Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders Predictions, Picks And Preview– 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Eastern Conference First Round Game 4 – APRIL 21, 2015

Alex Ovechkin entered Game 3 of the Islanders-Capitals series, thinking there’s no way Nassau Coliseum will be as loud as Verizon Center. He might no longer be entertaining that idea after Long Island let him hear it on Sunday. Much deafening, however, was the Islanders’ win in Game 3 that put New York in the driver seat of this first round series matchup. Will the Caps tie the series anew? Or will the Islanders move one win away from advancing to the conference semifinal. Read on for more about this game below. You can also click here for our preview of Game 3 of the series between Pens and Rangers.
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Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders Betting Preview

Series Scores & Schedule

Game 1 — April 15, 7:00 PM ET, New York Islanders 4 at Washington Capitals 1

Game 2 — April 17, 7:00 PM ET, New York Islanders 3 at Washington Capitals 4

Game 3 — April 19, 12:00 PM ET, Washington Capitals 1 at New York Islanders 2 (OT)

Game 4 — April 21, 7:30 PM ET, Washington Capitals at New York Islanders — view all NHL lines

Game 5 — April 23, Time TBD, New York Islanders at Washington Capitals

Game 6 — April 25, Time TBD, Washington Capitals at New York Islanders

Game 7 — April 27, Time TBD, New York Islanders at Washington Capitals

Betting on the Washington Capitals

After missing Game 2 with an illness, Caps goalie Braden Holtby returned in front of the net and played out of his mind against New York on Sunday. However, his performance wasn’t enough as the Islanders won in overtime of Game 3, 2-1. With the loss, the Caps are now 6-4 in Holtby’s last 10 road starts.

[sc:NHL240 ]In Game 3, Holtby weathered the relentless onslaught of the Islanders, as he turned away all but two of New York’s 42 shot attempts. If not for Washington’s anemic offense, Holtby and the Caps could have come away with the victory. On that note, Alex Ovechkin and company will have to solve New York’s defense that limited them to just 25 shots on goal in Game 3. Ovechkin, who scored a goal in Game 2, didn’t find the back of the net on Sunday.

Furthermore, Washington’s power play—touted to be a big key in this series for the Caps—is having trouble dissecting New York’s penalty kill. Washington is just 1-for-6 on the man advantage thus far in the series against the Islanders. The Caps went 0-for-3 on the power play in Game 3.

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Betting on the New York Islanders

New York is playing physical hockey, and it is clearly working wonders for the team. Now up in the series, 2-1, the Isles set their sights on winning one more before heading back to D.C. when they play Game 4 in Long Island on Tuesday. The Islanders are 3-0 in their last three home games against Washington.

Based on the way they’re playing thus far in the series, the Islanders’ solution to stymie the Caps’ offense is by dishing out body checks. Overall, the Islanders have out-hit Washington, 149-117. And it’s working, as evidenced by the Isles’ decisive advantage in the puck possession battle. In fact, the Islanders have massively outshot Washington over the last two games, 77-46. Expect the Isles’ blue liners to be as physical moving forward to force Washington into committing errors.

Jaroslav Halak, who faced just 25 shots in Game 3, would further benefit too if the Isles’ current defensive ploy continues to succeed. Needless to say, the fewer shots he face, the better. Halak has limited Washington to just one goal in two of the three games thus far in this series.

The Islanders are averaging three goals a game thus far in this series.

John Tavares, who netted the game-winning goal in Game 3, now has one goal and two assists in the series.

Writer’s Prediction

Washington wins, 3-2.
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