Anthony Beauvillier scored twice, Semyon Varlamov shut out the team that drafted him and the New York Islanders knocked the Washington Capitals out of the playoffs in the first round by beating them 4-0 Thursday night in Game 5.
The Islanders will move on to face either the Tampa Bay Lightning or Boston Bruins in the second round. Coach Barry Trotz has now advanced in the postseason two years in a row since the Capitals opted to let him leave rather than giving him a raise after he led them to the Stanley Cup.
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Anthony Beauvillier scored twice, Semyon Varlamov shut out the team that drafted him and the New York Islanders knocked the Washington Capitals out of the playoffs in the first round by beating them 4-0 Thursday night in Game 5.
The Capitals erased a two-goal deficit in Game 4 Tuesday to avoid a sweep but didn't have the same response in their second consecutive elimination game. Goaltender Braden Holtby didn't get much help in allowing two goals on 15 shots in what could be his final game with the organization.
NOTES: The Islanders made a lineup change by putting Ross Johnston into the lineup in place of Derick Brassard. ... New York was without D Johnny Boychuk yet again.
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New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (18) hits his head on the post after scoring against Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) as Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) and right wing Tom Wilson (43) look on during second-period NHL Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff hockey game action in Toronto, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)
Washington has bowed out in the first round in each of the past two playoffs under replacement Todd Reirden, who was Trotz's top assistant.
Washington Capitals right wing Garnet Hathaway (21) and New York Islanders left wing Michael Dal Colle (28) reach for the puck during first-period NHL Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff hockey game action in Toronto, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)
The Capitals erased a two-goal deficit in Game 4 Tuesday to avoid a sweep but didn't have the same response in their second consecutive elimination game. Goaltender Braden Holtby didn't get much help in allowing two goals on 15 shots in what could be his final game with the organization.
Beauvillier scored on the power play midway through the first period and then at even strength in the second, taking a big hit into the net from Tom Wilson while finishing his second goal of the game. Wilson's Capitals teammates were unable to muster much in the way of pushback even with top center Nicklas Backstrom back after going into concussion protocol and missing the past three games.
Empty-netters by Nick Leddy and and Josh Bailey sealed it for New York, which didn't miss a beat without injured alternate captain Cal Clutterbuck. Varlamov finished with 21 saves.
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (40) makes save on Washington Capitals right wing Richard Panik (14) during the first period of an NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey game in Toronto on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)
NOTES: The Islanders made a lineup change by putting Ross Johnston into the lineup in place of Derick Brassard. ... New York was without D Johnny Boychuk yet again.
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The Islanders will face Boston if Montreal beats Philadelphia, and the Flyers if top-seeded Philadelphia hangs on to defeat the Canadiens.
Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) makes a save as New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) looks for the rebound and Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen (3) defends during the first period of an NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey game in Toronto on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)
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New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) catches the puck in front of Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) during first-period NHL Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff hockey game action in Toronto, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)
New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (18) hits his head on the post after scoring against Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) as Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) and right wing Tom Wilson (43) look on during second-period NHL Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff hockey game action in Toronto, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)