Caps vs. Islanders 10-18-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (3-2; 6 points) vs. New York Islanders (3-3; 6 points):
Caps Game #6, Home Game #2, NHL Game #91

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:37 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. New York TV: Fox SportsNet New York 2. Radio: WBBR 1130-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic feed.

After back-to-back ugly losses on the road last weekend, the Caps open up a four game homestand tonight by hosting the New York Islanders. The Islanders have also cooled off after their 2-0 start going 1-3 since with one of those three losses being last Monday to the Caps on Long Island. The Islanders are wrapping up a three game road trip where they've been outscored 11-2 so far, most recently a 3-1 loss in Philadelphia.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Newsday. Islanders.com.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

Two teams with two game losing streaks and can't be very happy about the losses they've taken recently. In a perfect world, we would have two teams with lots of jump in their skates looking to reestablish themselves but both teams have been idle since Saturday. Odds are rather good that tonight's game will be a slow paced game as both teams are adjusting to lineup changes. The key tonight for the Caps is to keep the Islanders under 2 goals as the Islanders have been held to only 1 goal in all three losses so far this season. Also don't look for the Caps Power Play to get on track tonight as the Islanders are ranked 5th in the NHL in penalty killing.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 4
Islanders 1
Winner by Nylander

(2-3 on the season)