Blue Jackets at Islanders
The New York Islanders look to get their offense in gear when they host the Metropolitan Division-rival Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. New York has produced a total of five goals in its last four games, going 1-2-1 in that span while attempting to climb into a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Captain John Tavares leads the Islanders with 57 points and is six away from 600 for his career but has been kept off the scoresheet in each of his last four contests. New York trails Philadelphia by one point for the second wild card and is three behind Columbus, which occupies the first spot. The Blue Jackets were unable to increase their lead on Friday as they dropped a 3-1 decision to San Jose at home. Cam Atkinson appears to be heating up for the Blue Jackets as he notched an assist against the Sharks to extend his point streak to three games and boasts seven in his last nine contests.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus), MSG Plus (New York)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (27-20-4): Boone Jenner scored the lone goal for the team on Friday, ending his 12-game drought while recording his first point since notching an assist at Ottawa on Dec. 29. Josh Anderson tops the Blue Jackets with 15 goals but has scored just once in his last 12 contests. Columbus needs to tighten up on the penalty kill as it has allowed six power-play goals - including two to San Jose - on nine opportunities over its last four games.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (25-22-5): Mathew Barzal was named NHL Rookie of the Month for January after registering three goals and 12 assists in 13 games. The 20-year-old center, who has gone two contests without a point following a four-game streak, is the only player in the league to record two five-point efforts this season and the seventh rookie in NHL history to accomplish the feat. Anders Lee leads the team with 27 goals but enters Saturday with a four-game drought.
OVERTIME
1. Lee was moved to the second line during Friday's practice and replaced at LW on the top unit with Anthony Beauvillier.
2. Columbus LW Markus Hannikainen was recalled from Cleveland of the American Hockey League on Friday but was not in the lineup against San Jose.
3. New York has lost five of its last six home games, with the lone victory coming in a shootout.