Introduction To Power, Gm 78: Lines, Previews & How to Watch vs. Sabres

After a disappointing effort against the New York Rangers on Thursday night, the New York Islanders (35-32-10) are in Buffalo to take on the Sabres (30-38-11) Saturday afternoon. Puck drop is slated for 12:30 PM at KeyBank Center.

Both the New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres will not be competing in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Locked In: Bridgeport Is Headed to the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs

Saturday is the first of a back-to-back for the New York Islanders, who take on the Carolina Hurricanes Sunday at 1 PM at UBS Arena.

The New York Islanders did not hold a morning skate on Saturday morning. Head coach Barry Trotz spoke to the media around 9:45 am.

Trotz stated that Ilya Sorokin would be in goal against the Sabres per Andrew Gross and that he plans to use the same lineup from Thursday night. Trotz also said that his team, as of now, has no one dealing with the stomach bug, but that’s a minute by minute thing.

With Sorokin going on Saturday, that means Semyon Varlamov is likely to start on Sunday against the Hurricanes.

The Islanders will be without Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who, along with associate coaches Lane Lambert and John Hiller, are in COVID-19 protocol. Anthony Beauvillier (upper-body) will not play.

Buffalo Sabres 1st overall pick back in the 2021 NHL Draft, Owen Power, made his NHL debut on Apr. 12 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Saturday will be the Islanders first matchup against the talented defenseman.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Lee-Nelson-Bailey

Parise–Barzal–Palmieri

Wahlstrom-Koivula–Bellows

Martin–Cizikas–Johnston

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Aho–Greene

Sorokin

Varlamov

BUFFALO SABRES LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Skinner-Thompson-Olofsson

Krebs-Mittelstadt–Tuch

Asplund–Cousins–Okposo

Bjork–Girgensons–Hinostrotz

Samuelsson–Dahlin

Power-Jokiharju

Bryson–Fitzgerald

Tokarski

Anderson

ISLANDERS GAME NOTES

Today, the New York Islanders visit the Buffalo Sabres in the final matchup of a three-game season series between the two clubs, which has seen the home team win both of the first two matchups.

The last time these teams met was February 15, at KeyBank Center. The Islanders enter today’s game with a 5-5-1 record this month, and this afternoon’s matchup begins their second-to-last back-to-back series this season, as they host Carolina tomorrow at UBS Arena.

The Islanders are 9-6-1 on the front-end of back-to-backs so far this season. They have just two road games remaining in their 2021-22 season schedule.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the road favorites against the Buffalo Sabres coming in at -145. They are +170 on the puck line. The Sabres are +125 and are -200 on the reverse puck line.

The over for the contest is set at 6, with the over at +100 and the under at -120.

These lines are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

HOW TO WATCH:

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