The Islanders look to close out 2015 on a high note as they face the Buffalo Sabres at the Marine Midland Arena, I mean HSBC Arena, wait I'm pretty sure it's the First Niagara Center now.
New York loves playing on New Year's Eve. They are 8-0-1 in their last 9 games.
The Isles are looking for revenge against the Sabres for their 2-1 defeat at Barclays on November 1. The Isles failed to show up that game. Linus Ullmark is expected to start tonight. He made 29 saves the last time they met. New York is 6-1-2 in their last 9 games at Buffalo.
Jack Capuano's line shuffling worked as the Isles tied a season-high with 6 goals in Tuesday's win vs the Maple Leafs. John Tavares scored for the first time in six games. The captain redirected a pretty pass from Josh Bailey to take a 2-1 lead. Bailey now has 18 points in 36 games. Anders Lee scored the Isles 6th goal of the night, his first in 15 games. Lee's goal came where else, right in front of the net. A place he needs to be for success. 13 different Islanders registered a point. Kyle Okposo was the only forward without a point. His scoreless streak now stands at 4 games.
New York killed all four Toronto power plays Tuesday and have killed 39 straight, a franchise-record span of 15 games. The Sabres power play ranks 15th at 19.1% Buffalo has not scored a power play goal in the their last 21 opportunities. Former Islander Matt Moulson was scratched last night vs the Washington Capitals. He is scoreless in his last 7 games and has just an assist in his last 11 games. Moulson has just 4 goals in 36 games and hasn't scored a goal in 24 games.
Thomas Greiss will start tonight. He earned his 10th win Tuesday night, tying the injured Jaroslav Halak. I would expect Halak to start a week from tonight vs the Capitals. The Isles have 3 games in the next 4 nights, including a back-to-back with the Penguins and Stars this weekend. I would think that Christopher Gibson will make his NHL debut this weekend.