The New York Islanders face the Tampa Bay Lightning with both teams looking to improve from difficult starts to the season. The Islanders have a 2-2 record and are coming off a brutal 4-1 defeat. The Lightning meanwhile are 1-3 despite entering the season as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Both teams are looking to improve in their respective divisions and the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game should be a great one as a result.
The Islanders are off to a rocky start but have shown promise on both ends of the ice with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.50 goals per game. Anders Lee and Oliver Wahlstrom have scored five goals and four assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson have distributed eight assists while defensemen Noah Dobson, Scott Mayfield, and Robin Salo have added six goals and two assists from the blue line to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has carried the Islanders, allowing only 2.50 goals per game. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock have led the top pairing but the rest of the defense has also stepped up with Noah Dobson, Scott Mayfield, and the rest of the unit forcing turnovers in all three zones and limiting shots on the net. In addition, goaltender Ilya Sorokin has stepped up in the net with a .935 save percentage and a 2.05 goals-against average on 93 shots.