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Game Preview: Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders
The Washington Capitals return home chasing history as Alex Ovechkin takes his third shot at reaching 900 career goals when they face the New York Islanders on Friday night at Capital One Arena.
Ovechkin, one goal shy of the milestone, has dominated the Islanders over his career — 45 goals and 71 total points in 74 meetings. The Capitals (6-4-0) enter after a narrow 1-0 road loss to Dallas, while the Islanders (4-5-1) look to end a three-game skid following Thursday’s 6-2 defeat in Carolina.
Washington’s recent form has been defined by strong defensive play and elite goaltending, while New York continues to search for consistency on the road. Check the updated odds and totals on the NHL scores and odds board before puck drop.
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Opening Lines and Market Snapshot
- Moneyline: Capitals -219 | Islanders +183
- Puck Line: Capitals -1.5 (+115) | Islanders +1.5 (-139)
- Total: 5.5 (Over +107 | Under -130)
For real-time movement and betting splits, visit the NHL expert betting guide and picks hub.
New York Islanders Outlook
New York enters Friday’s matchup on a three-game slide but remains one of the more physical teams in the East. Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer and winger Simon Holmstrom continue to shine, combining for six goals across their last five appearances.
Mathew Barzal returns to the lineup after a one-game disciplinary benching, giving coach Patrick Roy’s squad a needed offensive spark. Bo Horvat leads the team with 11 points (6G, 5A), while Kyle Palmieri’s steady veteran presence has helped sustain the power play, which ranks 8th in the league with six goals.
The Islanders’ challenge lies in limiting defensive-zone breakdowns. They rank 25th in shots allowed per game and have surrendered 16 goals over their past three contests. A bounce-back performance from goaltender Ilya Sorokin will be crucial against a Capitals team that thrives on the rush.
Islanders Injury Report
- Ethan Bear – Out (Undisclosed)
- Pierre Engvall – Out (Ankle)
- Maxim Shabanov – Questionable (Upper Body)
- Semyon Varlamov – Out (Lower Body)
Get a divisional outlook in the NHL Metropolitan Division odds predictions.
Washington Capitals Outlook
The Capitals have relied on their veteran core and improved defensive structure to climb the standings. They’ve allowed only 21 goals through ten games, leading the league in goals against per contest (2.1).
Offensively, Tom Wilson (11 points in 10 games) and Dylan Strome have provided steady production behind Ovechkin’s scoring push. Goaltender Logan Thompson has been excellent since joining the club, boasting a 2.24 GAA and a .924 save percentage.
Coach Spencer Carbery’s team continues to win the possession battle, ranking top-10 in expected goals percentage at even strength. If the Capitals maintain that puck control and capitalize on the power play — currently tied for 8th — they can extend their perfect 3-0 division record.
Capitals Injury Report
- Ethan Frank – Out (Undisclosed)
- Rasmus Sandin – Questionable (Upper Body)
- Dylan Strome – Questionable (Lower Body)
Explore the Capitals’ division and Cup trajectory via the NHL conference odds predictions and Stanley Cup futures.
Key Matchups / Path to Victory
- Ovechkin vs Sorokin: Washington’s captain hunts for history against a goaltender who’s struggled on back-to-backs.
- Capitals’ PK vs Islanders’ PP: A top-10 power play meets one of the NHL’s stingiest penalty kills.
- Defensive Depth: Washington’s blue line rotation will be tested if Sandin is unavailable.
Betting Trends
- Islanders have gone over the total in 5 straight games.
- Capitals are 6-0 straight up as home favorites this season.
- The under has hit in 8 of Washington’s last 11 vs Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Ovechkin has scored in 7 of his last 10 home games vs New York.
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Prediction
Washington’s defensive consistency and Ovechkin’s milestone motivation give them the edge here. Expect the Islanders to compete physically early, but the Capitals’ power play and home-ice momentum should seal it late.
Projected Score: Capitals 4, Islanders 2
Best Bet: Capitals -1.5 (+115)
Total Lean: Over 5.5 (+107)
Scores and Stats Handicappers
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