The Washington Capitals enter the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals beat the Boston Bruins Sunday in their round-robin seeding finale 2-1.
Washington now is now set to face the New York Islanders in the first round in a best-of-seven series. The Islanders toppled the Florida Panthers in their play-in series three games to one to advance to the playoffs.
First round schedule announced
Game 1 of the Capitals-Islanders series is slated for Wednesday in Toronto. Here’s the full schedule of the series:
- Game 1: Wednesday, Aug. 12 — 3pm — NBCSN
- Game 2: Friday, Aug. 14 — 8pm — NBCSN
- Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 16 — 12pm — USA
- Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 18 — 8pm — NBCSN
- Game 5*: Thursday, Aug. 20 — TBD
- Game 6*: Saturday, Aug. 22 — TBD
- Game 7*: Sunday, Aug 23 — TBD
The first five games of the series will be aired locally on NBC Sports Washington. The Capitals will be the “home” team in Game 1, 2, 5 and 7 if necessary.
Barry Trotz up to the challenge of coaching against Capitals
In playing the Islanders, the Capitals will face an old friend. Islanders head coach Barry Trotz coached the Capitals for four seasons between 2014-2018, culminating in winning the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup championship.
Trotz and the Capitals parted ways the next summer before the stellar coach landed in New York. Trotz’s assistant Todd Reirden took his place as Capitals coach.
For Trotz, he is looking forward to meeting his former team.
“I think it will be a hell of a series,” Trotz said per Tarik El-Bashir of the Athletic. “Both teams are well-equipped to go at each other.”
Capitals hard-hitting forward Tom Wilson is “excited” and “ready to go” against his former coach.
Given the long-standing history between the teams and the coaching link, this should be a compelling series.
Capitals “hopeful” John Carlson for Game 1
Capitals coach Todd Reirden is “hopeful” Norris Trophy finalist John Carlson will play Game 1 against the Islanders.
Carlson did not play in any of the three round-robin games with an undisclosed injury. Carlson appeared to suffer the injury after being tangled at the boards during the Capitals’ exhibition game against the Carolina Hurricanes on July 29.
Carlson has been practicing with the team throughout the round-robin schedule, but whether for precautionary reasons or not, he has been held out.
One of the best defensemen in the league, Carlson led all blueliners with 60 assists and 75 points during the regular season. His presence on both ends is much-needed if the Capitals want to advance out of the first round.
