This was an important game for the Islanders coming off their mediocre showing against the Lightning two nights ago. Their effort the other night just wasn’t there the entire contest. And given the nightmare they had against the Capitals a few weeks ago, this game had an extra level of anxiety built in.
The Islanders got off to a fast start and even had a four-goal lead at one point, chasing starter Ilya Samsonov. However, as that nightmare reminded us, no lead is safe against the Capitals. The lead had shrunk back down to two goals before the third period started, and every Islander fan reading this would be lying if they said they didn’t have that “oh no” feeling creeping in.