Islanders vs. Kings: Odds, Keys to the Game, Lineups, TV and more

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: Barry Trotz, head coach of the New York Islanders tends to the bench during the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on November 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Keys To The Game

Find the Killer Instinct

As mentioned on the last slide, the Islanders have not done well against struggling/rebuilding teams. They have lost to Anaheim (twice), Montreal, New Jersey, Los Angeles, the Rangers (twice) and San Jose.

Tonight, they are looking for a change of fortune. The Islanders need to get a lead early and not look back like they did against Detroit last month.

Especially in a tight playoff race, the Isles need to learn how to put teams away. Tonight can be a good learning tool for the Isles. Two points tonight are huge for the chase in the Metro!

Special Teams

Special teams can sometimes be the difference in a game. When you look back at the Islanders season, there are a couple of games where an 0-for-four or an 0-for-five on the powerplay for the Isles was the difference in a game. And then there are nights like Tuesday, where a late powerplay goal forces the game into overtime.

As fans, we are looking for more consistency on the powerplay. I think everyone would be happy with one or two grade-A chances on each powerplay.

Tonight against a team with a low penalty kill percentage (74.5) winning the special teams battle is huge and it could be the difference.

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