Morning Skate: Final Tune-up vs. Rangers, Lines, How to Watch & More

It’s Saturday which means the New York Islanders conclude their preseason schedule with a nightcap against their rivals, the New York Rangers. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM at UBS arena.

“It’s the final tune-up,” New York Islanders captain Anders Lee said following Saturday’s morning skate. “It’s as close as it’s gonna get and just a good way to close things out, close out camp and the preseason, and get as close to where we want to be as possible.”

Head coach Lane Lambert wants to see more of what he has in the final preseason game.

“We just want to continue to see more of what we’ve been [seeing], working on concepts that we’ve been working on. So, you know, that’s basically the focus,” Lambert said. “Obviously, it’s the last exhibition game, and both teams know it’s a Rangers-Islanders game.”

“So those are always exciting.”

Although the NHL roster is just about set, this final preseason game is still important.

“I think it’s it’s another opportunity for, you know, us to come together as a team and guys to continue to fight for different playing time and different spots,” veteran defenseman Ryan Pulock shared. “I think it’s a good test.”

“You have one more game to really try to get yourself ready and get the team ready to go for Thursday.”

FORWARD LINES: 

Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier
Bellows-Pageau-Bailey
Parise-Barzal-Palmieri
Martin-Cizikas-Johnston

*Soshnikov, Räty were extras

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS: 

Pelech-Pulock
Romanov-Dobson
Salo-Aho

GOALTENDERS:

Sorokin
Varlamov

READ MORE: Nikita Soshnikov Brings Missing Element to Islanders

The New York Rangers did not skate on Saturday morning.

PERSONNEL UPDATES:

Casey Cizikas was back on the ice Saturday morning and took part in line rushes after missing the last few days of training camp. Head coach Lane Lambert had no update regarding forwards Oliver Wahlstrom and Cal Clutterbuck, along with defenseman Scott Mayfield.

Cal Clutterbuck and Scott Mayfield have not skated.

Oliver Wahlstrom also was on the ice, but not for the main morning skate. He skated afterward with Cole Bardreau, Otto Koivula, Grant Hutton, Paul LaDue, and Simon Holmstrom, along with Nikita Soshnikov and Aatu Räty, who had skated with the main group.

HOW TO WATCH:

Tonight’s New York Islanders can be found on MSGSN, formerly MSG+. On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.