To be the man, you've got to beat the man - and right now, that's the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Islanders are taking on the NHL's top team on Sunday night and are using the league-leading Lightning as a litmus test.
"They're the best team in the league," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "You see where you are and see if you can maintain a number of things."
The Lightning, who enter the game on an 18-1-1 run, lead the NHL in wins (35), points (72), goals (185), goals-per-game (4.11) and power-play percentage (30.5%). The Islanders hold an advantage in goals-against per game (2.63 to Tampa's 2.84) and will look to contain the Lightning's lethal attack.
"When we come out aggressive, that's when we play our best hockey," Scott Mayfield said. "We want to put pucks in their end and keep them out of ours. That's kind of one our main focuses and getting a step on them right away."
That's easier said than done, though the Islanders played the Lightning tough in November, hanging around in a 2-2 tie until Tyler Johnson's game-winning goal with 1:26 to play.
The Islanders, who are coming off a 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, said staying out of the penalty box will be key given the Lightning's potent power play.
"Their power play is lethal," Casey Cizikas said. "That's one of the main things we talked about this morning. Just don't give them opportunities on dumb penalties. Play hard, play smart and try to limit their chances."
The Lightning have got the better of the Islanders over the past two-plus seasons, winning six of the last seven matchups.
