Panthers at Islanders
The Florida Panthers begin a four-game road trip that could determine their fate in the Eastern Conference playoff race when they visit the fading New York Islanders on Monday. The Panthers rallied for a 4-2 victory over Arizona on Saturday to remain three points behind New Jersey for the second wild-card spot in the East with two games in hand but play five of their last nine away from home.
“This is the kind of game that we need to be playing down the stretch,” Florida center Vincent Trocheck told reporters after Saturday’s comeback win over the last-place team in the Western Conference. “Obviously, every game is a playoff game for us, meaningful hockey. We just said we don’t want to look back on this game and have this be the one that kept us out of the playoffs.” The Panthers have won three of their last four overall and are 3-1-1 in five regular-season meetings with the Islanders since their 2015-16 playoff series. New York, which is one point away from officially being eliminated from playoff contention, has recorded just two wins in its last 15 games (2-9-4) after suffering a 3-1 home loss to Chicago on Saturday despite owning a 32-25 advantage in shots. “We just didn’t capitalize on enough of our chances,” Islanders captain John Tavares told reporters. “We can’t seem to find a way to get 60 minutes and get the plays that need to be made at the right times and find a way to put a few more in. It’s been frustrating for a while.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Florida, MSG Plus (New York)
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (38-28-7): Trocheck scored twice to push his career-high total to 30 goals and added an assist to give him 69 points - five fewer than team leader Aleksander Barkov, who has recorded 99 career tallies. “We needed one of our big guys to step up. For (Trocheck) to get his 30th there, I think it’s a statement,” coach Bob Boughner told reporters. “That’s what he’s been all year. I call him the engine of the team. When he’s going, we’re going.” Florida could use more from Jonathan Huberdeau, who has registered only two points in his last six games.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (31-34-10): Along with the other top scorers, Tavares continues to put up points as the season winds down, and the power play has been key - converting nine of its 20 chances over the last five games. Tavares has collected two goals and seven assists during his five-game point streak to lead the team with 78 points - two better than rookie Mathew Barzal, who has notched seven in his last six contests. Anders Lee tops New York with a career-best 38 goals after scoring five times in his last four games and is one away from his first 60-point season.
OVERTIME
1. Islanders D Ryan Pulock has recorded three goals and five assists while posting a plus-2 rating over his last six games.
2. Florida D Keith Yandle notched an assist Saturday to reach 50 points for the first time since 2013-14 while with Arizona.
3. New York C Brock Nelson is three tallies shy of his fourth consecutive 20-goal season and 100 overall for his career.