2/18 Pregame Notes: Devils vs. Islanders

DEVILS VS. ISLANDERS
Tonight is the first of four games between the Devils and Islanders in 2016-17. The teams will meet for the conclusion of this home-and-home set tomorrow at Barclays Center. In 2015-16, New Jersey was 1-3-0 against New York, winning their only game in a shootout on Oct. 31, 2015 at Prudential Center.
This is New Jersey's 13th of 18 sets of back-to-back games this season. The club is 3-5-4 in first contests and is 7-2-3 in second games on consecutive days. The Devils are also facing-off in the final game of their season-long, five-game home-stand, in which they are 2-2-0.
The club is 7-5-2 vs. the Metropolitan Division and is 14-14-5 against Eastern Conference opponents. Despite owning a 48-38-12 all-time record at home vs. the Isles, the Devils are 3-4-4 at the Rock against them since the 2011-12 season. However, New Jersey is 6-5-2 vs. the Islanders on the road since the 2011-12 season.

ISLANDERS CONNECTIONS
Kyle Palmieri was born in Smithtown, NY…Keith Kinkaid hails from Farmingville, NY…P.A. Parenteau skated in 161 games for the Islanders from 2010-2012. He was claimed off waivers by New Jersey from New York on Oct. 11, 2016…Assistant Coach Alain Nasreddine spent two seasons, 2002-04, with the Islanders organization; he saw action in three NHL games with the club in 2002- 03…Stephen Gionta spent 10 seasons with the Devils' organization between the AHL and NHL and was a member of their 2012 Eastern Conference Championship team…Eric Boulton recorded 115 PIM in 51 games for New Jersey in 2011-12; he did not see any playoff action…Isles' Assistant Coach Bob Corkum played a combined 29 regular season & playoff games for New Jersey during the 2000-01 season…NYI Goaltending Coach Mike Dunham spent five seasons with the Devils' organization from 1993-1998 and won the AHL Calder Cup with the Albany River Rats in 1995.