Game Preview: Islanders at Panthers

New York Islanders (15-16-8) at Florida Panthers (19-16-8)

Wednesday's game marked the Islanders third straight with scoring one goal and head coach Jack Capuano hinted at lineup changes. Anthony Beauvillier and Stephen Gionta are the team's two extra forwards.
"We have to inject something else into our lineup to create and we'll do that," Capuano said on Thursday.

GAME NOTES - MORNING SKATE UPDATES

Defensively, the Islanders have played well over their past two games, holding the Arizona Coyotes without a shot for nearly 20 straight minutes on Saturday and limited the Panthers to one shot in the third period on Wednesday. Thomas Greiss has also been solid over the past three games, stopping 85-of-90 shots (.944 save percentage), allowing two goals or fewer in his last six games.
The Islanders are looking for their first win over Florida this season, losing the first meeting of the season 3-2 in overtime in November.

Hamonic On IR, Mayfield Recalled:

Travis Hamonic will not suit up for the Islanders in Florida, as the defenseman is out with a lower-body injury. Hamonic was officially placed on IR on Thursday (retroactive to Jan. 7) and the Islanders called up Scott Mayfield from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Special Teams:

The Islanders and Panthers power plays are virtually deadlocked, as the Islanders are converting at 14.8% to the Panthers 14.9%. The Islanders did not have a power play opportunity in Wednesday's game.
Florida does boast the superior penalty kill, as the Panthers are tied for fourth in the NHL (85.1%), while the Islanders (80%) are tied for 20th. The Islanders' penalty kill went 1-for-1 on Wednesday and has killed 18-of-20 (90%) over the past eight games.