ELMONT, NY — There will be better nights at UBS Arena for the New York Islanders, frankly, because there is no place else to go but up after a stinker of a home opener.

Aliaksei Protas scored twice, and the Capitals ran roughshod over the Islanders, who are now 0-2 to start the season.

It spoiled the home opener of No. 1 draft pick Matthew Schaefer, who scored his first career goal 4:28 into the third period to halve the Islanders' deficit at 4-2.

On the power play, a play started by Schaefer at the point found Anthony Duclair at the left post, who went cross crease to Kyle Palmieri on the doorstep. The shot hit the post and deflected into a scrum of bodies in front of Logan Thompson's goal. Schaefer bombed in and popped a lunging backhander

Martin Fehervary was gifted Washington's ope

See Full Page