Preview: Islanders at Devils

ISLANDERS (26-20-10) at DEVILS (24-23-10)
7 p.m. ET; MSG+, MSG, NHL.TV

Islanders team scope

The New York Islanders bring a 9-3-2 record since Doug Weight became coach on Jan. 17 into Prudential Center for the first of a home-and home series; they begin the night one point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Islanders will play 17 of their remaining 25 games on the road. New York is 7-12-4 away from Barclays Center and tied with the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes for fewest road wins. "We got to play our game," Weight said. "We know we're going to get their best effort. Regardless of the points and games played and everything else, we're all in the same boat right now. We're all chasing and believe. They believe and we believe and I expect a playoff-type atmosphere no matter who they have in the lineup." Left wing Anders Lee has been key in the Islanders' resurgence with five goals and five assists in the past eight games. "All these games are pretty much playoff games for us," said Lee, who leads New York with 22 goals. "We are in a position where we are chasing down teams, so it's kind of a fun spot to be in, especially with how we began the season. It's an exciting time." Goaltender Thomas Greiss is expected to make his third straight start. Greiss is 2-2-0 with a 1.49 goals-against average and .936 save percentage in four career games against the New Jersey Devils.

Devils team scope

Devils right wing Michael Cammalleri will be a healthy scratch for the first time in his 14 seasons in the NHL. "This is new territory for me," Cammalleri said. He was informed of the decision by coach John Hynes prior to the morning skate. "You want to be a part of it; I'm displeased not to be in the lineup, certainly," Cammalleri said. "I constantly assess my play, that's my job. I haven't disliked my game. In my opinion I've been committed to everything we're trying to do all but the puck just hasn't gone in. I'll continue to search for solutions. I'll deal with my own thoughts and emotions." Cammalleri hasn't scored in 18 games. The Devils are 2-2-0 during a five-game homestand that concludes with the first of a home-and-home set against the Islanders; they are 2-7-2 in their past 11 games at Prudential Center. New Jersey is five points behind the Maple Leafs for the second wild card from the East and four points behind the Islanders. Goaltender Cory Schneider will make a season-high eighth straight start. He is 2-5-1 with a 1.86 GAA and .933 save percentage in eight games against the Islanders. "The Islanders have turned their season around and it's strange that we haven't played them yet this late in the year but we have to be aware what they're doing under [Weight]," Schneider said. "It all comes down to our room and how we're playing. They're a good team, but we have to execute all of our systems correctly and playing with a little more determination than we did [in a 3-0 home loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday]."

Islanders projected lineup

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

Devils projected lineup

Taylor Hall -- Travis Zajac -- Kyle Palmieri
Beau Bennett -- Adam Henrique -- PA Parenteau
Pavel Zacha -- Jacob Josefson -- Stefan Noesen
Miles Wood -- Joseph Blandisi -- Devante Smith-Pelly
Andy Greene -- Ben Lovejoy
Jon Merrill -- Steven Santini
John Moore -- Damon Severson
Cory Schneider
Keith Kinkaid
Scratched:Michael Cammalleri, Seth Helgeson
Injured:Kyle Quincey (upper body)

Status report

Weight said after the optional morning skate that he will use the same lineup as he did in a 4-2 win against the New York Rangers on Thursday. ... Gionta, who played with the Devils from 2010-16, will play against New Jersey for the first time since signing a one-year contract with the Islanders on Dec. 21. ... Smith-Pelly will play after being a healthy scratch for the past six games. Hynes said backup goalie Keith Kinkaid will start against the Islanders in Brooklyn on Sunday, or at home against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.

Who's hot

Tavares has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in his past 11 games. ... Hall has six points (two goals, four assists) in the past seven games. Henrique has seven points (four goals, three assists) in the past eight games.