The Lightning expect franchise great and veteran defenseman Victor Hedman to return in Saturday's clash with Islanders

For instance, how would this season’s Islanders look if Brock Nelson had accepted former president and general manager Lou Lamoriello’s extension offer rather than being traded to the Avalanche in a deal that returned swiftly developing rookie center Cal Ritchie?

Brock Nelson got his standing ovation. The Islanders got their two points during a win against the Avalanche on Thursday.

Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out.

The Islanders have the worst powerplay in hockey, and splitting up Matthew Schaefer and Mathew Barzal may be the key.

It would be easy for Tampa Bay to lament over two tight losses, one in controversial fashion, but the Lightning need to put it behind them when the New York Islanders visit Saturday night in the teams' second matchup this week.

Bo Horvat’s goal just 55 seconds into the second period — Horvat breaking a four-game goalless streak by putting in his own rebound from Max Shabanov’s feed — was all that stood between the Islanders and Lightning entering the last 20 minutes.

The Islanders and the Avalanche had a lot of crossover on Thursday. Not only is Patrick Roy a Colorado legend, but his assistant coach, Ray Bennett, was in Denver for the past six seasons. Nelson and Devon Toews were both on the Islanders for portions of their career. And Islanders rookie Calum Ritchie came over in the Nelson trade.

Both teams were off Wednesday after earning wins Tuesday night at home. Ilya Sorokin carried a shutout bid deep into the third period and finished with 30 saves as the Islanders edged the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1. The Avalanche ran their point streak to 17 games by beating the Vancouver Canucks, 3-1.