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The Islanders “welcome” the Capitals back to Nassau Coliseum, the scene of last week’s 8-4 drubbing of the visitors.
After that one ended in tomfoolery, will there be more bad blood? Will Barry Trotz elect for vets and size over Bellows? (Of course.) Will Nic Dowd do more stupid things just because? Will we see the latest episode of dirty Tom W— yes.
The Islanders are up to 15-1-2 at the Coliseum, which in this strange season could be the Same Old Random thing or could be a reflection of home comfort and cooking, but for once we can conclusively say it has nothing to do with any fan atmosphere.
The Capitals found tonic from their previous defeat by sweeping a two-game set with the Devils, though one required overtime and the other was another case of conceding four goals against.
A regulation win tonight would bring the Isles back into a tie for first place in the division, which feels like a statement that has described every game for the last several weeks. The teams are once again at the same number of games played, and Washington holds the edge (by one) in regulation wins.
And of course, there are more meetings to come this month. Get used to seeing lots of red, now and possibly later this spring.
Trotz Pregame Availability pic.twitter.com/IYijwFMPSo
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 6, 2021
When Capitals say they don't have a set No. 1 goalie, their actions support that. They've been basically rotating between Samsonov and Vanecek.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) April 6, 2021
Whatever they do at trade deadline, Samsonov will likely go into it without starting more than 2 games in a row in his career.
Which Channel Are We On?
That’s...about right:
7th place Devils vs 8th place Sabres, both teams sitting their best player so they don't get injured before the trade deadline: MSG+
— Brian (@FinallySock) April 6, 2021
1st place Washington vs 2nd place Islanders in a rematch of a spicy game on Saturday night: the second alternate channel
And no matter where you fall on Taylor Hall, this is funny right here:
People forget that Peter Chiarelli died paving the way for a Hall-Barzal-Eberle line to one day thrive in his honor, and it would be disrespectful for the islanders to not acquire him at this point
— James Duffy (@TwoTurtleDuffs) April 6, 2021
After tonight, the two teams resume their series with three straight April 22-27.