The New York Islanders (30-20-5, 65 points, 3rd in Metropolitan Division) visit the Washington Capitals (27-22-7, 61 points, 5th in Metropolitan Division) in a Metropolitan Division clash on Monday night. The Islanders aim to rebound from a recent skid and improve their road form, while the Capitals look to build on an overtime victory and climb the standings. This is the third meeting this season, with the teams splitting the first two: Washington won 4-2 on November 15, 2025, and New York won 3-1 on December 28, 2025.
Venue Location
Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, MNMT, MSGSN, with radio on WFAN 660 AM and 980 AM WCAP.
Injury Report
Both teams are managing absences, with the Islanders hit harder in net and forward depth.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Reason |
| Islanders | Semyon Varlamov | G | Out/IR | Knee |
| Islanders | Kyle Palmieri | RW | Out/IR | Torn ACL (left game) |
| Islanders | Anthony Duclair | LW | Questionable | Upper Body |
| Islanders | Cal Ritchie | C | Day-To-Day | Lower Body |
| Islanders | Julien Gauthier | RW | Out/IR | Undisclosed |
| Capitals | Jakob Chychrun | D | Questionable | Upper Body |
| Capitals | Sonny Milano | LW | Out/IR | Upper Body |
| Capitals | T.J. Oshie | RW | Out/IR | Back (long-term) |
The Islanders rely on Ilya Sorokin in goal with Varlamov sidelined, potentially impacting fatigue.
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Palmieri’s absence weakens New York’s scoring (team-leading 18 goals projection).
For Washington, Oshie’s long-term injury thins forward options, but core like Ovechkin remains healthy.
Key
Player Matchups
Washington’s veteran offense tests New York’s stout defense. Projected starting lineups (based on recent rotations and injuries):
| Position | Islanders | Capitals |
| LW | Anders Lee | Alex Ovechkin |
| C | Bo Horvat | Dylan Strome |
| RW | Jean-Gabriel Pageau | Tom Wilson |
| D | Noah Dobson | John Carlson |
| D | Alexander Romanov | Martin Fehervary |
| G | Ilya Sorokin | Logan Thompson |
Key matchups to watch:
Bo Horvat vs. Dylan Strome: Horvat (team-leading 22G, 35 points projection) centers New York’s top line, facing Strome’s playmaking (20G, 30A). Strome projects for 1+ point, but Horvat’s faceoff prowess (55%) could control possession.
Alex Ovechkin vs. Noah Dobson: Ovechkin (25G, chasing Gretzky) thrives on power plays (projects Over 3.5 shots). Dobson (defensive leader, 20A) must limit his space, but Ovechkin’s physicality gives Washington the edge.
Anders Lee vs. Tom Wilson: Lee (net-front specialist, 15G) exploits rebounds, clashing with Wilson’s toughness (projects 2+ hits). This battle could decide special teams.
Overall: Islanders’ defense vs. Capitals’ power play: New York ranks top-10 in goals against (2.69 GAA), but Washington’s PP (22%) could exploit penalties. Goaltending duel: Sorokin (.904 SV%) vs. Thompson (.910 SV%).
Recent Team Forms
The Capitals are inconsistent but coming off a win, while the Islanders struggle on the road.
Islanders’ Last 10 Games (5-4-1 record):
1/31 at PHI: L 2-3
1/29 vs TOR: W 4-2
1/27 at MTL: L 1-4
1/25 vs FLA: W 3-2 (OT)
1/24 at CAR: L 3-5
Overall: 5-5 ATS in last 10, Under in 6 of last 10. New York averages 2.8 GPG recently, with strong defense in wins.
Capitals’ Last 10 Games (4-5-1 record):
1/31 vs CAR: W 4-3 (OT)
1/29 at STL: L 2-4
1/27 vs DAL: W 5-3
1/25 at COL: L 1-6
1/24 vs MIN: L 2-3
Overall: 4-6 ATS in last 10, Over in 5 of last 10 home games. Washington allows 3.2 GPG in losses but scores 3+ in 24-8-3 record.
Series History
Washington leads the all-time series 145-125-13-7 (including playoffs), with a 128-100-13-7 regular-season edge.
In playoffs, Islanders lead 25-17 across eight series (Islanders won 6-2).
Recent: Islanders 3-6 SU in last 9 vs. Capitals; Under in 14 of Islanders’ last 19 road games overall.
Last 10 head-to-heads: Split 5-5, with Islanders winning 3-0 in one recent shutout.
Betting Trends
Puck Line (ATS):C apitals 17-11 ATS at home, Islanders 15-13 ATS on road.
Over/Under: 6.5 (+110 Over, -130 Under). Under has hit in 14 of Islanders’ last 19 road games and 5 of Capitals’ last 10 home.
Other trends: Capitals 1-4 SU in last 5; Islanders 11-41 SU as road underdog of +201 or greater (but not applicable here)
Game Odds
New York Islanders 6.5
Washington Capitals – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, February 1, 2026
