Coming off losing two games this weekend to the first place Devils (did gain a point in an OT loss) the Islanders limped into Detroit for a key Metropolitan Division match up. The second place Islanders have played 58 games with 29 wins and 79 total points. The sixth place Red Wings have played 60 games with 30 wins and 75 points. As you can see, the division is very tight with the 7th place Flyers only 5 points behind the 2nd place Islanders. 

This journey will not be easy. Eight players were unable to practice as their conditioning was under 97 %. These players were Sean Couturier, Artem Anisimov, J T Miller, Anders Lee, Rick Nash, Brandon Saad, Cam Atkinson and Kris Letang. Practicing on the side were Kevin Hayes, Jesper Fast and Henrick Lundqvist who are also not 100 %. 

GM Lawrence Linke is hopeful that all the players will be available fior tonights game but does have a contigency plan in place. Linke stated that all teams are banged up and the guys are looking forward to their five day break next wek. Linke then lamented how they will come back healthy and then play 3 games in 4 nights.