Islanders at Hurricanes
THE STORY: The Carolina Hurricanes have been on a roll at home of late. They also have had plenty of recent success against the New York Islanders. Carolina attempts to continue both trends when they host New York on Tuesday. The Hurricanes have won three straight games at home and four of their last five. They have earned at least one point in each of their last 10 meetings with the Islanders, going 6-0-4. New York is 3-1-1 in its last five overall contests but has dropped three of five on the road. The Islanders have won six in a row against Southeast Division opponents, while Carolina has lost five straight versus the Atlantic.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus 2 (New York), FS Carolina
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (19-22-7): John Tavares made his first All-Star Game appearance a memorable one, recording a goal and an assist. Despite being a member of the losing team, the 21-year old thoroughly enjoyed the experience. "It was fun. I was just trying to have a good time," Tavares said. "It was nice to get one. It was a lot of fun and it was a great experience, the whole weekend." New York placed Marty Reasoner on injured reserve Monday and recalled goaltender Kevin Poulin and right wing Rhett Rakhshani from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. Poulin went 0-2-0 with the Islanders earlier this season while Rakhshani posted a minus-1 rating in two games last campaign. Reasoner, who has notched five assists in 35 games, has not played since Jan. 6 because of a broken hand.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (18-24-9): Tim Gleason will be in Raleigh for a while as the defenseman signed a four-year contract extension worth $16 million Monday. The 29-year-old leads Carolina blueliners with a plus-2 rating, 87 hits and 1,063 minutes played. Gleason, who has led Hurricanes defensemen in hits each of the last four seasons, is glad to put trade rumors to rest with his new deal. "I was going somewhere every day for the last month," he said. "Deep down, my wife and I have talked over and over and over again about wanting to stay. It came to a good conclusion."
OVERTIME:
1. Carolina has not allowed a power-play goal over its last eight games, while New York has gone seven contests without yielding a man-advantage tally.
2. Tavares has collected nine goals and 22 points over his last 14 contests. He has recorded two goals and three assists in two meetings with Carolina this season.
3. Each of the first two meetings between the teams have gone beyond regulation, with the Islanders winning in both overtime and a shootout.