New York Islanders Vs Ottawa Senators
Time: 31 Dec 2009 at 7:00 PM ET
League: NHL – United States of America
Last 10 matches: New York 5-5-0; Ottawa 5-5-0
Isles forward Kyle Okposo has 4 points in his team’s last three games big numbers on a team that’s struggled badly in the attacking zone. … Ottawa forward Randy Shannon had a pair of goals on Wednesday and has 4 in three games.These teams haven’t seen each other since Oct. 8, when the Islanders overcame a 2-0 deficit but lost 3-2 in overtime at Scotiabank Place on a goal by Mike Fisher. The Senators come to Nassau Coliseum for games on Feb. 14 and April 3.
Isles forward Nate Thompson will miss a week or two with a shoulder injury. Goalie Rick DiPietro, who hasn’t played in nearly a year as he recovers from knee surgery, could play an AHL game this week end. Captain Doug Weight is still out with an upper-body injury. … Ottawa forward Nick Foligno returned Wednesday and had a goal after missing seven games with a knee injury.
The Senators are facing a major challenge as they try to hold on to a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference they’re playing without their two biggest guns, Jason Spezza (knee surgery) and Daniel Alfredsson (shoulder). Neither is likely to return until after the Olympics. The Islanders are trying to put the wheels back on after struggling through much of December; they’ve won three of their last four, though they were dominated for most of the game in Tuesday’s 2-1 shootout win over Columbus. Highlights, live score and results will be available soon.. stay with us.