NHL

New York Islanders at Washington Capitals

· EAST 1st ROUND - GAME 5
<span id="gameStatus" class="badge bg-danger" style="font-size: 1.2em; margin: 5px 0;">Final</span>
4 - 0

Trotz's Islanders eliminate Capitals with 4-0 win in Game 5

Trotz felt all kinds of emotions after his 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. He 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 a championship, while Washington hasn't won a playoff series since Trotz's departure.

"When you go through a series like that where you've had some success with a group of guys, it tears you a little bit because there's so many good memories," Trotz said. "But at the same time, you work for someone else and you want to beat that group just because we're competitive, we don't want to lose."

The Islanders, who quickly swooped up Trotz, move on to face either the Philadelphia Flyers or Boston Bruins in the second round. They got through the Capitals with ease in Game 5 after missing a chance to sweep thanks to two goals by Anthony Beauvillier and Semyon Varlamov's 21-save shutout of the team that drafted and developed him.

It was further evidence of Trotz's value as a coach, and his players showed they were willing to do what he asked to give him, assistant Lane Lambert and goalie guru Mitch Korn some revenge against Washington.

It's the opposite for the Capitals, who have bowed out in the first round in each of the past two playoffs under replacement Todd Reirden, who said his job security now being in question is part of the role.

"For whatever reason, our team wasn't able to mentally and physically get to our game for long enough," Reirden said. "This is not acceptable for our organization."

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.

While Trotz and Reirden exchanged a very quick handshake, Holtby and his former coach had a good chat on the ice after what could be the 30-year-old's final game with Washington.

"We had a lot of success when he was here: a guy that I know myself I have a ton of respect for," Holtby said. "He's an honest guy. You just wish him the best because he's one of the good guys in hockey."

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.

"I'm glad that I was back at least, but tough results," Backstrom said.

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.

"I think they play an outstanding game," Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said. "There's nothing you can do right now but move on."

Game 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. ... Capitals D John Carlson said he was healthy enough to play, despite missing all three round-robin games with an undisclosed injury.

UP NEXT

The Islanders will face Boston if Montreal beats Philadelphia, and the Flyers if top-seeded Philadelphia hangs on to defeat the Canadiens.

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Regular Season Series

Series tied 2-2

Scoring Summary

Goal 1st Period 10:19
Goal 2nd Period 9:33
Goal 3rd Period 17:47
Goal 3rd Period 18:31

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/nyi.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originNYI https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/wsh.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originWSH
31 Blocked Shots 7
46 Hits 34
8 Takeaways 3
17 Shots 21
1 Power Play Goals 0
3 Power Play Opportunities 2
33.3 Power Play Percentage 0.0
0 Short Handed Goals 0
0 Shootout Goals 0
23 Faceoffs Won 22
51.1 Faceoff Win Percent 48.9
13 Giveaways 8
1 Total Penalties 3
2 Penalty Minutes 6
Washington Capitals Washington Capitals Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Rasmus Sandin, D Out Apr 22
Pierre-Luc Dubois, LW Out Apr 16
Charlie Lindgren, G Out Apr 14
Eriks Mateiko, LW Out Jan 13
New York Islanders New York Islanders Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Mathew Barzal, C Out May 12
Semyon Varlamov, G Injured Reserve Apr 19
Kyle Palmieri, C Injured Reserve Apr 15
Maxim Shabanov, RW Out Apr 14
Ryan Pulock, D Out Apr 14

Game Information

Scotiabank Arena

Location: Toronto, ON
Capacity:

2025-26 Metropolitan Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
<img src="https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/car.png" style="padding: 0 4px; width: 25px; vertical-align: inherit;">Carolina 53 22 113 7
<img src="https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/pit.png" style="padding: 0 4px; width: 25px; vertical-align: inherit;">Pittsburgh 41 25 98 16
<img src="https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/phi.png" style="padding: 0 4px; width: 25px; vertical-align: inherit;">Philadelphia 43 27 98 12
<img src="https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/wsh.png" style="padding: 0 4px; width: 25px; vertical-align: inherit;">Washington 43 30 95 9
<img src="https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/cbj.png" style="padding: 0 4px; width: 25px; vertical-align: inherit;">Columbus 40 30 92 12
<img src="https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/nyi.png" style="padding: 0 4px; width: 25px; vertical-align: inherit;">NY Islanders 43 34 91 5
<img src="https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/nj.png" style="padding: 0 4px; width: 25px; vertical-align: inherit;">New Jersey 42 37 87 3
<img src="https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/nyr.png" style="padding: 0 4px; width: 25px; vertical-align: inherit;">NY Rangers 34 39 77 9
Full Standings