Confident Washington Capitals face the slumping New York Islanders – NHL Preview
Washington Capitals have successfully paved their way to be among the top eight teams of National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference and with 13 more games to play in the regular season, their main goal is to retain that position and qualify for the
playoffs.
In terms of points, Capitals are not very far away from other teams of the conference that are out of the comfort zone and battling hard to secure a playoff spot.
However, Capitals can certainly get a noticeable edge over other team as their next encounter is scheduled against the lowly New York Islanders whose playoff hopes are all but over.
The matchup between the two teams will take place on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York.
Here is a look at recent performance and standing of both teams.
Capitals
Capitals lost three games in a row early on in this month, but recovered well to win three straight.
Their recent victories, which earned them eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, came against Tampa Bay Lightning (3-2 in overtime), Boston Bruins (4-3) and Toronto Maple Leafs (2-0).
The last victory was very convincing as the defence did not allow the opponents to excel at any level.
Capitals’ captain, Alex Ovechkin, said after the game:
"It's always nice when you're back-and-forth, back-and-forth, and you're still in it. It's nice when you know, like, the season's not over."
Capitals have 76 points after 69 games and are two points ahead of the ninth-ranked, Buffalo Sabres.
Islanders
Currently on a three-game losing streak, Islanders are ranked at 14th spot in the Eastern Conference with 66 points after 69 games.
The recent defeats came against New Jersey Devils (5-1), New Jersey Devils (2-1) and New York Rangers (4-3 in overtime).
Islanders gave a tough time to Rangers and went neck and neck in the first period and had a lead after the end of the second period.
However, Rangers equalised in the final period and scored the go-ahead goal in the overtime to get the victory.
Islanders’ centre, Frans Nielsen, said after the game:
"This was a very tough loss. They outworked us when it counted. That's the bottom line. We have to be better. We made some good plays but not enough good plays."
Predictions
Capitals will carry an edge over Islanders.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Islanders win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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