New York @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 10, 2019 ) Minnesota 1, NY Islanders 2

The New York Islanders wasted a golden opportunity to improve their position in the Metropolitan Division last time out, as the teams directly ahead of and behind them also suffered losses. New York attempts to get back in the win column when it visits the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

The Islanders dropped a 2-1 decision in Detroit on Saturday to remain two points behind division-leading Washington and two ahead of third-place Pittsburgh but have a game in hand on both clubs. Captain Anders Lee scored Saturday to extend his goal-scoring streak to three games and increase his team-best total to 26. Minnesota halted its three-game slide and improved to 1-2-0 on its five-game homestand with a 5-2 triumph over the New York Rangers on Saturday. Ryan Donato scored twice as 10 forwards landed on the scoresheet for the Wild, who are two points behind Arizona for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

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

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (41-23-7): Brock Nelson put an end to his four-game point drought Saturday by setting up Lee's goal. The 27-year-old center has matched the career high of 45 points he set in 2016-17 and is one assist away from tying the personal best of 25 he recorded that same season. Mathew Barzal leads the team with 56 points but has gone 13 games without a goal and has tallied once in his last 18 contests.

ABOUT THE WILD (34-30-8): Zach Parise notched an assist Saturday to increase his team-leading point total to 56, but the veteran saw his goal-scoring drought reach 10 games. Eric Staal ended his slump, however, scoring for the first time in seven contests to reach the 20-goal plateau for the 12th time in his career. Kevin Fiala reached a milestone against the Rangers as his assist on defenseman Jared Spurgeon's goal was his 100th NHL point.

OVERTIME

1. Islanders RW Josh Bailey ranks second on the team with 50 points but has been kept off the scoresheet for five games.

2. Saturday's victory was Minnesota's second - first in regulation - in 11 home games since the start of February.

3. Islanders C Casey Cizikas (lower body) did not play Saturday but could be in the lineup Sunday - as could D Johnny Boychuk (upper body), who has been sidelined for three games.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Wild 2