NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders have spent the last week proving they can play with the best teams in the Eastern Conference. On Thursday night, the Islanders will get a chance to see how they stack up against the red-hot St. Louis Blues, who are the second-best team in the Western Conference.The Islanders will host the Blues for the only time this season when the two teams square off at Barclays Center. Both clubs won Tuesday, when New York extended its point streak to five games with a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers while St. Louis kept rolling with a 3-2 overtime win over the East-leading Montreal Canadiens.The Islanders (10-10-5) have gone 4-0-1 in their last five games -- a stretch in which theyve beaten the Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, all of whom currently occupy a playoff spot -- to climb out of the NHL basement and move to the fringe of the East playoff race.It gives our guys a little bit of confidence that we can play with some of the top teams, record-wise, in the East, Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said.Despite the recent surge, the Islanders still have a long road ahead if they want to reach the playoffs for the third straight season. New York is eight points behind the Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers, who are tied for the two wild card berths.Means weve got a lot of work still to do, Islanders center and captain John Tavares said. Weve had some ups and downs and some frustration to start the year, some results we didnt get and some things maybe not go our way. Certainly playing a lot better hockey and we know we can still be a lot better.Results-wise, its hard to fare much better than the Blues (15-7-4) have lately. St. Louis is 8-1-1 in its last 10 games dating back to Nov. 15 to move within three points of the Chicago Blackhawks, who lead both the Central Division and the Western Conference.Much like the Islanders, the Blues are looking to see if their recent play is sustainable. The game Thursday begins a four-game road trip for St. Louis, which is just 3-6-1 away from Scottrade Center. Six of its final nine games before the Christmas break will be on the road.Its going to be a real test for us, Blues goalie Jake Allen said. Obviously, things havent gone great for us on the road this year. Its a great opportunity to keep this thing going we had on our homestand.The Blues would like to keep it going without the drama that accompanied the 4-0-1 homestand that concluded Tuesday. Four of the five games went to overtime.My biggest fear is weve had to put a lot of energy into these games. a lot of overtimes, a lot of 3-on-3 stuff, a lot of anxiety, a lot of close games, Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock said. Well see where our energy is. Weve got to be really careful with ourselves right now. Christian Wilkins Womens Jersey . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. Mark Clayton Jersey . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Dan-Marino-Jersey/ . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Nat Moore Dolphins Jersey .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. Christian Wilkins Jersey . The showiest items on Calgarys lot were forwards Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer. DALLAS -- SMU has given football coach Chad Morris a contract extension through the 2023 season.The new deal Wednesday added three years to Morris contract. The former Clemson offensive coordinator initially got a six-year deal when he took the job two years ago.SMU athletic director Rick Hart told the Dallas Morning News that the schools board of trustees has approved changes to Morris contract.There was speculation about the 47-year-old Morris becoming Bayloors new coach when the Mustangs (5-7, 3-5 AAC) played their season finale last weekend.dddddddddddd SMU lost to Navy, missing a chance to become bowl eligible.Morris is 7-17 in two years with the Mustangs, but inherited a team coming off a 1-11 season.SMU had been working on a contract extension for Morris since early in the season. ' ' '