San Jose @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 23, 2019 ) NY Islanders 1, San Jose 2

The New York Islanders snapped a damaging four-game losing streak last time out and look to continue moving in a positive direction when they host the San Jose Sharks on Sunday. The Islanders managed two goals total during their slide - all on the road - but got three from forward Jordan Eberle to knock off Detroit 4-1 on Friday and moved back into a playoff position in the crowded Eastern Conference race.

“Every game’s a playoff game now,” New York coach Barry Trotz told reporters. “There’s stuff that we can control and there’s some stuff that we couldn’t control. The season is sort of like the stock market, it’s not always going to go (up). You’re going to have some bad days and some bad weeks, and you’re going to have some good days and good weeks. … We’ve had to go through ups and downs through the season, and that makes you a better team.” The Islanders lost 2-1 in overtime at San Jose on Nov. 23, but the Sharks have fallen out of playoff contention in the Western Conference since and injuries are a key factor with captain Logan Couture, All-Star forward Tomas Hertl and two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson out among others. San Jose outshot the New York Rangers 22-3 in the first period Saturday without being able to build a lead and went on to suffer its third straight loss in a 3-2 decision. Veteran Joe Thornton, who must decide whether to waive his no-movement clause before Monday’s trade deadline, scored twice in the setback at Madison Square Garden and has collected seven points in the past eight contests for the Sharks.

TIME: 5 p.m. ET. TV: NBCS California, MSG Plus

ABOUT THE SHARKS (26-31-4): Former Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns has picked up his production of late to take over the points lead for San Jose, recording three goals and seven assists in his last 10 games to push his total to 42 points. Center Timo Meier registered an assist to reach 40 points and tie Karlsson, who is out for the season due to thumb surgery, for second on the team. Aaron Dell (12-13-2) turned aside 30 shots to take the loss Saturday, which likely means Martin Jones (14-18-2, .894 save percentage) will get a chance between the pipes Sunday after stopping 62 of the 64 shots he faced in his last two starts.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (34-20-6): Eberle has recorded six of his 13 goals this month, but had one of his 34 points during the losing streak for New York’s bottom-third offense in the league. “You go on a road trip and you have tons of chances and it doesn’t go in,” Eberle told reporters. “(Then) you get one off your knee, one bounce right to you. It’s just funny how the game works sometimes. The only thing you can really do is just continue to try and create, and eventually the puck goes in.” All-Star Mathew Barzal has not hit the back of the net in nine games, but leads the team with 50 points, while Brock Nelson owns a team-high 22 goals.

OVERTIME

1. New York D Andy Greene has two assists and a plus-2 rating in three games since being acquired from New Jersey.

2. San Jose LW Evander Kane (team-high 21 goals) was a minus-2 in 12 minutes, 19 seconds of ice time Saturday after returning from a three-game suspension.

3. Islanders G Semyon Varlamov got the win Friday, but is 1-3-0 despite a .938 SP in his last five appearances.

PREDICTION: Islanders 3, Sharks 2