Senators at Islanders
The New York Islanders looked to be heading in the right direction earlier this month with a six-game point streak (5-0-1), but they have squandered that run with four consecutive defeats. The Islanders, who have yet to rally for a win this season when trailing after two periods, attempt to start turning things around again when they host the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night.
New York led Chicago late in the second period before losing 5-4 on Thursday at home and held a one-goal advantage Friday after 40 minutes only to drop a 3-2 overtime decision at Buffalo. “It’s frustrating to me that the guys worked this hard and they can’t get the win,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano told reporters Friday. “I was just hoping we could stay disciplined in the third period, and we didn’t.” The Senators come in off a 3-1 victory at home against New Jersey that snapped a three-game slide as Mike Condon turned aside 29 shots. Ottawa will be without third-leading scorer Mike Hoffman, who is serving the second of a two-game suspension for an illegal hit on San Jose’s Logan Couture.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVAS (Ottawa), MSG Plus (New York)
ABOUT THE SENATORS (17-11-3): Ottawa got a victory Saturday with just one point coming from its top four scorers, getting two points each from forward Zack Smith and Chris Kelly. Defenseman Erik Karlsson leads the team with 28 points despite recording just one in the last four games and forward Mark Stone is next with 23 after notching his third assist in two games Saturday. Condon, acquired from Pittsburgh in a trade after the Penguins had claimed him on waivers, has been solid with No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson away from the team with 5-3-2 record and .925 save percentage.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (11-13-6): Jean-Francois Berube, one of three goalies on the roster all season, received his first start of the campaign in Buffalo and performed well while turning aside 34 shots. “I think he gave us a great chance and he deserves more time moving forward,” Capuano told reporters. “If you play good, you’re going to continue to play. That’s the theory right now.” Center Casey Cizikas (upper-body) is questionable after missing Friday’s game and captain John Tavares owns a team-high 23 points — just one in the last three contests.
OVERTIME
1. Islanders F Andrew Ladd, who has been limited to four goals in 30 games this season, is slated to play his 800th career game Sunday.
2. Smith notched his fifth goal Saturday in 31 games after registering a career-high 25 tallies in 2015-16.
3. New York went 16-for-16 on the penalty kill during its 5-0-1 stretch, but has given up seven power-play goals in the four games since.