By: Mike Fink Published 02/02/2026, 06:10 AM ET 
The New York Islanders face the Washington Capitals with both teams fighting for position in the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders have a 30-20-5 record and are in third place in the Metropolitan Division while the Capitals are 27-22-7 and thanks to two wins in a row, they are only four points back of the Islanders. Who will win this game? Check out our Capitals vs Islanders prediction!
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Terms & Conditions Islanders are led by their defense
The Islanders are having a great season despite their offense struggling and scoring only 2.84 goals per game. Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat have combined for 29 goals and 54 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only eight skaters have eight goals or more, and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has stepped up, allowing only 2.69 goals per game with only seven goals in the last four games. Matthew Schaefer and Ryan Pulock have combined for 8.0 defensive point shares while Adam Pelech and Tony DeAngelo have combined for 6.3 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. Moreover, goaltender Ilya Sorokin has been great all season with 18.8 goals saved above average and he’s stepped up lately as well, allowing only five goals in his last three starts.
Key injury report for Islanders Kyle Palmieri (torn ACL) is on long-term injured reserve. Had six goals and 12 assists. 
Washington is carried by great offense
The Capitals are turning a corner thanks to their offense, averaging 3.18 goals per game with eight goals in his last two games. Tom Wilson, Alexander Ovechkin, and Dylan Strome have 60 goals and 78 assists while defensemen John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun have added 28 goals and 59 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has carried them but the defense has stepped up as well, allowing only 2.95 goals per game. Jakob Chychrun and John Carlson have combined for 7.3 defensive point shares while Martin Fehervary and Rasmus Sandin have combined for 4.8 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. The hope is that Clay Stevenson steps up in the net as he made his debut on Saturday, and looks to build off a start where he allowed three goals on 22 shots.
Key injury report for Capitals Logan Thompson is day-to-day. Is the starting goaltender. Islanders vs Capitals PickMoney Line Pick For Islanders vs Capitals Islanders (+115) (4 units)
The Capitals have won back-to-back games but the Islanders are having a great season, and I see them bouncing back from a rough loss and taking over this game from the first period. The Islanders should constantly find the back of the net with Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Islanders, who allow only 2.69 goals per game, should limit the Capitals offense with Matthew Schaefer, Adam Pelech, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Ilya Sorokin to make plenty of big saves. The Islanders should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Take the Islanders money line as road Underdogs.
Over/Under Pick For Islanders vs Capitals
The Islanders and Capitals have great defenses, and I see this game being a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Capitals, who allow only 2.95 goals per game, should limit the Islanders offense, which averages only 2.84 goals per game, with John Carlson, Jakob Chychrun, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Clay Stevenson to make plenty of big saves. The Islanders, who have only allowed seven goals in their last four games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Capitals with Matthew Schaefer, Adam Pelech, Tony DeAngelo, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Ilya Sorokin blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 6.5 goals.
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