New York @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 30, 2018 ) Toronto 5, NY Islanders 4

The New York Islanders will attempt to keep their former captain in check when they visit a red-hot John Tavares and the streaking Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Tavares, who spent the first nine seasons of his career with New York after being drafted first overall in 2009, has recorded two points in each of his last five contests and enters the showdown with a six-game streak.

The 28-year-old Tavares scored twice on Friday as Toronto extended its winning streak to five games with a 4-2 triumph at Columbus, giving him a team-leading 26 goals and nine in his last 10 contests. The veteran center, who is two goals shy of 300 for his career, hasn't gone two games without a tally since Dec. 1 and 4 and has been held without a point in back-to-back contests just once during his first season with the Maple Leafs (Oct. 18 and 20). The Islanders have won five of their last six games after rallying from a two-goal deficit to post a 6-3 home victory over Ottawa on Friday. Reigning Calder Trophy winner Mathew Barzal scored twice during New York's four-goal third period and added an assist to increase his team-leading total to 32 points.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New York), CBC, Sportsnet One (Toronto)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (19-13-4): Barzal has scored four goals in his last six games after recording only three over his first 30 contests this season. Jordan Eberle, who is three goals shy of 200 for his career, could return to the lineup Saturday after sitting out the victory over the Senators due to stiffness. Casey Cizikas tallied in his second consecutive game on Friday to give him 10 goals on the season, eclipsing the career high he set in 2014-15.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (26-10-2): Mitch Marner, who leads the team with 53 points, has collected seven goals and five assists over his last six games after netting a tally and setting up two others against the Blue Jackets. The 21-year-old right wing, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft, has registered 183 points in 197 career contests. Nazem Kadri continued his hot stretch on Friday, setting up a tally to give him eight points (seven assists) over his last six games.

OVERTIME

1. Maple Leafs C Auston Matthews has notched three goals and five assists during the team's string of victories.

2. New York captain Anders Lee tops the club with 14 goals and leads all U.S.-born players with 54 since the start of last season.

3. Toronto has outscored its opponents 27-12 during its winning streak.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 5, Islanders 2