Lightning at Islanders
The New York Islanders continue to steam toward what could be their first postseason appearance since 2007, gaining points in six of their last seven games. The Islanders look to hold their place in the top eight of the Eastern Conference when the surging Tampa Bay Lightning visit on Saturday. The Islanders have four of their next five contests at home before finishing with a five-game road trip, and many of the teams below them in the standings have games in hand. New York has had its way with Tampa Bay of late, winning both meetings this season and eight of 11 overall.
The Lightning improved to 3-0-1 in their last four games after newly-acquired goalie Ben Bishop turned aside 45 shots in a 5-0 victory over Carolina on Thursday. Tampa Bay got captain Vincent Lecavalier back from injury in its last game, but top-pairing defenseman Victor Hedman is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Tampa Bay), MSG Plus 2, WLNY (New York).
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (16-18-2): Aside from the league’s leading goal scorer Steven Stamkos and veteran Martin St. Louis, Hedman is the Lightning’s most important player. The Swedish workhorse is plus-8 and ranks second on the team in ice time (22:22). Tampa Bay recalled D Matt Taormina to add depth. Stamkos has not scored a goal in the last two games but collected a pair of assists against Carolina while playing with St. Louis and Benoit Pouliot. Lecavalier skated with talented youngsters Brett Connolly and Richard Panik. Versatile center Nate Thompson returns to the lineup after a two-game suspension.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (18-16-4): New York has allowed only 11 goals the last seven contests, averaging less than 25 shots against in the last four. That’s the kind of defense the Islanders will need to fight their way into the playoffs, because they have shown an ability to put the puck in the net. John Tavares was held without a point in the 2-1 shootout loss at Washington on Thursday but still has nine goals in his last 14 games and 23 in all. Linemate Matt Moulson has collected a team-best 25 assists and Brad Boyes has 21. The Islanders need more from RW Michael Grabner, who has only one goal in his last 11 games.
OVERTIME
1. Bishop is the second Lightning goalie to post a shutout in his debut, matching Dwayne Roloson in 2011.
2. Tavares has nine power-play goals, second in the league through Thursday, and four game-winners.
3. St. Louis, four assists behind injured Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby (37) for the league lead, is two points shy of 900 in his career.