Islanders at Panthers
THE STORY: The New York Islanders looked lost in their first foray away from Long Island this season, turning in a lackluster effort in a 4-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Thursday night that snapped a three-game winning streak. New York will look to raise its game when it concludes a two-game swing through Florida with a visit to the Panthers on Saturday night. It will be a rematch of the season opener for both teams, which Florida won in impressive fashion 2-0. Unlike the Islanders, the Panthers opened the season with four of their first five games on the road, but they also laid an egg Thursday night in dropping a 3-0 decision at home to the Buffalo Sabres. It was the second 3-0 defeat in three nights for Florida, which had pumped in 10 goals in sweeping a home-and-home series from intrastate rival Tampa Bay in its previous two games.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG+2
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (3-2-0): One week after pounding Tampa Bay 5-1, the Islanders went down meekly against the Lightning on Thursday night, managing only 17 shots on net. New York has been too reliant on the No. 1 line of John Tavares, Matt Moulson and P.A. Parenteau, which has accounted for eight of its 12 goals. Tavares was finally shut down after erupting for four points in each of his previous two games. Michael Grabner accounted for the Isles' only goal.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (3-3-0): Florida, with its overhauled roster, was looming as one of the early-season surprises with three wins in the first four games. Then came the back-to-back shutouts against Washington and Buffalo in which the Panthers mustered a combined 42 shots on net. Florida ranks second in the league in power-play percentage (28.8) after finishing an NHL-worst (13.1) last season. Jose Theodore blanked the Islanders in the season opener and is 17-9-1-1 lifetime against them.
OVERTIME:
1. The Panthers are 3-0-0 when scoring first and 0-3-0 when their opponent scores first.
2. The Islanders are 1-8 in their last nine games at Florida.