Ovechkin Eyes History, Islanders Host Capitals: Lines & Notes
The Islanders sit seven points back of the second wild-card spot with eight games to go.
ELMONT, NY — After getting back on track on Friday, the New York Islanders (33-32-10) face Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals (49-18-9) in his pursuit of history.
Puck drop at UBS Arena is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., and the game can be found exclusively on TNT, TruTV and Max.
The Islanders last faced the Capitals on Nov. 29, their only meeting of the season, with Washington winning 5-4 in overtime. The Capitals rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the third period, with Jakob Chychrun scoring the overtime winner.
In addition to the matchup, the hockey world will have its eyes on UBS Arena.
Ovechkin needs just one goal to become the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer.
He had two goals on Friday to tie Wayne Gretzky with 894 red lights. He comes into this one scorching hot, with four goals in his last three games.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
Lee-Horvat-Palmieri
Tsyplakov-Pageau-Holmstrom
Engvall-Cizikas-Fasching
Martin-MacLean-Gatcomb
Pelech-Pulock
Romanov-DeAngelo
Dobson-Mayfield
Sorokin
Hogberg
Who’s Hot:
Simon Holmstrom had a pair of goals the last time the Islanders and Capitals met, one of three multi-goal games this season. He also lit the lamp on Friday against the Minnesota Wild.
Anders Lee had a three-point game against Washington in their last meeting, the 13th of his career and a season-high in points. He’s three goals away from 30 this season, the third of his career. He looks to get closer as the team leader in goal against Washington, boasting 13 in 41 career games.
Bo Horvat had a pair of helpers in each of the last two games against Washington. He has the most among active Islanders against them with 13 in 22 games. Lee has the most points among active Islanders with 20.
Ilya Sorokin is projected to start Sunday’s matinee. He earned the win against the Wild on Sunday, making 27 saves on 28 shots. Against Washington, he is 3-3-1 with a 2.41 GAA and .918 SV%, most recently making 26 saves on 27 shots in a win on Dec. 29, 2023.
OPPONENTS NOTES:
Dylan Strome has a four-game point streak entering Sunday’s game. The forward has two goals and five assists for seven points in that span. He also had three points in their last meeting, recording a goal and two assists. It’s one of five this season and 26 for his career.
The Islanders will welcome a familiar face back to UBS Arena on Sunday, with Anthony Beauvillier playing as a member of the Capitals. After being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Trade Deadline, he has two goals and three assists for five points, but did not play on Friday.
Connor McMichael had three assists against the Islanders in their last meeting, the only three-helper game of his career. The 24-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season for Washington, notching 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points in 76 games.
As Ovechkin chases history, he comes into this game as the Capitals’ leader in goals and points against the Islanders, notching 44 and 68, respectively, in 71 games. John Carlson leads Washington in assists against them with 27 in 57 games.
After Logan Thompson suffered an upper-body injury on Wednesday, Charlie Lindgren is probable to start Sunday’s game for the Capitals. He earned the win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, making 19 saves on 22 shots. He has two career appearances against the Islanders, earning a win on his only start on March 2, 2018. He last appeared against them in relief on Dec. 29, 2023, stopping all three shots.
CAPITALS LINES:
NOTES: Potras won’t play. Beauvillier comes in.
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With Everything that has gone wrong this year, the Islanders are not out of it lol ! If they went 6 for 6, they would actually more than likely make it in. That says more about the entire situation than them. Highly doubtful but the scenario is possible, with scheduling. If the Islanders as a whole team get physical they would improve their odds. If they win against Preds and the Rangers, things get very interesting. Devils and Caps might be more interesting in playing out the string Healthy. Philly and Bluejackets have struggled, same as us and are not crazy road games. It really doesn’t matter either way in or out, but for Lou and Patrick it would be a gigantic win for them personally. Would love to see a little Caps vs Islanders . Don’t be surprised if they do make it, Eiserman signing and getting into the lineup. I don’t see Eiserman wanting to continue to play in College. He is a showtime Dude that wants to be in the Bigs. He is strong enough, plus there are a lot of vets that would ride shotgun. Lee Horvat Mayfield Casey etc. Plus I would love to see the entire team get involved in fights and the physicality. Every one of those guys game would be bolstered by getting bruised up a little, and give a little.