T.M. Selection: New York Islanders.

I like the New York Islanders to win this game against the Washington Capitals on Thursday. The Islanders haven't looked great lately but they just ended a 5 game losing skid with a win over the Capitals in their most recent game and I think they can get another win against them on home ice here. The Islanders won that game in Washington 4-1 and I think they can repeat that here on home ice with the current state of the Capitals. They have been sustaining a lot of injuries lately and the most notable injury would be to their star player Ovechkin. He will be out and getting ready to make a comeback for the playoffs but I also think that the Capitals might rest some other key players here with their trip to the postseason already being confirmed. They can still have an affect on who they play with a win or loss in this game but I think making it to the postseason as healthy as possible is the main priority right now and I think that leaves the door open for a much stronger effort from the Islanders in this game. The Islanders have been long eliminated from playoff contention so they really have nothing to play for here but after going on a long losing skid and with the season they have had this year, between all of the covid adversity and the long road trips because of their new building, it would be nice for them to end the year with a few wins. The head coach of the Islanders, Barry Trotz, also used to coach the Capitals including the year they won the cup and I doubt this is a game he will take lightly no matter what it means to either team. I'm expecting a stronger effort from the Islanders in this game and I think they can beat up on the banged up Capitals again in this game. I like the Islanders to win here.

T.M. Prediction: 5-2 Islanders.