Caps/Islanders Preview

New York Islanders (25-21-6, 56 points)
at
Washington Capitals (21-25-7, 49 points)

Television: Comcast Sportsnet
Radio: Sportstalk 980-AM
Gametime: 1:00 PM ET


The Caps will host a Super Sunday matinée this afternoon at the Verizon Center as they open up a season long four game home stand. Washington is coming off of perhaps their most complete game of the season defensively yesterday in Pittsburgh. They'll need every bit of that effort as the the Islanders are currently riding a six game point streak which includes four wins.

Milan Jurcina had an excellent outing in his debut leading the team in ice time with 20:23. It was his second highest total of the season as he moved right into the Caps number one defensive pairing with Shaone Morrisonn.

The game will mark the second meeting of the season between these two teams who last met on the island November 25th. In that game Jason Blake had two goals to lead New York to a 4-1 win.

The Caps will hope history is on their side as they have won four straight games on Super Sunday. In fact on this day since 1988, they have posted a record of 10-3-1. They have also bounced back from both of their previous shutouts this season with victories.

Boston's 4-3 overtime win yesterday at Carolina knocked the Capitals into 14th place in the Eastern Conference ahead of only the lowly Philadelphia Flyers.


Down on the Farm:

The Hershey Bears trailed 4-2 heading into the third period before rallying for two goals to force overtime. Lowell's captain Dan McGillis netted the game winning goal two and a half minutes in to down the Bears 5-4. Frederic Cassivi started in goal for the second consecutive game since returning from a broken collarbone. Alexandre Giroux notched his 32nd goal of the season putting him one goal behind Norfolk's Brandon Bochenski for second in the AHL. The overtime loss put the Bears five point behind the division leading Norfolk Admirals.

The South Carolina Stingrays defeated the Columbia Inferno 4-3. Stephen Werner scored the game winner with 49 seconds remaining in the third period. It was his 6th goal of the season. Davis Parley had 26 saves for his 22nd win of the season.