It was almost two full months ago when Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz brought up the possibility of a playoff series between his team and the New York Islanders.
Here’s what Trotz told the Washington Post after his Capitals came away with a 3-2 shootout win over the Islanders on Feb. 21:
“They’ve got a good team,” Trotz said. “I looked at that game, hopefully a playoff series at some point. Two very good hockey teams that mirror each other in a lot of ways in terms of some style.”
How is that for foreshadowing?
When the first round of the playoffs begins next week, it will be the Capitals and Islanders facing off against each other, however home ice advantage will be determined Saturday.
This series will feature two of the game’s big stars, in Alex Ovechkin and John Tavares.
Tavares, with his winning goal against Pittsburgh on Friday, moved into a tie with Sidney Crosby in points with 84, which leads the league. Ovechkin is up to 52 goals this season, which makes it the sixth time in his career he’s reached that mark in a single season.
The @NYIslanders and @washcaps will meet in the #StanleyCup Playoffs for the 7th time. NYI won their last matchup in 1993 (4-2 series win).
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 11, 2015