NY Islanders host Pacific Division leading Anaheim Ducks at UBS Arena

"The Islanders enter the matchup fresh off a 5-4 shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. Emil Heineman delivered the only goal of the shootout, capping a comeback that began after the Isles fell behind 2-0 late in the first period. Bo Horvat sparked the rally with a goal in the final minute of the opening frame and finished with two on the night. Marc Gatcomb and Simon Holmstrom also scored, and 10 Islanders recorded at least one point."

"Jean-Gabriel Pageau returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing eight games and won 18 of 27 faceoffs while skating alongside Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee. Defensively, Ryan Pulock enters the night with assists in back-to-back games and continues to anchor the top pair with rookie standout Matthew Schaefer. The penalty kill has been perfect in December (13-for-13), including a crucial six-on-four stop against Vegas."

"Anaheim enters Thursday with several players on hot streaks. Leo Carlsson leads the Ducks with 38 points, tied for eighth in the NHL, while Cutter Gauthier and Troy Terry also exceed 30 points. Rookie Beckett Sennecke has three straight multi-point games and a rookie-leading 10 goals. Gauthier, Terry, and defenseman Jackson LaCombe all carry point streaks into the matchup. Frank Vatrano remains day-to-day, and goaltender Lukas Dostal is on IR but traveling with the team."

The New York Islanders host the Anaheim Ducks at UBS Arena following a 5-4 shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Emil Heineman scored the lone shootout goal after the Isles trailed 2-0, and Bo Horvat finished with two goals as part of the rally. Ten Islanders recorded points, Jean-Gabriel Pageau returned and won 18 of 27 faceoffs, and Ryan Pulock has assists in consecutive games while anchoring the top pairing with rookie Matthew Schaefer. The Islanders have nine come-from-behind wins this season and a perfect December penalty kill (13-for-13). Anaheim features scorers Leo Carlsson (38 points), Cutter Gauthier, Troy Terry, and rookie Beckett Sennecke with 10 goals; Frank Vatrano is day-to-day and goaltender Lukas Dostal is on IR but traveling. The Ducks’ penalty kill ranks 27th and the power play has produced only two goals in the last 17 chances.

Read at Eyes On Isles