Game Preview: Islanders vs. Capitals

New York Islanders (21-17-9) vs Washington Capitals (33-10-6)
7 p.m. Barclays Center - Buy Tickets
TV: MSG+
Radio: AM970 - The Answer, 88.7FM - WRHU, 103.9FM - LI News
Game Notes
With the All-Star Break behind them, the New York Islanders go back to work on Tuesday, hosting the Washington Capitals in a Metropolitan Division matchup at Barclays Center.
The Islanders went 5-0-1 heading into the all-star weekend, so Tuesday pits one of the NHL's hotter teams against the NHL's best, as the Capitals lead the league with 72 points. The Islanders are hoping the momentum carried through the three-day break.

Hickey and Clutterbuck Out:
UPDATE: Hickey and Clutterbuck skated on Tuesday, but are both out against the Capitals.
Neither Thomas Hickey nor Cal Clutterbuck were on the ice for Monday's practice at Northwell Health Ice Center, as both Islanders were nursing lower-body injuries.
"Little sore," Interim Coach Doug Weight said. "We're going to get them on the ice a little more each day and hopefully by the weekend we can see them on the lineup, but tomorrow I don't think they'll be in."
Shane Prince was skating with Casey Cizikas and Nikolay Kulemin at Monday's practice.

Greiss Signs Three-Year Deal:
Thomas Greiss agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension with the Islanders on Monday. Greiss is 14-7-3 this season with a 2.25 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage - both career-highs. The deal will keep Greiss in orange and blue until 2020.
Capitals Heating Up/Grubauer Starting:
The Washington Capitals won four of their last five games and are 12-1-1 in the month of January, rocketing to the top of the NHL standings.
As the Capitals have picked up steam, so has Evgeny Kuznetsov, who has 18 points (6G, 12A) in 14 January games. Nearly half of Kuznetsov's 37-points this season have come in the past month. The 24-year-old has points is now third on the Capitals in points, behind Nicklas Backstrom (47 points) and Alex Ovechkin (45 points).
With Braden Holtby playing in the All-Star Game over the weekend, Philipp Grubauer will start in goal on Tuesday for the Capitals. Grubauer is 9-2-2 this season with a 2.13 GAA and a .924 SV%