Anaheim @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 25, 2019 ) NY Islanders 0, Anaheim 3

The New York Islanders already have put together a pair of impressive point streaks this season -- a 17-game run overall and a 13-game string at home. The latter streak was halted in an 8-3 mauling by Nashville on Tuesday, but New York rebounded with a victory at Boston and looks to continue its home success versus the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday afternoon.

The Islanders were in the midst of a 12-0-1 stretch at home before they were demolished by the Predators but they squeezed out a 3-2 shootout victory over the Bruins to remain in second place in the Metropolitan Division. "It was important to win this game and get our confidence back after game against Nashville,” goaltender Semyon Varlamov said after New York won for the fourth time in five games overall. Anaheim's offensive woes continued in the first two stops of its four-game road trip, scoring one goal each in losses at Philadelphia and New Jersey. “It's a little bit of a broken record,” coach Dallas Eakins said of the team's lack of scoring chances. "For whatever reason, we can't. We've got to really just start believing that we can.”

TV: 1 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), MSG-Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (14-17-4): Anaheim's road trip took an immediate turn for the worse in Tuesday's loss at Philadelphia when forwards Derek Grant (sprained AC joint) and Troy Terry (broken bone below the knee) were both injured. Grant, who already had nine goals and was three shy of his career high, is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks while Terry is expected to miss about 10 weeks. Adam Henrique, who scored his 10th goal in the loss to the Devils, has seven tallies and 15 points in 28 games versus the Islanders.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (23-8-2): Defenseman Johnny Boychuk played five-plus seasons with Boston and picked an opportune time to torment his former team by scoring one goal and setting up another, snapping a 20-game scoreless streak. “There’s an absolute appreciation for what he brings night in and night out,” coach Barry Trotz said. “As I keep telling him, he’s not visually or aesthetically very sexy as a defenseman. But he’s effective.” There was no update Friday on Cal Clutterbuck, who had his wrist sliced by a skate Thursday.

OVERTIME

1. Islanders C Mathew Barzal scored the shootout winner along with his fifth goal in 10 games Thursday.

2. Anaheim had a season-high, four-game power-play goal streak snapped at New Jersey.

3. Islanders captain Anders Lee has only nine goals on the season and has been limited to three assists in 11 meetings versus the Ducks.

PREDICTION: Islanders 3, Ducks 1