New York @ Calgary preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 11, 2018 ) NY Islanders 5, Calgary 2

The New York Islanders may have matched last season's win total (35) and are four shy of their final point tally (80), but that doesn't mean the team plans to rest on its laurels. Winners of five of their last six and owners of a 21-5-2 mark in their last 28, the Islanders bid to continue their good fortune on Wednesday when they open a three-game trek through Western Canada against the Calgary Flames.

"It's a complete opposite. If you look at our defensive game from last year to this year and just the way we find a way to win tight games compared to last year," New York defenseman Ryan Pulock said. "When you're comfortable in those positions, it makes it a lot easier." The proof is in the pudding for the Metropolitan Division-leading Islanders, who boast an 8-2-2 mark in one-goal games since Dec. 15. While stingy New York opts to play it close to the vest, Pacific-best Calgary likes to keep the scoreboard operator busy and has done so to the tune of netting 10 goals while winning its last two games. Elias Lindholm set up a pair of third-period goals in Monday's 5-2 victory against Arizona to extend his point streak to five games (two goals, six assists) and boost his point total to 27 (eight goals, 19 assists) in his past 20.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, MSG-Plus (New York), Sportsnet1 (Calgary)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (35-17-6): New York captain Anders Lee scored his team-leading 19th goal and first in 12 games in Saturday's 5-2 win over Edmonton. The Islanders may have been idle since that contest, but they were busy on Tuesday by recalling left wing Andrew Ladd and defenseman Thomas Hickey from their two-game conditioning stints with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. Ladd, who has been sidelined since Nov. 13 with a lower-body ailment, recorded five points (one goal, four assists) for the Sound Tigers while Hickey had two goals and as many assists after missing 26 games with a head injury.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (36-16-7): Captain Mark Giordano scored and set up a goal against the Coyotes to set a career high in points (57) at the tender age of 35. "You don't get too many of those," Giordano said of his tally that featured a nifty deke on goaltender Calvin Pickard midway into the second period. "That's why the (celebration) was the way it was. The boys were giving it to me a little bit, but if you're going to get one like that, I'm going to make the (celebration) count." Giordano's point total puts him just three behind Dion Phaneuf's mark of 60 for second place by a Flames defenseman in the last 25 years, well behind Al MacInnis (82, 1993-94).

OVERTIME

1. New York G Robin Lehner owns a stellar 14-3-1 mark in his last 18 decisions overall and is 3-1-1 in six career appearances against Calgary.

2. The Flames (18-5-5) are tied for the fewest regulation losses on home ice with Tampa Bay and San Jose.

3. New York swept Calgary in consecutive season series before splitting the two contests in each of the last two campaigns.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Islanders 2