NY Islanders play their first game following the trade deadline vs. San Jose

The New York Islanders play their first game of the post-Brock Nelson era when they start a west coast road trip against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Saturday night. The Islanders enter the game five points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and six behind Ottawa after the Senators' come-from-behind win against the New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon.

Last time out, the Islanders defeated the Winnipeg Jets at UBS Arena on Tuesday night behind goals from Nelson, Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Pulock. Ilya Sorokin had 26 saves in the win and will be back in net between the pipes yet again for the Isles after three days off. The team did get backup goaltender Marcus Hogberg back on the ice on Saturday, but he hasn't been activated off IR. Jakub Skarek will be the backup once again for Sorokin.

The Isles will try to make an uphill playoff push made harder with the departure of Nelson, but in a mediocre bottom of the Eastern Conference, there's a still something to play for across the final 21 games of the regular season. “Everyone in this room is excited for the challenge,” Palmieri said. “Now that the deadline’s behind us, this is the group we’re going to do it with. We’re excited.”

They'll have a chance to get off to a good start against the Sharks, the worst team in the Western Conference (17-38-9), led by No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini, who scored his 20th goal of the season in a 7-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their last game.

Defenseman Mike Reilly, who had heart surgery earlier in the season, was activated off IR as rosters expanded but will not play. Forward Matt Martin was also taken off the IR list.