Islanders at Sharks game 61: Lines, game thread and how to watch

"New York is doing well this season and is, surprisingly, in a playoff spot as of this evening. The Islanders sit in third in the Metropolitan Division, with 75 points, ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Philadelphia Flyers. While there's still a way to go to stay ahead of the pack down the stretch, this is a surprise playoff move for a team that, less than 12 months ago, was picking first overall in the NHL Entry Draft."

"The Islanders added at the deadline and didn't have to wait long for their newest player to join the team. Blues' captain Brayden Schenn was already in San Jose at the same time as the Islanders and so he didn't even have to change hotel rooms. Schenn is expected to take the ice tonight on the second line for the Islanders."

"Mathew Barzal is the top scorer for the Islanders with 56 points in 62 games. Bo Horvat is the top goal scorer with 26 goals in 49 games. Rookie Schaefer is the second leading scorer on the team with 45 points in 63 games and he already has 20 goals this season."

The San Jose Sharks host the New York Islanders for the second night of back-to-back games at SAP Center. The Islanders hold a significant advantage having rested while watching the Sharks play St. Louis the previous night. New York has emerged as a playoff contender this season, currently sitting third in the Metropolitan Division with 75 points, a surprising turnaround for a team that was picking first overall in the NHL Entry Draft less than a year ago. The Islanders acquired Blues captain Brayden Schenn at the deadline, who is already in San Jose and expected to play on the second line wearing number 10. Matthew Barzal leads the Islanders with 56 points, while rookie Matthew Schaefer contributes 45 points and 20 goals. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin maintains a .913 save percentage. The Sharks will have Ryan Reaves return after a four-game healthy scratch.

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