WASHINGTON -- The Washington Capitals pounded the New York Islanders 5-1 in a rollicking affair at the Verizon Center on Thursday evening to take a 3-2 series lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series. It marked the first time in the series a team has won two games in a row.
Turning point: The first two periods were epic with the Islanders scoring first for the fourth time in five games and the first time in all three games in Washington. The two teams combined for 79 hits in the first 40 minutes, illustrating the pace at which the game was being played and the price being paid for handling the puck. But at about the midpoint of the second period, after a series of stellar chances at either end -- and terrific saves from Jaroslav Halak in the Islanders' goal, especially -- Halak could not control the rebound of a Troy Brouwer chance at the side of the net. Brouwer carried the puck behind the net and found defenseman Karl Alzner pinching from the left point, giving the Capitals a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. From that point, it was all Capitals as they poured three more past Halak, who was pulled with 11 minutes left in favor of former Caps netminder Michal Neuvirth.
What it means: Are the Islanders broken? They will head back to Long Island for Game 6 needing a win to keep their season alive after being manhandled in Game 5. The Isles melted a bit with the game out of hand, drawing a couple of 10-minute misconduct penalties, and the youthful squad seemed overwhelmed. The Caps, meanwhile, will be returning to the site of their dramatic, 2-1 overtime win in Game 4 on Tuesday and the scene of the big-time hit Tom Wilson put on Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, who is out indefinitely as a result of the collision.
Player of the game: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington. The Russian star, whom the Capitals had waited so long to see before he arrived late last season, had a bust-out night. He tied the score midway through the first period, deftly batting the puck out of the air and then putting the finishing touches on the Caps' win with a delightful burst through and around the Islanders' defenders before tucking the puck under Halak for his second of the night in the third period. The 22-year-old also picked up an assist on the Caps' fifth goal and was impressive throughout the night, handling the puck in tight quarters and creating opportunities on a regular basis, leading all players with seven shots on goal.
Stat of the game: Zero points for Washington captain Alexander Ovechkin and top center Nicklas Backstrom. Both had been instrumental in the Caps' two series victories before Game 5, but the fact the Capitals dominated the Islanders without contributions on the score sheet from their two biggest stars is an illustration of why many people believe this team is primed for a long run this spring.
What's next: The Capitals will travel to Long Island for Game 6 on Saturday, although the time of the game is not yet determined. The challenge for Islanders coach Jack Capuano is in coming up with a lineup that can respond with the team's season on the line, and whether Halak can bounce back after being overwhelmed in Game 5. Big picture: Could Saturday be the final game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum?