SABRES (4-7-0) at ISLANDERS 6-2-0
TV: MSG-B, MSG+
Season Series: The New York Islanders earned points in each game against the Buffalo Sabres last season, going 2-0-1. Goalie Jaroslav Halak was 2-0-0, including a shutout. Forward John Tavares had two goals and four points; defenseman Travis Hamonic had three assists. Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges and forward Marcus Foligno each had two points.
Sabres team scope: Forward Tyler Ennis, who has missed the past two games because of a lower-body injury, could return to the lineup. "We're going to see [how] Ennis [is] tomorrow in the pregame skate." coach Dan Byslma said in video posted on Sabres website. Forwards Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn were each given maintenance days and did not practice Saturday. The Sabres worked on their penalty kill at practice. Despite killing off eight of its past nine shorthanded opportunities. Buffalo has allowed eight power-play goals on 28 shorthanded chances (71.4 percent). "I think we're working more as a unit," defenseman Josh Gorges said. "The penalty kill, it's a tough job but you need all four guys that are on the ice, including the goalie, to work at the same pace and move the same way and make the same reads." The Islanders have scored a power-play goal in seven of 11 games this season.
Islanders team scope: Tavares did not play in an 3-2 shootout loss Saturday to the New Jersey Devils because of an illness, the first game he has missed in the past two seasons. Coach Jack Capuano said Tavares status for Sunday is unknown. "It was just best that we get him home and rest and we should know more [Saturday night] or first thing [Sunday] morning," he said. "It's an illness and we just want to make sure we're doing the right thing... He just didn't look right." Halak and forward Ryan Strome, who each played Saturday, did not play Thursday because they were sick. The Islanders have lost their past two games, but that's not because of special teams. New York has killed off all 26 shorthanded opportunities in its past eight games and has scored a power-play goal in each of its past five games. The Islanders could turn to goalie Thomas Greiss after Halak made 15 saves on Saturday. Greiss is 3-0-2 in five starts this season.