Game Preview: Islanders vs. Stars

New York Islanders vs. Dallas Stars

"I'm going to give everything I have, whether it's five games or 40 games. If that turns into 10 years, we'll talk in 10 years," Weight said Wednesday. "I owe it our organization, our ownership, our fans, and most of all these players and the coaches I work with. I'm going to give it my all. I believe in myself. But I'm not looking at it as [an audition]. I'm trying to win tomorrow night.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WEIGHT AS ISLES COACH

Weight was in his sixth season as an Assistant Coach before being tapped as Capuano's replacement and has run the bench twice in Capuano's absence. With half a season left to play, Weight said he's looking to guide the Islanders back into the playoff race.
"I have to forge forward for these guys, I have to be positive and prepared to work and I plan on doing that," Weight said. "All I want to do is help these guys and these coaches and these players get in a position in March that these games are meaningful and we've got that feeling going down our arms, that tingle, that we're in the hunt."

Ladd, Clutterbuck Day-to-Day:

Andrew Ladd (upper body) and Cal Clutterbuck (lower body) both missed Wednesday's practice and are considered day-to-day. Travis Hamonic (lower body) was also out and is considered week-to-week.

Chimera Streaking:

Jason Chimera has scored goals in three straight games, with four points overall in that span. Overall, Chimera has eight goals and 16 points this season. This is Chimera's longest goal and point streak of the season. The 37-year-old is closing in on 1,000 NHL games, as he's seven games shy of the silver stick milestone.

Dallas Stars Fighting to Get in Playoff Picture:

After posting the best record in the Western Conference a year ago, the Dallas Stars currently find themselves out of a playoff berth. The Stars are two points back of a Wild Card spot and need to leapfrog Nashville and Vancouver to get back in.

The Stars averaged over three goals-per-game in each of the last two seasons, but that number is down to 2.74 goals-per-game this season, 14th in the NHL. The offensive downturn, coupled with a 3.13 goals-against per-game, is part of the reason the Stars are where they are in the standings.
But Dallas - armed with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn - is always a threat to break out offensively and is coming off a 7-6 win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. Seguin leads the team with 44 points (16G, 28A), while Benn has 38 points (11G, 27A).
Defenseman Johnny Oduya will miss Thursday's game with a lower-body injry.