Enjoy While it Lasts, Gm 28: Islanders vs. Oilers, Lines & Notes

The New York Islanders (9-12-6) have one more game before a 12-day break in their schedule due to even more postponements. Their last game for a while comes against the Edmonton Oilers (18-12-1) Saturday as they look to kick off 2022 the same way they ended 2021. Puck drop is slated for 2 PM ET.

The Islanders announced that they will be wearing their third jerseys against Edmonton, the first time those sweaters will be on display this season.

The #Isles will wear the third jersey 10 times this season and it debuts TOMORROW! 🤩

Details ➡️ https://t.co/mLpN5K4zG8 pic.twitter.com/T9aQdI8wMX

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 31, 2021

With their 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, the Islanders have now picked up points in three straight games (2-0-1) and 12 points over their last 10 games (4-2-4).

In Thursday’s win over Buffalo, Islanders Mat Barzal picked up a goal and two assists. He pushed his point streak to seven games, with two goals and 10 assists over that span. 

With Varlamov getting the nod in goal on Thursday, Ilya Sorokin likely gets the start Saturday. He is 7-7-5, with a 2.49 GAA with a .926 SV% in 19 games. He has three shutouts. 

Despite Edmonton dropping eight of their last 10 games, they still have the best player in the NHL on their roster in Connor McDavid, along with Leon Draisaitl. This season, both have put up video game numbers as McDavid has recorded 52 points (19 G, 33 A) in 31 games, while Draisaitl has 52 points (24 G, 27 A) in 31 games.

There’s no simple answer on the proper way to contain the two.

“They’re two world-class players,” Matt Martin said following practice on Friday. “I think staying out of the penalty box is a good start and then just playing our game, getting pucks in.

“Not shooting for offense, just making it harder on them. Just making them come 200 feet to make plays.”

Is it easier to gameplan when these two forwards are on separate lines rather than together? Islanders head coach Barry Trotz had to think about it for a second but then concluded:

“I think when they’re together, you can put all your elements into focusing on one element,” Trotz said. “When they’re separate, I think it might be a little tougher for our team, but everybody’s different.”

For the Islanders, two players were activated out of COVID-19 protocol on Friday in forwards Anthony Beauvillier and Oliver Wahlstrom. Trotz hinted that only one would be in the lineup against Edmonton, with the likely candidate being Beauvillier based on Friday’s practice.

Beauvillier and Wahlstrom Activated Out of COVID-19 Protocol

Edmonton is playing their second of a back-to-back on Saturday. They were defeated 6-5 by the New Jersey Devils on Friday in a back and forth type game. Edmonton blew the lead with 32 seconds remaining in regulation, and New Jersey’s Jack Hughes won it in overtime for his second of the contest.

McDavid had two goals and Draisaitl picked up an assist.

Mike Smith manned the crease, which means that former Islanders netminder Mikko Koskinen is the likely starter against the Islanders on Saturday. He is 12-6-0 with a 3.16 GAA and a .902 SV%. 

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINES (PROJECTED)

Anders Lee — Mathew Barzal — Josh Bailey

Anthony Beauvillier — Jean-Gabriel Pageau — Kieffer Bellows

Johnston— Austin Czarnik — Parise

Matt Martin — Casey Cizikas — Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech — Scott Mayfield

Zdeno Chara— Noah Dobson

Robin Salo — Andy Greene

Ilya Sorokin

Semyon Varlamov

EDMONTON OILERS LINES (PROJECTED)

Zach Hyman — Connor McDavid — Jesse Puljujarvi

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Leon Draisaitl — Kailer Yamamoto

Warren Foegle— Derek Ryan — Colton Sceviour

Tyler Benson — Cody McLeod — Derek Shore

Darnell Nurse — Evan Bouchard

Duncan Keith — Cody Ceci

Slater Koekkoek — Tyson Barrie

Mikko Koskinen

Mike Smith

GAME NOTES

The New York Islanders host the Edmonton Oilers Sunday, the first of two matchups between the teams this season. The last time these teams met was October 8, 2019, 817 days ago. The Oilers and Islanders were scheduled to play twice in seven days, but the Islanders’ road trip scheduled for next week was postponed on December 31.

BETTING CORNER

The Islanders are the slight favorites in Saturday’s contest at UBS Arena, coming in at -118 on FanDuel. The Oilers come in at -102. The over is set at six goals and the books have that as the likely scenario (-114). Under six goals comes in at -106. These lines are subject to change prior to puck drop and will be changing as the game plays out.

If you have a gambling problem please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

HOW TO WATCH

The game will air on MSG+ locally and MSG GO. This game will be nationally televised on NHL Network for out-of-market 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.