Same Foe, Gm 66: Lines, Preview, Injury Updates, & How to Watch vs. Blue Jackets

After a 4-3 win in Columbus on Tuesday, the New York Islanders (29-27-9) host the Blue Jackets (32-30-5) Thursday night. This game is the first of a back-to-back situation, as the Islanders are at Madison Square Garden Friday night for a battle with the New York Rangers.

Puck drop is slated at UBS Arena for 7 PM.

The New York Islanders currently sit two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets as a regulation win will have both teams tied with 69 points, with the Islanders playing two fewer games.

New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin, who left Sunday’s contest after two periods (upper-body) was back on the ice Thursday morning. So was Cory Schneider and Semyon Varlamov.

Ilya Sorokin faced soft shots before leaving the ice a few minutes into the skate.

Semyon Varlamov left the ice before Cory Schneider as he is expected to get the start Thursday.

Defenseman Robin Salo, who was emergency recalled from Bridgeport (AHL), stayed on the ice following the morning skate, along with Ross Johnston. Defenseman Grant Hutton, who has played the last two games, remains in the lineup. Sebastian Aho could drawback in.

The morning skate was optional.

New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz gave the following updates regarding some players.

Ilya Sorokin is still day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He had a workout on Wednesday but did not face any shots. Defensemen Adam Pelech and Andy Greene are game-time decisions, along with one other non-named player.

Adam Pelech blocked a slap shot off the wrist on Tuesday night and was in some pain despite remaining in the game.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (upper-body) did not make the trip. He did not play against the Islanders on Tuesday.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise-Barzal-Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Bellows

Aho–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Salo–Hutton

Varlamov

Schneider

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (PROJECTED)

Voracek-Roslovic-Laine

Nyquist-Sillinger–Bjorkstrand

Robinson-Kuraly-Danforth

Bemstrom-Guance–Chinakhov

Gavrikov–Peeke

Kukan-Bean

Carlsson–Boquist

Merzlikins

Berube

ISLANDERS GAME NOTES

The New York Islanders host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, the fourth and final meeting between the two teams this season.

Tonight is the second game of a home-and-home series with Columbus, after Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, and Brock Nelson each recorded multi-point games Tuesday night, to help the Islanders to a 4-3 win at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus last visited UBS Arena earlier this month, on March 10. The Islanders are 8-2-1 in their last 11 home matchups with Columbus. Tonight is the Islanders’ 11th and final home game this month, their busiest in franchise history.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the home favorites against the Columbus Blue Jackets, coming in at -210. They are +120 on the puck line. The Blue Jackets are +175 and are -130 on the reverse puck line.

The over for the contest is set at 6.5, with the over at +105 and the under set at -125.

These lines are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

HOW TO WATCH:

Thursday’s contest will be available on ESPN+/Hulu. There is no local broadcast. On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio