Hunt & Howl, Gm. 33: Islanders vs. Coyotes, Lines, & More:

The New York Islanders (13-13-6) take on the Arizona Coyotes (10-24-4) Friday night, the first of a back-to-back for both sides. The Islanders swept a two-game mini-series with the Philadelphia Flyers, while the Coyotes have also won their last two contests, first over the Montreal Canadiens and then New Jersey Devils.

With a win, the Islanders can jump the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers in the Metropolitan Division standings.

“We’ve been battling away and just because we are so far behind in the number of games played and there is separation and teams continue to play, it’s hard to catch up,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said following Friday’s morning skate. “It’s important. We need to jump over one or two teams when we can here…”

Ilya Sorokin was the first netminder off the ice as he will likely start Friday night against Arizona, with Semyon Varlamov getting the nod against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Sorokin shut out Arizona back on Oct. 23, in a 3-0 win.

Scott Wedgewood will get the start against the New York Islanders Friday, as Karel Vejmelka will start Saturday against the New York Rangers in the second of their back-to-back.

Ross Johnston is available for the New York Islanders on Friday, as his three-game suspension was completed following Tuesday’s contest against the Philadelphia Flyers.

However, he alongside Kieffer Bellows and Sebastian Aho remained on the ice following Friday’s morning skate.

It appears that Matt Martin will remain in the lineup Friday and also Austin Czarnik may join him.

Kyle Palmieri (IR) and Ryan Pulock (LTIR) were absent from the optional morning skate, but Trotz stated that both are considered day-to-day. Pulock is out of COVID-19 protocol.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINES (PROJECTED)

Anders Lee — Mathew Barzal — Zach Parise

Anthony Beauvillier — Brock Nelson— Josh Bailey

Austin Czarnik— Jean-Gabriel Pageau —Oliver Wahlstrom

Matt Martin — Casey Cizikas — Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech — Scott Mayfield

Zdeno Chara— Noah Dobson

Robin Salo — Andy Greene

Ilya Sorokin

Semyon Varlamov

ARIZONA COYOTES LINES (PROJECTED)

Lawson Crouse — Johan Larsson — Phil Kessel

Clayton Keller— Travis Boyd — GNick Schmaltz

Andrew Ladd— Riley Nash—Christian Fischer

Liam O’Brien— Alex Galchenyuk— Loui Eriksson

Shayne Gostisbehere— Dysin Mayo

Janis Moser — Anton Stralman

Jakob Chyrchrun — Ilya Lybushkin

Scott Wedgewood

Karel Vejmelka

GAME NOTES

The New York Islanders host the Arizona Coyotes tonight in the second and final matchup between the two clubs this season.

The last time these teams met was October 23, 2021, when Anthony Beauvillier, Cal Clutterbuck and Brock Nelson each scored in a 3-0 Islanders win in Phoenix.

Tonight’s matchup is the second in a four-game East Coast road trip for the Coyotes, who defeated the Devils on Wednesday night in Newark.

This is the first of seven consecutive home games for the Islanders, who are 5-1-0 in their last six games.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the favorites tonight on home ice as they are -280 straight. The Arizona Coyotes are the underdogs and come in at +230. The over for this game is set at 5.5, with the over at +115 and the under at -135.

The Islanders are -105 puck line, while the Coyotes are -115 reverse puck line.

Odds are subject to change before 7:30 puck drop. If you have a gambling problem seek help and please call 1-800-GAMBLERS.

HOW TO WATCH

Friday’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.