Rangers at Islanders
While captain John Tavares' future is cloudy at best with the New York Islanders, the foreseeable future is looking bright for Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier. The two 20-year-old forwards aim to continue their torrid stretches on Thursday as the Islanders vie for a season sweep of the rival New York Rangers at Barclays Center.
The odds-on favorite to win the Calder Trophy, Barzal scored two goals and assisted on Tavares' power-play goal during the first period of Tuesday's 5-4 triumph over Philadelphia to become the first NHL rookie with at least 80 points since Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin (85, 2006-07). "I think in a month or so, when I'm looking back at the whole season, just look at the whole deal, first year in the NHL, I think it'll be pretty special," said Barzal, who has ravaged the Rangers to the tune of three goals and six assists in three games this season. The reeling Rangers are skidding downhill with losses in seven of their last nine outings as they brace for the reality of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2009-10. Kevin Hayes, who tallied twice in the season series versus the Islanders, extended his point streak to four games (three goals, one assist) after scoring in his second straight contest in Tuesday's 5-2 setback in New Jersey.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG, MSG Plus-2
ABOUT THE RANGERS (34-37-9): Mats Zuccarello returned to practice on Wednesday and expects to end a one-game absence versus the Islanders after blocking a shot that required an MRI. The 30-year-old Norwegian is tied with Hayes with two points (one goal, one assist) in the season series against the Islanders and has five (three goals, two assists) in his last seven since the start of the 2016-17 campaign. Fellow forward Jimmy Vesey has six points (two goals, four assists) in his last six contests while Ryan Spooner has collected a team high-tying 12 assists and 16 points in 18 games since being acquired from Boston on Feb. 25.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (33-37-10): Beauvillier, who has six goals and four assists in his last seven games, scored in his fourth straight contest on Tuesday and for the 16th time since the calendar flipped to 2018 to reach the 20-goal plateau. "It feels good. It's something you set your objectives early in the year, your goals and what you want to accomplish and that was definitely up there. I'm happy to get to 20 goals," he said. Beauvillier scored two goals and set up two others versus the Rangers while fellow forward Jordan Eberle has one tally and five assists in the season series.
OVERTIME
1. Tavares, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, told reporters on Wednesday that "I hope it all works out, too, and I'm back as well" as he heads into possibly his last home game with the Islanders.
2. Alain Vigneault of the Rangers has 648 career wins as an NHL coach, one shy of passing Ron Wilson for sole possession of 10th place in league history.
3. The Islanders have scored 14 power-play goals in their last 10 games.