Islanders at Canucks preview

ISLANDERS (35-23-9) at CANUCKS (35-27-6)
10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, SNP, MSG+, NHL.TV

The forward, tied for fifth on the Canucks in scoring with 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) missed 12 games with fractured rib cartilage sustained in a 6-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Feb. 8.
Vancouver, 1-5-0 in its past six games after going 4-1-1 in its previous six games, is one point behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference and two points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the first wild card.
The Islanders, looking to end a season-long six-game winless streak (0-3-3), are 2-7-3 in their past 12 games, are tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for the second wild card in the East and are two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first wild card.

Players to watch

Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock has scored a goal in three straight games.
Canucks forward Elias Pettersson has five points (two goals, three assists) in his past four games.

They said it

"From now to the end of the season, every game will probably be a playoff game, or should be playoff mode, so we've got to have a playoff mindset. I know Vancouver will." -- Islanders coach Barry Trotz
"I've just got to bring my effort and make sure that shifts are short because I'm probably going to be sucking wind." -- Canucks forward Brock Boeser on his return to the lineup

Islanders projected lineup

Anders Lee -- Mathew Barzal -- Jordan Eberle
Andrew Ladd -- Brock Nelson -- Josh Bailey
Anthony Beauvillier -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- Leo Komarov
Matt Martin -- Derick Brassard -- Cal Clutterbuck
Nick Leddy -- Ryan Pulock
Devon Toews -- Scott Mayfield
Andy Greene -- Noah Dobson
Semyon Varlamov
Thomas Greiss
Scratched: Ross Johnston, Tom Kuhnhackl, Thomas Hickey, Otto Koivula, Michael Dal Colle
Injured: Casey Cizikas (leg), Johnny Boychuk (eye), Adam Pelech (Achilles)

Canucks projected lineup

J.T. Miller -- Elias Pettersson -- Tyler Toffoli
Tanner Pearson -- Bo Horvat -- Brock Boeser
Antoine Roussel -- Adam Gaudette -- Zack MacEwen
Loui Eriksson -- Brandon Sutter -- Jake Virtanen
Alexander Edler -- Troy Stecher
Quinn Hughes -- Chris Tanev
Oscar Fantenberg -- Tyler Myers
Thatcher Demko
Louis Domingue
Scratched: Guillaume Brisebois, Jordie Benn
Injured: Tyler Motte (undisclosed), Jay Beagle (lower body), Micheal Ferland (concussion), Josh Leivo (knee), Tyler Graovac (lower body), Jacob Markstrom (lower body)

Status report

Boychuk, a defenseman, is day to day. … Hickey, a defenseman called up from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League after Boychuk's injury, left the team Tuesday for personal reasons. … Motte, a forward, missed the morning skate for undisclosed reasons but likely will take Eriksson's spot if he plays. … Markstrom, a goalie, skated on his own Tuesday for the first time since having a "minor lower-body procedure" on Feb. 26.

Stat pack

Barzal has seven assists in five games against the Canucks. … Miller has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in his past nine games.