GAMEDAY PREVIEW December 31, 2018 at TIME: 6:00 ET TV: MSG+ RADIO: Radio.com, 88.7 and 103.9 WRCN 2018-19 SEASON STATS PLAYERS TO WATCH ISLANDERS SABRES MATHEW BARZAL #13 20-13-4 (44 pts) RECORD 21-12-6 (48 pts) On Saturday in Toronto, Mathew Barzal scored 4th in Metro STANDINGS 3rd in Atlantic three goals in the second period in a span of 7:44 for W, 4-0 at TOR LAST GAME OTL, 3-2 vs BOS his second-career hat trick. Barzal, 21, became the third youngest player in franchise history to record a Jan. 3 vs CHI NEXT GAME Jan. 3 vs FLA natural hat trick (B. Nystrom & J. Tavares) and the 16.1% (23rd) POWER-PLAY 18.7% (18th) Islanders since 1986 to have a hat trick in TOR (M. 78.0% (20th) KILL 83.5% (6th) Bossy). The , BC native has six goals in R. Pulock (22:41) TOI/G R. Ristolainen (25:34) his last four games. SEASON SERIES ROBIN LEHNER #40 First-year Islanders , Robin Lehner Dec. 31, 2018: Buffalo, NY posted a 36-save on Saturday in Toronto. Lehner, 27, became the first Islander ever to record Feb. 12, 2019: Buffalo, NY a shutout in Toronto and the first Islander goalie to ever record a shutout in the province of Mar. 30, 2019: Uniondale, NY (TOR & OTT). The Gothenberg SWE native, a member of the Buffalo Sabres for the previous three seasons, has won four straight decisions for the first time since 2013-14. TEAM LEADERS JACK EICHEL #9 ISLANDERS SABRES Buffalo captain, Jack Eichel, leads the Sabres in points (49) and assists (34) through 39 games this LEE (14) GOALS SKINNER (26) season. Eichel, 22, was named the 19th captain in BARZAL (25) ASSISTS EICHEL (34) Sabres team history this past October, becoming BARZAL (35) POINTS EICHEL (49) the youngest captain in franchise history. The North Chelmsford, MA. native, has 17 points in his last 11 MAYFIELD (38) PIM BOGOSIAN (40) games. Eichel recorded a point in all three games EBERLE (3) GWG SKINNER (6) against the Islanders last season. NEW YORK ISLANDERS QUICK FACTS TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: Tonight, the New York Islanders will close-out The New York Islanders will close out 2018 as they take on the Sabres in Buffalo 2018 in Buffalo. The Islanders went 35-35-10 for the first time this season. This will be the sixth time that the Islanders and (80 pts) in 80 games during the 2018 calendar Sabres have met on New Years Eve in Buffalo. The Islanders are 4-1-0 in the year. Mathew Barzal, who won the ‘18 Calder previous five NYE games vs Buffalo. New York is 6-1-0 in their last seven games. ‘ Trophy, led all Islanders in points this year with 84 points (19G, 65A) in 80 games. , named team captain in Oct. 2018 led the LAST TIME OUT: Islanders with 30 goals in 80 games this year. Mathew Barzal scored a second period natural hat trick, while Robin Lehner 18 made 36 saves for his second shutout of the season as the Isles blanked the 4-0 before a sellout crowd of 19,514 at Scotiabank Arena. With the win on Saturday, Islanders head recorded his 782th coaching victory, matching Isles legend Al Arbour coach Barry Trotz is now tied with Islanders for 4th place on the All-time NHL list. Hall of Fame coach, Al Arbour for fourth place on the all-time on the career wins list (782). Tonight, Trotz will have a chance to NYI LEADING THE NHL: move into sole position of fourth place on the The New York Islanders currently lead the NHL in fewest goals allowed this all-time wins list for NHL coaches. Trotz is season. The Islanders have allowed 101 goals (including SO goals) and 98 set to coach in his 1,561th game tonight in goals (excluding SO goals) through 37 games this season. NYI allowed 28 Toronto, which leads all active coaches. more goals through the same number of games last season. 782