The Washington Capitals are in a must-win scenario as they host the New York Islanders on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON -- The Washington Capitals are still alive going into the final eight games of the season, and they're in another must-win situation as they play host to the New York Islanders.
Here is everything to know before the 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop at Capital One Arena. The game will be live on TNT.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
Washington held an optional morning skate on Wednesday. Sonny Milano (upper-body) took part in the practice but will remain out of the mix and miss his second consecutive game.
Craig Smith, who was listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury after leaving Monday's practice, skated on Tuesday and appears good to go.
Here were the lines on Tuesday, which are expected to remain the same for Wednesday's tilt:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas-Nicklas Backstrom-T.J. Oshie
Anthony Mantha-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Craig Smith
Conor Sheary-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary- John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Darcy Kuemper will get the start in what will be his 350th career NHL game.
For New York's lines and starter head over to the Islanders site on THN, where Stefen Rosner has you covered.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders: By The Numbers
Washington has won both their meetings with New York so far this season, and the Capitals are also 5-1 in their last six home games against the Islanders.
Alex Ovechkin also has an impressive resume when it comes to facing the Isles, with 42 goals and 23 assists for 65 points in 66 career games against them.
Here are more season statistics:
Washington: 3.16 goals-for per game (18th), 3.08 goals against per game (15th), 21.9 power-play percentage (13th), 82.9 penalty-kill percentage (5th)
New York: 2.99 goals-for per game (21st), 2.68 goals against per game (5th), 16.5 power-play percentage (29th), 82 penalty-kill percentage (10th)
Washington Capitals Playoff Implications
Right now, the Capitals sit at 76 points, six points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second Wild Card spot, and the Islanders sit eight points in front of D.C.
Washington is not mathematically eliminated, and a regulation win would pull them within four points of Pittsburgh, though the Penguins have a game in hand.
The Capitals currently rank fifth-to-last in the Eastern Conference and third-to-last in the Metropolitan Division.