Halloween horror show extends losing streak: Islanders beat Capitals 3-1
The Washington Capitals squared off in a spooky, scary matchup with the New York Islanders on Halloween night. The Caps were trying to stave off a three-game losing streak early in their schedule against an Islanders team sitting last in the Eastern Conference.
Despite a dominant first period from the Capitals, the game remained scoreless after 20 minutes. Tom Wilson opened the scoring, and JG Pageau scored an offside goal that counted for some reason to keep the game tied heading into the third period. Bo Horvat put the Islanders up one early in the third. Mat Barzal empty netter.
Islanders beat Capitals 3-1.
- The Capitals created 19 scoring chances, nine high-danger chances, and 2.11 expected goals in the first period alone. They did not leave the frame with a goal. Unfortunately, that’s becoming a bit of a trend to start the season, as the pucks just aren’t falling behind the other team’s goal line. You have to think the luck turns around at some point.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois left the game near the end of the first with a pretty serious-looking lower-body injury. The Capitals only just got him back from injury, and it looks like he’ll be headed right back out of the lineup. Some more terrible luck.
- Before the game, the Capitals announced that they had re-signed Ivan Miroshnichenko to a two-year contract extension. Miroshnichenko, currently out injured in the AHL, was set to become a restricted free agent next summer.
- The Capitals were not nearly as good in the second period, but the Dubois injury completely threw them out of whack, so I don’t really blame them. The officiating was also highly questionable to send them into the third tied 1-1.
- The Islanders scored their second-period goal shorthanded on an offside play. The Capitals challenged. Despite a clear view from Monumental Sports Network showing JG Pageau in early, the linesmen and NHL Situation Room allowed the goal to stand. I’m not sure how that’s possible in today’s game. I understand it was extremely close, but you’re the ones who implemented this review process; you need to adhere to it. In my eyes, the play was offside. There is no “tie goes to the runner” in the NHL. Mind-boggling.
- Tom Wilson scored his sixth of the season with the Team Canada management staff in the building to watch the game. Logan Thompson was also fantastic again. Let’s see what excuses they’ll come up with to exclude both from their Olympic roster.
- I rarely give props to opposing players, but Matthew Schaefer is so impressive to me so early in his career. The kid made several huge defensive plays in this game and can skate like the wind.
- Just not enough push in the third period at all. You would never be able to tell that the Islanders were the team that had played last night.
- I don’t know what else there is to say about the power play. I think some serious, uncomfortable conversations need to be had about the roles of Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson on the first unit. The overall ineptitude of the man-advantage groups is costing the team standings points.
- The Capitals have lost three games in a row, something they did just one time last season.
The Capitals will have no time to rest as they’re set for Buffalo to take on the Sabres in the back half of a back-to-back. Let’s hope Dubois is alright and Dylan Strome returns to the lineup.
The Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster
The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-4-2) are getting back in their groove, winning four straight games after their 2-1 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. While the Lightning look to rise to the top of the Atlantic Division their American Hockey League (AHL, Syracuse Crunch) and ECHL teams (Orlando Solar Bears) are heading in opposite directions. The Crunch are cruising, with a 6-1-0-0 record, which leads the North Division, while the Solar Bears own a dreadful 1-4-0-0 record, allowing twice as many goals (20) as they’ve scored.
Even still, there are standouts littered in the minors for Tampa Bay, and in some instances, the Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster.
AHL: Jakob Pelletier, F
The Lightning signed Pelletier to a three-year contract last offseason in the hopes he’d reach his massive upside. At 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick scored four goals and seven assists with a plus-10 rating in 24 games for the Calgary Flames last season. That’s an average of about 14-24-38 over a full season, and he was usually playing bottom-six minutes.
Unfortunately, the Flames traded the winger to Philadelphia for Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost in late January. Pelletier couldn’t get back his offensive spark in Philadelphia. With the Flyers, he scored just three goals, five assists, and eight points in 25 games, sometimes being healthy scratched. When he was due $840,000 on a qualifying offer on a two-way deal, the Flyers non-tendered him, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Pelletier hasn’t made his debut with the Lightning, but with the Crunch, he’s thriving. Through seven games, Pelletier has notched four goals and five assists, with a plus-1 rating. He currently leads the Crunch in points and goals. In a 5-2 win against the Hershey Bears, Pelletier had two goals and an assist.
If Pelletier keeps this pace up, the Lightning could recall him, and he could be an injection of youth Tampa Bay desperately needs right now.
AHL: Dylan Duke, F
Dylan Duke is another young talent the Lightning hope can evolve into an NHL-caliber forward. He was drafted 121st overall by Tampa Bay after a stellar career with the Michigan Wolverines. In 2023-24, Duke was on a team with NHL draftees Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, and Seamus Casey. However, Duke led the team in goals (26) and finished third in points (49). Overall, he finished with 54 goals and 46 assists in 123 games.
Duke has just one goal in the NHL level so far, but he is turning a new leaf with the Crunch this season. He’s scored one goal and added six assists for seven points through seven games. He is currently in the top 20 in assists in the AHL level.
It appears Duke could be taking a big jump from his rookie season, when he scored 20 goals, 20 assists, and 40 points through 62 games. Like Pelletier, Duke is another young forward the Lightning are looking to develop into an NHL-caliber player. Unlike Pelletier, Duke is just 22, and he has time to grow and become another late-round NHL contributor for the Lightning.
ECHL: Spencer Kersten, F
It’s hard to find a standout for the Solar Bears this season, but there’s one player who’s been tried and true for them. Spencer Kersten continues to shine for Orlando.
Kersten spent four years with Princeton University and one year at Bowling-Green University before signing with the Solar Bears in 2024. In his rookie season, Kersten shined, recording 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points through 60 games. That earned him a spot on the 2024-25 ECHL All-Rookie team.
This year, Kersten has increased his scoring output, with three goals and three assists for six points through five games. He is on pace to record 86 points this season.
That could earn Kersten a recall to the AHL. His strong play with Orlando earned him brief stints with the Crunch and the Belleville Senators on loan. He scored one goal in nine games with the Crunch, but he could be in line for more opportunities in the AHL if he keeps up this pace.
