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Islanders Playoff Gameday News: The task of finishing off the Capitals

It’s not going to be easy, but it can surely be done.

By Steven E. Smith

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New York Islanders v Washington Capitals - Game Four
Though this hit looks painful, Clutterbuck will be in the lineup tonight.
Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images

The Capitals, on the verge of getting swept by the Islanders, took advantage of a couple power plays to keep their season alive with a 3-2 win.

Sound familiar? It should, because that’s quite literally exactly what the Florida Panthers did against the Islanders in the Qualifying Round, right down to the score. The following game went pretty well, I think.

The Caps are better than the Cats, but the Islanders could still finish them off tonight if they stick to their game and can withstand Washington’s inevitable, desperate onslaught.

Game 5 will be tonight at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Be on the lookout for another episode of Islanders Anxiety about the Game 4 loss before Game 5 happens.

Islanders News

  • The team site’s official preview of Game 5.
  • The Isles are determined to play their own style in Game 5 after getting away from it in Game 4. [Newsday]
  • Color analyst Butch Goring expects the Islanders to rebound in Game 5. [Newsday]
  • But the Islanders, themselves, know it won’t be an easy task, staving off a talented team playing for their bubble lives. [NHL]
  • Despite missing the third period of Game 4 after a submarine hit by Radko Gudas, Cal Clutterbuck should be good for Game 5, according to coach Barry Trotz. [Newsday | Islanders]
  • LISTEN: Arthur Staple hosts a quick episode of No Sleep ‘Til Belmont about the Islanders faltering in Game 4, but says that was to be expected with Washington.

Elsewhere

Yesterday’s NHL scores included four elimination games and only one team on the brink that survived. The Lightning knocked out the Blue Jackets with an overtime win in Game 5; the Bruins advanced with a 2-1 win in Game 5 over the Hurricanes; and the Avalanche spanked the Coyotes by a 7-1 score for the second game in a row in Game 5 and moving on to the next round in the process. The Canadiens, however, live to fight another day by beating the Flyers 5-3 in Game 5. Also, the Canucks re-took the series lead, 3-2, with a 4-3 win over the Blues.

  • Patrick Kane believes the young Blackhawks squad can learn from their experience in the bubble and their loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. [NHL]
  • Dom Luszczyszyn determined who the best shooters were with each kind of shot this season. Anthony Beauvillier made a surprise appearance because of his apparently wickedly accurate backhander. [The Athletic]
  • And finally, a blog from two league executives—one in the Edmonton bubble, one in the Toronto bubble—about their experiences thus far. They’re preparing for clinchers. [NHL]