Islanders at Ducks
THE STORY: The New York Islanders are playing so well, a trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2007 is within sight. The Islanders will try for their first four-game winning streak since last season when they visit the struggling Anaheim Ducks on Friday. There is a simple reason for the Islanders’ recent success. Their best players have been their best players and they have a hot goaltender in Evgeni Nabokov, who has been between the pipes for all three victories. While the Islanders are showing signs of life, the Ducks continue to fall farther behind in the Western Conference. Not many – and certainly no one inside the organization – could have imagined Anaheim 19 points out of a playoff spot midway through the season. Management was hoping a coaching change would spark the team, but Bruce Boudreau is 3-9-2 since taking over Dec. 1.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New York), FS Prime Ticket (Anaheim), NHL Network (Canada)
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (14-17-6): New York is 10 points out of playoff position in the Eastern Conference, but has at least one game in hand on every team it is chasing. Top linemates John Tavares and Matt Moulson have combined for nine points in the last two games, and third-liners P.A. Parenteau and Frans Nielsen had shootout goals in the Islanders’ 3-2 victory at Carolina on Tuesday. With Rick DiPietro (groin) and Al Montoya (concussion) out, Nabokov (5-8-0, 2.49, .920) has an opportunity to put the Islanders on his back.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (10-22-6): Anaheim’s problems are not exclusive to one end of the ice or special teams, but the play of Jonas Hiller is especially alarming to those who thought the Ducks had a perennial All-Star in goal. Hiller’s goals against average and save percentage – 3.17 and .898 – are well off his career numbers of 2.62 and .917. Captain Ryan Getzlaf hasn’t scored a goal in 12 games and doesn’t have a point in six games, the longest stretch of his career.
OVERTIME:
1. Nielsen also had a goal and an assist against Carolina and has six points in his last six games. He had 13 points in his first 31 games.
2. The home team has won the last four meetings.