New York has won two straight games and won 4-1 against Winnipeg at Nassau Coliseum on Oct. 6. The Jets have been outscored 11-4 in losing the first two games of a six-game homestand. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck is expected to start after allowing four goals on 35 shots in a 4-2 loss against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday.
Players to watch
Islanders forward Anders Lee has an eight-game goal streak against the Jets since the 2015-16 season. Jets forward Patrik Laine has points in seven of eight games (three goals, nine assists) and an assist in each of his past two.
They said it
"We needed to get on the road a little bit. I thought we were getting a little stale through training camp, and the early part of our schedule was home-heavy, and I thought we became a little stale." -- Islanders coach Barry Trotz "Losing two in a row on home ice leaves a bad taste in your mouth. There's all the motivation we need to come out tonight and play the right way and compete as hard as we can." -- Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey
Little will be held out as a precaution. He skated on a line with Connor and Ehlers on Wednesday and again during the Jets' optional morning skate. … Bitetto left during the second period Tuesday and did not return.
Stat pack
Nelson has four points (two goals, two assists) in his past three games. … Jets coach Paul Maurice needs one win for 700 in the NHL. He's third behind Joel Quenneville (892) and Trotz (813) among active NHL coaches and seventh all-time.
