Can Heart Beat Hart? Islanders Lines, Notes, Matchups for Game 7

Lineup changes are coming to the New York Islanders tonight for Game 7 against the Philadelphia Flyers. What will they be? We’ll have to wait and see.

Islanders head coach Barry Trotz confirmed that there will be tweaks to the lineup, but he wouldn’t elaborate this afternoon. This all comes as the Islander attempt to stave off elimination after letting a 3-1 series lead slip away.

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It will be the first Game 7 the Islanders have played in since 2015 against the then Barry Trotz coached Washington Capitals.

“Game 7, they’re special,” Trotz said during a Zoom call with reporters. “There is a height and awareness. Anticipation, you’re excited. You have some nerves and you have all those good things. Everybody is all in. You know there is an outcome and everyone will be ready for that. That’s the most important thing is that you have really good energy.

“Don’t let it paralyze you. Just worry about how you play than the final outcome.”

Islanders Find Themselves in Unfamiliar Territory in Game 7 Against the Flyers

Tonight will be the eighth Game 7 in franchise history and the 14th winner-take-all game for the Islanders. New York holds a 3-5 record all-time in Game 7 situations, with the last being a 2-1 loss to the Capitals in 2015.

The Islanders hope to pick up a fourth franchise win in a Game 7 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1993.

The big question surrounding the Islanders is whether or not Trotz will turn to Semyon Varlamov or Thomas Greiss in net. Varlamov has started all but one game this postseason for the Islanders.

“There's no tomorrow so we’re going to have to bring our best and sometimes when you’re in that situation it brings the best out of you. I am really confident in our team for tonight’s game.”

Pageau and Leddy address the media ahead of Game 7. pic.twitter.com/RDcBzPZMho

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 5, 2020

Varlamov has played well throughout the playoffs for the Islanders, but in his last two starts he has given up a combined nine goals on 63 shots. Greiss has allowed three goals on 59 shots this series.

With Trotz indicating lineup changes are coming, goaltending is one of the first positions that comes to mind.

The Islanders have not been afraid to utilize Ross Johnston and Michael Dal Colle when they’ve felt it was necessary for the bottom six of the lineup.

Islanders Lines (Projected)

Anders Lee — Mathew Barzal — Jordan Eberle

Anthony Beauvillier — Brock Nelson — Josh Bailey

Derick Brassard — Jean-Gabriel Pageau — Leo Komarov

Matt Martin — Casey Cizikas — Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech — Ryan Pulock

Devon Toews — Scott Mayfield

Nick Leddy — Andy Greene

Thomas Greiss

Semyon Varlamov

Flyers Lines (Projected)

Claud Giroux — Scott Laughton — Jakub Voracek

James van Riemsdyk — Kevin Hayes — Travis Konecny

Oskar Lindblom — Derek Grant — Tyler Pitlick

Micahel Raffl — Nate Thompson — Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Ivan Provorov — Matt Niskanen

Travis Sanheim — Philippe  Myers

Robert Hagg – Justin Braun

Carter Hart

Brian Elliott

Game Notes

The Flyers are 9-7 all-time in Game 7 situations and Saturday is the third time in franchise history that they have faced the Islanders in a Gam 7. … Ivan Provorov has four points (two goals, two assists) in his last three games, which includes the double-overtime winner in Game 6. … Carter Hart made 49 saves in Game 6 and moved to fifth in Flyers history for most saves in a playoff game. … Seven of the Islanders’ current players were on the roster in 2015 during the team’s last Game 7. … Mat Barzal’s two-point night (one goal, one assist) in Game 6 moved him to second on the Islanders in points with 13. … The Islanders are 26-21 when facing elimination. … This will be the first Game 7 in Islanders history after they had led a series 3-1.

How to Watch

The game will air locally and nationally on NBC. On the radio dial, the game will air on 98.7 FM ESPN New York, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.