Game Preview: Islanders at Oilers

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (29-29-9) AT EDMONTON OILERS (28-34-4)
9 P.M. ET ROGERS PLACE
TV: MSG+2, MSG GO
RADIO: 88.7FM - WRHU, 660AM/101.9FM - WFAN
GAME NOTES - MORNING SKATE UPDATES

\Graphic courtesy of Islanders PR*

QUICK NOTES:

• The Islanders are looking to snap a seven-game winless streak (0-4-3)
• Jordan Eberle returns to Edmonton for the first time since being acquired by the Islanders
• Brandon Davidson also returns to Edmonton after being acquired at the trade deadline

LINEUP NOTES:

Christopher Gibson will start in goal for the Islanders. Doug Weight expects the lineup to stay the same, but is icing 20 skaters at warmup because two undisclosed players - one forward and one defenseman - are questionable.

STANDINGS IMPLICATIONS:

With 15 games to play, the Islanders (67 points) are six points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets (73 points) for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Florida (71 points) and Carolina (69 points) stand between the Isles and Blue Jackets.

EBERLE TO FACE OILERS:

The spotlight will be on Jordan Eberle as the former longtime Oiler returns to Edmonton for the first time as a visitor. Eberle scored 382 points (165G, 217A) in 507 games in Edmonton and said he's excited to return to face his old team.

READ: EBERLE ENJOYING NEW LIFE WITH ISLES

"I'm happy to be back," Eberle said on Wednesday. "I'm really not sure what to expect. I'm excited. I have a lot of good memories here, I enjoyed my time here, I still have tons of friends on the team and the fans and everyone. It's an awesome place to play… Hopefully they give me a warm welcome."

SEASON SERIES:

The Islanders are 0-0-1 against the Oilers this season. Connor McDavid scored the overtime winner as Edmonton beat the Islanders 2-1 in November. Jordan Eberle had the Islanders' lone tally.

THE OILERS:

Last Game: W 4-3 OT vs Arizona
Leading Scorers: Goals:Connor McDavid - 30
Assists: Connor McDavid - 50
Points:Connor McDavid - 80
The Oilers beat the Coyotes 4-3 in overtime on Monday to snap a three-game losing streak.
Connor McDavid (80 points) and Leon Draisaitl (60 points) have carried the load offensively for the Oilers this season. McDavid is first and Draisaitl is second in goals (30, 21), assists (50, 39) and points (80, 60) this season. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is third in team scoring with 33 points (17G, 16A) in 48 games.
Former Islander Ryan Strome has heated up of late, with nine points (5G, 4A) in his last nine games. Strome has 31 points (12G, 19A) in 66 games this season.
Despite owning the league's worst penalty kill (73.9%), Edmonton has killed off 20 of their last 22 penalties.