Music: {allcanada} ISLANDERS (15-8-4) at SENATORS (13-7-5)

Friday, December 4, 2015

{allcanada} ISLANDERS (15-8-4) at SENATORS (13-7-5)

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Saturday, December 5, 2015

7:00 PM ET

ISLANDERS (15-8-4) at SENATORS (13-7-5)

TV: MSG+, CITY

Season series: The New York Islanders defeated the Ottawa Senators in two of three games last season. Jaroslav Halak was in net each game for the Islanders and allowed five goals (1.67 goals-against average). Defenseman Thomas Hickey and forward Brock Nelson each had three points for New York. Forward Mika Zibanejad had three points for Ottawa.

Senators scope: Goalie Andrew Hammond, who has missed the past nine games with a concussion, and Zibanejad, who missed a 4-3 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday with concussion-like symptoms, practiced Thursday. "I think Mika has the better chance [to play] Saturday," coach Dave Cameron told the Ottawa Sun. "But certainly in the near future, [Hammond] too. As long as there's no setbacks, which I don't see." If Hammond isn't ready, Craig Anderson could make his 10th straight start; he has allowed three or more goals in each of his past five. The Senators end a three-game homestand after splitting the first two. "The Islanders are a [heck] of a hockey team. It's going to come down to how we play," Cameron said. Ottawa is 6-2-2 in its past 10 games. Forward Mike Hoffman has eight goals in his past six games.

Islanders scope: Following a 3-0-0 homestand, New York, which has gone 5-0-1 in its past six games, begins a three-game road trip. Halak will start after Thomas Greiss made 31 saves in a 2-1 shootout win against the St. Louis Blues on Friday. "Back-to-back on the road is tough," forward Ryan Strome said. "Halak is going to have to be good for us and we'll have to get our legs under us early. They are a very good team ... it should be a big test for us." It's uncertain if there will be any other lineup changes for the Islanders, who used the same skaters Friday as they did in defeating the New York Rangers 2-1 in a shootout Wednesday. The Islanders are 3-2-0 in the second game of back-to-back sets this season. "I think it's important especially when you have back-to-back games," forward Mikhail Grabovksi said. "It's important when you win that first game."

Team Stats