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Islanders hoping to end latest slide

Dec 13, 2008 - 11:48 AM NY Islanders (10-17-2) at Columbus (12-13-3), 7:00 pm EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- It is beginning to get embarrassing for the New York Islanders.

The Islanders are looking to avoid a sixth consecutive loss when they complete a four-game road trip against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.

New York's season may have reached its low point on Thursday. The Islanders were handed a 9-2 beatdown at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who entered the contest on a three-game skid.

Defensemen Mark Streit and Andy Sutton were the goal-scorers for New York, which is 1-7-0 over its last eight and owns the worst record in the NHL with 22 points.

The Islanders have struggled without goaltender Rick DePietro, who is hoping to return from his knee injury by the end of the month.

Playing in DiPietro's place, Joey MacDonald has posted a 10-12-2 record with a 3.08 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.

A return to Columbus seemed to fix the Blue Jackets' woes. Rick Nash and rookie Jakub Voracek both scored in the shootout, helping the team snap a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 triumph over the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

Columbus, which lost all three contests on a road trip through California, is searching for its fourth straight win at Nationwide Arena.