Anaheim’s stronger recent run meets New York’s edge in season-series history and goaltending numbers.
Saturday’s Honda Center matchup puts Anaheim’s 21 points against New York’s 20, with the Ducks at 10-8-1 and the Islanders at 8-6-4. Anaheim has won four of its last five, while New York has one win in five; the Islanders also took the season’s first meeting, 3-2. The Ducks’ attack runs through Cutter Gauthier’s 14 goals and a quartet of 19-point leaders, while Matthew Schaefer leads New York with 16 points. Anaheim’s scoring must test an Islanders group whose goalies have posted save percentages of .898 and .901; that matchup could decide whether the Ducks turn their recent form into a home win.