The Washington Capitals find themselves in a 0-2 hole as they get set for Sunday's Game 3 against the Islanders.
| Puckline | -1.5 +225 |
| Moneyline | -114 |
| Over / Under | o +5 |
| Puckline | +1.5 -272 |
| Moneyline | -106 |
| Over / Under | u +5 |
The Capitals are scoring, but not when it matters. They have opened the scoring in each of the first two games of this series, but have been outscored 5-0 in the third period.
The Capitals decision not to give Barry Trotz a raise after he brought them their first Stanley Cup in franchise history is coming back to bite them. Not only have the Capitals not won a playoff series since Trotz left in 2018, they have yet to win a game this series. A 5-2 loss on Friday put the Islanders ahead 2-0 in this first round matchup.
Capitals vs. Islanders Betting Analysis
Statistically speaking, the Capitals are in a tough spot. In NHL history, 86 per cent of teams that go down 2-0 in a best-of-7 series end up losing it, while only 2.1 per cent of teams that go down 3-0 have ever come back to win the series, making Game 3 essentially do-or-die for the Caps.
The Capitals are listed at -118 on the NHL odds, with the Islanders at -102 and the total is set at an even five, with the over favoured at -141. The total has gone over in the last five meetings between these teams.
Washington Capitals
It didn’t look all bad for the Capitals in the first period and a half of Game 2. Ovechkin put the Capitals ahead early when he scored his first goal and point of the NHL restart, just under one minute into the game. He scored again, to tie the game, in the second period, but that is as far as the Capitals would go. Brayden Holtby had 27 saves in the losing effort.
The key for the Capitals in Game 3 will be to remain calm. A loss would put them in a 3-0 hole, which has been nearly impossible to come back from in NHL history. The veteran core of this team is only two years removed from a Stanley Cup. Can that experience help the Capitals climb back into the series?
New York Islanders
In Game 2 the Islanders put themselves on the score sheet with a second period Nick Leddy power play goal, breaking the Capitals perfect 14-for-14 penalty kill. Matt Martin, Brock Nelson, Cal Clutterbuck and Anders Lee also had goals for the Islanders with Semyon Varlamov making 23 saves in the win.
A big key for the Isles in Game 3 will be starting better and not allowing the Capitals to score first. Even with their dominance in the first two games of the series, the Islanders have allowed the Capitals to score first in each game and been forced to chase them. If the Islanders want to deflate the Capitals hope, they need to score first and score early in Game 3.
Who Will Win Capitals vs. Islanders?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 15 Aug 2:16pm | WAS | -1.5 +215 | U +5.5 -135 |
| Closing 16 Aug 3:51pm | WAS | -1.5 +226 | O +5 -141 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Capitals Team Leaders
| Points |
75 |
| + / - |
19 |
| Shots |
311 |
| Penalty Mins |
93 |
| Wins |
25 |
| GAA |
2.55 |
| Points |
60 |
| + / - |
12 |
| Shots |
195 |
| Penalty Mins |
78 |
| Wins |
19 |
| GAA |
2.62 |
| Points |
6 |
| + / - |
0 |
| Shots |
30 |
| Penalty Mins |
23 |
| Wins |
2 |
| GAA |
2.49 |
| Points |
20 |
| + / - |
12 |
| Shots |
72 |
| Penalty Mins |
28 |
| Wins |
11 |
| GAA |
2.02 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Islanders Team Leaders
| Points |
75 |
| + / - |
19 |
| Shots |
311 |
| Penalty Mins |
93 |
| Wins |
25 |
| GAA |
2.55 |
| Points |
60 |
| + / - |
12 |
| Shots |
195 |
| Penalty Mins |
78 |
| Wins |
19 |
| GAA |
2.62 |
| Points |
6 |
| + / - |
0 |
| Shots |
30 |
| Penalty Mins |
23 |
| Wins |
2 |
| GAA |
2.49 |
| Points |
20 |
| + / - |
12 |
| Shots |
72 |
| Penalty Mins |
