Islanders vs Capitals: Game Two Preview, Odds, Lineups, TV, and More

The New York Islanders have a lot to prove as they head into tonight’s game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena, especially after their disappointing performance against a depleted Capitals team on Tuesday.

On Thursday night, the Capitals were without five of their top players and two of their centermen left the game early from injuries. Regardless of this, the Caps fought hard and scored the game-winning goal with twenty-seven seconds to seal the 3-2 victory and take all two points from the Islanders.

The Islanders were left stunned and disappointed, while the Capitals improved their hot start, in which they are still unbeaten in regulation through seven games.

The New York Islanders are still looking for their first win of the road trip.

Puck drop is scheduled for shortly after 7:00 p.m. eastern time, as the Islanders look to win their first game of their current five-game road trip (0-2-0).

Tale of the Tape

Betting Odds

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

Considering the Islanders performance on Tuesday and head coach, Barry Trotz’s disapproval of it, expect the blue and orange to come out in full force tonight.

The Islanders will definitely be trying to make a statement tonight, while the Capitals will look to stay in their current form. This has all the makings of a great game to watch.

Projected Lineups

One thing is for certain going into tonight’s game: Barry Trotz will be making lineup changes for this evening’s crucial game against Washington. Trotz even publicly said that he was “pissed off” with his team on Tuesday night.

With that being said (and as of when this article was published) Trotz has not revealed who may be entering into the fold for tonight’s class and who is being sidelined.

Anthony Beauvillier is still day-to-day and may be out for tonight. It is projected that Leo Komarov will be out of the lineup after his performance in Tuesday’s third period.

We could see Oliver Wahlstrom make his season debut and Michael Dal Colle could return to the lineup after being scratched last game.

The Islanders defensive core is projected to remain the same and Semyon Varlamov is projected to start in goal.

The Islanders are projected to lineup like this:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Bellows-Nelson-Bailey
Dal Colle-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Pulock
Leddy-Mayfield
Greene-Dobson

Varlamov (Sorokin)

Just like the Islanders, the Capitals have some questions regarding their lineup. Both Nicklas Backstrom and Lars Eller left Thursday’s contest due to injuries.

The Capitals did not practice yesterday and there has been no update to Backstrom or Eller’s status, so they are still up in the air for tonight.

Washington will still be without Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, Orlov, and Samsonov, who are all still on the NHL Covid protocol list.

The Caps could be receiving a big boost in the return of Tom Wilson. Wilson has missed the past couple of games due to a lower-body injury.

No changes are expected to be made to the Capitals defensive pairings and Vitek Vanecek is projected to start in net.

The Capitals are projected to lineup like this:

Vrana-Backstrom-Oshie
Sheary-Eller-Panik
Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway
Carr-Sgarbossa-Sprong

Dillon-Carlson
Chara-Schultz
Siegenthaler-Van Riemsdyk

Vanecek (Anderson)

Where to Catch the Game

TV: MSG+2, NBCSWA

Radio: 88.7FM 103.9FM 1050AM

Livestream: MSG GO App

Want your voice heard? Join the Eyes On Isles team!

Write for us!

Isles Country: What Islanders lineup changes would you make for tonight’s game? Leave your comments below!

*All Stats Provided by the NHL*