Islanders at Oilers
The New York Islanders are on their longest losing streak in more than four years and suddenly find themselves one point out of the basement in the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders look to halt their seven-game slide (0-4-3) when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night in forward Jordan Eberle's return to Rogers Place.
It's the third stop of a four-game road trip for New York, which has stumbled badly during a stretch in which it plays seven of eight away from home. "We just haven't seemed to finish games off," Islanders captain John Tavares said after the team blew a two-goal lead in a 4-3 overtime loss at Vancouver on Monday. "Obviously, this isn't a whole lot of fun right now." While New York is six points behind Columbus for the final playoff slot in the East, it is still in better shape than the Oilers, who have been relegated to also-ran status since dropping seven of eight coming out of the Christmas break. Reigning Hart Trophy recipient Connor McDavid continues to pile up the points for Edmonton and delivered the game-winner in overtime in a 2-1 victory at New York on Nov. 7.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, MSG Plus2 (New York), Sportsnet West (Edmonton)
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (29-29-9): Mathew Barzal already was the front-runner for the Calder Trophy and now appears to be a shoo-in after his main competitor, Vancouver's Brock Boeser, was hurt in Monday's game. Barzal enhanced his own lofty credentials by setting up two goals against the Canucks to become the first rookie to register 50 assists since Chicago's Patrick Kane and Washington's Nicklas Backstrom in 2007-08. Eberle, acquired in a June trade from Edmonton, returns to the city where he played his first seven NHL seasons.
ABOUT THE OILERS (28-34-4): Center Ryan Strome went to Edmonton in the trade for Eberle and, while not the offensive threat of the ex-Oiler, he has been a mainstay on a unit that has killed off 27 of its last 29 penalties. "I found a little niche there and it's nice to be involved," Strome said. "I just want to be a part of the team and help any way I can. I think I've helped the penalty kill, so I've done my part." Forward Milan Lucic, who has 28 points in 30 games against the Islanders, ended a 29-game goal drought in Monday's win over Arizona.
OVERTIME
1. Eberle, who had 165 goals during his tenure in Edmonton, has scored in three of the last five games to push his total to 23.
2. McDavid is riding a five-game point streak and has seven goals and seven assists in his last nine contests.
3. Tavares, who is tied for the team lead with 31 goals, has 13 points in 11 games versus Edmonton.