Game Preview: NY Islanders @ Detroit Red Wings

The NY Islanders (29-24-15, 73 points) will travel to the Motor City as they take on the Detroit Red Wings (35-28-6, 76 points) at Little Caesars Arena.

LAST GAME

The Islanders' last game came against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday at UBS Arena. The game started slow on both ends until Seth Jarvis scored twice at the midway point. Both goals were scored within 2 minutes of each other, set up by Jake Guentzel both times. With just one minute remaining in the frame, Adam Pelech took an interference penalty against Jarvis. This led to Martin Necas' goal with just 2 seconds remaining.

The second period started with the Isles being outshot by the Hurricanes 10-to-1. After the first commercial break, the team finally responded with 11 shots on goal featuring great scoring chances for Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee.

The Isles kept the momentum to open the third period as Kyle Palmieri scored on an assist from Brock Nelson. Though the Isles outshot the Canes 12-to-9, Guentzel scored an empty-netter with 4 minutes remaining. Amid a rain of 'boos' coming from the audience, the Hurricanes sealed their victory 4-1.

The Red Wings' last game came against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday at Little Caesar's Arena. The Blue Jackets jumped on James Reimer early with goals from Zach Werenski and Alexandre Texier. The Red Wings tied the game in the second period with goals from Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider. The third period opened with a powerplay goal from Kirill Marchenko to make the game 3-2 Blue Jackets. Determined to keep their playoff hopes alive, Raymond scored with just 13 seconds left to send the game to overtime. Right off the opening faceoff, future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane scored to win the game 4-3.

HISTORICAL MATCHUP

The Isles have mixed results against the Red Wings in 2023-24. The first matchup came on October 30th at UBS Arena. The game was scoreless for the first 38 minutes until Simon Holmstrom took a slashing penalty. Taking a page out of Holmstrom's book, Casey Cizikas scored a shorthanded goal to make the game 1-0. Right off the opening faceoff to open the third period, Nelson scored on an assist from Noah Dobson. However, the Isles' inability to close games under Lane Lambert was put on full display as the Red Wings scored 3 goals within 3:43 of each other. With the game on the line, Bo Horvat scored on the powerplay to send the game to overtime. Just one minute into the frame, Raymond scored to win the game 4-3.

The second matchup sparked the Islanders' resurgence on February 29th at Little Caesar's Arena. Nelson and Cizikas each scored in the first period. With the exception of Olli Maata's second-period goal, the Isles held the lead heading into the third. Just as the puck dropped to open the frame, Kane scored from the blue line. Nelson responded with his second goal following a hooking penalty against Christian Fischer. The game continued to swing back and forth as Maatta once again tied the game 3-3. Determined to avoid another game being decided in overtime, Barzal and Pierre Engvall each scored to win the game in regulation 5-3.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Engvall was a healthy scratch on Tuesday, being replaced by Hudson Fasching on the Isles' third line. The top unit continues to provide the offense as Nelson and Palmieri combined for 8 shots on goal. Aside from this line including Horvat, only the 'Identity Line' led by Kyle MacLean had a positive showing against the Hurricanes. Though Ilya Sorokin received constructive criticism from the head coach, Patrick Roy is sticking with the Vezina Trophy contender from 2022-23. Even though the team has lost five straight games, they remain just 3 points behind the Red Wings for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

The Red Wings' top line has been as advertised with Raymond, Dylan Larkin, and offseason target Alex Debrincat all recording over 50 points. Defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and Seider have been offensive threats with 46 and 38 points respectively. The area preventing the Red Wings from enclosing a playoff spot is their goaltending unit. Alex Lyon, Vile Husso, and Reimer have combined to allow 219 goals this season including a .903 save percentage. As with the Isles, the Red Wings' defensemen have not played well in front of their goaltenders.

PROJECTED LINES

ISLANDERS

Brock Nelson - Bo Horvat - Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee - Mat Barzal - Hudson Fasching
Pierre Engval - JG Pageau - Simon Holmstrom
Kyle MacLean - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech - Noah Dobson
Alexander Romanov - Ryan Pulock
Mike Reilly - Robert Bortuzzo

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

RED WINGS

Alex DeBrincat - Austin Czarnik - Patrick Kane
David Perron - J.T. Compher - Lucas Raymond
Michael Rasmussen - Andrew Copp - Christian Fischer
Robby Fabbri - Joe Veleno - Daniel Sprong

Ben Chiarot - Moritz Seider
Simon Edvinsson - Jeff Petry
Olli Maatta - Shayne Gostisbehere

James Reimer
Alex Lyon