NEW YORK -- The workload hasn't exactly been heavy for the New York Islanders in January.

When the puck drops against the Detroit Red Wings at Barclays Center on Monday (7 p.m. ET; SNO, SNP, FS-D, MSG+), it will be the Islanders' third game in the past 11 days and their finale before the All-Star break.

New York (25-15-6) was supposed to play for the second time in as many nights Saturday, but its game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Barclays Center was postponed because of a blizzard. The Islanders are 3-0-1 in their past four games following a 5-2 win at the Ottawa Senators on Friday.

"We had a little bit of time off before our last game in Ottawa and certainly we want to hit the break running, have an opportunity to get a bit of rest and heal your body," defenseman Travis Hamonic said. "It's certainly a really tough stretch and a grinding stretch to finish off the season. It goes by quick and it seems like you're playing every second day. It makes your break a lot easier when you go in having a good game."

NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders will make two lineup changes when they face the Columbus Blue Jackets at Barclays Center on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; FS-O, MSG+).

Defenseman Marek Zidlicky will replace Scott Mayfield and goaltender Thomas Greiss will start in place of Jaroslav Halak.

Islanders coach Jack Capuano was livid following a 4-0 loss at the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. He said he was puzzled by his team's slow start and went as far as to say he and general manager Garth Snow were prepared to discuss roster changes.

The Islanders (22-15-5) have scored one goal in their past two games and there's hope that the two changes are enough to invigorate the offense.

NEW YORK -- Four decades after this fierce rivalry was born, the New York Islanders will host the New York Rangers in an arena other than Nassau Coliseum.

The only question that lingers is what the atmosphere will be like when the Islanders (13-8-4) and Rangers (17-6-2) face each other for the first time at Barclays Center on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TVA Sports).

"I don't expect it to be quiet out there, to be less intense, the way the teams play," Islanders captain John Tavares said. "We're just going to be as ready as we can and play as hard as we can. We certainly feel the rivalry and the intensity and the excitement about tonight.

"I don't know if it's a statement game, but it's always a big game. It's a team we're chasing. They've been off to a very good start. There's no secret about the history and the rivalry. That obviously plays into it and it should be a lot of fun tonight."

NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders scored six goals during four home games between Oct. 29 and Nov. 8. They weren't generating enough quality chances let alone putting pucks in the net.

The timing for a three-game trip to California couldn't have been better.

"It was good to get on the road," Islanders captain John Tavares said Monday. "Even though that trip is always tough, those three teams in that state always prove to be a tough test and have been very good over the last number of years. It was a good time for us to be together and just get out of New York. [It] certainly proved to be good for us."

The Islanders (9-6-3) won two of three in California, with wins against the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks sandwiching a 2-1 loss at the Los Angeles Kings, which arguably was their best 60-minute effort on the trip. The challenge now is to bring that same high level to Barclays Center, where they'll host the Arizona Coyotes (9-7-1) on Monday (7 p.m. ET; MSG+).

NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders will be without captain John Tavares for a second straight game when they host the Buffalo Sabres at Barclays Center on Sunday because of flu-like symptoms.

Tavares, who leads the Islanders (6-2-3) with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 10 games, missed New York's 3-2 shootout loss at the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

"He's not feeling too well," Islanders coach Jack Capuano said of Tavares. "It's gonna be a day-by-day thing with him. I told him we'll converse again [Monday] morning."

NEW YORK -- New York Islanders forward Ryan Strome will return to the lineup Monday against the Calgary Flames (7 p.m. ET; SNW, MSG+) after being a healthy scratch Saturday against the St. Louis Blues.

It's the second time in three NHL seasons he's been a healthy scratch.

"It [ticks] me off," Strome said Monday. "There's no other way to put it. You never want to be in that situation. You want to be out there helping your team and you think that you can help your team.

"Yeah, I'm upset. I'm [ticked] off. But I think I'm a good teammate and I'm happy for the guys last game. Now my job is to come back and help try and get a win. I think it's an opportunity and another chance to prove yourself and play with a little more fire."

NEW YORK -- New York Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak will make his season debut against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday at Barclays Center (7:30 p.m. ET; CSN-CA, MSG+).

Halak missed the Islanders' first four games of the season after sustaining an upper-body injury during training camp. New York went 2-1-1 in his absence.

"We've waited now to make sure that he's 100 percent healthy and he gets his opportunity," Islanders coach Jack Capuano said after an optional skate Saturday morning. "I think giving him these last two or three days has really put him over the top as far as his health goes and his conditioning as well."

NEW YORK -- Three years after they announced they were leaving Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the New York Islanders are set to play their first regular-season game at Barclays Center.

"It's starting to feel real," Islanders forward Matt Martin said hours before the season opener Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks (7:30 p.m. ET, NHLN, CSN-CH, MSG+). "I think once we get out there tonight, it will be home now. Obviously, we haven't played a regular-season game here yet, so there's some unknowns about what it's going to be like. But I think it's going to be a great experience and we're just looking for a great crowd with a lot of energy. Hopefully we get the win."

SYOSSET, N.Y. -- The moment New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic was hit by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Rob Scuderi in the second-to-last game of the 2014-15 regular season, he knew something was wrong.

"I hadn't felt anything like that before," Hamonic said.

Hamonic sustained a Grade 3 torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee on the play and was forced to miss the Islanders' first-round series against the Washington Capitals in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Islanders lost the physical series in seven games.

Hamonic was all smiles Friday, when the Islanders opened training camp. The 25-year-old said he trained normally during the offseason and knows he'll be expected to play a big role on the Islanders' blue line when they open the season Oct. 9 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

SYOSSET, N.Y. -- New York Islanders prospect Joshua Ho-Sang was returned to the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League, the Islanders confirmed Friday.

Newsday reported Ho-Sang was sent back to juniors after being late for the Islanders' first day of training camp, where he was slated to skate with center John Tavares and left wing Anders Lee.

Ho-Sang, a first-round pick (No. 28) by the Islanders at the 2014 NHL Draft, was conspicuously absent when players began practicing Friday. Afterward, coach Jack Capuano said he needed to speak with general manager Garth Snow regarding Ho-Sang's whereabouts.