28 |
| Wins |
11 |
| GAA |
2.02 |
Injuries
Nicklas Backstrom (C)
Lars Eller (C)
Ilya Samsonov (G)
Ilya Kovalchuk (LW)
Christian Djoos (D)
Brenden Dillon (D)
Evgeny Kuznetsov (C)
Ilya Samsonov (G)
Richard Panik (RW)
Evgeny Kuznetsov (C)
Adam Pelech (D)
Cal Clutterbuck (RW)
Tom Kuhnhackl (RW)
Casey Cizikas (C)
Cal Clutterbuck (RW)
Cal Clutterbuck (RW)
Johnny Boychuk (D)
Leo Komarov (RW)
Josh Bailey (RW)
Thomas Hickey (D)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicklas Backstrom (C) | Ques Thurs | Concussion - 12 / 08 / 20 | 2-3 | 2-2-1 | + - |
|
Backstrom is going through the concussion protocol, and he will not suit up for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Islanders. |
|||||
| Lars Eller (C) | Prob Fri | Personal - 05 / 08 / 20 | 3-4 | 2-4-1 | + - |
|
Eller was away from the team due to the birth of his child. He has returned, and he is likely to play against the Islanders in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Ilya Samsonov (G) | out for season | Undisclosed - 21 / 07 / 20 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Samsonov is sidelined with an unspecified injury and will miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Ilya Kovalchuk (LW) | Prob Tues | Acquired - 25 / 02 / 20 | 5-10 | 8-6-1 | + - |
|
Kovalchuk was traded for, and it is up in the air if he will take part in Tuesday's contest with the Jets. |
|||||
| Christian Djoos (D) | Ques Tues | Acquired - 24 / 02 / 20 | 5-10 | 8-6-1 | + - |
|
Djoos was recently acquired via trade, and it is unknown if he will play against the Oilers on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Brenden Dillon (D) | Prob Thurs | Acquired - 18 / 02 / 20 | 6-12 | 9-8-1 | + - |
|
Dillon was recently acquired in a trade, but it is projected that he will make his team debut against the Canadiens on Thursday. |
|||||
| Evgeny Kuznetsov (C) | Prob Thurs | Upper Body - 10 / 02 / 20 | 7-15 | 11-10-1 | + - |
|
Kuznetsov has been held out of the previous three games due to an upper-body injury, but it is likely that he will return to action Thursday against the Canadiens. |
|||||
| Ilya Samsonov (G) | Ques Sat | Concussion - 04 / 02 / 20 | 8-16 | 12-11-1 | + - |
|
Samsonov sat out the last game as he is going through the concussion protocol. His availability for Saturday's battle against the Flyers is clouded. |
|||||
| Richard Panik (RW) | Ques Mon | Undisclosed - 12 / 01 / 20 | 13-18 | 16-13-2 | + - |
|
Panik left the last game with an undisclosed injury and did not return. It is unknown if he will be able to face the Hurricanes on Monday. |
|||||
| Evgeny Kuznetsov (C) | Ques Sun | Illness - 04 / 01 / 20 | 15-21 | 20-14-2 | + - |
|
Kuznetsov is ailing from an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Sharks on Sunday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Pelech (D) | Out Thurs | Undisclosed - 17 / 09 / 20 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Pelech will not dress for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final against the Lightning due to an unspecified ailment. |
|||||
| Cal Clutterbuck (RW) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 16 / 09 / 20 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Clutterbuck is dealing with an unspecified injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Lightning in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final. |
|||||
| Tom Kuhnhackl (RW) | out for season | Undisclosed - 13 / 09 / 20 | 2-1 | 1-1-1 | + - |
|
Kuhnhackl has exited the bubble due to an undefined injury, and he will not return this season. |
|||||
| Casey Cizikas (C) | out for season | Upper Body - 11 / 09 / 20 | 3-1 | 1-2-1 | + - |
|
Cizikas is away from the team with an upper-body injury and will sit out the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Cal Clutterbuck (RW) | Ques Wed | Lower Body - 07 / 09 / 20 | 4-2 | 2-3-1 | + - |
