The Capitals–Islanders rivalry is a National Hockey League (NHL) rivalry between the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders. Both teams compete in the NHL's Eastern Conference's Metropolitan Division. The two teams were fierce rivals mainly during the 1980s and early 1990s, although tensions have flared once more in the late 2010s and early 2020s. History 1980s In 1983, the two teams met in the playoffs for the first time ever. The Islanders were the three-time defending Stanley Cup champions while the Capitals were in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The Islanders won the series three games to one on their way to their fourth straight Stanley Cup. The next year, the two teams met again, this time they were evenly matched as the Capitals finished second in the division with 101 points, three points back of the first place Islanders. The Islanders were nearly eliminated in the opening round by their crosstown rivals, the New York Rangers, before Ken Morrow scored the overtime winner in the fifth and deciding game. Meanwhile, the Capitals had a much easier first round as they swept the Philadelphia Flyers in three straight games. Washington won the opener by a score of 3–2, but the Islanders won the next four games to take the series in five on their way to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers in five games. In 1985, the Islanders became the first NHL team to comeback from a 0–2 deficit in a best-of-5 series against the Capitals. In 1986, the Capitals were finally victorious over the Islanders in the playoffs, having their best regular season in franchise history (until 2009), winning 50 games and recorded 107 points, swept the Islanders in three straight games for their first ever playoff series win over the Islanders. In 1987, the teams had one of the most memorable playoff series in NHL history. The Capitals won game one by a score of 4–3, before the Islanders won the next game 3–1 to tie the series at one win each. When the series shifted to New York, the Capitals took control winning the next two games by scores of 2–0 and 4–1 to take a 3–1 series lead. Luckily for the Islanders, the opening round of the playoffs was expanded to a best-of-seven. The Islanders won game 5 in Washington by a score of 4–2