Washington at New York

Washington is talented and balanced, sixth in the NHL in goals scored, tops on the power play, and seventh in goals allowed. Washington is 22-13-5 on the road, off a 4-3 home win in Game 2, and the Capitals are 6-2 in their last eight road games. Washington is 12-4 against the Eastern Conference and 35-17 playing on one days rest. They face a New York Islanders squad that is soft on defense, 23rd in goals allowed and 26th in penalty killing. New York is also slumping, on a 5-11 run, plus 3-9 against a team with a winning record. New York doesn't match up well and is 7-19 in Conference Quarterfinals games. The Capitals are 47-21-3 in the last 71 meetings, including 9-4 at New York. Play Washington.