New York Islanders

Islanders Game 40: Clutterbuck Likely to Return vs. Oilers, Injury Updates

Published

1 year ago

January 5, 2023

(Photo courtesy of New York Islanders Instagram)

The New York Islanders (22-15-2) are back in action Thursday night as they face Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers (20-17-2). Puck drop is slated for 9 PM ET at Rogers Place.

This is the first of a back-to-back for the New York Islanders, as they are in Calgary to face the Flames Friday night at 9 PM ET.

Islanders forward Mathew Barzal carries a four-game goal streak into Thursday’s contest with five goals.

MORNING SKATE UPDATES

For the New York Islanders, forwards Cal Clutterbuck (IR) and Kyle Palmieri (IR) were on the ice. Clutterbuck came off with the regulars and will be a game-time decision.

Clutterbuck will need to be activated off Injured Reserve, and the Islanders already have a roster spot for him.

Ross Johnston, Palmieri, and Robin Salo remained on the ice following the skate, per Andrew Gross.

Palmieri will miss his eighth straight game and 19 of the Islanders last 20 games.

Ilya Sorokin (14-12-1, 2.29 GAA, .926 SV%) manned the starter’s crease and was the first goaltender off the ice. He will make his eighth-straight start. Back on Nov. 23, Sorokin stopped 49 of 49 in a 3-0 shutout win over Edmonton.

That means Semyon Varlamov will make his first start since leaving the game against the Vegas Golden Knights late in the third period on Dec. 17.

For the Edmonton Oilers, Jack Campbell will be between the pipes, per Jason Gregor. He is 8-7-1, with a 3.80 GAA and an .887 SV%. He owns a 2.76 GAA and a .905 SV% in three career games.

Injury Updates

Besides Cal Clutterbuck being a game-time decision, New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert provided injury updates:

Simon Holmstrom (IR, lower body) has resumed skating
Oliver Wahlstrom (IR, out indefinitely, lower body) has not skated
Adam Pelech (IR, upper body) could start skating soon

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINES (PROJECTED)

Josh Bailey-Mat Barzal-Hudson Fasching
Anders Lee-Brock Nelson-Anthony Beauvillier
Zach Parise-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Casey Cizikas
Ross Johnston-Aatu Räty-Matt Martin

Parker Wotherspoon-Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov-Scott Mayfield
Sebastian Aho-Noah Dobson

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

EDMONTON OILERS LINES (PROJECTED)

Oilers lines:
Kostin-McDavid-Hyman
RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Bottom six wasn't as clear. Didn't do any line rushes.
Foegele-McLeod-Puljujarvi
Janmark-Holloway-Ryan
Did do some drills together. But not a lock.

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) January 4, 2023

ISLANDERS NOTES

Tonight, the New York Islanders visit the Edmonton Oilers in the second and final matchup between the two clubs this season. These teams last
met at UBS Arena on Nov. 23, when Sebastian Aho scored a goal, and Ilya Sorokin turned away a career-high 49 saves to help the Islanders earn a 3-0 victory.

The Islanders last visited Rogers Place on Feb. 11 of last season. Tonight’s game is the third in a four-game road trip for the Islanders and is the first game of their eighth back-to-back series of the season.

The Islanders look to earn their seventh win against a Pacific Division opponent tonight after they improved to 6-1-0 against Pacific teams with a 6-2 win on Tuesday in Vancouver.

DRAFTKINGS BETTING CORNER

Do you think the New York Islanders will beat the Edmonton Oilers? You can get the Islanders at +135 & + -175 on the reverse puck line. The Oilers come in at -155 & -175 on the reverse puck line.

The over for the contest is 6 at -115, with the under at -105.

Head over to DraftKings to place your bets now!