WASHINGTON — Experience is why Evgeni Nabokov is the Islanders’ starting goalie, and experience is the reason why he will get the start Tuesday night against the Capitals at the Verizon Center.
“If you look at the history, with the trip here, Nabby has played well,” coach Jack Capuano said before the game, referencing Nabokov’s 12-1-3 record against the Capitals, including a 2.09 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.
Nabokov, 38, has played two games in the Verizon Center as a member of the Islanders, both last season, going 1-0-1 with a 1.44 GAA and a .932 save percentage.
Backup Kevin Poulin played admirably in Saturday’s 3-1 win over the visiting Bruins, and could very well get a chance Thursday in Carolina against the Hurricanes. In addition, Poulin could see action in one of the back-to-back games over the weekend, Saturday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets or Sunday in his native Montreal against the Canadiens.
“Kevin played extremely well against Boston,” Capuano said. “We have two guys that can do the job, and Nabby will get his shot tonight and we’ll see what happens before we head to Carolina.”
Poulin, 23, has played three of the team’s first 14 games as they have put up a record of 6-5-3. Saturday was his first win, and it lowered his GAA to 2.68 and raised his save percentage to .907.
“It was a good game,” Poulin said. “It was two, three days ago, so I’m kind of over it by now. Keep going, keep practicing hard, keep getting better every day with practice. And looking forward to the next start.”
The most games Poulin has played in a season was 10 in 2010-11, when he dislocated his left kneecap in a pregame warm-up in February. He had dislocated that same kneecap just one year prior, but has been relatively healthy since then.
“I don’t like to expect starts, I just like to, when I get one, just enjoy it and make the most of it,” Poulin said. “Last year was a short season, Nabby was playing really good, we were in a playoff push. I understood my role.”
Capuano tried to make it clear before the season that he hoped to give Nabokov more rest after he played 41 of 48 games in last season’s lockout-shortened campaign. The coach thought Nabokov wore down and was less than sharp in the team’s six-game, first-round playoff loss to the Penguins.
“This year, it’s a little different,” Poulin said. “More games. The role is still the same, but maybe I’ll play a little bit more. Eighty-two-game season, it’s hard for a goalie to play 75. So, the more games means more expectation. You want to get wins, as well. You don’t want to just play to give Nabby a rest. You want to play to win and give the team a good push.”
The Capitals (7-7-0) have won their past two games by a combined score of 10-2, and that was without three-time Hart Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin, who was out because of an upper-body injury. But the All-Star winger was expected to be back in the lineup on Tuesday, and it will be a challenge for the Islanders’ defense.
“I think he’s just different dynamic out there,” Andrew MacDonald said. “He’s got a big shot, he challenges you one-on-one as a D-man, and you have to be aware of those situations. It’s just another thing you have to be aware of and prepare for. But other than that, for us, it’s about how we play and how we need to play on a nightly basis. You can’t get caught up in who’s in and who’s out.”
Islanders forward Colin McDonald was hoping to play on Tuesday, but instead will miss his fifth straight game with a left hip injury. Capuano didn’t pull any punches when saying when McDonald will be ready.
“He’s getting real close,” Capuano said. “There’s a good chance you could see him in the next game.”
McDonald originally hurt the hip while hitting Eric Nystrom of the Predators in a game on Oct. 12, and missed the following game against the Sabres. Yet he rushed back to the lineup, and played the next four games without the same intensity.
“I can say this now, that I probably jumped back too quickly,” McDonald said. “I just didn’t want to get taken out of the lineup, to be honest. I’d never really been hurt before, and I wasn’t sure how to handle it. Yeah, just I’m assuming any day now.”
Third-line center Peter Regin stayed in the lineup after having his wisdom teeth pulled on an off day on Sunday and missing practice Monday. Rookie forward Brock Nelson stayed in, as well, in McDonald’s regular wing spot on the fourth line with Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas. Eric Boulton stayed a healthy scratch for fourth straight game and the 13th time in the first 15 games.
The Islanders only have six healthy defensemen, and did not make a call-up from the AHL.