New York @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 17, 2019 ) NY Islanders 3, Minnesota 2

The New York Islanders have had a winning record in every month since Barry Trotz took over behind the bench prior to the 2018-19 season, but that mark could be in jeopardy with two games remaining in December. The Islanders will seek to avert a season-high fourth straight defeat when they resume a three-game road trip at the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night.

Although New York is still tied for the fewest goals permitted in the league entering Saturday, it has been pierced for at least five tallies three times in losing four of its last five (1-3-1). "We've had a tough stretch and ... these last five games haven't been our identity and we haven't played to who we are," captain Anders Lee said after Friday's 5-2 setback at Chicago dropped the Islanders to 6-5-1 this month. "We have got to figure this out quickly." The Wild have earned points in 17 of their last 21 (13-4-4) to surge back into contention in the Central Division and will kick off a stretch where they play four straight and 12 of the next 14 at home. "Everybody's contributing because I think everybody feels a part of it," Minnesota coach Bruce Boudreau said after his club scored three times in the final 9:19 for a 6-4 victory at Colorado on Friday night.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New York), FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (23-10-3): New York yielded three first-period goals for the first time since November 2018 on Friday and has been punctured for 23 tallies over the past five. "You have to work your way through it," Trotz told reporters. "You can say we're not getting the breaks, but luck sort of follows your work ethic a little bit and our work ethic hasn't been as solid as it needs to be." Casey Cizikas set a career high with his third short-handed goal, becoming the first Islander with five short-handed points since 2010-11.

ABOUT THE WILD (19-15-5): Devan Dubnyk has posted back-to-back wins for only the second time this season, following up a 22-save shutout versus Calgary by turning aside 40 shots in the win over Colorado. "If you're looking at golf, he played the front nine and wasn't very good. but he started off on the back nine birdie-par," Boudreau told the media. "So if he can get confidence in his own game, then I think that's going to be good for all of us for sure." Kevin Fiala collected two assists Friday and has 22 points in his last 26 games.

OVERTIME

1. Wild F Eric Staal has scored seven goals in his last eight overall and has 50 points in 52 games versus New York.

2. Islanders F Mathew Barzal, who had a three-game goal streak halted Friday, has four points in as many contests against Minnesota.

3. Wild captain Mikko Koivu (lower body) practiced Saturday but is expected to miss his 12th straight game.

PREDICTION: Wild 3, Islanders 2