|
Clutterbuck has a lower-body injury, and it is unclear if he will play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final against the Lightning. |
|||||
| Cal Clutterbuck (RW) | Prob Mon | Lower Body - 18 / 08 / 20 | 9-6 | 5-7-3 | + - |
|
Clutterbuck is nursing a lower-body injury, but it is not expected to impede his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Flyers. |
|||||
| Johnny Boychuk (D) | Out indefinitely | Head - 01 / 08 / 20 | 13-8 | 9-8-4 | + - |
|
Boychuk suffered a concussion, and there are no indications about how long it will take him to pass the league's protocol. |
|||||
| Leo Komarov (RW) | Ques Fri | Face - 13 / 07 / 20 | 14-8 | 10-8-4 | + - |
|
Komarov has a facial injury, and it is unclear if he will play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference qualifying round versus the Panthers. |
|||||
| Josh Bailey (RW) | day-to-day | Undisclosed - 11 / 03 / 20 | 14-9 | 10-9-4 | + - |
|
Bailey is tending to an unspecified injury, but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference qualifying round versus the Panthers. |
|||||
| Thomas Hickey (D) | day-to-day | Personal - 10 / 03 / 20 | 14-9 | 10-9-4 | + - |
|
Hickey was away from the team tending to a personal matter, and it is yet to be determined if he will take part in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference qualifying round against the Panthers. |
|||||
-
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
2 -
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
4
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 15 Aug 2:16pm WAS -1.5 +215 U +5.5 -135 Closing 16 Aug 3:51pm WAS -1.5 +226 O +5 -141 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Capitals Team Leaders
Points 75
+ / - 19
Shots 311
Penalty Mins 93
Wins 25
GAA 2.55
Points 60
+ / - 12
Shots 195
Penalty Mins 78
Wins 19
GAA 2.62
Points 6
+ / - 0
Shots 30
Penalty Mins 23
Wins 2
GAA 2.49
Points 20
+ / - 12
Shots 72
Penalty Mins 28
Wins 11
GAA 2.02
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Islanders Team Leaders
Points 75
+ / - 19
Shots 311
Penalty Mins 93
Wins 25
GAA 2.55
Points 60
+ / - 12
Shots 195
Penalty Mins 78
Wins 19
GAA 2.62
Points 6
+ / - 0
Shots 30
Penalty Mins 23
Wins 2
GAA 2.49
Points 20
+ / - 12
Shots 72
Penalty Mins 28
Wins 11
GAA 2.02
-
Injuries
Nicklas Backstrom (C)
Ques Thurs Concussion - 12 / 08 / 20Lars Eller (C)
Prob Fri Personal - 05 / 08 / 20Ilya Samsonov (G)
out for season Undisclosed - 21 / 07 / 20Ilya Kovalchuk (LW)
Prob Tues Acquired - 25 / 02 / 20Christian Djoos (D)
Ques Tues Acquired - 24 / 02 / 20Brenden Dillon (D)
Prob Thurs Acquired - 18 / 02 / 20Evgeny Kuznetsov (C)
Prob Thurs Upper Body - 10 / 02 / 20Ilya Samsonov (G)
Ques Sat Concussion - 04 / 02 / 20Richard Panik (RW)
Ques Mon Undisclosed - 12 / 01 / 20Evgeny Kuznetsov (C)
Ques Sun Illness - 04 / 01 / 20Adam Pelech (D)
Out Thurs Undisclosed - 17 / 09 / 20Cal Clutterbuck (RW)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 16 / 09 / 20Tom Kuhnhackl (RW)
out for season Undisclosed - 13 / 09 / 20Casey Cizikas (C)
out for season Upper Body - 11 / 09 / 20Cal Clutterbuck (RW)
Ques Wed Lower Body - 07 / 09 / 20Cal Clutterbuck (RW)
Prob Mon Lower Body - 18 / 08 / 20Johnny Boychuk (D)
Out indefinitely Head - 01 / 08 / 20Leo Komarov (RW)
Ques Fri Face - 13 / 07 / 20Josh Bailey (RW)
day-to-day Undisclosed - 11 / 03 / 20Thomas Hickey (D)
day-to-day Personal - 10 / 03 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Nicklas Backstrom (C) Ques Thurs Concussion - 12 / 08 / 20 2-3 2-2-1 + - Backstrom is going through the concussion protocol, and he will not suit up for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Islanders.
