Capitals at Islanders 10/4/19 - NHL Picks & Predictions

The Washington Capitals remain on the road Friday and will head to New York to take on the Islanders. Washington is 1-0 on the season beating the Blues on the road in their debut 3-2 in overtime. Alex Ovechkin has 5 shots on net which resulted in a 1 goal for the night. Defenseman John Carlson contributed two assists in the win. 

Rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov will make his NHL debut for Washington on Friday night. Samsonov was drafted #22 overall in 2015 by the Capitals. The Capitals lost to the Islanders in their last matchup 3-0 last season. 

The New York Islanders will play their first game of the season at home on Friday night. The Islanders went to the second round of the postseason last year and have hopes to be a playoff contender again. Head Coach Barry Trotz enters his 2nd season with the Islanders and will face his former club on Friday.

Semyon Varlamov will make the start in the goal for the Islanders. Varlamov will sharetime with Thomas Greiss. Varlamov went 20-19-8 last season with Colorado. Varlamov posted 2 shutouts and carries a 2.89 goals agains average.