The New York Islanders are aiming to extend their successful road record as they continue their seven-game trip, facing off against the Calgary Flames on Saturday afternoon. The Islanders are coming off a 1-0 victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, a game where they were outplayed for the majority of the final two periods. However, Anthony Duclair's late power-play goal and a stellar 35-save performance by goaltender Ilya Sorokin secured the win for New York.
Sorokin, who recorded his league-leading fifth shutout of the season, deflected praise, emphasizing the team's defensive effort and discipline. He highlighted the team's fight and the fortunate capitalization on a power-play opportunity.
The Islanders have been on a strong 4-1-1 run, elevating them to second place in the Metropolitan Division. With three games remaining on their road trip, they aim to build on this momentum. Their recent win in Edmonton marked their first shutout there since Game 1 of the 1983 Stanley Cup Final, a game where Billy Smith also made 35 saves in a 2-0 victory. The game also saw the Islanders score their first power-play goal in six games. Duclair noted the importance of converting chances, especially when opportunities are limited.
The Calgary Flames return home following a five-game road trip, concluding with a 3-1 comeback win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. Despite the Blackhawks' struggles, the Flames maintained control after conceding an early goal. Coach Ryan Huska stressed the importance of playing with a defined style, noting the team was more like themselves in the win.
Looking at team statistics, the Flames are third in the league in penalty minutes, averaging 13.0 per game. The Islanders have a 26-16-5 overall record and are 12-8-3 on the road, with a 12-4-0 record in one-goal games. This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season.
Key players for the Flames include Nazem Kadri, with eight goals and 24 assists, and Connor Zary, who has four goals and four assists in his last 10 games. For the Islanders, Mathew Barzal leads with 11 goals and 27 assists, while Simon Holmstrom has five goals and two assists in his last 10 games. In their last 10 games, the Flames are 5-5-0, averaging 2.4 goals and allowing 2.6, while the Islanders are 6-3-1, averaging 3.1 goals and allowing 2.4. No injuries have been reported for either team.
Recently, the Islanders have been adjusting their power-play units, giving Simon Holmstrom a chance on the top unit. Jonathan Drouin, who has struggled to score, has been moved to the second unit. Holmstrom has been performing well, with four goals and one assist in his last four games. Coach Patrick Roy wants Drouin to focus on his performance and not the results, trusting that hard work will eventually lead to success. The Islanders' power play percentage is currently last in the NHL at 15.2 percent.
