ISLANDERS (2-2-1) VS KINGS (3-0-1) Preview
The New York Islanders will attempt to end their own lone West Coast road trip on a winning note, goalie Darcy Kuemper will make his season debut for the Los Angeles Kings when they host the New York Islanders at Staples Center on Sunday.
Kuemper, 27, signed a one-year, $650,000 contract on July 1 to back up Jonathan Quick. He was 41-34-14 with a 2.60 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in five seasons for the Minnesota Wild.
The Islanders are in the midst of a tough schedule which is five of its first seven games away from Brooklyn’s Barclay Center and are in a stretch of 13 of 15 games against the Western Conference.
Jaroslav Halak will start for the Islanders after Thomas Greiss made 40 saves in a 3-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
The Kings and Islanders are each looking to sweep their first set of back-to-back games after winning on Saturday. Los Angeles defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-2.
The Kings will play the second of eight consecutive games against the Eastern Conference. The Kings (3-0-1) fast start is rare for the Kings because it’s the first time since the 1995-96 season that they have registered points in each of their first four games.
The Islanders are 0-for-18 on the power play; the five games without a power-play goal is the third-longest to start the season in history; The Kings are 17-for-18 on the penalty kill, second-best in the NHL.
The islanders are struggling with offense as they are 21st in the league with a 2.60 goals for but have had solid goaltending which they are 12th in the league with a 2.80 GAA through five games this season.
Dustin Brown has come a life as his recent years he has been battling with injuries and also scoring slumps. Brown has six points in four games with four of those points being four goals.
The captain John Tavares has had his struggles as he only has three points in five games. The Islanders are looking from more production from the captain.
Players to watch
Islanders forward Joshua Ho-Sang has three assists in his past two games. Ho-Sang leads New York with four assists and is tied for second among all NHL rookies.
Kings defenseman Alec Martinez made his season debut against the Sabres. He had an assist on Drew Doughty's game-winning goal and blocked two shots in 23:28 of ice time.
Islanders projected lineup
Anders Lee -- John Tavares -- Jordan Eberle
Andrew Ladd -- Mathew Barzal -- Josh Bailey
Jason Chimera -- Mathew Barzal -- Joshua Ho-Sang
Nikolay Kulemin -- Casey Cizikas -- Cal Clutterbuck
Nick Leddy -- Johnny Boychuk
Calvin de Haan -- Adam Pelech
Thomas Hickey -- Scott Mayfield
Jaroslav Halak
Thomas Greiss
Scratched: Anthony Beauvillier, Dennis Seidenberg, Ryan Pulock
Injured: Shane Prince (ankle), Alan Quine (upper body)
Kings projected lineup
Alex Iafallo -- Anze Kopitar -- Dustin Brown
Tanner Pearson -- Jeff Carter -- Tyler Toffoli
Adrian Kempe -- Nic Dowd -- Jonny Brodzinski
Andy Andreoff -- Nick Shore -- Trevor Lewis
Derek Forbort -- Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin -- Alec Martinez
Christian Folin -- Oscar Fantenberg
Darcy Kuemper
Jonathan Quick
Scratched: Michael Cammalleri, Kurtis MacDermid
Injured: Kyle Clifford (upper body), Marian Gaborik (knee)
Prediction: Kings continue their fast start in the Western Conference and win this one 4-2 against the Islanders
