Preview: Islanders at Wild

ISLANDERS (14-14-6) at WILD (22-8-4)
8 p.m. ET; FS-N, FS-WI, MSG+, NHL.TV

Islanders team scope

The New York Islanders are on three-game winning streak with wins against the Boston Bruins (4-2), Buffalo Sabres (5-1) and Washington Capitals (4-3). The streak comes after a five-game losing streak (0-4-1). "I think most important thing right now is we feel pretty good as a team," forward Anders Lee said. "We've strung a few together and it's nice to come out of the break with a good win and hopefully continue it tonight." Lee has four goals in the past four games. "I think individually things are just falling into place, getting bounces and getting rewarded for working and playing with some great linemates." Jaroslav Halak will start for the second straight game. He made 31 saves against the Capitals on Tuesday. The Islanders are the only team which has defeated the Minnesota Wild by more than one goal this season, a 6-3 win on Oct. 23. "To me it's about the possession game here tonight with [Wild forward Mikko] Koivu and [Wild forward Eric] Staal, faceoffs are going to be a big part of this game here tonight," coach Jack Capuano said.

Wild team scope

Minnesota is on an 11-game winning streak and has won seven straight at home. The Wild are 12-3-0 at Xcel Energy Center and haven't lost a game since Dec. 2, a 3-2 shootout loss at the Calgary Flames. Coach Bruce Boudreau has now coached four double-digit winning streaks in his career (2015-16 Anaheim Ducks, 11 games; 2013-14 Ducks, 10 games; 2009-10 Capitals, 14 games). "Lucky," Boudreau said. Minnesota has allowed 1.94 goals per game, which leads the League, and has allowed 18 goals during the streak. "We're still working hard, we're still doing what we have to do to get ready for the next game but it's just a good feeling," forward Charlie Coyle said. "We're playing well. Everyone's chipping in, it's really been a group effort and everyone's getting rewarded in one way or another." Coyle has seven points (two goals, five assists) in the past four games. Goalie Devan Dubnyk will start. He is 9-0-0 with 13 goals allowed in the past nine games.

Islanders projected lineup

Anders Lee -- John Tavares -- Josh Bailey
Shane Prince -- Brock Nelson -- Anthony Beauvillier
Andrew Ladd -- Alan Quine -- Jason Chimera
Nikolay Kulemin -- Ryan Strome -- Cal Clutterbuck
Nick Leddy -- Travis Hamonic
Thomas Hickey -- Johnny Boychuk
Calvin de Haan -- Dennis Seidenberg
Jaroslav Halak
Thomas Greiss
Scratched:J-F Berube, Stephen Gionta
Injured:Adam Pelech (upper body), Casey Cizikas (upper body)

Wild projected lineup

Zach Parise -- Eric Staal -- Jason Pominville
Jason Zucker -- Mikko Koivu -- Mikael Granlund
Nino Niederreiter -- Erik Haula -- Charlie Coyle
Chris Stewart -- Tyler Graovac -- Jordan Schroeder
Ryan Suter -- Jared Spurgeon
Jonas Brodin -- Mathew Dumba
Marco Scandella -- Christian Folin
Devan Dubnyk
Darcy Kuemper
Scratched:Nate Prosser, Kurtis Gabriel
Injured:Victor Bartley (arm)

Status report

Cizikas remains day to day. He skated Thursday and Capuano said with another practice on Friday, "if he's feeling better, there could be a chance [he plays] on Saturday, but we'll just have to play it by ear." Cizikas has missed five games. … Pelech skated Thursday but remains day to day. He has been out since Nov. 28.

Who's hot

Ladd has three goals in the past two games. …Staal is on an eight-game point streak (five goals, six assists). … Zucker has two goals and five points in the past three games. … Granlund has three goals and 11 points in the past 10 games.