Lars Eller (C) Prob Fri Personal - 05 / 08 / 20 3-4 2-4-1 + - Eller was away from the team due to the birth of his child. He has returned, and he is likely to play against the Islanders in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Ilya Samsonov (G) out for season Undisclosed - 21 / 07 / 20 3-5 2-5-1 + - Samsonov is sidelined with an unspecified injury and will miss the remainder of the season.
Ilya Kovalchuk (LW) Prob Tues Acquired - 25 / 02 / 20 5-10 8-6-1 + - Kovalchuk was traded for, and it is up in the air if he will take part in Tuesday's contest with the Jets.
Christian Djoos (D) Ques Tues Acquired - 24 / 02 / 20 5-10 8-6-1 + - Djoos was recently acquired via trade, and it is unknown if he will play against the Oilers on Tuesday.
Brenden Dillon (D) Prob Thurs Acquired - 18 / 02 / 20 6-12 9-8-1 + - Dillon was recently acquired in a trade, but it is projected that he will make his team debut against the Canadiens on Thursday.
Evgeny Kuznetsov (C) Prob Thurs Upper Body - 10 / 02 / 20 7-15 11-10-1 + - Kuznetsov has been held out of the previous three games due to an upper-body injury, but it is likely that he will return to action Thursday against the Canadiens.
Ilya Samsonov (G) Ques Sat Concussion - 04 / 02 / 20 8-16 12-11-1 + - Samsonov sat out the last game as he is going through the concussion protocol. His availability for Saturday's battle against the Flyers is clouded.
Richard Panik (RW) Ques Mon Undisclosed - 12 / 01 / 20 13-18 16-13-2 + - Panik left the last game with an undisclosed injury and did not return. It is unknown if he will be able to face the Hurricanes on Monday.
Evgeny Kuznetsov (C) Ques Sun Illness - 04 / 01 / 20 15-21 20-14-2 + - Kuznetsov is ailing from an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Sharks on Sunday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Adam Pelech (D) Out Thurs Undisclosed - 17 / 09 / 20 1-0 0-1 + - Pelech will not dress for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final against the Lightning due to an unspecified ailment.
Cal Clutterbuck (RW) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 16 / 09 / 20 1-0 0-1 + - Clutterbuck is dealing with an unspecified injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Lightning in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final.
Tom Kuhnhackl (RW) out for season Undisclosed - 13 / 09 / 20 2-1 1-1-1 + - Kuhnhackl has exited the bubble due to an undefined injury, and he will not return this season.
Casey Cizikas (C) out for season Upper Body - 11 / 09 / 20 3-1 1-2-1 + - Cizikas is away from the team with an upper-body injury and will sit out the remainder of the season.
Cal Clutterbuck (RW) Ques Wed Lower Body - 07 / 09 / 20 4-2 2-3-1 + - Clutterbuck has a lower-body injury, and it is unclear if he will play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final against the Lightning.
Cal Clutterbuck (RW) Prob Mon Lower Body - 18 / 08 / 20 9-6 5-7-3 + - Clutterbuck is nursing a lower-body injury, but it is not expected to impede his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Flyers.
Johnny Boychuk (D) Out indefinitely Head - 01 / 08 / 20 13-8 9-8-4 + - Boychuk suffered a concussion, and there are no indications about how long it will take him to pass the league's protocol.
Leo Komarov (RW) Ques Fri Face - 13 / 07 / 20 14-8 10-8-4 + - Komarov has a facial injury, and it is unclear if he will play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference qualifying round versus the Panthers.
Josh Bailey (RW) day-to-day Undisclosed - 11 / 03 / 20 14-9 10-9-4 + - Bailey is tending to an unspecified injury, but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference qualifying round versus the Panthers.
Thomas Hickey (D) day-to-day Personal - 10 / 03 / 20 14-9 10-9-4 + - Hickey was away from the team tending to a personal matter, and it is yet to be determined if he will take part in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference qualifying round against the Panthers.