New York Islanders
Islanders Gm 53: Horvat Gearing Up For Home Debut vs. Kraken
After holding on for a 2-1 over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, the New York Islanders (26-22-5) are back at home as they host the Seattle Kraken (29-15-5). Puck drop is slated for 7:30 PM at UBS Arena.
The New York Islanders will not hold a morning skate as we will chat with head coach Lane Lambert at 4:45 PM.
Bo Horvat, who shined in Monday’s win, gears up for his Islanders home debut.
‘“Probably the same amount of nerves and butterflies playing in front of the home crowd for the first time,” Horvat said. “It’s going to be exciting. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve only played in the building once, but on the away side of it, so I’m excited to be on the home side of it.”
Horvat has three golas in six career games against the Kraken.
“It’s going to be great. I think they’re all excited, as they should be,” Mathew Barzal said. “We got a great player, and I’m sure he’s going to have a lot of great moments at UBS.”
Head coach Lane Lambert knows Horvat will be just fine.
“He’s a professional. I think he’ll handle it just fine,” Lambert said. “Our fans are great. And it’s going to be exciting to get in front of them. They always give us a boost, and certainly, coming in into a back-to-back, we’re going to need that. So we’re looking forward to getting home.”
Horvat has three golas in six career games against the Kraken.
With Semyon Varlamov getting the win against Philadelphia, All-Star Ilya Sorokin (16-16-4, 2.38 GAA, .923 SV%, 4 SO) will start against the Kraken.
The Islanders had a few players extend point streaks Monday, as All-Star Brock Nelson now sits with points in seven straight games, with four goals and four assists.
Kyle Palmieri continues to produce since returning from injury, as his goal Monday extended his point streak to five, with a goal and five assists.
The Kraken come into this game winners of the three of their last five, as this will be their first game since the All-Star break.
Martin Jones (23-7-3, 2.82 GAA, .895 SV%, 3 SO) is expected to get the start.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINES (PROJECTED)
Josh Bailey-Bo Horvat-Mathew Barzal
Anders Lee-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Zach Parise-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Simon Holmstrom
Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Hudson Fasching
Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov-Scott Mayfield
Sebastian Aho-Noah Dobson
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov
SEATTLE KRAKEN LINES (PROJECTED)
McCann-Wennberg-Eberle
Schwartz-Beniers-Burakovsky
Tolvanen-Gourde-Bjorkstrand
Tanev-Donato-Sprong
GeekieDunn-Larsson
Soucy-Schultz
Oleksiak-Borgen
Megna-FleuryJones
Grubauer— Mike Benton (@Benton_Mike) February 6, 2023
ISLANDERS NOTES
Tonight, the New York Islanders look to earn a split in their two-game season series against the Seattle Kraken, as the Islanders host the Kraken in the final matchup between the two clubs this season.
The ast time these teams met was on January 1, 2023, in Seattle. It is just the second meeting in history between the Islanders and Kraken at UBS Arena and the first since over a year ago.
The Islanders enter tonight’s matchup with three straight wins, and they cap off their eleventh back-to-back series of the season tonight, following a 2-1 win in Philadelphia last night.
DRAFTKINGS BETTING CORNER
Do you think the New York Islanders will beat the Seattle Kraken? You can get the Islanders at -110 & +225 on the puck line. The Kraken come in at -110 & -265 on the reverse puck line.
The over for the contest is 5.5 at -110, with the under at -110.
Head over to DraftKings to place your bets now!
HOW TO WATCH
Monday’s contest will be available on MSGN. On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU, and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.