In an NHL matchup, the Washington Capitals gained a 1-0 lead over the New York Islanders at the end of the first period, with a goal by Lapierre following a turnover by Nelson. The Capitals outshot the Islanders 15-7, but Islanders' goaltender Semyon Varlamov, who was their best player in the period, made crucial saves including one with 45.3 seconds left, keeping the Islanders within reach. The Islanders, on the second night of back-to-back games, looked sluggish initially but picked up the pace later in the period. They equalized early in the second period, 1:03 in, with a wraparound goal from Hudson Fasching that Capitals' goaltender Darcy Kuemper allowed. The Islanders have faced difficulties this season when playing against rested teams on consecutive nights, having lost in both previous instances.
Islanders tie it 1:03 into second period with wraparound goal from Fasching that sneaks through Kuemper.
Fasching with a wraparound to tie the game at 1-1 with 18:57 to play in the second. Not a good one for Kuemper to allow. #Isles
Back for the second. #Isles down 1-0 after a lackluster first period.
IN-game #skinny- first time since March 9-11 those #isles trail after 1 period in consecutive games. This is 3rd time this season (at BUF, at MTL) that #isles played the night before and are playing a rested opponent. Lost the first two. #NHL #NHLStats
Oliver Wahlstrom had 5 shifts in the first, for 4:30 TOI, 3:54 of 5-on-5 play. Had a hit. Hudson Fasching played a team-low 2:35 (5-on-5), four shifts. #Isles
#Isles allowed 15 shots in the first tonight vs. #ALLCAPS. They allowed 15 shots in first vs. #GoHabsGo Saturday night.
1-0 deficit after 1 almost feels lucky for #Isles. Couple good shifts late but it was one-way traffic from the anthem on
After one period, the Capitals lead the Islanders 1-0. Shots on goal are 15-7 Washington. Capitals had the better legs and took advantage. Islanders looked like a team playing second game in two nights. Seemed to find their legs more later in the period.
End of one #Capitals 1 (Lapierre) #Isles 0 Caps up on shots 15-7. Damage could have been worse for Isles that period. Varlamov was sharp. Has given them a chance to find their game in the second period.
#Isles sleepwalk through the first period, down 1-0 to #ALLCAPS, as Varlamov was their best player by far. LaPierre off Nelson turnover. Being outshot 15-7.
Aho gets puck to Pageau at the crease but Kuemper with the save with 45.3 seconds left in the first. Isles have started connecting on some more passes of late, been able to play up the ice a little more.
Kuemper doesn't control the rebound on Cizikas's shot. Sticks the pad out to stop Cizikas' second attempt. #Isles
Some may say this game looks like Saturday night. Others may say the #Isles struggles look like Game 81 in this building.