The Metropolitan Division-leading New York Islanders lost to the last-place Edmonton Oilers last month.

If history is any indication, a season sweep is very unlikely.

After avoiding a scare against another of the NHL's also-rans, the Islanders go for an eighth straight win over the Oilers at Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday night.

The Oilers opened this season-high six-game road trip with a 5-1 defeat at Toronto on Saturday, but rebounded with Monday's 2-1 win over New Jersey.

Nail Yakupov snapped a second-period tie to end an 11-game drought with his sixth goal of the season.

"Finally, it's got to go in," said Yakupov, who has struggled to live up to expectations since being drafted first overall in 2012. "I'm just trying to get open. We got good guys and skill players who can pass the puck. I had a couple of shots that couldn't go through. The third one I put in. That's what I've got to do more and more every game."

Jordan Eberle assisted on both goals Monday, giving him six points in five games.

Yakupov's tally was Edmonton's first power-play goal in seven games. The Oilers are 8 for 73 (11.0 percent) with the man advantage on the road this season.

Monday's win was Edmonton's first in regulation away from home since Nov. 9.

New York (34-18-1) gave up the first two goals and never recovered in a 5-2 loss at Edmonton on Jan. 4, failing to capitalize on a matchup with a team sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference.

The Islanders almost squandered another opportunity against a struggling opponent Sunday. They scored the first three goals before giving up two in a 2:24 span of the second period but held on for a 3-2 win. New York, which matched last season's total with its 34th win, registered 31 shots and held Buffalo to 10, the fewest its ever allowed in a road game.

"I don't think there was any panic," captain John Tavares said. "When you're faced with a little adversity, you've just got to find a way to overcome it."

The victory was the second in three tries following a three-game skid for the Islanders, who have won seven straight at home against the Oilers (15-30-9). They haven't lost to Edmonton at the Coliseum since Dec. 14, 1999, and extending that run will require overcoming some recent injuries.

New York was without forwards Michael Grabner and Cal Clutterbuck (both upper body) and defenseman Calvin de Haan (cut to the forehead) against the Sabres, while second-leading scorer Kyle Okposo (eye) isn't expected back until next month.

Colin McDonald took advantage of the opportunity created by the injuries, scoring a goal hours after being recalled from Bridgeport of the AHL.

"I was waiting for my opportunity, and you just never really know when you're going to get it," said McDonald, a second-round pick by the Oilers in 2003.

"I understand my role and the role I am in this year and you just have to be ready whenever they put you in," he told the team's official website.

Tavares has three goals and four assists in five career meetings with Edmonton, collecting two assists Jan 4. He's scored in all three home matchups, entering this one with 11 points during an eight-game streak on Long Island.

Oilers (39PTS) at Islanders (69PTS)

EDM is 1-0-0 vs NYI this season, winning at home
NYI have won 7 straight at home vs EDM, EDM last winning in Dec 1999
NYI (34-18-1):
lost 2 straight at home, 9GA, 1/3 on PK
Tavares (1G, 1A) past 2 games
EDM (15-30-9):
4-2-0 past 6 road games, 2/17 on PP, 3 of the wins in a shootout
Klefbom (1G, 1A) past 2 games