backstrom‘s availability.

Backstrom is questionable for tonight’s game. It looks like he will be a game-time decision because he is still in concussion protocol:

It is a great sign that Backstrom did skate with the extras, but he still does have to get cleared to play tonight.

Todd Reirden said yesterday that “It’s going to be our best effort of the year tomorrow … I believe in them.” With this being said, expect the Capitals to play a feisty and physical game, with their season on the line.

Braden Holtby played outstanding in game three and is projected to be in net for game four.

The Capitals are projected to lineup like this:

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

Carlson-Dillon
Jensen-Orlov
Fegervary-Gudas

Holtby (Vanecek)

Where to Catch the Game

TV: MSG, MSG+, NBCSN, TVAS, NBCSWA

Radio: 88.7FM