New York Islanders
In Oil Country, Gm 41: Islanders vs. Oilers, Notes, Lines, Betting & More

On Friday night, the New York Islanders (17-17-6) battle the Edmonton Oilers (23-18-3), a first of a back-to-back. After Friday’s contest, the Islanders are in Calgary to face the Flames for the second leg. Puck drop Friday is slated for 9:00 PM ET at Rogers Place.
The New York Islanders were victorious their last time out on Wednesday as an offensive explosion in the first period sent them on their path to a 6-3 victory. Islanders head coach Barry Trotz changed up his lines, with Cal Clutterbuck on the top line, Ross Johnston on the second line and Anthony Beauvillier on the fourth line.
“When you win you’re obviously more inclined to keep your lines fairly intact, which they will today,” Trotz said following Friday’s morning skate. “They will be pretty well intact.”
The Edmonton Oilers were defeated by the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 which led to the firing of Dave Tippet. Jay Woodcroft, the head coach of the Bakersfield Condors (AHL), has been named the interim head coach.
He will make his NHL coaching debut Friday.
“It’s a clean slate for the entire team over there and everyone’s looking to make their first impression on the new coach,” Matt Martin said. “So we expect their best tonight.”
The last time these two teams met was on New Year’s Day, as thanks to Noah Dobson’s overtime tally, the Islanders took the two points.
WICKED WRISTER, WICKED ENDING.
Noah Dobson beats Koskinen to score a @SUBWAYCanada Overtime Winner for the @NYIslanders! pic.twitter.com/hpzmessy7h
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 1, 2022
In that contest, the Islanders played one of their stronger defensive games, as they held the Oilers to just 19 shots, with superstar Leon Draisaitl recording ‘one’ shot on goal (got an assist on a deflected pass). Connor McDavid was contained as best as he could be, with an assist and just three shots on goal.
Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin got the start as he stopped 17 of 19.
With the back-to-back situation, it is likely Sorokin gets the start Friday night, with Semyon Varlamov getting the nod against Calgary on Saturday. That’s how it has gone this season.
But we will not know who starts until warmups.
Kyle Palmieri rejoined the New York Islanders in Edmonton after missing Wednesday’s contest in Vancouver due to the birth of his child.
Edmonton Oilers starting netminder Mikko Koskinen tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 7 and is not eligible to return yet. Mike Smith (2-4-1, 3.83 GAA, .890 SV%) will make his third straight start in goal.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINES (PROJECTED)
Anders Lee—Mathew Barzal—Cal Clutterbuck
Ross Johnston—Brock Nelson—Josh Bailey
Zach Parise—Jean-Gabriel Pageau—Oliver Wahlstrom
Matt Martin—Casey Cizikas–Anthony Beauvillier
Adam Pelech—Scott Mayfield
Zdeno Chara—Noah Dobson
Andy Greene—Ryan Pulock
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov
EDMONTON OILERS LINES (PROJECTED)
Zach Hyman—Connor McDavid–Jesse Puljujarvi
Evander Kane—Leon Draisaitl—Kailer Yamamoto
Warren Foegele—Ryan Nugent-Hopkins—Derek Ryan
Tyler Benson—Ryan McLeod—Devin Shore
Darnell Nurse—Evan Bouchard
William Lagesson—Cody Ceci
Markus Niemelainen—Tyson Barrie
Mike Smith
Stuart Skinner
GAME NOTES:
Tonight, the New York Islanders visit the Edmonton Oilers in the second game of their Western Canada road trip.
It is the second of two meetings between the two clubs this season: the last time these teams met was January 1, 2022, when Anthony Beauvillier, Noah Dobson, and Anders Lee each scored in a 3-2 overtime victory.
It has been nearly three years since the Islanders visited the Oilers at Rogers Place on February 21, 2019.
This evening’s game begins the second of three back-to-back series this month. They have won the first leg of their last three back-to-backs.
BETTING CORNER:
The New York Islanders are the road underdogs at +125 and are -210 on the reverse puck line. The Edmonton Oilers are the home favorite at -145 and are +175 on the puck line. The over is set at 5.5 at -120 with the under 5.5 at +100.
HOW TO WATCH:
Friday night’s contest will be available on MSG+ for the local viewers. On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.