After a decisive victory over the San Jose Sharks, the New York Islanders (28-20-14) begin a southern California back-to-back against the Anaheim Ducks (23-37-3) with a playoff spot up for grabs.

After a decisive victory over the San Jose Sharks, the New York Islanders (28-20-14) begin a southern California back-to-back against the Anaheim Ducks (23-37-3). 

Puck drop from Honda Center is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

The Islanders defeated the Ducks 4-3 in their first meeting at UBS Arena on Dec. 13. 

They jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second period, but Anaheim rallied for three-straight goals despite being outplayed. 

After Sam Carrick gave the Ducks the lead, Mathew Barzal tied the affair two minutes later, setting the stage for Simon Holmstrom to score the game-winner on a delayed penalty late in the third.

Where They've Been:

Anaheim dropped their last contest against the Dallas Stars on Friday. Six different Stars scored goals in the affair, including the first four of the game across the opening 25 minutes. Ryan Strome and Alex Killorn attempted to start rallies for the Ducks, but Dallas had answers for both red lights, finishing a 6-2 win. 

Players To Watch:

Islanders head coach Patrick Roy confirmed that Semyon Varlamov will make his 18th start of the season on Sunday (6-7-3, 2.91 GAA, .910 SV%). 

He last started a 4-0 shutout loss to the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 22, yielding three goals on 24 shots. Against Anaheim, he is 5-6-3 with a 3.08 GAA and .902 SV%, matching his St. Louis stat line in a winning effort in their last meeting. 

Seven different Islanders lit the lamp on Thursday in San Jose, including Barzal. His goal extended his point streak to six games, totaling three red lights and four helpers in that span. 

He also has points in four straight meetings with Anaheim, boasting two goals and four assists.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has points in three-straight games overall, has an assist in six-straight games against Anaheim, assisting on Holmstrom's game-winner in December. 

Brock Nelson had a three-assist night on Thursday, the third of his NHL career and first since March 22, 2022. He now has a four-game point streak with three goals and five assists in that span.

With his time as a Vancouver Canuck, Horvat leads active Islanders in goals and points against Anaheim with 10 and 16, respectively. Cal Clutterbuck leads the Islanders in assists against the Ducks with eight.

Although no goaltender has been announced for Anaheim, we believe John Gibson will take the crease for Anaheim on Sunday, making his 39th start of the season (13-21-2, 3.22 GAA, .896 SV%).

He started Friday's game against the Stars, letting up six goals on 36 shots in the loss. Against New York, he is 4-4-1 with a 3.31 GAA and .899 SV%, last letting up four goals on 35 shots in their last meeting.

If not, and it is rookie Lukas Dostal, he'll make his 31st start of the season (10-16-1, 3.51, .904 SV%).  

He has yet to face the Islanders. 

Troy Terry got Anaheim on the board in their matchup in December, giving him points in four straight games against New York; the forward has two goals and two assists in that span.  

Frank Vatrano, who remains with the team after drawing interest at the Trade Deadline, leads the Ducks in goals with 29; Terry leads Anaheim in assists with 29. 

Cam Fowler and Alex Killorn each have five career goals against the Islanders to lead the team. Fowler's 13 assists and 18 points lead in Ducks in each of those respective categories. 

New York Islanders Projected Lines:

Brock Nelson - Bo Horvat - Mathew Barzal

Anders Lee - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Kyle Palmieri

Pierre Engvall - Casey Cizikas - Simon Holmstrom

Matt Martin - Kyle MacLean - Cal Clutterbuck

Alexander Romanov - Ryan Pulock

Adam Pelech - Noah Dobson

Mike Reilly - Sebastian Aho

Semyon Varlamov

Ilya Sorokin

Anaheim Ducks Projected Lines:

Max Jones - Mason McTavish - Alex Killorn 

Frank Vatrano - Ryan Strome - Troy Terry

Ben Meyers - Isaac Lunderstrom - Jakob Silfverberg 

Ross Johnston - Bo Groulx - Brett Leason

Cam Fowler - Glen Zellwegger

Pavel Mintyukov - Radko Gudas 

Urho Vaakanainen - Jackson LaCombe

John Gibson

Lukas Dostal

How To Watch:

Sunday's game will air on MSGSN. On the radio, the contest will air on 88.7 FM WRHU, 103.9 LI News Radio and 1050 AM ESPN.