The Washington Capitals games agianst the New York Islanders this season have displayed every strength and weakness the Caps have. Friday was simply not their night. To make matters worse their hot goalie Charlie Lindgren went down and so did Martin Fehervary. The Caps had to finish the game with five defenseman as Trevor van Riemsdyk, who's both a righty and a lefty, played both sides.
But have no fear. Even though the Caps have dropped two straight games to division rivals some relief is coming.
First we'll get to likely see the season debuts of newly signed defenseman Ethan Bear, like they have no choice but to play him right? We could also see the debut of offseason prize Max Pacioretty in Saturday night's home game against the Nashville Predators.
Nobody scored in the first. The Islanders began piling it on at 4:51 of the second period from Jean Gabriel Pageau. At 6:01 they went up 2-0 with a goal from Noah Dobson. The Caps were outshot 10-8 in the opening period and 12-9 in the second. In the third shots were even at 10 apiece. Islanders led 32-27 total.
The Islanders would add three goals in the third. At 10:10 Julien Gauthier struck and he did it again 18 seconds later. Pageau got his second goal of the game at 14:26.
The Caps would get a late McNugget Minute goal from Nicolas Aube Kubel for his third of the season at 19:42. Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen had the assists. It avoided what could have been the Caps fifth time being shutout this season.
Lindgren got the start in goal and stopped all three shots that he faced before leaving 6:46 into the game. Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post, who was at the game, said that the goalie looked shaken up after his first save on the night. Then he had a conversation with both an offical and teammates. Stayed in for a few minutes then left.
Darcy Kuemper would finish the rest of the game making 24 saves. Fehervary left the game as well when the Caps made the goalie change as he fell awkwardly into the end boards and was slow to get up. Both diagnosed with upper body injuries, per the Caps.
Expect Kuemper to likley get the nod against the Predators tomorrow night and a goalie callup from the Herhsey Bears, who are in Rochester and have just defeated the Americans by a final of 4-2.