New York Islanders (16-11-0, fourth in the Metropolitan Division) vs. New Jersey Devils (21-4-1, first in the Metropolitan Division)
Newark, New Jersey; Friday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The New York Islanders play the top-ranked team in the Metropolitan Division, the New Jersey Devils.
New Jersey has a 5-2-0 record in Metropolitan Division games and a 21-4-1 record overall. The Devils have conceded 57 goals while scoring 96 for a +39 scoring differential.
New York has a 6-2-0 record in Metropolitan Division games and a 16-11-0 record overall. The Islanders have gone 16-3-0 in games they score three or more goals.
The teams play Friday for the sixth time this season. The Devils won the last matchup 4-1.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nico Hischier has scored 11 goals with 16 assists for the Devils. Jack Hughes has six goals and seven assists over the past 10 games.
Noah Dobson has scored eight goals with 10 assists for the Islanders. Jean-Gabriel Pageau has five goals and one assist over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Devils: 8-1-1, averaging 3.6 goals, 5.4 assists, 3.3 penalties and 6.6 penalty minutes while giving up 1.8 goals per game.
Islanders: 5-5-0, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.7 assists, 4.2 penalties and 12.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
INJURIES: Devils: Mackenzie Blackwood: out (knee), Ondrej Palat: out (groin), Jonathan Bernier: out (hip), Nathan Bastian: out (upper-body).
Islanders: Cal Clutterbuck: day to day (undisclosed), Adam Pelech: day to day (upper body), Kyle Palmieri: out (upper-body).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free)