Matt Martin of the New York Islanders checks Nick Jensen of the Washington Capitals during the first period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 12, 2020 in Toronto. Credit: Getty Images/Elsa
Officially, it merely was the first game of a first-round playoff series in 2020, but it sure felt like Game 8 of a first-round series from 2015.
Such was the level of rough play and harsh words between the Islanders and Capitals, both during and after the Islanders’ 4-2 victory in Toronto on Wednesday and into Thursday’s off day.