3/31 Pregame Notes: Devils at Islanders

DEVILS AT ISLANDERS
Tonight is the third of four games between the Devils and Islanders in 2016-17. The clubs split their first two match-ups in a home-and-home series with New Jersey winning, 3-2, on Feb. 18 at Prudential Center and New York winning, 6-4, on Feb. 19 at Barclays Center. New Jersey is seeking its first road win against the Islanders, since they moved to the Barclays Center in the 2015-16 season (0-4-1). The teams will play their season-series finale Apr. 8 at Prudential Center.
Tonight begins New Jersey's 17th of 18 sets of back-to-back contests this season. The Devils will face-off against Philadelphia tomorrow at Wells Fargo Center at 7PM. The Devils are 5-7-4 in first games and are 7-5-4 in second games of back-to-back contests. New Jersey is 10-12-3 vs. Metro Division teams and is 17-24-7 overall against the Eastern Conference.
Travis Zajac's 34pts (12g-22a) vs. NYI is the most he has against any other opponent (tie, also vs, Phi.).

ISLANDERS CONNECTIONS
Kyle Palmieri was born in Smithtown, NY…Keith Kinkaid hails from Farmingville, NY…Assistant Coach Alain Nasreddine spent two seasons, 2002-04, with the Islanders organization; he saw action in three NHL games with the club in 2002- 03…Devils' Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald was drafted by the Islanders in the first round (17th overall) in the 1986 NHL Draft and spent five seasons (1988-93) with the club…Stephen Gionta spent 10 seasons with the Devils' organization between the AHL and NHL and was a member of their 2012 Eastern Conference Championship team…Eric Boulton recorded 115 PIM in 51 games for New Jersey in 2011-12; he did not see any playoff action…Isles' Assistant Coach Bob Corkum played a combined 29 regular season & playoff games for New Jersey during the 2000-01 season…NYI Goaltending Coach Mike Dunham spent five seasons with the Devils' organization from 1993-1998 and won the AHL Calder Cup with the Albany River Rats in 1995.