Islanders 4 Games out West is a Make or Break Road Trip

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 10: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders celebrates his first goal during the first period against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 10: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders celebrates his first goal during the first period against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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New York Islanders
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 21: Paul Stastny #26 of the Vegas Golden Knights looks on, with stitches on his mouth, during the third period at TD Garden on January 21, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Knights 3-2. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Vegas Golden Knights

It feels like just yesterday the Golden Knights were the Cinderella story of the NHL, playing in the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season as a franchise. But a lot has changed since then.

The Golden Knights are currently hold the first wild card spot in the Western Conference with 64 points in 58 games played.

Back on January 15th the Golden Knights made their first coaching change by firing head coach Gerard Gallant and naming Peter DeBoer as their new head coach. This coaching change came as a surprise for some and the firing of Gallant is a whole other debate.

Last night they lost to the Minnesota Wild 4-0.  Who are now only four points back of the Knights with two games in hand. The pressure is on for DeBoer. The Golden Knights host the Islanders in what is game two of a five-game homestand for the Knights.

Vegas is led by forwards Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty. Stone leads the Golden Knights in points with 53, so far he has 20 goals and 33 assists. Pacioretty is not far behind him with 24 goals and 28 assists, which is good for 52 points.

For the Islanders to have success against the Golden Knights they have to find a way to silence the Vegas home crowd early and keep Stone and Pacioretty off the board.

Schedule