NHL Playoff Picks
Stanley Cup Betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free NHL picks we give out here at Capperspicks.com. There are now 8 teams competing for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Stick with us for the entire 2015 NHL Stanley cup playoff run.
| GAME 1 | Wed. 4/15 | 7 p.m. ET | at Washington | CNC, USA, TVA |
| GAME 2 | Fri. 4/17 | 7 p.m. ET | at Washington | CBC, CNBC, TVA |
| GAME 3 | Sun. 4/19 | Noon ET | at New York | CBC, NBCSN, TVA |
| GAME 4 | Tues. 4/21 | 7:30 p.m. ET | at New York | CBC, USA, TVA |
| GAME 5* | Thurs. 4/23 | TBD | at Washington | CBC |
| GAME 6* | Sat. 4/25 | TBD | at New York | CBC |
| GAME 7* | Mon. 4/27 | TBD | at Washington | CBC |
Capitals vs Islanders Odds To Win 7 Game Series: NHL FIRST ROUND SERIES PRICES BEST OF SEVEN 2-2-1-1-1
683 NEW YORK ISLANDERS +125
684 WASHINGTON CAPITALS -145
This will mark the 7th time in the history of the teams that they meet in the postseason. New York has won 5 of them, with the most recent being in 1993.
Will history repeat itself? Or will the Capitals get their revenge?
New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals and New York Islanders kick things off in Washington on Wednesday night. Why are they in Washington? Because on the final day of the regular season the Capitals stole home ice advantage when they jumped the Islanders in the Metropolitan Standings.
The home ice could be the most pivotal factor in this series as the home team took all the match ups between the two teams in the regular season.
Alexander Ovechkin is the main reason why the Capitals are where they are now. The captain tallied 53 goals, including 4 in the meetings with New York. Ovechkin will look to out match his counter part, John Tavares.
The Islanders’ Captain had two goals and three assists against Washington this season and racked up 86 points total.
As far as the goalies are concerned, goals could be at a premium in this matchup. Washington goalie, Branden Holtby went 41-20-10 and allowed only 2.22 goals against this season. His counterpart, Jaroslav Halak, was just as good going 38-17-4, and only allowing 2.43 goals against.
This will mark the 2nd time in 3 seasons the Islanders will be making a post season appearance. They come in with a little bit of chip on their shoulder as this is their final season in Long Island. The team will make the move to Brooklyn immediately following the conclusion of their 2015 season. The fans, coaches, and players hope that move will be put on hold until after they are hoisting up the Stanley Cup.
New York will be missing a key defender for likely the whole series. Defenseman Travis Hamonic’s injury was not given to the public, but it was made clear he would miss at least the first couple games, if not all of them.
Keeping players out of the penalty box will be a major key for New York. Capital’s captain Alexander Ovechkin tallied 25 power play goals this season. Washington also has an edge in terms of playoff experience as they’ve become regulars in the postseason.
The Islanders will also have to keep an eye on Capital’s forward Nicholas Backstrom. Backstrom scored a goal and added 5 assists against the Islanders this season.
The Pick
Both teams are physical and this could be one of the most intriguing match ups this post season. While all the games in the regular season were won by the home team, it isn’t certain with everything on the line that it will end up being like that in the playoff series.
Experience is going to be the biggest factor here. New York hasn’t made too many post season appearances over the last 10 seasons and Washington has become regulars. If New York can set the tone and steal game one, Washington could be in a lot of trouble. On the flip side of that, if Washington comes out and sends a message early, the Islanders could collapse under pressure.
Prediction: Washington in 7
