Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders

(Ed. Note: There are five Canadian teams in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, trying their hardest to recapture Lord Stanley’s Cup and return it to the Great White North after it’s been in the grimy, unworthy hands of American teams since 1994. Here is Puck Daddy’s Playoff Preview for the first round, complete with a celebration of their Canadian elements.)

The last time the New York Islanders won a playoff series was 1993 when they upset the top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins on David Volek’s overtime goal in Game 7. To get to Round 2 that year they had to go through the Washington Capitals, which they did in six games. We all know what happened in that final game, so 22 years later prepare to hear many Pierre Turgeon/Dale Hunter references.

Fast forwarding to 2015, the Islanders had a hot start, inspiring hopes that the final season in Nassau Coliseum could end in glory once again. But the team sputtered in the second half, losing 13 of their last 19 games, and ended with 101 points, good enough to tie with the Capitals in the Metropolitan Division. Washington grabbed the most points out of their four meetings, so they get home ice.

Forwards

One big difference up front for the Islanders this season were the contributions from others not named John Tavares or Kyle Okposo. Eight players hit double digits in goals with Tavares (38), Brock Nelson (20) and Anders Lee (25) reaching the 20-goal mark.

But while guys like Nelson and Lee helped out early on, when the Islanders struggled down the stretch, their lack of offensive contributions were noticed. Lee finished with 2 goals in the final 13 games, while has 2 in his last 16. They’ll need to pitch in and help the likes of Tavares and Okposo.

Nikolay Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski both came to the Islanders in the summer to bolster their secondary scoring. Kulemin put up 31 points, while Grabovski battled injury and hasn’t played since February. He could return early in the season. Both, however, did put up positive possession numbers, helping New York finish second in score-adjusted Fenwick (54.6-percent).

In addition to that secondary scoring, Josh Bailey posted a career high 41 points and 15 goals, while playing lots of time with Tavares and Okposo. Ryan Strome (17 goals, 50 points) had a fine sophomore season. Frans Nielsen's numbers declined, but he still chipped in 14 goals and 43 points.

Like they did in 2013 versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York will look to use their team speed to their benefit. That will be led by Michael Grabner, who was limited to only 34 games during the regular season.

Washington has been known for his offfensively abilities led by Alex Ovechkin, who won his fifth Rocket Richard Trophy after potting 53 goals this season. We’ll get to special teams later, but his 25 power play tallies would tie him for second on the Islanders.

Ovechkin will draw a lot of attention, and Nicklas Backstrom (60 assists) will continue to create chances like he’s done throughout his career. It will be curious to see how often head coach Barry Trotz pairs the two together at even strength.

The Capitals saw 20 goals from Troy Brouwer (21) and Marcus Johansson, while Joel Ward and Eric Fehr (19), along with Backstrom (18) were just shy of that mark.

Curtis Glencross was acquired before the trade deadline to help out the bottom six. He netted four goal and seven points in 18 games in Washington. Getting production from Evgeny Kuznetsov (11 goals, 37 points) and Andre Burakovsky (22 points) would be a bonus for the secondary scoring depending on how Trotz uses them.

ADVANTAGE: Even

Defense

Islanders GM Garth Snow took advantage of two cap-strapped teams before the regular season began and acquired Nick Leddy (10 goals, 37 points) and Johnny Boychuk (9 goals, 35 points) from Chicago and Boston, respectively. The pair ended up leading the defense in scoring and earning seven-year contract extensions.

One thing to worry about for New York is the health of Travis Hamonic, who is dealing with a lower-body injury. Head coach Jack Capuano said there is no timetable for a return. That is some offense (33 points) and plenty of minutes (21:47) that need to be filled if he can’t come back. Calvin de Haan (12 points, 19 mins TOI, 54 CF%) will try and fill that void.

Lubomir Visnovsky (2 PPGs), Thomas Hickey (22 points) and Brian Strait, who has spent time playing with Hamonic, fill out the back end.

John Carlson and Brooks Orpik have developed solid chemistry since being paired this season. Carlson put up career highs in goals (12), assists (43) and points (55), while posting his best possession numbers (51.3 CF%) since 2010-11. Orpik didn’t score, but recorded 19 assists, and helped the two as they played against tough assignments. They’ll have to find a way to slow Tavares.

Mike Green has played three minutes less per game this season (19:06), but scored 10 times and put up his most points (45) since 2009-10. Green’s partner, Tim Gleason, was acquired right before the deadline after GM Brian McLellan inquired about what defenseman might he work best with. Gleason has posted positive possession numbers (51.22 CF%) since arriving in D.C. from Carolina.

Matt Niskanen (31 points) and Karl Alzner (21 points) are both capable of providing some offense from the back and eating about 20 minutes a night.

ADVANTAGE: Capitals

Well, there’s really only one highlight to use for this:

Goaltending

Along with Turgeon/Hunter references, you may have already got your fill of reminders of what Jaroslav Halak did to the Capitals in 2010.

Moving on…

Halak was a big reason for the Islanders’ turnaround this season. His acquisiton solidified a position of weakness over the past several years. He posted six shutouts and a .922 even strength save percentage during the regular season. Holtby, meanwhile, has done better with nine shutouts and a .929 ESSV% in 72 games started. He's a workhorse. Will that affect him in the postseason?

ADVANTAGE: Capitals

Islanders: 13. No wonder there’s a Tim Hortons inside Nassau Coliseum.
Capitals: 14. All spies infiltrating the U.S. capital.

Coaches

Trotz quickly put aside that dumb storyline about how he might not get along Ovechkin and has led the Capitals back to the playoffs after a year off. This season, Washington has improved their power play, scored more (2.89 goals per game), been a bit better defensively (2.43 goals allowed per game), had better possession (52-percent Fenwick) and suppressed shots better than 2013-14 (28.9). That’s what’s you want to see when you make a switch behind the bench; then again, that's usually what the “Anyone But Adam Oates" option brings.

Things were going just peachy, but the issues down the stretch coupled with an early first-round exit could make for an intriguing future for Jack Capuano. The Islanders have improved under him -- this their second playoff berth in three seasons. But with their young stars coming into their own and producing, is he the one to get them over the hump?

ADVANTAGE: Capitals

Special Teams

This is the area that the series could hinge on. The Capitals boast the NHL’s top power play (25.3-percent) with Ovechkin’s 25 goals and Backstrom’s 30 power play assists. If regular season success/failure rolls over into the postseason, Washington will have a great time when they have the extra man. The Islanders had a bottom-five penalty kill (78-percent), but they also scored 10 times while shorthanded, tied for first in the league.

On the flip side, the Capitals’ penalty kill (81.2-percent) will have their hands full with the Islanders’ power play (18.7-percent) that features Tavares, Okposo and Nelson, along with Boychuk and Leddy from the back.

ADVANTAGE: Even

Islanders: Edmonton’s Johnny Boychuk, who’s two playoff rounds away from turning into Johnny Canuck…again.

Capitals: Calgary’s own Jay Beagle, whose call-up in 2008 launched hundreds of dog puns.

Players To Watch

Jaroslav Halak likely won’t put up the same absurd numbers he did five years ago, but with forward depth improved and defense bolstered, he’ll need to be a difference maker.

For Washington, let’s all watch Alex Ovechkin vs. the New York penalty kill.

Prediction

Capitals in six. While they have their issues, this is an improved Capitals team. They have Ovechkin and Backstrom and a dangerous power play. Despite their depth up front, the Islanders just won’t be able to match what Washington can throw at them, and Game 6 will be an emotional goodbye to the Coliseum.

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