The Islanders were clearly the stronger team five-on-five in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. The problem was, they kept gifting the Capitals power-play opportunities.
But the Islanders survived their self-inflicted problems and dominated with a three-goal third period for a 4-2 win on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, with Josh Bailey scoring the shorthanded winner.
Game 2 is Friday night.
The Capitals went 2-for-7 on the power play but Alex Ovechkin was held without a point. The Islanders went 0-for-4 with the man advantage in a feisty playoff opener.