New York Islanders-Carolina Hurricanes Game Preview, Notes

Back to back, belly to belly is how the first place New York Islanders will roll today as they face the Carolina Hurricanes at Nassau Colisuem.

Last night the New York Islanders and Calgary Flames battled it out at the Nassau Coliseum with both teams hungry for the two points that was at hand.  

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The Islanders went on the board first as Ryan Strome scored a power-play goal at 11:39 in the first, it was his 14th of the season.  The goal snapped the Flames franchise record of thirteen straight games without allowing a power-play goal.

The lone first period goal was the only scratch on the scoring sheet until Cal Clutterbuck scored an empty netter at 19:18 in the third (2-0 Isles).  The Flames finally found the back of the net 21 seconds later as Josh Jooris scored off a deflection in front.  The Islanders and Jaroslav Halak hung on for the two points, it was the franchise record 33rd win for Halak.

The Islanders again are back at it tonight playing host to the Carolina Hurricanes as they wrap up the current four game home stand.  The Isles are 2-1.

• Nassau Coliseum, 5PM ET
• Islanders, 41-20-2, 1st place in the Metropolitan, 84 points
• Hurricanes, 23-30-7, 9th place in the Metropolitan
• Probable Goalies: Chad Johnson (NYI), Cam Ward (CAR)

For the Hurricanes they are going to try to play spoiler for the Islanders.  The Isles lead the season series three games to none and are going for the four-game sweep.  Cam Ward will likely be back in-goal as the Canes are going for their first three-game winning streak in a month.

The Islanders are 19-3-1 against teams in their own division.  Chad Johnson will most likely get the nod tonight due to the back-to-back games and his solid play as of late.  The Islanders and Rangers both play tonight so you know there is going to be a ton of scoreboard watching by both NY clubs.  The team then flies out to Dallas for their last long road trip of the season.

NOTES:

• Anders Lee has 14 points in his last 15 games
• John Tavares has 13 points in his last 8 games
• The Islanders are 11-1-0 at the Nassau Coliseum this season against teams in the Metropolitan Division

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• Islanders: Semyon Varlamov Deserves Benefit of the Doubt
• Islanders Ilya Sorokin becoming number one goalie
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