Columbus @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 19, 2019 ) NY Islanders 3, Columbus 2

California was not kind to the New York Islanders as they were shut out for the first time this season Monday against Anaheim, a loss that ended their franchise record 17-game point streak (15-0-2). A 4-1 defeat Wednesday at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings followed and now the Islanders will return home after consecutive regulation losses to host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.

For the first time all season, the Islanders are struggling to put the puck in the net as they managed to score just two goals during their three-game road trip (0-2-1) after being held to a single goal just twice through their first 20 games. “Teams are bearing down for us, you know.” Islanders coach Barry Trotz told reporters. “We’re not sneaking up on anybody. It’s a dry patch that you have to work through as a group and stay positive.” Columbus forward Gustav Nyquist notched his second career hat trick while captain Nick Foligno potted a pair of goals to provide all the offense for the Blue Jackets in a 5-2 victory Friday over Pittsburgh. “(Nyquist) has been a really good player for us all year,” Foligno told the media. “What an addition he’s been to our team. I’m really happy for him right now. He’s playing outstanding and a big reason why we won tonight.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus), MSG Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (11-10-4): Joonas Korpisalo made 16 of his 29 saves in the second period Friday as the Finnish goalie won for the sixth time in his last eight starts but is expected to sit the second night of a back-to-back Saturday in favor of backup Elvis Merzlikins, who will be looking for his first NHL victory in his sixth start (0-2-3). Nyquist now sits second on the team with seven goals and is tied with third-year center Pierre-Luc Dubois for the team lead with 18 points. Dubois has scored a team-best 10 goals while defenseman Seth Jones assisted on Foligno’s second goal Friday to give him a team-high 12 assists.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (16-5-2): New York has shown incredible depth this season as eight players have at least 10 points while Mathew Barzal leads the team in goals (nine) and shares the top spot with fellow center Brock Nelson in points (20). Captain Anders Lee is sixth on the team with five goals scored - after recording a team-best 28 a season ago - and has gone 11 games without finding the back of the net. Goaltender Semyon Varlamov (7-3-2) suffered his first regulation loss in his last 10 starts Wednesday and will give way to Thomas Greiss (9-2-0) on Saturday as the Islanders continue to alternate starting goalies.

OVERTIME

1. Nelson has a team-high four game-winning goals this season while 11 different skaters have at least one - the most by any NHL team.

2. Columbus D Zach Werenski provided the secondary assist on Nyquist’s game-winner Friday to give the 22-year-old his 100th career assist.

3. The Islanders lead the NHL in hits per game with 29.4 while RW Cal Clutterbuck has a team-best 80 on the season.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Columbus 2