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- The Senators are three games above NHL.-500 with a record of 21-18-3. The Sens had a hot December with a record of 9-3-1 and a .731 winning percentage that ranked fourth in the NHL for the month. Ottawa went on a six-game winning streak from Dec. 11-21, immediately following a 4-2 loss to the Isles on Dec. 8.

Matthew Barzal scored the latest go-ahead goal for the Islanders in 2 ½ seasons and it held up for the winner as Marcus Hogberg made 21 saves for his first NHL win since April 2021 and the Isles defeated Utah HC 2-1 before a sellout crowd of 11,131 at Delta Center.

Even still, Utah is battling for a playoff berth in the Central Division, and Vejmelka has an impressive 2.45 GAA and .914 SP. Those are more reasons why Ottawa would have a tough time getting him.

EAST MEADOW, NY- The New York Islanders (17-18-7) have returned home after sweeping their three-game road trip and officially beginning what could be their final run together in this group for a playoff spot.

Mathew Barzal scored with 1:25 to play and also had an assist to lead the New York Islanders to a 2-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club

The New York Islanders have announced that goaltender Ilya Sorokin will miss Saturday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club due to being sick. Sorokin last played on Thursday in the Islanders’ 4-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights,

We saw the Utah Hockey Club host the New York Rangers at the Delta Center on Thursday night in a matchup where we could expect some fireworks after Utah beat the Rangers in a 6-5 overtime thriller in October.