Islanders at Lightning
THE STORY: The New York Islanders have had their way with the Tampa Bay Lightning of late. They have won six of the last eight and can seal the season series with a road victory on Saturday. The Lightning were outscored 10-2 in two games on Long Island, but did defeat the Islanders in Tampa. New York is 2-3-2 in its last seven and the Lightning are 2-4-0 on a seven-game homestand.
TV: 7 p.m. ET; MSG-Plus (New York), SunSports (Tampa).
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (30-32-11): Evgeni Nabokov will be back with the Islanders after signing a one-year deal Wednesday. The veteran Russian netminder is 17-18-5 with a 2.56 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in his return to the NHL after a brief stint in the Kontinental Hockey League. Nabokov is 3-4-1 lifetime against the Lightning, but has not faced them this season. All-Star John Tavares continues his strong campaign with five goals, five assists and a plus-5 the last six games, bringing him to 73 points in as many contests. Matt Moulson reached the 60-point plateau for the first time in his career.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (33-33-7): Goaltender Dwayne Roloson came up big for the Lightning, making 34 saves to help end the team’s three-game losing streak with a 3-2 shootout victory on Thursday. It was first victory for Roloson since Feb. 16 and the first time he had allowed less than three goals in a start since Nov. 17. Roloson is expected to play in his 600th NHL game against the Islanders, who traded him to Tampa Bay last season. Steven Stamkos has been held without a point in a season-high four games. Captain Vincent Lecavalier is close to returning from a broken hand, but is not likely to play.
OVERTIME:
1. PA Parenteau has 48 assists, the most in a single season for an Islander since 1993-94 (Pierre Turgeon).
2. The Lightning converted three of their shootout attempts Thursday, one more than they did in five previous games decided by the tiebreaker this season.
3. The Islanders are 5 for 18 on the power play the last five contests.