The matchup between the Washington Capitals’ power play and the New York Islanders’ penalty kill had developed into a tantalizing subplot for this Eastern Conference quarterfinals series, if only thanks to the latter’s ability to silence the NHL’s No. 1-ranked man-advantage unit. Through five games, the Islanders had allowed just one goal on 10 shorthanded sequences, bottled up forward Alex Ovechkin’s one-timer lanes and ensured the Capitals needed to beat them at even-strength. In response, Washington Coach Barry Trotz did what he has done all season with his power play:
Nothing.
“Both those units have been together from preseason, and so we don’t really tinker with them,” Trotz said.