Game Preview: Islanders at Red Wings

New York Islanders (27-21-10) at Detroit Red Wings (24-25-10)
7:30 p.m., Joe Louis Arena
TV: MSG+2
Radio: AM970 - The Answer, 88.7FM - WRHU, 103.9FM - LI News
The New York Islanders kick off a franchise-record nine-game road trip in Detroit on Tuesday night. The Islanders are on the road from Feb. 21 - Mar. 11 and are going as far west as Vancouver, as Barclays Center hosts the Ringling Bros. circus.
The Islanders are 7-13-4 on the road this season and have lost three straight games away from home, so Doug Weight said he could make changes to spark the team.

"We're going to change some things as far as our day, as far as the night before," Weight said. "When I start talking about the other team, maybe some video stuff, but it'll be deeper than that when the game starts."
The record trip comes at an important time for the Islanders, who are in the thick of a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race. The Islanders (64 points) start the trip two points out of the final playoff spot and six teams - Toronto, Isles, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Tampa Bay and New Jersey - are all within six points of the final seed.
Detroit (58 points) sit eight points out and are trying to stay alive in the playoff chase.

Last Game at Joe Louis Arena:

Unless the Islanders and Red Wings meet in the playoffs, Tuesday is the Islanders final game at Joe Louis Arena, as the Red Wings close down the historic building on Steve Yzerman Dr. at the end of the season. "The Joe" opened on Dec. 12, 1979, housing the great Red Wings teams of the 1990's and 2000's, as Detroit won four Stanley Cups and made the playoffs 25 straight seasons - a streak they're looking to continue this year. The Red Wings will move to Little Caesar's Arena next season.
"I think it's great for the city, moving to a new building, but it's always bittersweet when you say goodbye to a building that's not only been here for so long," said Weight, who grew up in the Detroit suburbs. "They had so many great teams, players that go through this organization has been sound for so long and one of the best in sports. Those are some great memories not only for me, but the city forsure."
The Islanders are 16-21-1 all-time at the Joe and have lost their last three games in Detroit.

Isles-Red Wings Season Series:

The Islanders are looking for their first win over the Red Wings this season.
The Islanders are 0-1-1 vs the Wings this season, falling 4-3 in overtime on Dec. 4 at Barclays Center, then losing 5-4 on a last-minute goal on Feb. 3 at the Joe.

Red Wings Notes:

The Red Wings are coming off a pair of marquee wins of the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins to stay in the playoff race. The wins came at a critical time, as the Red Wings halted a five-game winless streak (0-4-1).
Mike Green practiced with the Wings on Monday and is likely to return after missing two games with a stomach virus. Gustav Nyquist is out Tuesday as he's currently serving a six-game suspension.
Leading scorer Henrik Zetterberg (45 points in 59 games) has been on a roll since the all-star break. The Wings captain has 12 points (4G, 8A) in his last 10 games and is currently on a two-game point streak (4A).