Flames at Islanders
The New York Islanders look to build off the emotion of a miraculous victory last time out when they continue a four-game homestand with a matchup against the Calgary Flames on Sunday night. The Islanders scored four times on a five-minute power play late in the third period to erase a three-goal deficit and went on to defeat Detroit 7-6 in overtime Friday, improving to 2-1-1 in their last four.
“Hopefully, this pushes us in the right direction,” New York rookie center Mathew Barzal, who recorded his third five-point game of the season, told reporters. “The team needed something like that.” The Islanders moved back into a playoff position in the crowded Eastern Conference race after Friday’s games with the victory while the Flames are in a close battle for postseason spot in the West. Calgary had won three consecutive contests - including the first two of a six-game road trip - before coughing up a lead in the third period en route to a 4-3 setback at the New York Rangers on Friday. “We got what we deserved,” Flames coach Glen Gulutzan told reporters. “We weren’t ready to play.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, MSG Plus (New York)
ABOUT THE FLAMES (28-19-8): Center Sean Monahan saw his four-game goal streak come to an end Friday, but has scored five times in five February games to lead the team with 27 tallies. Johnny Gaudreau recorded an assist against the Rangers to extend his point streak to five games, collecting eight of his team-leading 65 points during the run. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton has scored once while setting up six others in his last seven contests and needs one goal to reach double figures for the fourth straight season - four to match his career high in 2016-17.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (27-23-6): Barzal is the second rookie in NHL history to post three five-point games and the first since Joe Malone of Montreal in 1917-18 after his five-assist performance Friday. Captain John Tavares needs two goals for his fourth season with at least 30 and is one point away from reaching 600 in his career after recording two of his team-leading 62 against Detroit. Anders Lee has scored in back-to-back games to pull within one of his second straight 30-goal campaign and Brock Nelson’s hat trick Friday gave him seven points in four contests.
OVERTIME
1. Calgary G Mike Smith has allowed 18 goals in five contests with an .888 save percentage since making an appearance in the All-Star Game.
2. New York F Josh Bailey boasts two goals and three assists in the last four games to reach 60 points for the first time in his career.
3. The Islanders have won five of the last six meetings, but dropped a 5-2 decision at Calgary last March.