HEADER G5

NEW YORK ISLANDERS AT WASHINGTON CAPITALS
GM 5 | AUG. 20 | 8PM | SCOTIABANK ARENA
ISLES LEAD BEST-OF-SEVEN SERIES 3-1
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After failing to close out their First Round Series against the Washington Capitals in Game 4, the New York Islanders get another chance to advance in Game 5 at 8 p.m. at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

The Isles led 2-0 in Game 4, but the Caps staved off elimination and forced Game 5 with three unanswered goals, including one on the power play to defeat the Isles.
Semyon Varlamov made his eighth start between the pipes for the Islanders with 26 saves and suffered his second loss of the postseason. Braden Holtby made 24 saves in the win.
ISLES-CAPS GAME 5
ISLES-CAPITALS ARTICLES
Game 4 Recap
Isles Day to Day: Clutterbuck Available for Game 5
ISLES-CAPITALS VIDEO
Highlights: WSH 3, NYI 2
Trotz Availability 08/19
Player Availability 08/19
ISLES PLAYOFF PROMOS
Play Fan Faceoff
Playoff Auction
Playoff Getup Challenge
Playoff Beard Challeng
"Playoffs are all about momentum," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "They're all about adjustments and they're all about how you react. I didn't like how we reacted. We didn't have enough push. We didn't have enough will to beat a good, desperate team."
The Isles were expecting a desperate and intense effort from Washington, but after taking a 2-0 lead in the first period, deviated from their own details and identity. In turn, the Caps took advantage of their momentum and seized their opportunities.
Fortunately, the Isles put themselves in a "phenomenal" situation, according to Anders Lee, with a 3-1 series lead and three more cracks at advancing. They're eager to re-attempt to close out the series in Game 5 and return to play to the style and discipline that's provided them with success.
"They're a good hockey team," Matt Martin said. "They still have that same core group of guys [that won the Stanley Cup in 2018]. They weren't going to go away without a fight...They're a good team, we knew that coming into the series. We knew they were going to fight. They outplayed us the second [period] and for the most part in the third [period]. Now, it's up to us to get back to our game and respond the right way. We've got a chance to do that [in Game 5]. We still like where we're at in the series and still have a lot of confidence in the group."

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PICKING UP THE POWER PLAY

The Islanders were awarded their first power play 50 seconds into the game and started the second period on a man advantage, but finished the night going 0-for-5. The Isles power play is now 1-for-19 throughout the entirety of the series.
"We had five power plays and we've got to find a way to put one in the back of the net," Barzal said following the Isles loss. "We knew coming into the series that special teams was probably going to be a deciding factor in some games. We've just got to make adjustments. Their PK has done well with watching video and obviously taking away our options. We've got to do the same and find a way to exploit [their PK]."
While the Isles were unsuccessful in converting, they felt that both of their power play units head generated some promising looks. The Isles generated 12 shots on the power play, not including a pair of Anthony Beauvillier shots off the iron.
"We created a lot of chances last game and got lots of pucks to the net," Beauvillier said. "We created some momentum out of it. We couldn't bear down, but I thought we did a good job of just creating chances and moving the puck. It's going to go in at some point."
On the flip side, the Caps' power play went 1-for-5, while their penalty kill was a perfect five-for-five and has now gone 26-for-30 in the entirety of the postseason.


CAL CLUTTERBUCK'S STATUS

Cal Clutterbuck left the game after the second period and did not return for the third period after taking a low hit from Radko Gudas. In the time the Isles winger did play he logged 8:17, including 43 seconds shorthanded, threw one hit and was plus-one.
Trotz provided an update on Clutterbuck on the Isles day-off in between games.
"Everybody is available," Trotz said. "With Cal, I talked with him, and he seems pretty good to go. I don't see any issue right now. We should be good to go."
UPDATE: CLUTTERBUCK IS A GAME-TIME DECISION
Per Trotz, who addressed reporters ahead of Game 5, Clutterbuck will be a game-time decision.
"The only one who is an issue is Clutter," Trotz said. "And that's a game-time decison."


DEACTIVATE NO. 8

Alexander Ovechkin scored twice in Game 4, with the game-tying goal and the eventual game-winner and also scored his third and fourth goals of the series.
No one knows Ovechkin - and the impact he can have - better than Trotz, who won the Stanley Cup with the Caps back in 2018. With his two goals in Game 4, Ovechkin scored his 12th and 13th career goals in [his 25 career] games where the Caps faced elimination. The veteran winger is now behind just five other skaters for most career goals when facing elimination in NHL history.
"He needed someone to lead [his team] and he did," Trotz said. "He got two goals, he was physical, he blocked a couple of shots. That's how you win."


POTENTIAL LINEUP CHANGES:

While Trotz confirmed that everyone is available, the Islanders are keeping their options open when it comes to personnel who will dress for Game 5.
"We're contemplating a few," Trotz said of potential lineup changes. "We've talked about different situations. We'll see where we are tonight. I'll have a couple of meetings with a couple of guys. We'll make our decisions based on what we know and what we think will help us tomorrow."

For the Caps, there is potential to have Nicklas Backstrom rejoin the lineup as Head Coach Todd Reirden confirmed that Backstrom skated with extras on Wednesday and will be a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 5.
The Swedish center has not been in the lineup since Game 1, when he was on the receiving end of a hit from Anders Lee early in the first period. Backstrom skated a few more shifts and did not return for the second or third period and has been sidelined since under concussion protocol.
UPDATE: BACKSTROM GAME-TIME DECISION, FEHERVARY TO MISS SECOND-STRAIGHT GAME
Per Reirden, Backstrom was a full-participant at morning skate. The winger will be evaluated by medical staff and will be a game-time decision. Also per Reirden, Caps defenseman, Martin Fehervary, was the only player who did not partake in morning skate and will miss his second-straight game.