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Islanders-Senators Preview

Dec 5, 2015 - 5:54 AM John Tavares and Mikhail Grabovski have played key roles for the New York Islanders during their surge, but neither has had much success facing the Ottawa Senators.

They'll try to change that while helping the visiting Islanders extend their longest winning streak of the season to five Saturday night against the red-hot Mike Hoffman and the Senators.

Tavares has sparked New York's improving power play with two goals in those situations during the win streak. He had the lone goal on the power play for the Islanders in Wednesday's 2-1 shootout win over the rival New York Rangers.

New York had gone 4 for 8 with a man advantage over its previous three games before coming up empty on its two chances in Friday's 2-1 shootout victory over St. Louis. Grabovski has contributed two goals in his last three, including the tying score against the Blues.

The Islanders (15-8-4) are within three points of first place in the Metropolitan Division.

''You want to try to win the division,'' center Ryan Strome said. ''I don't think a lot of guys look at that, but as you pile up these wins it's going to add up.''

After sweeping their three-game stay at the Barclays Center, the Islanders open a three-game trip at Ottawa. Tavares has scored once over his past seven meetings and his nine career points are his fewest versus any opponent he's faced at least 11 times.

Grabovski hasn't produced a point in two games against the Senators while with New York and eight versus Ottawa overall.

That hasn't stopped the Islanders from winning three straight on the road in this series for the first time. Casey Cizikas has provided a lift with goals in each of the past two meetings.

Jaroslav Halak, who finished with 33 saves against the Rangers, is expected to be back in net after Thomas Greiss had 31 saves Friday in New York's fifth victory in the last six games. Halak has posted a 1.93 goals-against average in his last five games at Canadian Tire Centre.

The Islanders will have to keep a close watch on Hoffman. The left wing scored his second goal Thursday 30 seconds into overtime to give Ottawa a 4-3 win over Chicago.

Hoffman has eight goals and three assists over a six-game point streak for the Senators (13-7-5), who are 5-1-2 in their last eight home games after snapping a two-game slide overall.

Ottawa could continue playing with 11 forwards and seven defensemen due to a number of recent injuries after the lineup netted a victory over the defending Stanley Cup champions.

''They're still a highly regarded team in the league,'' said winger Bobby Ryan, who has an 11-game point streak (six goals, eight assists) at home. ''For us to do it banged up, to do it when you're trying to create an identity at home, you hope it can be a rallying point for us.''

Craig Anderson will get his 10th straight start between the pipes after finishing with 35 saves against the Blackhawks. He's allowed a total of six goals while winning three of his last four at home and is 4-2-2 with a 1.49 GAA in his last eight starts versus the Islanders.

The Senators might be able to slow New York's power play since they've gone 24 for 26 in penalty kill situations over the past eight games.