Red Wings at Islanders
One day after squandering a chance to climb into a playoff position, the New York Islanders receive another opportunity when they begin a four-game homestand Friday against the Detroit Red Wings. New York erased a three-goal deficit in Buffalo on Thursday but allowed a tally with 4:14 left in the third period and dropped a 4-3 decision.
Anders Lee halted a six-game drought and grabbed a share of the team lead with his 28th goal in the loss for the Islanders, who are even in points with Columbus for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference but are on the outside as a result of having played two more games. Detroit is hoping to remain in the race as it trails the Blue Jackets by eight points. The Red Wings are coming off back-to-back 3-2 losses, falling at Florida on Saturday before being edged at home by Boston three nights later. Czech rookie Martin Frk registered a goal and an assist against the Bruins after failing to land on the scoresheet in his previous five games.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Detroit Plus, MSG Plus (New York)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (21-23-8): Darren Helm was held without a point by Boston after collecting a goal and four assists over his previous two contests. The 31-year-old forward is three points away from 200 for his career. Frans Nielsen, who spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Islanders, scored just his second goal in 14 games on Tuesday.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (26-23-6): With the team dealing with a plethora of injuries on the blue line, Dennis Seidenberg found himself in the lineup Thursday for just the fourth time since Jan. 5 and 21st overall this season. The 36-year-old German, who has recorded five assists in his 15th NHL campaign, blocked three shots against the Sabres but finished with a minus-2 rating in 16 minutes, 38 seconds of ice time. Captain John Tavares has tallied in back-to-back contests and is riding a three-game point streak, leaving him three shy of 600 for his career.
OVERTIME
1. Red Wings C Dylan Larkin notched an assist Tuesday to end his five-game drought and increase his team-leading total to 39.
2. New York D Thomas Hickey is two points away from 100 in the NHL after recording an assist on Thursday.
3. Detroit has scored more than two goals only three times in its last 12 games.