Islanders Game 40: Somebody Has to Win; Lines, Notes & How to Watch

BOSTON — The New York Islanders (14-18-7) arrive in Boston losers of three straight, with just two wins in their last eight games (2-6-0). They take on the Boston Bruins (20-17-4) in TD Garden tonight, with puck drop scheduled for just after 6 p.m. The Bruins have also lost three straight and are just 1-4-0 in their last five games.

The Bruins lost last night to the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 in a wild, back-and-forth game with their hated rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Similarly, the Islanders’ last two games also came against the Leafs, and both resulted in tight losses, first a 3-1 loss and then a 2-1 defeat at home.

That’s about where the similarities stop. Despite their recent poor form, the Bruins sit third in the Atlantic Division with a two-point advantage over the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, Tampa has played a whopping five fewer games than the Bruins, who start the second half of their season tonight against the Islanders.

Tonight will also be Oliver Wahlstrom’s first game against New York since the Islanders waived him and the Bruins claimed him. He’s played sparingly since being claimed, having played six games while being healthy and scratched more than once. Wahlstrom’s recorded 0 points with the Bruins.

The Islanders are not in a great place. They are 28th in the NHL, last in the Metropolitan Division, and five points outside of the final playoff spot. Elsewhere, trade buzz around Brock Nelson continues to churn, and his future seems uncertain.

The Islanders have dropped three straight games and, like the Bruins, are 1-4-0 in their last five. Both teams desperately need a win, but the Islanders should have the fresher legs. They’ve had the last two days off, flew up yesterday, and could kick back and watch the Bruins battle with the Leafs.

Following the injuries to Isaiah George and Simon Holmstrom, the Islanders have been forced to shake up their lines. Notably, Head Coach Patrick Roy has moved Mathew Barzal back to the wing and swapped Jean-Gabriel Pageau back to his natural center position.

Islanders Lines:

Anders Lee-Brock Nelson-Mathew Barzal

Anthony Duclair-Bo Horvat-Kyle Palmieri

Maxim Tsyplakov-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Casey Cizikas

Pierre Engvall-Kyle MacLean-Hudson Fasching

Defense and Goalies:

Alexander Romanov-Noah Dobson

Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock

Dennis Cholowski-Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin (Marcus Hogberg)

Bruins Lines:

Morgan Geekie-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak

Brad Marchand-Elias Lindholm-Charlie Coyle

Oliver Wahlstrom-Trent Frederic-Justin Brazeau

Johnny Beecher-Mark Kastelic-Cole Koepke

Defense and Goalies:

Parker Wotherspoon-Charlie McAvoy

Nikita Zadorov-Brandon Carlo

Mason Lohrei- Andrew Peeke

Joonas Korpisalo (Jeremy Swayman)

Special Teams:

Islanders Power Play: 11%, 32nd. Islanders Penalty Kill: 63.5%, 32nd.

Bruins Power Play: 12.7%, 31st Bruins Penalty Kill: 76.2%, 25th.

Notes:

Anders Lee will play in his 799th Career Game, 10th all-time in Franchise History

Brock Nelson enters with 285 career goals. That’s two off of Pat LaFontaine and Brent Sutter for fifth all-time in franchise history.

Mathew Barzal has 320 career assists. He’s 3 off of Brent Sutter for ninth all-time in franchise history.

Bruins’ defensemen have not scored a goal in 14 consecutive games

The Bruins’ power play has not scored in five straight games- 0/9 during that time.

The Bruins have only led for 10:44 in their last three games, trailing for 143:22.

How to Watch:

TV: MSGSN**, Out of Market ESPN+

Radio: 88.7 WRHU

**Unless you have Optimum. If you have Optimum and are in market, you must switch providers in order to watch today’s game.