Vancouver @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 23, 2019 ) NY Islanders 4, Vancouver 0

The New York Islanders look to regain their footing following the NHL All-Star break and bye week versus the Vancouver Canucks, who have been in a full-on sprint since mid-December. The streaking Canucks bid to win their fifth straight game and 14th in 17 outings on Saturday afternoon when they visit the Islanders at Barclays Center.

Pacific Division-leading Vancouver began a pivotal five-game road trip in style, erupting for four goals in the third period of a 5-2 victory over San Jose on Wednesday. "We play for each other, we play for the guy next to you, and we've got to keep doing that," said All-Star goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who sports a 4-1-0 record with a 1.79 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in five afternoon games this season. The Canucks will face a well-rested Islanders club that has been idle since Jan. 21, when it snapped a three-game skid with a 4-2 victory over the rival New York Rangers. "(The break) came at a good time," forward Brock Nelson said. "We had played seven games in 11 days. I think that was the most a lot of the guys in here had played. There were a lot of emotional games. It was a good time to recharge and get ready for the stretch and we realize how much hockey we have left."

TIME: 1 p.m. ET. TV: MSG-Plus, Sportsnet Pacific

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (29-18-4): J.T. Miller set up a pair of goals on Wednesday to record his second straight multi-point performance and fourth in seven games. The 26-year-old's two assists against the Sharks boosted his season total to 31, which matched Elias Pettersson for the club lead. Petterson, who also has a club-best 21 goals and 52 points, has collected 10 and 21, respectively, during Vancouver's spirited 13-3-0 surge since Dec. 19.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (29-15-5): Mathew Barzal made quite the impact at the NHL All-Star Game festivities last weekend, besting three-time former champion Connor McDavid in the Fastest Skater competition to become the first Islanders player to win the event since Michael Grabner in 2011. "I remember growing up watching the fastest skater. To be in it and to win one, is exciting," said the 22-year-old, who also notched a pair of assists for the Metropolitan Division team in the tournament. Captain Anders Lee, who is set to skate in his 250th consecutive game on Saturday, has scored a goal in two straight to lift his total to five in his last nine contests.

OVERTIME

1. New York sports a 6-0-1 record in its last seven encounters versus Vancouver.

2. Canucks captain Bo Horvat has scored 12 of his 17 goals on the road this season.

3. The Islanders own a 9-0-2 mark in their last 11 regular-season games at Barclays Center, including 4-0-2 this season.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Canucks 3