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NHL playoffs preview: Islanders vs Capitals

By Lauren Lapka

Apr 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Islanders center Anders Lee (27) chases after the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Islanders center Anders Lee (27) chases after the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals will meet in the first round in the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals are in for a physical first round of the NHL playoffs. It’ll come down to Washington’s size against the Islanders speed.

The Islanders finished 47-28-7 with 101 points. Great season overall, but they’ve been having some issues heading into the playoffs. In 3 consecutive games, they have given up a goal in the final 10 seconds of a period. Islanders strong offensively, but they aren’t good on the penalty kill. They were ranked 26th at the end of the regular season. They also suffered in terms of goals against, sitting 23rd overall.

The Capitals finished 45-26-11 with 101 points. They were 6th in the league for goals per game and are the best team on the power play with a 25.3% success rate. There is a lot of strong veteran leadership and they have Alex Ovechkin, who is one of the best all around players in the league.

PLAYERS TO LOOK FOR:

The young Islanders captain John Tavares. He finished the season with a career high 38 goals and 86 points. He also led his team in goals, assists and points. Jaroslav Halak had a record setting 38 win season, although he hasn’t been doing well as of late.

As for the Capitals, obviously Alex Ovechkin. He just picked up his 3rd consecutive and 5th overall Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy after finishing the season with 53 goals. He also set a franchise record with 25 power play goals this season. Nicklas Backstrom is another strong offensive piece of this team. He led the team with 60 assists this season and plays a vital role in leadership. 

INJURIES:

Islanders Mikhail Grabovski is still sitting after sustaining a concussion. Michal Neuvirth has been out with undisclosed injuries, but was facing shots in practice on Tuesday. Travis Hamonic is questionable to play Game 1 due to a knee injury.

As for the Capitals, Tom Wilson had his first full practice on Tuesday after being out with a head injury, he’s closer to returning but there’s no official return date yet. Eric Fehr returned to practice monday after dealing with an upper body injury, but it isn’t official that he’ll be ready for Game 1

PREDICTIONS:

I think Washington’s size and strength will be too much for the Islanders, I’m taking Capitals in 5.

SCHEDULE:

GAME 1: April 15, New York @ Washington 7:00ET/6:00CT USA

GAME 2: April 17, New York @ Washington 7:00ET/6:00CT NBCSN

GAME 3: April 19, Washington vs. New York 12:00ET/11:00CT NBC

GAME 4: April 21, Washington vs. New York 7:30ET/6:30CT USA

IF GAME 5: April 23, TBA

IF GAME 6: April 25, TBA

IF GAME 7: April 27, TBA

For more of my videos, check out my author page here. Now that you know what my thoughts on it are, let me know what you think in the comments below or send me a tweet on the interwebs @LaurenLapka.

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