NY Islanders continue homestand with crucial matchup against Flames

The New York Islanders continue their four-game homestand Saturday afternoon on Youth Hockey Day at UBS Arena against the Calgary Flames. Face-off is set for 4:00 PM EDT from Elmont, NY.

The Islanders have won three in a row and earned seven of a possible eight points in their last four games (3-0-1), including a 4-3 overtime victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. Bo Horvat scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, while Simon Holmstrom and Anthony Duclair contributed power-play goals. For Holmstrom, it was his third straight game with a goal after sealing comebacks with empty-netters the previous two.

Ilya Sorokin made 38 saves and became the first goaltender in Islanders history to record a multi-point game with two assists. The win pulled the Isles into ninth place in the Eastern Conference and two points behind the Habs for the second Wild Card. “This time of year, it’s arguably the best hockey,” Casey Cizikas said. “Everyone is fighting for the same thing. That’s what brings the best out of the group.” The Isles are 6-3-1 in their last 10 and 17-13-3 at home at UBS Arena this season.

Similar Position

The islanders aren't the only team carrying momentum in today's game. The Flames rallied from down 3-1 in New Jersey on Thursday night to win 5-3 for their second straight win. They had also beaten the Rangers on Tuesday night. Like the Isles, Calgary, sitting at 75 points, is chasing down the second Wild Card spot, trailing the St. Louis Blues by two points in the Western Conference Playoff race.

"This is definitely a time in the year where you have to try to step on it a little bit and continue to keep pace with all the great teams in the league," forward Nazim Kadri after Thursday's win versus teh Devils. "So, you know, fortunately, we've been able to do that. There's still lots of work left. But, you know,we've been looking forward to the challenge all year."

Hogberg Gets The Start

The Flames defeated the Isles 2-1 on Nov. 19 in a shootout in their lone matchup of the season. Pierre Engvall the team's only goal in that contest. Backup Marcus Hogberg will be between the pipes for the Isles in place of Sorokin. The No. 1 goaltender has three goals or fewer in each of his last eight starts (5-2-1) with a 2.37 GAA and a .923 SV%, but will watch from the bench on Saturday.