With 20 games left in the season and both teams in at least a three-way fight for the top of the East Division, the New York Islanders started a six-game homestand with an emphatic 8-3 win over the Washington Capitals.
It’s the first of five meetings this month, the first time in four tries that the Islanders beat the team they dumped from the playoffs last summer, and a much-needed scoring outburst for a team that has struggled to sustain offense since the season-ending injury to Anders Lee.
Oh, and about that: The first line in particular has had some difficulties without Lee, and with Leo Komarov most recently lining up in his spot.