San Jose Sharks at New York Rangers
10/19/2009
Monday 07:00 pm Madison Square Garden
in New York, NY

San Jose Sharks vs New York Rangers

RW Ales Kotalik is off to a strong start with three goals and four assists through eight games, despite skating for the last several games on the fourth line. The former Sabre was bumped up Saturday in Toronto to the right side on the Rangers’ third line, alongside center Artem Anisimov and left wing Sean Avery. Kotalik, who signed a three-year deal worth $9-million contract over the summer, replaced Enver Lisin on that unit.
San Jose Sharks at New York Islanders
10/17/2009
Saturday 07:00 pm Nassau Coliseum
in Uniondale, NY

San Jose Sharks vs New York Islanders

With a win Monday, the Islanders technically would have been riding a four-game point streak. With a regulation loss, it becomes a four-game winless skid to open the season.
After losing their first three games in shootouts (twice) or overtime (once), the Isles fell to 0-1-3 entering Friday’s game against Buffalo with a 2-1 loss to Los Angeles in a Columbus Day matinee at Nassau Coliseum. Despite a strong start from No. 1 pick John Tavares, the rebuilding Islanders lost third-period leads in two of those games, including a three-goal cushion late in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss in Boston.

