Here are some notes for those fans getting ready to watch the New York Islanders (8-11-2) who are getting ready to host the Ottawa Senators (12-7-3) in NHL action today at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Islanders lost the lone matchup thus far between the two teams on Feb 19 by a 3-1 margin. New York and Ottawa will me again this year on March 19, when the two teams face-off at Nassau Coliseum.

New York has scored four first period goals in their last three games after only tallying seven in their first 18. The Isles earned their seventh point of the season by forcing overtime on Feb 28 vs. Toronto, in a game in which the Isles came back from a two-goal deficit.

Thus far the Islanders have struggled on home ice, as their 2-8-1 home record is the worst in the NHL, their current losing streak in the Coliseum is at four and they’ve been outscored 20-7.

Players to watch for: ­­­­­­ Players on the Islanders to watch for are John Tavares, who has emerged as one of the top talents of the NHL. Kyle Okposo has played some of his best hockey in the past week and Michael Grabner has been the breakout specialist for the team.

The Islanders and Senators game is set to air on the MSG Plus network, with face-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m.