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Smyth expected to make debut with Islanders vs. Blues

Mar 1, 2007 - 5:04 PM St. Louis (27-27-9) at NY Islanders (32-23-8) 7:30 pm EST

UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Islanders think they have the final piece to the puzzle in their playoff push.

All-Star left wing Ryan Smyth is expected to make his first appearance for the Islanders, who seek their fifth consecutive victory Thursday when they host the St. Louis Blues.

Acquired before Tuesday's trade deadline from the Edmonton Oilers, Smyth has 31 goals and 22 assists in 53 games this season.

In 12 campaigns with the Oilers, Smyth moved into the franchise's top 10 in several statistical categories, including goals (265), assists (284), points (549) and games (770).

New York kept its winning streak intact with Thursday's 6-5 overtime triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers. Trent Hunter scored the game-winner on a power play with 31 seconds left in the extra session and Jason Blake had a hat trick.

Four wins shy of last season's total, the Islanders are tied with the Montreal Canadiens for seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Blues finished February on a solid note, winning five of their last six contests. However, they will likely miss their second consecutive postseason for the first time since 1977-1979.

After dealing veterans Bill Guerin to the San Jose Sharks and Keith Tkachuk to the Atlanta Thrashers, St. Louis posted a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.