Two years ago, coach Barry Trotz led the Capitals to their first and only Stanley Cup. Trotz accomplished what no other coach in the Alex Ovechkin era pulled off. Specifically, The Great Eight committed to a full 200-foot game. Ovechkin gave Trotz the respect and full buy-in necessary to win a championship. However, just days after hoisting hockey’s Holy Grail Trotz bolted the team. Now he leads the New York Islanders. Now Trotz will be facing his old team in the playoffs. Washington has reverted back to its old ways with the NHL betting odds. The defensive structure has eroded.
New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals – Eastern Conference First Round
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario |
|---|
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islanders | +1½ (-220) | 5½ (+110) | +113 |  |
| Capitals | -1½ (+180) | 5½ (-130) | -133 | |
| ||||
New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals Best of Seven Series Schedule
Game 1: Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 3 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Game 2: Friday, August 14, 2020, 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Game 3: Sunday, August 16, 2020, Noon ET, USA Network
Game 4: Tuesday, August 18, 2020, 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Game 5: Thursday, August 20, 2020, TBD
Game 6: Saturday, August 22, 2020, TBD
Game 7: Sunday, August 23, 2020, TBD
Islanders vs. Capitals Series NHL Playoff Wagering SBG Odds Overview
Public wagering will lean to the Capitals. Washington is fresh on the minds of gamblers as recent Stanley Cup champions. While Alex Ovechkin is a universally recognized name at any sportsbook.
New York Islanders Team Overview
New York’s record is 35-23-10. The last series was a 3-1 domination of the Panthers. The Isles rank 22nd for goals, 24th for power play, ninth for goals against, and 15th for penalty killing.
Key Islanders: LW Anthony Beauvillier 3 G, 2 A, 5 PTS, 1 +/-, 1 PPG, 1 PPA, 0 SHG, 18.8 SPCT, D Devon Toews 0 G, 4 A, 4 PTS, 3 +/-, 0 PPG, 3 PPA, 0 SHG, 0.0 SPCT, G Semyon Varlamov 3-1, 1.77 GAA, .932 SVPCT, 0 SO
Washington Capitals Team Overview
Now the Capitals are 41-20-8. Washington dropped two out of their three round-robin games. NHL ranks show them second for goals, 17th for power play, 18th for goals against, and sixth for penalty killing.
Key Capitals: D Radko Gudas 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS, 0 +/-, 0 PPG, 0 PPA, 0 SHG, 0.0 SPCT, C Evgeny Kuznetsov 1 G, 0 A, 1 PTS, -1 +/-, 1 PPG, 0 PPA, 0 SHG, 20.0 SPCT, G Braden Holtby 1-2, 1.98 GAA, .925 SVPCT, 0 SO,
New York Islanders and Washington Capitals Against the Spread
The Islanders are:
- 8-5 in their last 13 games as chalk
- 5-2-1 over the total when favored
- 2-12 in their last 14 games as a dog
- 3-10 under the total as a pup
- 7-6 in their last 13 matchups as a dog to the Capitals
- 8-3 over the total when a pup against Washington
The Capitals are:
- 11-8 in their last 19 games as a dog
- 6-4 over the total as underdogs
- 3-9 in their last 12 games as a favorite
- 5-2 over the total as chalk
- 13-7 in their last 20 games as a favorite to the Islanders
- 8-4 over the total as chalk to the Isles
New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals NHL Playoffs SBG Free Pick
In this situation, the Islanders own more grit and defense. Such characteristics are essential for NHL lines playoff success.
Islanders vs. Capitals NHL Playoff Series SBG Best Bet: New York Islanders