The Washington Capitals opened their first slate of back-to-back games Friday with a dominating victory. Saturday, they hope to finish how they started against the struggling New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.
Friday, the Caps defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1 by scoring five unanswered goals through the second and third periods. Five different players scored Washington, including Cody Eakin, who earned his first NHL point on an assist and his first NHL goal in the third period. The Caps now lead the NHL with 17 different goal scorers this season.
Based on statistics alone. Washington's NHL-best 4.00 G/G should increase Saturday against the hapless Islanders. New York is 0-4-2 in its last six games and its 18 goals through 10 games are the fewest they've scored in that span in franchise history.
Not only that, but according to NHL.com, the Caps are 11-0-1 in their last 12 against the Islanders, haven't lost in regulation in their last 14 meetings and are 7-0-1 in their last eight trips to Long Island.
The Caps should start Tomas Vokoun after Michal Neuvirth earned the victory Friday. Vokoun is 14-5-1 with a 1.97 GAA and .937 SV% in his career against the Islanders.