Mountain Climbers? Gm 50: Islanders vs. Avalanche, Game Notes, Lines & More

After an impressive 4-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks, the New York Islanders (20-21-8) face one of the best teams in the league in the Colorado Avalanche (39-10-4). Puck drop is slated for 9 PM ET at Ball Arena.

“We can’t get some traction going, right?” Andy Greene said following the win over Anaheim. “We have a great game. We can’t seem to find that next one. There’s no better test than going into Colorado.”

The Colorado Avalanche have won seven of their last 10 games and eight of their last 10 games on home ice. Through 53 games, they sit comfortably atop the Western Conference Division with 82 points, a 12 point lead over the St. Louis Blues.

“Yeah, I think they do have a lot of speed, a lot of skill,” Scott Mayfield said following Tuesday’s morning skate. “So staying on top of them, playing in their d-zone as much as possible.

“I mean, we’re familiar with their d-man, especially with Toews. You know what Makar can do, so staying on top of them, making sure we don’t let them join the rush as much as we can, and just getting to our game quick.”

The New York Islanders will face a former teammate Devon Toews, who was traded back in Oct. of 2020.

But Devon Toews told Peter Baugh of The Athletic that he has no ill feelings towards Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello and that he understands trades are part of the business. “Lou’s loyal,” Toews said. “I love him for it. If I see him later I’ll give him a hug.”

Mathew Barzal (lower body, day-to-day) and Zdeno Chara (upper body, day-to-day) did not participate in optional morning skate on Tuesday. They will not play against Colorado and head coach Barry Trotz stated that he does not think they will be ready for Thursday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks at UBS Arena.

There is no further update on their status.

Matt Martin stayed on with the extras and will be a healthy scratch for a second-straight contest. Ross Johnston, after a two-assist night on Sunday, will be back in the lineup. Andy Greene, who scored off a Johnston feed, will remain in the lineup as well.

Ilya Sorokin manned the starter’s crease at morning skate as he will make his 10th start in the last 11 games for the Islanders.

Sorokin stopped all 43 shots that came his way on Sunday for his fifth shutout of the season, his eighth of his career.

Darcy Kuemper will be in between the pipes for Colorado on Tuesday per Baugh.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Parise–Pageau–Palmieri

Lee–Nelson–Beauvillier

Bellows–Bailey–Wahlstrom

Johnston–Cizikas–Clutterbuck

Pelech–Mayfield

Greene–Dobson

Aho–Pulock

Sorokin

Varlamov

ANAHEIM DUCKS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Burakovsky–Mackinnon–Rantanen

Henrique–Kadri–Nichushkin

Connor–Newhook–Compher

Helm–Jost–Aube-Kubel

Toews–Makar

J. Johnson–Girard

Murray–E. Johnson

Kuemper

Francouz

GAME NOTES

The New York Islanders finish their five-game road trip tonight as they visit the Colorado Avalanche. This evening is the first of two matchups between the clubs this season.

The last time they met was February 19, 2020, at what was then called the Pepsi Center. The Islanders earned their fifth shutout of the season in their last game on Sunday night in Anaheim, improving to 4-1-1 in their last six games. The Islanders have not faced a Central Division opponent since January 30 (MIN) and are 4-3-2 against them so far this year.

Tonight is the Islanders’ 50th game of the regular season.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the road underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche at +240. They are -110 on the reverse puck line. The Avalanche come in at -300 and -110 on the puck line.

The over for this game is set at 6, with the over at -105 and the under at -115. These lines are subject to change.

HOW TO WATCH:

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