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The Islanders are in Washington for — what’s this?...just one game? — before heading on to another three-game set vs. the Flyers.
The teams haven’t met since late January, when the Capitals delivered two gut-punch losses, the Islanders were on a painful trip, and the season looked considerably stinkier than it looks now.
The Islanders, with a nine-game win streak and 12-game points streak, are the “hottest” team in the league, but the Capitals (9-1 in their last 10) are right there. (So too, annoyingly, are the Penguins, who are 8-2 in their last 10.)
Two points separate the top two spots and the Caps have a game in hand. Pittsburgh, also with a game in hand on the Isles, are just five points behind.
As you heard, J-G Peageau is back from his one-game Covid Protocol List absence. Noah Dobson was still TBD. He is missed, but it’s good to see Sebastian Aho (or Thomas Hickey?!) alive and well.