Islanders at Senators
THE STORY: John Tavares has been on quite the roll.
After being named the NHL's First Star for the month of January, Tavares
started February in style by collecting two goals and two assists in a
5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. Fresh off his
All-Star appearance on Team Alfredsson, Tavares will look to get the
better of the man who selected him for the midseason festivities when
the New York Islanders visit the Ottawa Senators on Friday. Tavares, who
has recorded 11 goals and 15 assists in his last 15 games, has helped
the Islanders pull to within 11 points of the final berth for the
Eastern Conference playoffs. New York has posted a 4-1-1 mark in its
last six games. For its part, Ottawa has dropped four in a row after a
blistering 13-2-2 stretch. The Senators are opening a five-game
homestand on Friday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG+, RSNE
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (20-22-7): Tavares isn't the only
one flying high for coach Jack Capuano's club. Matt Moulson, who netted
his team-leading 23rd goal on Wednesday, has collected seven goals and
10 assists in his last 14 contests. Moulson has fared well versus the
Senators, recording four goals and six points in eight career games.
With a date against the reeling Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, New York can
continue to gain significant ground in the Eastern Conference
standings.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (27-20-6): Ottawa's latest loss was
arguably its most humiliating in quite some time. Boston Bruins
defenseman Dennis Seidenberg scored the eventual game-winning goal from
center ice as the Senators squandered a two-goal lead and dropped a 4-3
decision on Tuesday. "It took a one-bouncer, then it hit my stick and
went in," goaltender Craig Anderson sheepishly said. "I gotta make the
save, but at the same time, it took a crazy bounce." Anderson will look to bounce back versus the Islanders, against whom he
is 2-4-1 in his career with a 3.71 goals-against average.
OVERTIME:
1. Islanders G Kevin Poulin recorded his first victory of the season
after stopping 21 shots versus the Hurricanes. Prior to the contest, the
21-year-old Poulin was named the American Hockey League goaltender of
the month for January.
2. All-Star Milan Michalek is mired in an eight-game goalless streak for the Senators.