Sorokin Starts, Gm 70: Lines, Preview & How to Watch vs. Hurricanes

The New York Islanders (32-28-9) regular-season schedule continues with a matchup in Carolina against the Hurricanes (46-16-8). Puck drop is slated for 7 PM ET.

It’s been two days since New York Islanders hockey; their last came ending in a 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. It was a disappointing loss for the group, whose desperation level did not show up until the third period in a “must-win” game.

“It was disappointing we didn’t get off to a better start,” New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “If we were to have played with the desperation we did in the second half of the game there, I think we would be sitting here with at least a point.”

Now the Islanders turn their attention to a Carolina Hurricanes team that sits with 100 points atop the Metropolitan Division standings, with an “X” next to their name, as they will be playing in the 2022 postseason.

The New York Islanders skated (optional) on Friday morning, with just six skaters present and both goalltenders per Andrew Gross.

Ilya Sorokin was in the starter’s crease as he will make his first start since leaving the Mar. 27 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning after two periods with an upper-body injury.

Kyle Palmieri was back on the ice after taking a maintenance day on Thursday and is expected to play.

Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier will skate in his 400th NHL game Friday.

The Hurricanes did play on Thursday, a 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres in which goaltender Antti Raanta stopped 18 of 21 shots that came his way.

That means Frederik Andersen will likely be in goal against the New York Islanders.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise-Barzal-Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Johnston

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Greene–Hutton

Sorokin

Varlamov

CAROLINA HURRICANES (PROJECTED)

Svechnikov-Aho-Jarvis

Domi-Trocheck–Teravainen

Niederreiter-Staal-Fast

Martinook–Stepan–Necas

Slavin–DeAngelo

Skjei-Pesce

Smith–Cole

Andersen

Raanta

ISLANDERS GAME NOTES

The New York Islanders visit the Carolina Hurricanes tonight, the second of three matchups between the two clubs this season. Tonight is the fourth of a five-game road trip for the Islanders, and the first in a back-to-back series, as they will visit St. Louis tomorrow night.

The last time these teams met was October 14, in Raleigh, the first game of the 2021-22 regular season for both teams.

The Islanders enter tonight’s game with a 4-1-0 record in their last five games and have won nine of their last 11 Metropolitan Division matchups. Seven of their 13 games remaining in the regular season are against division opponents.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the road underdogs against the Carolina Hurricanes, coming in at +160. They are -160 on the reverse puck line. The Stars are -185 and are +140 on the puck line.

The over for the contest is set at 5.5, with both set at -110.

These lines are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

HOW TO WATCH:

Friday’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.