NY Islanders Look to Rebound Against Kings in Back-to-Back Finale

The New York Islanders conclude a Southern California back-to-back Thursday night when they visit the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena.

The Isles are looking to bounce back after a 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Anders Lee opened the scoring with a power-play goal, extending his goal streak to four games, but the Islanders surrendered five unanswered goals despite outshooting Anaheim 43-25.

The Islanders enter the matchup with 75 points, tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for second place in the Metropolitan Division, though Pittsburgh holds two games in hand.

Ilya Sorokin is expected to start in goal to finish the back-to-back. The netminder has won four straight games and 10 of his last 13 appearances. Historically, however, Sorokin has struggled against Los Angeles, posting a 1-5-0 record with a 2.73 goals-against average in six career starts against the Kings.

Lee’s goal Wednesday was the 304th of his career, tying Clark Gillies for fourth place on the franchise’s all-time list.

Defenseman Ryan Pulock missed Wednesday’s game with an upper-body injury but is expected to be back in the lineup. In his absence, rookie Matthew Schaefer skated alongside Scott Mayfield, while Adam Boqvist returned to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 26.

The Kings enter Thursday’s contest struggling, having lost six of their last seven games. Los Angeles sits sixth in the Pacific Division with 62 points, five behind the Seattle Kraken for a playoff position.

Thursday will also mark a milestone for Anze Kopitar, who is expected to play in his 1,500th NHL game.