Tonight was a big game in multiple ways. The biggest storyline was the fact that the New York Islanders were hosting the Vancouver Canucks just a week and a half removed from executing a blockbuster trade that brought Bo Horvat to Long Island and sent Anthony Beauvillier out west.
But more importantly, the Islanders had a chance to extend their winning streak to five games and pick up more points in their quest to make the playoffs. They were rested, coming off a big win against the Seattle Kraken, and facing a tired Canucks team that played the night before.