New York at San Jose

San Jose has scored eight goals in its last five games, all losses, and has allowed 22. The run began with a 5-1 loss to Ottawa on Saturday, October 31, then ran through 2-1 to Calgary, 7-2 at Los Angeles, 4-1 at Minnesota and 4-3 at Dallas on Saturday. The opening goal in Dallas was the Sharks' first 1-0 lead in nine games, and the Stars answered with three straight. Five of San Jose's seven wins needed overtime or a shootout, which leaves two regulation wins in 19 games. The Sharks carry a goal differential of minus-21, fourth-worst in the NHL. The Islanders begin a three-game California trip here, and they are 0-2-1 in their last three with five goals allowed in two of them. The latest was a 5-4 overtime loss to New Jersey on Saturday after leading 2-1 following the first period and 4-2 through two. Four different Islanders scored in that game, and defenseman Matthew Schaefer's was his fifth goal of the season. New York has 17 points in 16 games to San Jose's 15 in 19, which puts the Sharks sixth in the Pacific Division. The Islanders have scored at least three goals in 11 of their 16 games and are 7-3-1 in them. Against a defense that has allowed four or more goals in four of its last five games, an offense that reaches three this often wins this game. Take the Islanders tonight as my NHL Game of the Week.