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Capitals drop final game of 2019 to Islanders

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 31: Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders in the second period at Capital One Arena on December 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Geoff Burke/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 31: Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders in the second period at Capital One Arena on December 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Geoff Burke/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Washington Capitals fell to the New York Islanders in a close and entertaining 4-3 game at Capital One Arena.

Former coach Barry Trotz once again comes in and gets a win in his old barn as the New York Islanders defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3 behind a 36-save performance from Semyon Varlamov including 18 in the final period.

Casey Cizikas scored at 7:13 to break the ice while the Islanders doubled their lead just over three minutes later at 10:39 thanks to Brock Nelson.

The Caps responded and got on the board 14 seconds later with Evgeny Kuznetsov getting a pass from Dmitry Orlov in front of the net and using his puck work to fake out Varlamov for his 14th goal of the season.

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The Caps knotted the score at 2-2 with Tom Wilson‘s 13th goal of the season at 14:17. Getting the puck from Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom went down and around the back of the net before shooting towards it. Wilson was there in front to poke it in.

The score was 2-2 at the end of 20. The Caps outshot the Islanders 11-7 and killed both penalties.

The Capitals took the lead 44 seconds into the second period with Kuznetsov’s second goal of the game. It came off a pass from T.J. Oshie and a perfectly placed shot right in front of the net for his 15th goal of the season.

The Islanders quickly responded with Cizikas scoring his second goal of the game at 4:27 to tie the game. Tom Kuhnackle gave them the lead at 12:34. 4-3 was the score after two with the Islanders outshooting the Capitals 11-10.

The Caps came out firing with 18 shots in the third while only allowing four but Varlamov stood tall and Barry Trotz once again leaves D.C. with a win over his old team.

Kuznetsov told NHL.com after the game:

"“Pretty good hockey from both teams, but some of the mistakes we made, they kind of hurt. We had the whole third period to get a goal back, but we didn’t. It’s tough to lose this type of game, especially to a division opponent, right? But it is what it is. We have to learn from this game.”"

Next. Best moments of the 2010's. dark

The Capitals end the decade as one of the most successful teams in the NHL. They look to a new decade for another run of dominance. The Caps head back to Raleigh to begin 2020 this Friday night looking for payback on the Carolina Hurricanes. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.

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