Islanders Gm 48: Räty Back vs. Hurricanes, ‘He’s Gonna Play in Different Situations’

EAST MEADOW, NY — The New York Islanders are back in action Saturday night as they host the Carolina Hurricanes for a matchup between the Sebastian Aho’s. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 PM ET at UBS Arena.

The New York Islanders are 2-5-3 over their last 10 games, scoring just two goals per game. They have scored first in each of the previous five games, but have blown four leads. Three of those blown leads have come in the third period.

“It can be a little deflating at times, but we gotta get that out of our mind. And just go out there and play,” Matt Martin said. “We’re in a little bit of a battle right now. And we just need to find a way to break out of it and keep fighting.”

MORNING SKATE UPDATES

Before the skate, the New York Islanders announced that forward Cal Clutterbuck is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury. Forward Aatu Räty has been recalled.

“I had a lot of confidence after being here. I thought my game was good enough,” Räty said. “So that obviously gives you a lot of confidence.”

Islanders head coach Lane Lambert liked what he saw from Räty in Bridgeport.

“I saw what we were expected to see from him,” Lambert said. “He played in every situation […] We’ve got some injuries, and he’s gonna play in different situations.”

Hudson Facsching (lower body) did not take part in morning skate and will not play.

Ilya Sorokin was in the starter’s crease as he will make his 34th start of the season. It was announced late on Thursday that he will be headed to his first All-Star Game.

Defenseman Adam Pelech and Kyle Palmieri skated but will not play Saturday. Islanders head coach Lane Lambert is hopeful that at least one of them will be back before the All-Star break.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINES (PROJECTED)

Anders Lee-Mathew Barzal-Casey Cizikas
Josh Bailey-Brock Nelson-Anthony Beauvillier
Zach Parise-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Simon Holmstrom
Ross Johnston-Aatu Räty-Matt Martin

Parker Wotherspoon-Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov-Scott Mayfield
Sebastian Aho-Noah Dobson

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

CAROLINA HURRICANES  LINES (PROJECTED)

The #Canes are expected to go with the below as they meet the Minnesota Wild tonight:

Pacioretty – Aho – Jarvis
Svechnikov – Stastny – Necas
Martinook – Staal – Fast
Teravainen – Kotkaniemi – Noesen

Slavin – Burns
Skjei – Pesce
de Haan – Chatfield

Andersen

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) January 19, 2023

*Max Pacioretty tore his Achilles against the Wild, as he’s on Long-Term Injury Reserve. They did not skate Saturday morning.

ISLANDERS NOTES

Tonight, the New York Islanders host the Carolina Hurricanes in the third of four matchups between the two clubs this season. It is the second and final time the Hurricanes will visit UBS Arena in the regular season.

These two teams have split their season series so far. Tonight’s matchup is the fourth of eight consecutive Eastern Conference opponents the Islanders will face before January 28.

The Islanders are 5-2-1 in division matchups on home ice this season, and they have collected points in their last three contests against a Metropolitan opponent.

DRAFTKINGS BETTING CORNER

Do you think the New York Islanders will beat the Carolina Hurricanes? You can get the Islanders at +145 & -190 on the reverse puck line. The Hurricanes come in at -170 & +160 on the puck line.

The over for the contest is 5.5 at -105, with the under at -115.

Head over to DraftKings to place your bets now!

HOW TO WATCH

Saturday’s contest will be available on MSGSN. On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU, and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.