Islanders vs. Capitals, Lineups & Notes
Hudson Fasching returns today in place of Matt Martin. Semyon Varlamov starts.
With Thanksgiving in the books, the New York Islanders (8-10-5) return to action for a Black Friday matinee against the Washington Capitals (15-6-1).
Puck drop at CapitalsOne Arena is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., and the game can be found on MSGSN.
The two teams split their four-game season series last season, starting with Semyon Varlamov pitching a shutout in a 3-0 win in their first meeting on Nov. 2. Washington took the next two, starting with a 4-1 win nine days later and beating the Islanders in 3-2, overtime final on Dec. 20. The Islanders won the final meeting of the season 5-1 at UBS Arena on Dec. 29.
Washington will be without Alex Ovechkin for Friday’s matchup. The forward and Capitals captain suffered a broken leg and will be out for 4-6 weeks. The two teams won’t meet again until April 6.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
Lee-Horvat-Pageau
Tsyplakov-Nelson-Palmieri
Engvall-Cizikas-Holmstrom
Fasching-MacLean-Wahlstrom
Romanov-Dobson
George-Pulock
Cholowski-Mayfield
Varlamov
Sorokin
WHO’S HOT:
The Islanders’ second line continued their hot play during their three-game homestand. Brock Nelson was the star of the show on Wednesday, tallying two goals and an assist in the contest. Across the homestand, he had three goals and four assists for seven points.
Maxim Tsyplakov also lit the lamp and added a helper of his own. He averaged a point-per-game in the homestand, tallying a goal and two assists despite getting shutout on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings.
Isaiah George recorded the first two points of his NHL career in his last two games. He also continues to play a big role for the team’s defense, averaging 18:51 of ice time in the last three games.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau was the star of the Islanders’ last matchup with Washington. The forward had two goals and two assists for four points in a winning effort.
Nelson leads active Islanders in scoring across the board against Washington. The forward has 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points in 47 career games.
Semyon Varlamov (3-4-2, 2.66 GAA, .898 SV%) is 8-12-4, with a 2.55 GAA and a .921 SV% against Washington.
OPPONENT’S NOTES:
Aliaksei Protas has been a breakout piece for Washington. The fourth-year forward has eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 22 games, in addition to a goal and assist on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Connor McMichael has also been a revelation for Washington early in the year. With Ovechkin out, he leads the active roster in goals with 13 in 22 games this season. Dylan Strome leads the team in assists and points with 24 and 31, respectively.
Lars Eller leads Washington’s active roster in goals against New York, tallying three last season as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins to bring his career number to 10. John Carlson leads in the remaining offensive categories, owning 26 assists and 34 points.
Logan Thompson (9-1-1, 2.44 GAA, .917 SV%) is 1-1-1 in his career against the Islanders with a 2.30 GAA and a .923 SV%. gets the start for Washington.
PREGAME READING:
Islanders Going With Varlamov Against Capitals On Friday, Sorokin Against Sabres On Saturday - THN
Islanders' Hudson Fasching To Play vs. Capitals After 10 Games As A Healthy Scratch - THN
Islanders Patrick Roy Still Waiting On Oliver Wahlstrom - THN
Islanders & Bruins In Exactly Same Gravy Boat Ahead Of Thanksgiving Eve Matchup - THN
Islanders Patrick Roy Still Waiting On Oliver Wahlstrom - THN
By The Numbers: Time Islanders Have Spent Tied, Trailing, & Leading - THN
The Biggest Reason Islanders Were Able To Hold The Lead Against Blues - THN
Jets’ Woody Johnson vs. Islanders’ Scott Malkin: A Tale Of Opposite Ownership Styles - THN
Last Game’s Capitals Lines
NOTES: Logan Thompson gets the start.
Islanders Community:
Complimentary Parking!
Once again for the 2024-25 season, those that drive a BMW can receive complimentary single-game parking in the Emerald Parking lot.
Please click the BMW | Islanders image below for parking registration information,
