NEW YORK ISLANDERS (21-18-4) AT NEW YORK RANGERS (22-15-5)

1 P.M. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

TV: MSG+, MSG GO 

RADIO: 88.7FM - WRHU, 660AM/101.9FM - WFAN

GAME NOTES

The bye week is over and the New York Islanders are back in action as they take on the New York Rangers in matinee action at Madison Square Garden. 

There are real stakes in Saturday's game, as the Islanders try to close the gap with their Metropolitan Division and crosstown rivals. The Rangers are currently in the first wild card with 49 points, while the Islanders (46 points) are three points back. 

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (20-17-4) VS PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (20-19-3)

7 P.M. - BARCLAYS CENTER - DIFD NIGHT

TV: MSG+ MSG GO

RADIO: 88.7FM, AM970, 103.9FM 

The New York Islanders are looking to snap a season-high, four-game losing streak when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in a critical divisional matchup on Friday night. 

The Islanders (44 points) have lost some ground in the Eastern Conference standings during their slump and are currently two points back of the Carolina Hurricanes (46 points) for the final playoff seed. 

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (20-14-4) AT COLORADO AVALANCHE (18-16-3)

8 P.M. ET - PEPSI CENTER

TV: MSG+ MSG GO

RADIO: 88.7FM - WRHU, AM570 - WMCA, 103.9FM - LI News

GAME NOTES

The New York Islanders close out 2017 on the road as they take on the Colorado Avalanche on New Year's Eve. 

The New Year's Eve contest pits a pair of streaks against each other for the Islanders. The team is 10-0-1 in their last 11 New Years Eve games, but are 0-2-1 in their last three visits to Denver. 

Calvin de Haan (upper body) will be out indefinitely, according to head coach Doug Weight. 

The coach said de Haan will be out long term and the team is still figuring out whether or not the defenseman will need surgery. de Haan has been out since Dec. 16. 

"There's still some steps to see the proper healing and what we have to do, but he'll be out long term." Weight said. "Whether we're hopeful to get him back that's to be determined still."

De Haan has 12 points (1G, 11A) this season and was averaging 18:44 TOI per game, the third most among Islanders blue liners. The 26-year-old is second on the Islanders with 65 blocks this season.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (18-13-4) VS WINNIPEG JETS (20-10-6)

DEC 23 - 1 P.M. - BARCLAYS CENTER - BUY TICKETS

TV: MSG+ MSG GO

RADIO: 88.7 WRHU, 660AM/101.9FM WFAN

The Islanders haven't had any issues scoring this season, but keeping the puck out of their net has been a concern, especially of late. 

The Islanders lost to the Anaheim Ducks 5-4 in overtime on Thursday night, the fourth time in five games they'd allowed five or more goals. In December, the Islanders are averaging 4.45 goals against and are 3-6-2 over that span. 

Despite earning a point on Thursday, the New York Islanders' 5-4 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks left a bitter taste.

The Islanders had come back from a 3-1 deficit to take a 4-3 lead over the Ducks in the third period, but gave up the tying goal with 1:15 to play and ultimately lost in OT as Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm completed his first-career hat trick. The loss dropped the Islanders to 1-1-1 on their current five-game homestand. 

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (18-13-3) VS ANAHEIM DUCKS (14-13-8)

7 P.M. BARCLAYS CENTER - BUY TICKETS

TV: MSG+, MSG GO

RADIO: 88.7FM - WRHU, 103.9FM - LI News, AM970 - The Answer

GAME NOTES - MORNING SKATE UPDATES

The New York Islanders won their bid to build an arena at Belmont Park on Wednesday. On Thursday, they turn their attention back to the ice when they host the Anaheim Ducks. 

The Islanders are allowing a league-high 3.50 goals-per-game and will need to shore up their back end. The Isles have allowed three-or-more goals in nine of their 10 games in December and are 3-6-1 over that span. The Islanders are currently holding the second Wild Card in the Eastern Conference. 

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (18-12-3) VS DETROIT RED WINGS (12-13-7)

7 P.M. BARCLAYS CENTER - BUY TICKETS

TV: MSG+, MSG GO

RADIO: 88.7FM - WRHU, 660AM, 101.9FM - WFAN

GAME NOTES - MORNING SKATE UPDATES

After a gutsy 4-3 OT win over the LA Kings on Saturday, the New York Islanders continue their five-game homestead against against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday (7 p.m., MSG+, MSG GO). 

The Islanders are looking for consecutive wins for the first time this month. 

Jordan Eberle scored the OT-winner 1:54 into the extra frame, as the New York Islanders rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the LA Kings 4-3 on Saturday night at Barclays Center. 

Eberle took a pass from Mathew Barzal on a two-on-one rush and snapped a wrist shot top corner on Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper. His 13th goal of the season capped a gutsy effort by the Islanders, who halted a two-game losing streak with a win over the Pacific Division leaders. 

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (17-12-3) VS LA KINGS (20-10-3) 

7 P.M. BARCLAYS CENTER - STAR WARS NIGHT

TV: MSG+2, MSG GO

RADIO: 88.7FM, 103.9FM, AM970

GAME NOTES - MORNING SKATE UPDATES

The New York Islanders are looking to halt a two-game losing streak when they host the LA Kings on Saturday night at Barclays Center. 

This is unfamiliar territory for the Islanders this season, who hadn't lost consecutive games in regulation until this week, when they dropped back-to-back games against the Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets.