An NHL Game Day Preview between the New York Islanders Vs Washington Capitals – StatementGames alternative Fantasy Hockey, play for FREE and WIN CASH Rewards.
When: 7:00 PM EST, January 26, 2021
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
TV: NBCSN
Puckline: Islanders -1.5 / +170 | Capitals +1.5 / -200
Moneyline: Islanders -135 | Capitals +115
OVER/UNDER Game Total: 5.5
New York Islanders
Record: 3-2-0-0
Road Record: 1-2-0-0
PL: 3-2
Washington Capitals
Record: 3-0-1-2
Home Record: 2-0-0-0
PL: 5-1
New York Islanders Vs Washington Capitals Game Day Preview
The New York Islanders continue a five-game road trip tonight in Washington, D.C., the first of two games against the under manned Washington Capitals.
Because of COVID-19, and other factors the Capitals will skate without five of its best players.
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are coming off of a 2-0 loss at New Jersey on Sunday. The Devils scored both goals in the first period, and that turned out to be enough in the first game of the Islanders’ road trip.
The Islanders did not play tough enough to appease coach Barry Trotz, who guided the Capitals to the Stanley Cup three years ago.
“We weren’t willing to get greasy enough to get one in and made it too easy on them. We didn’t do enough of early in the game.” – Coach Barry Trotz.
One positive for New York was that rookie goalie Ilya Sorokin finished with 22 saves in just his second NHL start.
One negative was that Anthony Beauvillier came out of the game early in the second period after taking a hit from Nathan Bastian. Beauvillier did not return and is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Washington Capitals
In Sunday’s 4-3 shootout loss to Buffalo, the Capitals played without Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov as well as goalie Ilya Samsonov — all on the COVID-19 list. Tom Wilson missed Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury that happened during Friday’s win against the Sabres.
That hurt Washington for obvious reasons, but rookie goalie Vitek Vanecek came up big Sunday at Buffalo. He made 45 saves on 48 shots and is now unbeaten in his first four NHL starts (2-0-2). The rookie became just the fifth first-year goalie in franchise history to make at least 45 saves in a game, the first since Al Jensen in February 1982.
Washington coach Peter Laviolette said Vanecek has made a strong case to keep the starting spot.
“We were looking for someone to grab the crease,” Laviolette said. “I said this would play itself out. So Vitek has had a few good games now, and tonight was another one where he gave us an opportunity to win. And we didn’t, but he gave us an opportunity to get a point, so he’s making the most of his chance.”
Islanders Vs Capitals Facts
- Under is 7-0-1 in Islanders last 8 overall.
- Road team is 13-3 in the last 16 meetings.
- Islanders are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
New York Islanders Vs Washington Capitals Alternative Fantasy Hockey-Statement Games Picks
Islanders 3 Capitals 1
10 PT Pick: Total Shots UNDER 62.5
9 PT Pick: Washington Capitals UNDER 31.5 Shots
8 PT Pick: Total Goals UNDER 5.5
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