Caps vs. Islanders 2-20-2008 Preview

Washington Capitals (28-32; 62 points; 3rd Southeast Division, 12th Eastern Conference, 24th Overall) vs. New York Islanders (28-32; 63 points; 5th Atlantic Division, 10th Eastern Conference, 21st Overall):
Caps Game #61, Home Game #30, NHL Game #913

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:08 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. New York TV: Fox SportsNet New York. Radio: WBBR 1130-AM. National TV: NHL Network showing the Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic feed. NHL Center Ice: None.

Tonight two teams on the outside of the playoffs looking in meet as the Caps and Islanders meet for the final time this season. The Islanders have won the last two meetings between the teams with the most recent being a 3-2 overtime win on Long Island back in December. The Islanders have been taking all kinds of hits to their blueline with three regulars now out because of injury but the Islanders have persevered; coming back from a 2-0 deficit on Monday to beat the San Jose Sharks at home 3-2 for their fourth win in a row.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post: top line shuffle, Caps Report. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Newsday. New York Post.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue... Or something like that with the flu bug running through the Caps right now. At least the Caps have a light schedule this week with a three day break coming to an end. The Caps also catch another break with the Islanders having their own issues regarding injuries as they come to town tonight. It was an ill-timed flu bug along with injuries that sent the Caps into a tailspin last year and we'll see if history will repeat itself again. The Islanders posted an impressive comeback on Monday because the Sharks had not lost a game it trailed entering the third period all season long before Monday's game on Long Island and the Sharks have one of the best road records in the NHL. So the Caps cannot afford to blow another lead or fall behind especially with Rick DiPietro's numbers vs. the Caps (8-4, 1.99 GAA, .924 Save %, and 2 shutouts).

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 2
Islanders 3
Winner by Satan

(30-29 on the season)