Another huge intra-division victory on home ice: Capitals beat Islanders 4-1

The Washington Capitals took on the New York Islanders in their next “biggest game of the season” on Monday night. With a win, the Capitals would move just two points behind the Islanders.

Mat Barzal pounced on an awful Tom Wilson turnover to put the Isles up one in the first period. The Capitals roared back in the second with two goals in just 31 seconds, the first from Martin Fehervary and the second from Anthony Beauvillier. Nic Dowd made it three for Washington with a great bounce. Empty netter for John Carlson.

Capitals beat Islanders 4-1!

• The first period looked more like the Capitals from their recent road trip than their last game against the Carolina Hurricanes. And, as you well know, that’s not a good thing. Way too many sloppy turnovers and bad passing, particularly in the neutral zone, which led to rush chances the other way. The power play, still being utterly horrendous, also killed any of the momentum they did build in the first.
• Tom Wilson cannot be throwing that puck up the middle like that. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him do that. He made up for it with the primary assist on Martin Fehervary’s goal, though. Willy is always good for an “I owe you one” if he ever makes a mistake.
• Can someone please let me know how David Rittich drew that first penalty on the Capitals? The replays we got showed him getting tapped on the skate by Nic Dowd, and he sold it like Matt Cardona getting tossed over the top rope by Oba Femi in the Royal Rumble.

• The Capitals were definitely better in the second period, but still gave up way too many rush chances. John Carlson was particularly rough on a few mistimed pinches that led to either easy New York zone entries or direct odd-man rushes. I thought Hendrix Lapierre was probably the best Caps skater in the very few shifts he got.
• Martin Fehervary scored just two days after welcoming his first child, a daughter named Anna, into the world. A smart man would have put money on him scoring in this game, because I swear newfound dad strength consistently leads to points.
• Ilya Sorokin probably doesn’t give up that second goal to Anthony Beauvillier. If you want to know the sole reason the Islanders are where they are in the standings, it’s him. According to MoneyPuck, he has saved a league-leading 27 more goals than expected this season. Let’s hope New York keeps putting David Rittich into big games.
• Notice how Clay Stevenson was poked multiple times after making saves in that period and did not earn a penalty call? Maybe all goalies need to be taught to throw themselves to the ice whenever they get touched by an opponent’s stick. I thought Stevenson was superb in this game overall. Just a calming, stoic presence a la one Braden Holtby.

• Not the prettiest win in the world, but in the words of Scott Allen, they aren’t all going to be Picassos. Huge, huge, huge win when it comes to the playoff picture.
• I am convinced the Capitals would safely be in a playoff position if they had a power play that operated at an even slightly below-average rate. I feel like you could argue that their ineptitude on the man advantage has cost them at least 10 standings points this season.
• Another own goal from Tony DeAngelo. We are all laughing. Everyone laugh. Hahahahaha. Nice present for Nic Dowd in his 500th game for the Capitals.

The Capitals will stick with more Metropolitan Division competition as they make their way to Philadelphia and take on the Flyers tomorrow night. The Flyers have won just two of their last 10 games.