New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals Game 3: Lineup changes for noon start?

Sights and sayings before the New York Islanders host playoff Game 3 versus the Washington Capitals at Nassau Coliseum...

It's a noon start, so the window between coach media availability and game time is particularly condensed. But it sounds like Washington will have Braden Holtby back in goal, and Jack Capuano wants to make a couple of lineup adjustments, "depending on health."

The Atmosphere

Nassau Coliseum is ready to live its destiny, one more time.

Tailgating, street hockey and plenty of sunshine. Great scene in Coliseum lot. #Isles

— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) April 19, 2015

Orange towels on every seat at the Coliseum pic.twitter.com/Ia9n7YXggE

— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) April 19, 2015

Holtby Returns(?)

For the Capitals, the focus of changes was in goal. Sounds like Braden Holtby is ready to go, but Philipp Grubauer sticks around just in case.

Guessing that #Caps are dressing Grubauer in case Holtby's recovery hits a speed bump or something of that nature. #CapIsles

— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) April 19, 2015

Later, Trotz slipped and said "that's why he's backing up today" when talking about Grubauer. So, Holtby as expected.

— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) April 19, 2015

Lineup Surprise?

For the Islanders, there's no question about who's in goal. There is question whether the lineup adjustments Jack Capuano hinted (threatened?) after Game 2 will come to fruition.

As usual in the morning scrum, he was vague and who knows if they plan one or two or none. He said maybe "a few," depending on "health":

The mention of "health" has fans wondering if that means Mikhail Grabovski, who's been out since early March following a concussion. He's the only player known to be working his way back from a health injury, but of course in the playoffs any number of players could be nursing an injury that we won't find out about until June.

The Matchup

Though the Islanders had 3-1 leads in both games, the actual run of play in Games 1 and 2 could not have been more different. What the Islanders did well in Game 1, the Capitals did in Game 2. Even the brief two-goal lead after Kyle Okposo's goal felt more fortunate than assertive.

Across the league, six of the eight series saw 1-1 splits from the first two games, and the two that are 2-0 were a bounce from going the other way.

One thing consistent from both games in Washington is the discipline shown by both teams to stay out of the box. But that's yesterday's news. As the series shifts to the Coliseum, the quotebook says the series is now best-of-five...

How Many More Games at the Coliseum?

The weird thing about closing a building with a playoff run: You never know when the last, final game is coming. In theory, the Coliseum could have only two games left in it. Or, there could be 12.

Regardless, fans are sure to enjoy each one like it's the last.

Here is the rest of pre-game coverage and news roundups from this morning. Game time is at noon. FIG picks are over here.

Let's. Go. Islanders.