Islanders sink Caps, 8-4

In Uniondale, the Islanders put an 8-4 hurt on the Washington Capitals on Thursday night.

Mathew Barzal had a hat trick for the New York Islanders

Mathew Barzal picked up a hat trick in the win.

“[Barzal] moved the puck, got it back, he got open, went to the hard areas, drove the net, and got to the slot,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “He didn’t try to do it by himself. He trusted his teammates, but he was skating, and he had lots of juice tonight.”

Semyon Varlamov made 18 saves in the win.

“When guys are playing to their strengths, that’s when the line (Barzal, Eberle, Leo Komarov) goes,” Barzal said. “Leo is doing his thing in the corner, getting us the puck. ‘Ebs’ was making his little plays, getting open, and I was skating. When we’re doing those things, it can be a good line.”

John Carlson scored twice for the Caps.

“I do think we did things that shot ourselves in the foot with regard to puck movement and coverage,” Washington head coach Peter Laviolette said. “We just lost a game; we gave up eight goals. You look to fix that and be better the next night.”

T.J. Oshie and Daniel Sprong also scored for the Caps.

“A lot of us just weren’t sharp and we gave them Grade A scoring chances and they capitalized on most of them,” Oshie said.

Jordan Eberle, two goals,  tied the game 1-1, with his first of the night.

“We’re obviously pretty familiar with them and they’re familiar with us,” Eberle said. “If you want to go all the way, this is a team that you have to go through, so it’s good to stand your ground on your home ice.”

Josh Bailey had a single marker for the New York.

Casey Cizikas and Brock Nelson also scored for the Isles.

Ilya Samsonov got the start for the Caps, but left the ice with 30  seconds elapsed after a collision with Oshie.

Vitek Vanecek surrendered two goals on nine shots before Samsonov reclaimed the crease; he made 18 saves.

“He got pulled out from a spotter in concussion protocol,” Laviolette said of Samsonov. “He had to go and get checked out. He was cleared, felt good and it was his game, so he was going back in when he was ready.”