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Islanders-Capitals shaping up as a physical series going into Game 2

Carl Hagelin and Jonas Siegenthaler of the Capitals combine to stop Derick Brassard of the Islanders during the second period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday in Toronto. Credit: Getty Images/Elsa

The effects of Islanders captain Anders Lee’s hit on the Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom are likely to linger for the length of the teams’ first-round playoff series.

Capitals coach Todd Reirden announced his No. 1 center is in concussion protocol and unavailable for Friday night’s Game 2 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto after absorbing a blue-line check from Lee early in the first period of the Islanders’ 4-2 Game 1 win on Wednesday.