The New York Islanders face the Florida Panthers with both teams heading in opposite directions to start the season. The Islanders are 2-3 and have lost back-to-back games while the Panthers have a 3-1-1 record and look like one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The two teams met earlier this season with the Panthers winning 3-1 but the Islanders are looking to even up the score and return to .500 on the season.
The Islanders are off to a rocky start to the season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.50 goals per game. Anders Lee has scored two goals and three assists while Oliver Wahlstrom, Mathew Barzal, and Brock Nelson have added three goals and nine assists to the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Anthony Beauvillier, Zach Parise, and Matt Martin have combined for four goals and four assists while defensemen Noah Dobson and Scott Mayfield have added four goals and two assists from the blue line to help open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.00 goals per game including nine goals in the last two games. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock have led the top pairing but the rest of the defense has struggled, allowing opponents to find open ice in their zone and generate shots on the net. The hope is that goaltender Semyo n Varlamov can build off a strong start where he saved 26 of the 28 shots he faced.