Islanders Game 58 Preview at Dallas Stars: Lines, Notes & How To Watch

The New York Islanders (23-20-14) look to avoid a three-game losing streak as they visit the Dallas Stars tonight at American Airlines Center. Here’s what you need to know before puck drop.

Loading Up The Big Guns:

Having not scored a goal at even strength in their last two games, the Islanders are putting their big guns together by placing Brock Nelson next to Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal on the top line.

Islanders Put Big Guns Together For Needed Offensive Firepower

Projected Lines:

Nelson-Horvat-Barzal

Lee-Pageau-Palmieri

Engvall-Nelson-Holmstrom

Martin-MacLean-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Dobson

Romanov-Pulock

Reilly-Aho

Sorokin

Varlamov

Last Time Out:

For 50 minutes against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, the Islanders played without urgency. It wasn’t until midway through the third period that they showed signs of life as Anders Lee scored a goal that helped them avoid being on the wrong side of a second-straight shutout. However, the Islanders still couldn’t avoid a second straight loss or collect two points they desperately needed.

Instant Islanders: Takeaways From 4-2 Loss To Lightning

The Opponent:

Leading the Central Division, the Dallas Stars are well on their way to their third straight playoff appearance with a record of 5-3-2 in their last 10 games.

On Saturday, Dallas took down the Carolina Hurricanes on the road.

Jason Robertson scored a goal in the 2-1 win, increasing his team lead in points to 57. Matt Duchene leads the Stars with 22 goals during his first year in Dallas.

Scott Wedgewood will start in goal for the Stars tonight. In 23 starts, Wedgewood has a .899 save percentage and a 2.98 GAA.

The Islanders saw Wedgewood when they defeated the Stars 3-2 in overtime back on Jan. 21 in their first game with Patrick Roy as their head coach.

The Stars’ penalty kill is among the best in the league, shutting down 82.4% of their opponent’s power play chances, while their power play is operating at 22.4% (15th).

How To Watch:

Puck drop between the Islanders and Stars from American Airlines Center is scheduled for just past 8 p.m. EST. The game is available to watch on MSGSNor streamed on MSG Plus or ESPN Plus for out-of-market viewers. 88.7 FM WRHU will produce the radio feed of the game, which can also be heard on 1050 AM ESPN or 103.9 FM WRCN.

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