Will the New York Islanders Sail Past the San Jose Sharks at UBS Arena?

As the New York Islanders gear up to host the San Jose Sharks at UBS Arena, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an electrifying match. The Islanders, with a recent mix of wins and losses, are looking to capitalize on their home advantage and climb higher in the standings.

Recent Performance Trends

Analyzing their past games reveals a rollercoaster of outcomes for the Islanders. In their latest encounter against the Philadelphia Flyers, despite a valiant effort, they fell short with a scoreline that reflected their struggle in converting shots into goals. Their performance was marred by giveaways and a less-than-ideal faceoff win percentage which stood at 47 percent. However, they showed promise in powerplay situations by scoring 2 out of 4 opportunities.

In contrast, during their game against Ottawa Senators, the Islanders couldn't find the back of the net resulting in a shutout loss. This game highlighted areas for improvement such as shot conversion and maintaining discipline to minimize penalties.

However, redemption came when they faced off against Utah's Hockey Club where they secured a win thanks to strategic plays leading to two goals during even strength play and an impressive goaltending display that saw them conceding only once from 22 shots against.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match against San Jose Sharks presents both an opportunity and challenge for the Islanders. The team needs to leverage its powerplay opportunities while tightening defense to reduce giveaways and penalties which have previously cost them dearly.

Playing at UBS Arena could provide them with just enough momentum; historically home games have seen better performances from teams due to familiar settings and fan support. The key players like Mathew Barzal who has been instrumental in past victories will need to step up once again if they hope to secure another win for their home crowd.

Fans can catch this thrilling encounter on January 18th at 7:30 PM EST on ESPN+, NBCS-CA or MSGSN networks depending on your location. Whether you're cheering from UBS Arena or watching from home, this is one game you won't want to miss as it promises not just excitement but crucial points that could affect playoff standings down the line.

Remember: every game counts as we head deeper into this season! Share your thoughts about our chances in this upcoming clash below or share this article across social media platforms!