Game Preview: Islanders vs Wild
The Islanders wrap up a back-to-back set against the Wild (3 p.m., MSG+)
by Courtney Alimondi NYIslanders / NewYorkIslanders.com
NEW YORK ISLANDERS (32-16-6) VS MINNESOTA WILD (27-23-5)
3 PM | BARCLAYS CENTER | BUY TICKETS
WATCH: MSG+ | MSG GO | NHL.TV
LISTEN: 88.7FM WRHU | 103.9FM LI NEWS | RADIO.COM/ISLANDERS
SEASON SERIES: 0-0-0
The New York Islanders face the Minnesota Wild for the first time this season. The two teams will meet again on March 17 at Xcel Energy Center. The Isles went 0-2-0 against the Wild last season and are 3-3-0 in their last six games against Minnesota.
Video: NYI vs MIN Pregame: Barry Trotz
ISLANDERS NOTES:
- Sunday's game against the Wild marks the second-last home back-to-back set for the Islanders this season. The Islanders are coming off a 4-3 overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon night. The Isles are 8-0-0 on a second night of back-to-backs this season, tying the franchise record. The Isles have outscored their opponents 31-8 this season on the second night of back to backs this season.
- Defenseman Ryan Pulock scored twice including the game-winning goal in overtime and recorded a season-high eight shots against the Avalanche in Saturday's 4-3 win. Pulock has six points (2G, 4A) in his last four games.
- The Islanders are 5-2-0 this season in afternoon games.
- The Islanders have allowed the fewest goals-per-game in the NHL this season (2.35 per game).
- The Islanders (70 points) lead the Metropolitan Division, while Washington Capitals (67 points) are three points behind. The Columbus Blue Jackets (65 points) are five backs back, while Pittsburgh Penguins (63) trail by seven points.
- Goalie Robin Lehner made 25 saves on 28 shots to help the Islanders top the Avalanche on Saturday. Lehner leads the league in goals against average (2.05) and comes in second with (.930) in save percentage.
- Trotz tends to split his goalies on a back-to-back, so Thomas Greiss is the likely starter for Sunday's game. Greiss is 3-0-1 in his last four starts, stopping 128-of-130 shots in the process.
- Brock Nelson is riding a four-game point streak (1G, 4A).
WILD NOTES:
- The Wild are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. Minnesota (59 points) are currently in the first wild card, two points ahead of St. Louis and Vancouver Canucks (57 points apiece).
- Wild Head Coach Bruce Boudreau coached his 900th career NHL game on Saturday. He owns a record of 530-266-104 (.646) in 900 games with Washington, Anaheim and Minnesota and has led his teams to eight division titles.
- Zach Parise has tallied 18 points (7G, 11A) in his last 20 games. Parise leads the Wild with 22 goals, 47 points, and six power-play goals this season. Parise is in fourth for the all-time leading scorers in Wild history with 322 points (161G, 161A). Pierre-Marc Bouchard is in third with 347 points.
- Jason Zucker recorded an assist Thursday vs. Edmonton for his 200th career NHL point. He is the 13th player in franchise history to reach this milestone. Zucker also recorded a career-high seven hits Jan. 21 at Vegas and ranks third on team with 69 hits.
- The Wild play in their 10th back-to-back set this season. Minnesota beat the New Jersey Devils 4-2 on Saturday in Newark.
RELATED LINKS:
- Recap: Pulock Powers Islanders Past Avalanche
- The Skinny: Islanders 4, Avalanche 3 OT
- Video: Soldier Surprises Family At Game