Talk about a must-win situation. The home underdog Islanders find themselves in just such a spot.

The Islanders are battling the Penguins and Panthers for the top wild-card spot in the East. New York desperately needs this game after getting upset on the road by the Blue Jackets and then losing at home to the Sabres this past Saturday. Following this game, the Islanders have a daunting schedule playing road games against the Capitals, Lightning and Hurricanes.

New York had won three straight, including defeating the Maple Leafs by five goals, before its two-game losing skid.

The Devils, on the other hand, may not have such motivation. They clinched their first playoff spot since the 2017-18 season by beating the Senators, 5-3, this past Saturday while the Panthers fell to the Rangers.

New Jersey was 1-5 in its previous six games before defeating Ottawa.

The Devils have a bad road history against the Islanders losing 15 of the past 19 times.