The Islanders have scored 26 goals in their past six games (4-2-0), including a 7-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. However, New York is 2-5-1 in its past eight trips to Arizona. The Coyotes are 2-1-4 in their past seven games after going 2-9-1 in their previous 12. Their four-game point streak is the longest this season.
Players to watch
Islanders forward Mathew Barzal has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in his past six games. He has 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in his past 16 games.
Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta is 2-1-3 with a 1.91 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in his past six starts. He has held opponents to two goals or fewer in five of his past six.
They said it
"He's just a fun player to watch and when I watch him I try to pick things out of his game. I watch him closely."-- Islanders forward Mathew Barzal on Coyotes rookie Clayton Keller "His game's coming. His skating has really improved for me the last month and his stickhandling." -- Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet on center Christian Dvorak, who has six points (two goals, four assists) in his past six games
Boychuk and Cizikas each participated in an optional morning skate. Islanders coach Doug Weight said there is a good chance Cizikas will play against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. … Boychuk is not ready to return to the lineup.
Stat pack
Eberle has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in his past six games. … Rookies Keller and Fischer have scored 27 (23.7 percent) of Arizona's 114 goals.
