Facing the Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals on Saturday afternoon was a litmus test for the Islanders.
It looked as though they had passed with flying colors, before the Capitals waltzed right back into the game with four goals in a span of 14:57 of the third period — two from Alex Ovechkin to complete a hat trick — to take a 6-4 victory at the Coliseum.
Islanders coach Barry Trotz, who was head coach of the Capitals from 2014 through the 2018 Stanley Cup season, described Washington as the “class of the East.