The Islanders want to get back to playing the Islanders’ way.
The Capitals believe they’re finally playing the Capitals’ way.
Both know imposing their style will be the winning way in Thursday's Game 5 of their best-of-seven, first-round series at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Both are variations on the same theme: Outwork the opponent, possess the puck by creating an effective forecheck and get good goaltending behind a solid defensive structure.
The Islanders did so for the first three games of the series before the Capitals staved off elimination by rallying for a 3-2 win in Tuesday night’s Game 4.