Game Preview: Islanders vs Devils

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (20-18-4) VS NEW JERSEY DEVILS (22-11-7)
1 P.M. BARCLAYS CENTER, BUY TICKETS
TV: MSG+, MSG GO
RADIO: 88.7FM, AM970, 103.9FM
The New York Islanders are looking to snap a season-high, five-game losing streak and go into their bye week on a winning note when they host the New Jersey Devils on Sunday afternoon.
The Islanders are coming off a 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins and have lost two straight divisional matchups. After Friday's loss, the Islanders stressed the need to stick together during adversity and work themselves back into the win column.

"We get out of it by sticking together and trusting one another," Anders Lee said on Friday. "We have to regroup and figure it out. We've been saying this the last four nights, but it's frustrating. We have to figure it out now."
Sunday is their first meeting against the Devils, the last Metro opponent the Islanders haven't faced this season. The Devils are off to a stellar start, but historically this has been a good matchup for the Islanders, who have won seven straight home meetings and are 12-1-1 in their last 14 games vs New Jersey.

LINEUP NOTES:
UPDATE: Bailey and Ladd out, Beauvillier and Fritz in. Seven defensemen dressing for warmups. Halak in goal.
Josh Bailey could miss Sunday's game with a lower-body injury after leaving Friday's game in the first period. Andrew Ladd and Ryan Pulock both left Friday's game in the third period, so their status is uncertain for Sunday's game.
"Bails took a hit early in the game and is just a little sore. Wasn't horrific news, but certainly not good news," Weight said. "He's been one of our best players every night in all three zones, so it's a tough loss. Ladder is the same. He's been a plus hockey player his whole career, a really smart hockey player. Nothing long term it looks like, he just can't go today."
Anthony Beauvillier was an emergency recall from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
"He's played two games. [Head coach Brent Thompson] is a tough critic and said he was the best player on both teams, for both games," Weight said. "It's a great league and can revitalize a guy quickly.

BY THE NUMBERS:
Power Play:Islanders 20.6% - 11th, Devils 22.3% - 5th
Penalty Kill: Islanders 73.1% - 30th, Devils 83.7% - 5th

THE DEVILS:
Last Game: L 4-3 at Dallas
Leading Scorers: Goals: Taylor Hall - 14
Assists:Taylor Hall - 26
Points: Taylor Hall - 40
The New Jersey Devils have been one of the biggest surprises of the first half this season. The Devils are 22-11-7 with 51 points and are currently second in the Metropolitan Division through 40 games. Last season, the Devils finished with 28 wins, 70 points and were last in both the Metro and Eastern Conference.
Last year's struggles helped key this season's turnaround. The Devils drafted Nico Hischier with the first overall pick and signed defenseman Will Butcher. Both rookies have been key contributors, as Hischier has 26 points (8G, 18A) in 40 games this season, while Butcher has the second-most points (2G, 22A) among rookie defensemen.
Cory Schneider will start in goal for the Devils. Schneider is 17-8-5 this season with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.
The Devils are currently 0-2-1 on their road trip.