Playing from behind against some of the league's top teams isn't usually a recipe for success. The New York Islanders, though, have made it work the last two games.

The Islanders try to build on one of their most impressive wins of the season Tuesday when they face the Detroit Red Wings at home for the first time in over four years.

Few teams have had as difficult a schedule after the All-Star break as the Islanders (23-21-5), who faced first-place Atlanta, Eastern Conference-leading Buffalo and now Detroit in their first three games.

After spotting the Thrashers an early 3-0 lead Friday, New York battled back with three straight goals and forced overtime on defenseman Chris Campoli's first goal of the season at 6:03 of the third period. The Islanders ended up losing in overtime, but gained a valuable point in the playoff race.

Trailing Buffalo by one in the third period Saturday, the Islanders responded with three unanswered goals in a 5-3 victory that snapped a four-game home losing streak.

Arron Asham scored twice and Trent Hunter added a goal and an assist for New York, which is 4-2-2 since losing six in a row.

Hunter has heated up of late with seven goals and five assists in his last 11 games. His production has been important because captain Alexei Yashin has managed just one goal in his last 17 contests.

"We're not giving up," Hunter said. "There's been games this season where we went down a goal or two and the wind kind of goes out of our sails. But right now, we're battling and there's no let-up in our game. That's been a big reason for the success."

Rick DiPietro was pulled early in the first period against Atlanta, but responded with a much better performance in the win over Buffalo.

"I was rested, so that was a positive thing," DiPietro said. "No, any time you get yanked early in a game, you want to think about it a couple minutes but then forget it. Coming in, I just wanted to be solid and make the saves I had to make and give ourselves a chance to win, and we did that."

After going winless on a three-game road trip (0-2-1), Detroit got back on track Sunday with a 3-1 home victory over Colorado.

Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom each had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings (31-14-6), who dominated play throughout and outshot the Avalanche 41-12.

Dominik Hasek, who turned 42 Monday, needed to make only 11 saves for his 350th career win.

"We didn't give Dom a lot of work, which is good," coach Mike Babcock said.

Hasek has won six straight starts against the Islanders, allowing only six goals with two shutouts in that span.

Detroit is 18-3-3 at home this season, but just 13-11-3 on the road. The Red Wings are 2-5-1 in their last eight away from Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings had seven wins and one tie against the Islanders before that unbeaten streak ended with a 2-1 home loss on Dec. 4, 2005. Detroit, making its first visit to Nassau Coliseum since Dec. 17, 2002, is 6-1-0 with two ties in its last nine games there.