Dec 29, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) attempts to put in a rebound on New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst all the celebration from last game and the expectations around this one, there is still an actual game to play, and the Caps continue to search for a solid effort – particularly against these teams far lower in the standings, because aside from Thursday’s rematch against the Canes, that’s basically all they’ve got left on the schedule. First on the docket, the first of two against the Islanders in New York.

First, some admin stuff:

• Who: Capitals vs. Islanders
• Where: UBS Arena
• When: 12:30 p.m.
• How to Watch: Monumental, TNT, TruTV, MAX
• How to Listen: 106.7, Capitals Radio 24/7

Unfortunately that skate cut Aliaksei Protas took against the Blackhawks is apparently now a week-to-week injury, which…is not ideal. But next man up and all that, so Anthony Beauvillier draws back in, with Charlie Lindgren still in net:

Ovechkin – Dubois – WilsonLeonard – Strome – McMichaelMangiapane – Eller – Beauvillier

Duhaime – Dowd – Raddysh

Sandin – CarlsonFehervary – Roy

Chychrun – van Riemsdyk

Lindgren

Shepard

On this date in 1975: The Washington Capitals played their final game of the 1974-75 season, and after 79 games of mostly misery…they ended on a high note, with Stan Gilbertson picking up the first four-goal game in franchise history (and just the second hat trick) en route to an 8-4 win over the Penguins in front of the home crowd. It was their eighth win of the season, wrapping up an absolutely unheard of 8-67-5.

But it could only go up from there! [Game Notes]

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