Islanders at Blue Jackets preview

ISLANDERS (4-3-0) at BLUE JACKETS (3-3-1)
7 p.m. ET; FS-O, MSG+, NHL.TV

The Islanders have won three consecutive games despite having allowed the first goal each time, including a 3-1 win at the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. New York has been outscored 8-3 in the first period this season.
The Blue Jackets are 2-0-1 in their past three games after beginning the season 1-3-0; they had won two straight before a 3-2 overtime loss at the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
Columbus is 5-1-0 in its past six home games against New York since Dec. 10, 2016, outscoring the Islanders 28-9.

Players to watch

Islanders center Mathew Barzal has five points (three goals, two assists) in a three-game point streak, including two goals Thursday.
Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson has 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) in 25 games against New York.

They said it

"It's a habit you don't want to get used to but it's about us sticking to our game plan and not getting too rattled." -- Islanders forward Anders Lee on falling behind in games
"I really liked a lot of minutes from a lot of guys. There's a lot to like about our team right now." -- Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno on the 2-0-1 stretch

Islanders projected lineup

Anders Lee -- Mathew Barzal -- Tom Kuhnhackl
Anthony Beauvillier -- Brock Nelson -- Michael Dal Colle
Josh Bailey -- Derick Brassard -- Oliver Wahlstrom
Matt Martin -- Leo Komarov -- Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech -- Ryan Pulock
Devon Toews -- Scott Mayfield
Nick Leddy -- Johnny Boychuk
Semyon Varlamov
Thomas Greiss
Scratched: Noah Dobson, Ross Johnston
Injured: Casey Cizikas (lower body), Jordan Eberle (undisclosed), Andrew Ladd (knee)

Blue Jackets projected lineup

Gustav Nyquist -- Pierre-Luc Dubois -- Cam Atkinson
Alexandre Texier -- Alex Wennberg -- Oliver Bjorkstrand
Nick Foligno -- Boone Jenner -- Emil Bemstrom
Jakob Lilja -- Riley Nash -- Sonny Milano
Zach Werenski -- Seth Jones
Ryan Murray -- Markus Nutivaara
Vladislav Gavrikov -- David Savard
Joonas Korpisalo
Elvis Merzlikins
Scratched: Scott Harrington, Dean Kukan, Markus Hannikainen
Injured:Brandon Dubinsky (wrist), Josh Anderson (upper body)

Status report

Martin may replace Johnston, and Greiss is likely to start after Varlamov played against Winnipeg. … Columbus did not hold a morning skate… Korpisalo is expected to start after Merzlikins made his second NHL start Friday. … Anderson could return after missing five games.

Stat pack

Bailey and Nelson each has four points (two goals, two assists) in his past four games. ... Nyquist can tie his NHL-best four-game assist streak. … Jenner needs one point for 200 in the NHL.