Islanders at Blue Jackets
The New York Islanders are sputtering down the stretch, and Thursday's road date with the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets isn't likely to help in their positioning for the postseason. The Islanders posted just their second win in nine games with a 5-4 victory over Detroit on Sunday.
New York, which went 3-for-4 on the power play after going 2-for-23 in its previous eight games, is even in points with Pittsburgh for second place in the Metropolitan Division but holds the advantage by virtue of earning more points in the season series. Although officially eliminated from postseason contention, Columbus is clicking on all cylinders with victories in seven straight and 10 of its last 11 contests. "We realize the reality of the situation right now, but we never strap our gear on to lose," defenseman Jack Johnson said after scoring 56 seconds into overtime in the Blue Jackets' 3-2 triumph over New Jersey on Tuesday. “We've been winning and we're going to try and keep winning. We've got six games and we want to go 6-0."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New York), FSN Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (45-27-5): With his team mired in a slump, captain John Tavares showed a calming presence by matching a career high with three assists against the Red Wings to get the Islanders back on track. "You have to sit calm and not show panic," Tavares said as he moved within four points of his career high of 81 set in 2011-12. "It's all about poise, and (on Sunday), we were resilient." Tavares scored two goals and set up two others while rookie Anders Lee recorded four assists in New York's 6-3 win over Columbus on Feb. 14.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (37-35-4): Ryan Johansen has scored three goals and set up eight others during his eight-game point streak but has been limited to just one assist in two meetings with the Islanders this season. Nick Foligno has scored in each matchup against New York this season and has registered two goals and an assist in his last four games overall. Sergei Bobrovsky has come on with a flourish, winning 10 of his 12 starts since returning from a groin injury and owns a 10-3-0 lifetime record versus the Islanders.
OVERTIME
1. Islanders LW Josh Bailey recorded two goals and an assist in his last meeting with the Blue Jackets but has collected only four tallies and six assists in his last 21 overall contests.
2. Columbus RW Jared Boll is eligible to return after serving his three-game suspension for a high hit on Anaheim's Patrick Maroon.
3. New York G Jaroslav Halak made 34 saves in the teams' last meeting to improve to 9-4-1 lifetime against Columbus.