Islanders Game 73: Need to Rally in Raleigh; Lines & How to Watch

Things have gone quickly from bad to worse for the New York Islanders. They’ve lost four straight games (0-2-2), and in all four, they had chances. However, it’s the two most recent games that cause the most concern. Tonight, they play their recent playoff boogeyman, the Carolina Hurricanes at 5 o’clock in the Lenovo Center.

Against the Vancouver Canucks, the Islanders had leaky defense and Ilya Sorokin had an off game, resulting in him receiving an early hook. Then, in his first start since being pulled, Sorokin allowed two soft goals to open the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It ultimately finished 5-3, and once again, the defense looked really leaky at times.

Alexander Romanov and Noah Dobson have taken steps backward in recent games, which is reflected in their ice time. Adam Boqvist played more than either of them yesterday afternoon. Now, after multiple chances to grab a playoff spot, the Islanders are three points behind the New York Rangers.

Yes, the Islanders have two games in hand. However, they play the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. After that, it’s those same Bolts who beat them yesterday on Tuesday. The soon-to-be Eastern Conference Regular Season Champs, the Washington Capitals, still have two more games with the Islanders. All this to say, the Islanders have to start beating good teams.

Another regulation loss tonight, which is statistically very likely, will take the Islanders’ playoff chances down to 11.5%. Every game is a big game, but a regulation loss sends the Islanders down to 12th in the East. It’s hard to call it anything but do-or-die tonight.

Marcus Hogberg gets the start for the second half of this back-to-back. Adam Boqvist, after another impressive showing, should remain in the lineup. As for Carolina, they are on a 10-2-0 run. They’re also 28-8-1 and shut out the Islanders 4-0 in Raleigh on December 17.

Islanders Projected Lines:

Anders Lee – Bo Horvat – Kyle Palmieri

Simon Holmstrom – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Anthony Duclair

Pierre Engvall – Casey Cizikas – Hudson Fasching

Maxim Tsyplakov – Kyle MacLean – Marc Gatcomb

Defense & Goalie

Adam Pelech – Anthony DeAngelo

Noah Dobson – Ryan Pulock

Alexander Romanov – Adam Boqvist

Marcus Hogberg

Hurricanes Projected Lines:

Seth Jarvis – Sebastian Aho – Jackson Blake

Taylor Hall – Jack Roslovic – Andrei Svechnikov

Jordan Martinook – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Logan Stankhoven

Eric Robinson – Mark Jankowski – Tyson Jost

Defense & Goalie

Jaccob Slavin – Brent Burns

Dmitry Orlov – Jalen Chatfield

Shayne Gostisbehere – Sean Walker

Pyotr Kochetkov

How to Watch:

TV: MSGSN, ESPN+ Out of Market

Radio: 88.7 WRHU