This was a rare opportunity in a busy NHL schedule, and one that was apropos for a team whose mantra all year has been playing with joy. The Islanders and a handful of support staff, all out on the pond,

With Rittich skating out and Ilya Sorokin watching from the sidelines, Casey Cizikas tried his hand in goal, albeit without pads, and gave it a valiant effort. Patrick Roy has preached playing with joy this season for the Islanders, and there was plenty of that on the pond on Sunday.

It has been a miserable season so far, to say the least, for the Winnipeg Jets. But with two straight victories following an 11-game losing streak, the Jets can secure their longest winning streak since Nov.

Being on a line with Pageau, also Holmstrom’s penalty-killing partner, has always seemed to help the Swede’s game. But his torrid last month — 13 points in 14 games, plus an absurd 84.19 goals for

Welcome to the NHL on Tap. Three NHL.com writers will share what they are most looking forward to on the schedule each day. Today, their choices from the six games Thursday.

Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer remains the clear favorite, but a consensus top four has also now developed.

NHL fans looking to wager can sign up by using the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code NYPOST for Islanders vs. Jets.

There were two big trades on Dec. 11, with the Minnesota Wild acquiring defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks, plus the Edmonton Oilers acquiring goalie Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Stuart Skinner.