UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Washington Capitals rookie forward Andre Burakovsky likely will make his Stanley Cup Playoff debut in Game 4 against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday.
Burakovsky, 20, played in 53 games during the regular season (nine goals, 13 assists) but has been a healthy scratch in all three games in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference First Round series, which the Islanders lead 2-1.
Capitals forward Eric Fehr sustained an upper-body injury in Game 3 on Sunday and will not play Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; USA, SN360, TVA Sports 2, CSN-DC, MSG+), creating the need for another forward, likely Burakovsky.
"He's taking it all in," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. "By seeing the atmosphere in the building, I think he will be stoked if he gets in. He has been ready for a while."
Burakovsky also had three goals and seven points in 15 games with Hershey of the American Hockey League this season and is ready for the bigger playoff stage.
"My dream has always been to play in the NHL," Burakovsky said after practice Monday. "But it's different to be in the playoffs. It's what everyone wants. I've been working my whole life to be here and I'm really excited.
"I've been around almost the whole year. I kind of know how we should play. I won't change my game for tomorrow."
Burakovsky had to sit in a chair next to Alex Ovechkin's locker because he didn't have a stall at the Coliseum.
"I have a lot of room," he said. "I am the youngest guy. I'm just happy to be in the playoffs here with the guys, so I can't really complain."
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