Game Preview: Islanders at Kings

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (16-4-2) AT LA KINGS (9-13-2)
10:30 PM | STAPLES CENTER
WATCH: MSG+ | MSG GO
LISTEN: 88.7 FM | 103.9 FM | 1050 AM
The Islanders' franchise-best 17-game point streak came to an end on Monday night as the Anaheim Ducks blanked the Isles 3-0. The loss was the Isles first regulation defeat since Oct. 11 - a whopping 45 days - and first-time being shut out this season.
The Islanders will look to start a new streak on Wednesday night, as they wrap up a three-game California road trip against the LA Kings at STAPLES Center (10:30 p.m., MSG+).

MORNING SKATE UPDATES:

• Nick Leddy will be a game-time decision, per Head Coach Barry Trotz. If Leddy can't play, then Noah Dobson will draw into the lineup for the first time since Nov. 7.
  - Semyon Varlamov was the first goalie off the ice at the team's morning skate, suggesting he'll start vs LA. Varlamov is coming off a 24-save, 2-1 OT loss on Saturday night vs San Jose. The Isles goalie is 3-0-2 in his last five starts and is 7-2-2 on the season.
  - Jonathan Quick is expected to start in goal for the Kings. Quick is coming off a 21-save, 4-3 OT loss to the Sharks on Monday. He is 6-9-1 this season with a 3.47 GAA and an .881 SV%.

ISLES NOTES:

• The Isles went 15-0-2 during their 17-game point streak and were the 27th team in league history to record a 17-game run. The Isles point streak was the longest in the NHL this season.
  - The Isles are now 16-4-2 to start the season; which still accounts for the most wins and the most points the Isles have ever had through 22 games.
  - Nick Leddy will be a game-time decision for Wednesday's contest after aggravating a prior issue on Monday night, per Head Coach Barry Trotz. The Islanders defenseman did not practice on Tuesday, as he was given a maintenance day by the team.
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  - Trotz also shook up his line combinations on Tuesday, putting Josh Bailey alongside Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee, while Jordan Eberle practiced with Michael Dal Colle, Otto Koivula and Leo Komarov. Trotz didn't commit to the switch for Wednesday, but wanted to get different looks in the team's first formal practice in nearly a week.
  - Semyon Varlamov is the expected start as the Isles continue to rotate goalies. The 31-year-old Russian netminder has made 11 starts this season and posted a record of 7-2-2 with a 2.63 GAA and a .913 SV%.
  - The Islanders are first team since the Sharks in 2006-07 to alternate starting goalies for each of the first 22 games of the season.
  - Ross Johnston returned to the lineup on Monday for the first time since Nov. 16 as Otto Koivula was a healthy scratch after playing four-straight games. Johnston played 9:53 against the Ducks and threw two hits. Through 12 games this season, Johnston has one goal.
  - The Isles 3-0 loss to Anaheim was the first of the last eight games to be decided by more than one goal. The Isles are 7-1-1 when scoring first and are 9-3-1 when allowing the opening goal.

KINGS NOTES:

• The Kings are coming off of a 4-3 overtime loss to San Jose on Monday night and are winless in their last two games. The Kings rallied from a 3-0 deficit to send the game into overtime with goals from Adrian Kempe, Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. Jonathan Quick made 21 saves.
  - Kempe scored his third goal of the season and has three points (1G, 2A) through his last two games. Through 23 games this season, Kempe has nine points (3G, 6A).
  - Brown scored his fifth goal of the season. Through 24 games this season, Brown has 12 points (5G, 7A).
  - Kopitar is one a three-game point streak with four points (3G, 1A) in that span. Kopitar has points in 10 of his last 12 games. Kopitar is the Kings' leader in points (26), goals (10) and assists (16) through 24 games this season. The Kings' captain is 15th overall in points in the NHL.
  - Quick has a record of 6-9-1, a goals against average of 3.47 and a save percentage of .881 this season.
  - Jeff Carter played in his 1,000th NHL game on Nov. 16. The 34-year-old center has 716-career points (372G, 344A). Through 24 games this season, Carter has 11 points (7G, 4A).
  - Defenseman Alec Martinez underwent surgery after catching a skate to the wrist during a collision against San Jose on Monday night. The 32-year-old blueliner has five assists through 24 games.
  - The Kings are last in Western Conference with 20 points this season.
  - The Kings have scored the fewest goals (63) in the West.

ISLES VS. KINGS:

The Isles have won three straight and four of five in Los Angeles. The Islanders claimed both meetings against the Kings last season.
The Isles routed the Kings 7-2 during their first meeting of the season on Oct. 19 at Staples Center. Valtteri Filppula scored twice, including one shorthanded goal, Josh Bailey had a power play goal and Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin, Leo Komarov and Andrew Ladd also scored. The Kings' two strikes were scored on the power play. Thomas Greiss made five saves on five shots as he replaced Robin Lehner, who left the game with an injury, in net with 7:04 remaining in the third period.
The Isles doubled up the Kings 4-2 in the second meeting on Feb. 2 at NYCB Live. The Kings scored two straight goals from Anze Kopitar and Ilya Kovalchuk to take a 2-1 lead seven minutes into the third period. Mathew Barzal tied the game up 31 seconds later and Michael Dal Colle scored the game-winner with 2:33 remaining in regulation. Casey Cizikas and Brock Nelson also scored for the Isles.