UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The energy that lifted the Washington Capitals through a second-period malaise on Friday night wasn’t lost on the New York Islanders, who returned to the confines of their home ice and practiced on Saturday afternoon amidst the comfort of a warm glow.
Orange towels had been draped over the backs of the light blue seats in the lower bowl at Nassau Coliseum, and arena workers had started to leave them ready for the fans in the upper reaches of the arena as well. They carried a simple message — Let’s make history.