Game Preview: Islanders at Panthers

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (8-5-2) AT FLORIDA PANTHERS (4-5-3)
7 P.M. | BB&T CENTER
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GAME NOTES
SEASON SERIES (NYI trail 0-0-1)
The New York Islanders and Florida Panthers are meeting for the second time this season. The Panthers beat the Islanders 3-2 in overtime on Oct. 24 at Barclays Center. The Isles had a 2-0 lead in the third period, but the Panthers scored two goals to force OT, while Mike Hoffman scored the game-winner.

ISLANDERS NOTES:
- Barry Trotz tried some new line combinations at Friday's practice in Sunrise, trying out Mathew Barzal between Anders Lee and Josh Bailey. Brock Nelson centered Jordan Eberle and Tom Kuhnhackl, while Anthony Beauvillier skated with Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck.
Valtteri Filppula and Adam Pelech also practiced with the Islanders second power-play unit, replacing Beauvillier and Johnny Boychuk, respectively.
Trotz did not commit to using the new line combinations or power-play units, but wanted to see a different look.
- The Isles have earned points in six straight games (3-0-3) in Florida, per statistician Eric Hornick. The Isles are 6-2-3 in their last 11 regular season games in South Florida.
- Josh Bailey leads the Islanders with 17 points (5G, 12A) in 15 games this season and has points in nine of his last 10 games.
- The Islanders are 5-1-2 in their past eight games, but are winless in their last two games.
- The Islanders power play is 1-for-15 over the past four games. The penalty kill is 10-for-11 in their past three games.
- Mathew Barzal will play his 100th NHL game on Saturday.

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PANTHERS NOTES:

• The Panthers are paying tribute to the life and legacy of Bill Torrey on Saturday night. Torrey was Florida's first President, taking over the expansion Panthers after his time with the Islanders.
  - The Panthers have won two straight games - Florida's first winning streak of the season. Since starting 0-2-2, Florida is 4-3-1.
  - Roberto Luongo has won two straight starts since returning from a knee injury suffered in the Panthers season opener. Luongo stopped 71 of the 74 shots he's faced in three games this season.
  - The Panthers have gone 7-for-23 (30.4 percent) with the man advantage in their last five outings.
  - Evgenii Dadonov leads the Panthers in goals (7) and points (14). Keith Yandle leads Florida with 10 assists and is second with 13 points.
  - Mike Hoffman is riding a 10-game point streak (6G, 5A).