New York Islanders at Washington Capitals (Game 82)

The ultimate game of the season is upon us as the New York Islanders close out the season in the nation's capital as they take on the Washington Capitals. The game comes with major playoff implications - just take the game into overtime or win and the Islanders will have home ice in the playoffs for the first time since Ronald Reagan was in office. If not, they'll need to hope that the New York Rangers can topple the Pittsburgh Penguins or take them into a shootout. In a bit of irony, the last time the Islanders lost home ice on the last game of the season was the last year they played in Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum when they fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Robin Lehner will be in net for tonight's contest against a Capitals team that is resting players given that they aren't playing for anything but two meaningless points at the moment. Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, and John Carlson are on out for tonight's contest. The Capital's roster tonight tips the game in the Islanders favor. Thomas Greiss will back up.

Valtteri Filppula and Johnny Boychuk will both return tonight. Thomas Hickey and Tom Kuhnhackl are back out. They'll have as close to a full roster as they can.

Tonight's game is at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. The Penguins game can be seen on the other MSG network for those keeping tabs at the same time.