New York Islanders
Shippin’ Up To Buffalo? Gm 43: Islanders vs. Sabres, Game Notes, & More
After a few days off, the New York Islanders are back in action Tuesday night to take on the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM ET.
The New York Islanders went 1-2 on their Western Canada road trip, winning the first game 6-3 over the Vancouver Canucks, before dropping both of a back-to-back situation, losing 3-1 to the Edmonton Oilers followed by a 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames.
The Islanders have done fairly well against weaker teams this season and Buffalo is one of those struggling teams at the bottom of the Atlantic Division standing.
“It’s at that point right now where you know, each game you’re going into is the biggest game of the year and that’s a mindset.” Casey Cizikas said.
With Semyon Varlamov in COVID-19 protocol, Ilya Sorokin is the favorite to start until he returns. Goaltender Cory Schneider was recalled from Bridgeport (AHL) to serve as the backup.
Ilya Sorokin did not attend Tuesday’s optional morning skate but will start against the Sabres.
New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz told the media that Kyle Palmieri will be in the lineup. Palmieri had been a healthy scratch the last two games.
“Trying to get him back in the fold and stabilize our lines a little bit hopefully,” Trotz said following morning skate. “You know, we’ve gone with some heavy lineups against some heavy teams and trying to get Palmieri in the lineup. People like that can be contributors for us.”
Ross Johnston, Kieffer Bellows, and Andy Greene stayed on the ice after morning skate to work with Schnieder, which means they will not be in the lineup Tuesday.
Defenseman Sebastian Aho will play in his first game since Dec. 19.
For the Buffalo Sabres, Dustin Tokarski will get the start in goal.
Buffalo has six players out of their lineup: Jack Quinn (IR), Colin Miller (IR), Vinnie Hinostroza (IR), Drake Cagguila (IR), Zemgus Girgensons (Out), Casey Mittelstadt (Out)
NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)
Lee–Barzal–Clutterbuck
Beauvillier–Nelson–Bailey
Parise–Pageau–Wahlstrom
Martin–Cizikas–Johnston
Pelech–Mayfield
Chara–Dobson
Aho–Pulock
Sorokin
Schneider
BUFFALO SABRES LINEUP (PROJECTED)
Skinner–Thompson–Tuch
Krebs–Cozens–Olofsson
Asplund–Eakin–Okposo
Bjork–Jankowski–Hayden
Dahlin–Jokiharju
Bryson–Hagg
Samuelson–Fitzgerald
Anderson
Tokarski
GAME NOTES
Tonight, the New York Islanders visit the Buffalo Sabres in the second of three meetings between the two clubs this season.
It is the final game of a four-game road trip for the Islanders. The last time these teams met was December 30, 2021, when Mathew Barzal scored a goal and two assists, and Josh Bailey, Kieffer Bellows, and Noah Dobson each recorded multi-point games in a 4-1 win at UBS Arena.
The last time the Islanders visited the KeyBank Center was May 4, 2021.
Betting Corner
The New York Islanders are the road favorites against the Buffalo Sabres, at -205. They are +136 on the puck line. The Buffalo Sabres are the home underdogs, at +168 which carries a reverse puck line of -168. The over for this game is set at 5.5, with the over at -105 and the under at -115.
These lines are subject to change.
HOW TO WATCH:
Tuesday night’s contest will be available on MSG+ for the local viewers. On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.