The New York Islanders will look to fix a poor home record when they take on the struggling Ottawa Senators.
The Islanders hold a record of two wins, eight losses, and one overtime loss on home ice and have started their seven-game home stand with two losses and an overtime defeat. The team is coming off a 5-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in which it blew a pair of one goal leads before falling behind by two goals in the second. In the third, the team responded with two goals, but failed to win in overtime.
"We've been inconsistent obviously," said head coach Jack Capuano about his team's erratic play. "That's an area that we talk about as a team. We have to stop talking about the structure and the framework. We know what our roster is. We know how we have to play. We just have to consistently believe that's what's going to get it done on our team. When we try to do things that are too cute and when we don't manage the puck properly and make it a short track, that's when we get into trouble."
One positive from the overtime defeat was the emergence of Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo. Bailey scored his first goal of the season during the game while Okposo scored his first goal in over a month and added two assists.
"Obviously it feels nice to get on the score sheet and contribute," Bailey said about his performance. "It was a heck of a play by Okie. I was trying to not let myself get too frustrated. When the chances are there you've just got to stick with it and continue working on your shot, whether it's in practice or just getting pucks to the net in games. Eventually it will go in."
After a five-game winning streak, the Ottawa Senators have lost two straight and looked inept offensively. The team is coming off a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Prediction: Ottawa takes down the Islanders 3-1.
Start Time: 3 PM EST
TV: MSG PLUS, SNET-E, TVA