Islanders at Stars
The Dallas Stars have won all three matchups against Eastern Conference opponents this season and look to keep that streak intact when they host the New York Islanders on Friday night. It's the first of a back-to-back for the Islanders, which will wrap up a stretch in which they played 13 of 15 games against teams from the Western Conference.
Dallas is coming off a 4-1 home loss to Winnipeg -- its second three-goal defeat to the Jets in a five-day span -- and has allowed at least four goals in four of the past seven games. Stars forwards Radek Faksa, Tyler Pitlick and Brett Ritchie missed Monday's loss to the Jets but all three will be evaluated at Friday morning's skate. New York recalled Alan Quine from its NHL affiliate in Bridgeport and had him centering the third line between Andrew Ladd and Anthony Beauvillier at Thursday's practice. The Islanders have had considerable success against Dallas over the past four seasons, posting a 6-1-1 mark in eight meetings.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New York), FSN Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (8-5-2): Center Mathew Barzal continues to make a big impression in his rookie season, registering a pair of goals and nine assists during a six-game point streak. The No. 16 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Barzal is meshing with linemate Jordan Eberle, who has scored five goals in his past five games. “Maybe I’m catching some people by surprise, but this is the best league in the world and these are the best defensemen in the world,” Barzal said. “I’m just trying to do what I can to create chances, create space for my linemates.”
ABOUT THE STARS (8-7-0): The trio of captain Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Alexander Radulov has accounted for half of Dallas' 42 goals but coach Ken Hitchcock decided to break up his potent top line. Seguin was moved Mattias Janmark and Devin Shore while Benn centered Radulov and Gemel Smith at practice Thursday. "We just feel right now that we are playing at a high level and not being able to beat the big boys," Hitchcock said. "And in order to beat the big boys, I feel like if we get more people participating it will give us a better opportunity."
OVERTIME
1. Dallas' power play has converted on 8 of 18 opportunities over the past five games.
2. New York placed LW Nikolay Kulemin on injured reserve.
3. Stars D Marc Methot (lower body) is expected to miss Friday's game.