New York Islanders (29-21-14, fourth in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Buffalo Sabres (31-30-5, sixth in the Atlantic Division)
Buffalo, New York; Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres host the New York Islanders after Bowen Byram's two-goal game against the Detroit Red Wings in the Sabres' 7-3 win.
Buffalo is 16-17-1 in home games and 31-30-5 overall. The Sabres have a 28-6-2 record when scoring three or more goals.
New York has a 14-13-5 record in road games and a 29-21-14 record overall. The Islanders have a -9 scoring differential, with 196 total goals scored and 205 given up.
Thursday's game is the third meeting between these teams this season. The Sabres won 3-1 in the last meeting. Byram led the Sabres with two goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: John-Jason Peterka has 21 goals and 17 assists for the Sabres. Zachary Benson has one goal and four assists over the last 10 games.
Brock Nelson has 28 goals and 27 assists for the Islanders. Mathew Barzal has four goals and seven assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Sabres: 6-3-1, averaging three goals, 4.1 assists, 3.1 penalties and 6.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
Islanders: 7-3-0, averaging 3.7 goals, six assists, 2.7 penalties and 5.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.
INJURIES: Sabres: Mattias Samuelsson: out for season (upper body), Jordan Greenway: day to day (undisclosed), Jack Quinn: out (lower body).
Islanders: Matt Martin: day to day (lower body), Scott Mayfield: out (lower-body), Robert Bortuzzo: out (lower body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
