UBS Keys to the Game: Islanders vs. Capitals

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (24-24-8) VS WASHINGTON CAPITALS (32-18-10)7:00 PM ET | CAPITAL ONE ARENA WATCH: MSG+ | MSG GO | ESPN+LISTEN: 88.7FM | 103.9FM | 1050AM
The New York Islanders look to extend their winning streak to four games as they head down to Washington D.C. to take on the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.

The Islanders have won three-straight games with their latest victory occurring on Sunday night with a 4-3 result over the Anaheim Ducks. Kyle Palmieri scored twice against his former club, while Zach Parise and Anders Lee also found the back of the net. Ilya Sorokin made 39 saves on 42 shots in the win.
"Any time you have a good game or a couple of good games in a row you start to find your energy a little bit," Lee said following the win against Anaheim. "The room is lighter; it's not dragging on you. You look forward to the next game as much as possible and to keep that feeling going."
The Capitals got back in the win column on Friday night as they completed a dramatic comeback with a 4-3 overtime win over Vancouver. Evgeny Kuznetsov completed a hat trick with two first-period goals and then sent the game into overtime with his third goal late in the third period. Two of his three goals were scored on the power play. In the extra period, Lars Eller secured the two points for the Caps with the OT winner. Vitek Vanecek made 23 saves on 26 shots in the win.
Tuesday marks the second meeting of the season between the Islanders and the Capitals, after Washington picked up a 2-0 shutout win in the first meeting back on Jan. 15.

ISLANDERS NOTES:

• Zach Parise scored his eighth goal of the season and now has 24 points (8G, 16A) through 56 games.
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• Palmieri buried his eighth and ninth goals of the season. The winger also extended his point streak to four games where he has picked up five points (2G, 3A) in that stretch. Through 43 games this season, Palmieri has totaled 19 points (9G, 10A).
• Lee registered his 21st goal of the season and extended his goal streak to four games where he scored seven goals in that span. The Islanders' captain was also named the NHL's Third Star of the Week. Through 50 games this season, Lee has produced 28 points (21G, 7A).
• With an assist, Beauvillier extended his point streak to four games where the winger has handed out seven helpers in that span.
• With an assist, Jean-Gabriel Pageau extended his point streak to four games. The centerman has compiled five points (1G, 4A).
• With two assists, Josh Bailey extended his point streak to three games where the winger has totaled six points (3G, 3A) in that stretch.
• Sorokin made his 39th start of the season and improved his record 20-12-7. The Russian netminder has a 2.33 GAA, a .925 SV% and six shutouts this season.
• Oliver Wahlstrom and Ross Johnston returned to the lineup. Wahlstrom skated alongside Mathew Barzal and Parise, while Johnston slotted next to Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck. Kieffer Bellows and Matt Martin came out of the lineup to accommodate their returns.
• The Islanders were 0-for-2 on the power play 2-for-2 on the penalty kill against the Ducks. In the NHL, the Islanders' power play ranks 20th at 19.4%, while their PK ranks seventh at 83.2%.
• The Islanders are 19-6-5 when scoring first and are 5-18-3 when allowing the opening goal.

CAPITALS NOTES:

• Kuznetsov scored his second hat trick of his NHL career. The three-goal performance extended his point streak to five games where the Russian winger has compiled seven points (4G, 3A) in that span. Kuznetsov ranks second in scoring among the Caps with 57 points (19G, 38A) through 57 games.
• Eller tallied his ninth goal of the season and first game-winner. The Danish centerman now has 23 points (9G, 14A) through 53 games. As of Monday morning, Eller was added to the NHL's COVID-19 Protocol List.
• John Carlson dished out two assists in the win and leads Washington's blueline in scoring with 49 points (10G, 39A) through 56 games. Carlson has four assists in his last two games.
• Vanecek made his 27th start of the season and improved his record to 14-7-5. The goaltender boasts a 14-7-5 record, a 2.35 GAA, a .918 SV% and three shutouts.
• Alexander Ovechkin handed out an assist and leads the Capitals in scoring with his 71 points (36G, 35A) through 58 games. Ovechkin's 766 goals are currently tied for third all-time in NHL history with Jaromir Jagr.
• The Capitals' power play was 2-for-3 against Vancouver and their penalty kill was 2-for-3 as well. In the NHL, Washington's power play ranks 23rd at 18.6% and their penalty kill ranks 12th at 80.6%.
• The Capitals rank in the top-10 for both average goals for per game at 10th with 3.25 and average goals against per game at ninth fewest with 2.78.
• On the injury front, Carl Hagelin (upper body) and Joe Snively (upper body) are both on injured reserve.