New York Islanders

Islanders Game 26 Preview vs. Los Angeles Kings: Lines, Best Bets, How To Watch

Published

5 months ago

December 9, 2023

Andrew Fantucchio

The New York Islanders host the Los Angeles Kings at UBS Arena tonight. Here’s what you need to know before puck drop.

Robert Bortuzzo Debuts:

Robert Bortuzzo arrived on Long Island feeling refreshed after being traded from the St. Louis Blues. Twenty-four hours later, he will make his Islanders debut tonight against the Kings.

Robert Bortuzzo Feeling Refreshed For Opportunity With Islanders

Projected Lineup:

Lee-Horvat-Barzal

Engvall-Nelson-Palmieri

Holmstrom-Pageau-Gauthier

Fasching-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Romanov-Dobson

Reilly-Mayfield

Bolduc-Bortuzzo

Sorokin

Varlamov

Last Time Out:

The Islanders came away with quite literally their biggest win of the season on Thursday, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3 for their largest margin of victory in a game so far this year. Although the night was nearly another example of the Islanders blowing a lead late in the game, Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat took it upon themselves to change the narrative.

Two Goal Nights For Barzal And Horvat Lifts Islanders Over Blue Jackets

The Opponent:

One would think the Islanders have the advantage tonight playing at home, but that might not be the case against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Kings are the NHL’s best road team and just set a new record for the longest road winning streak to start the year at 11-0-0 by shutting out the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

Cam Talbot picked up the win against Montreal and is expected to start once again tonight with a 1.84 GAA and a .934 save percentage.

Although many of the faces who made up their Stanley Cup-winning squads are no longer with the team, the Kings still very much run through Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty.

Kopitar is tied for the team lead in points with Adrian Kempe, while Trevor Moore paces Los Angeles with 13 goals.

The Kings have the league’s second-ranked penalty kill and the 17th-ranked power play. They’ve won three straight games and occupy second place in the Pacific Division at 16-4-3.

Best Bets:

It’ll be a battle of the special teams tonight. The Islanders’ sixth-ranked power play against the Kings’ second-ranked penalty kill. The Islanders have scored at least one power-play goal in five straight games. Bet on them to continue that streak tonight by using odds presented by Draft Kings.

How To Watch:

Puck drop between the Islanders and Kings from UBS Arena is scheduled for just past 7:30 p.m. EST. The game can be seen on MSG Network and streamed on MSG + or ESPN+ for out-of-market viewers. 88.7 FM WRHU will produce the radio feed of the game, which can also be heard on 1050 AM ESPN and 103.9 FM WRCN.