Just Keep Swimming, Gm 47: Islanders vs. Sharks, Game Notes & More

On Thursday, the New York Islanders (19-20-7) are in San Jose to take on the Sharks (22-22-6) at the SAP Center. Puck drop is slated for 10:30 PM ET.

The New York Islanders were victorious their last time out as they defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-2 on Tuesday night. The San Jose Sharks were defeated by the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in a shootout.

It has been over a month since the New York Islanders have won back-to-back contests (B2B vs. PHI, Jan. 17-18), as putting together wins has been a challenge this season.

“Obviously, you try to try to win every night and still a great staff, obviously, but you know, I think we have won a lot in bunches before,” Cal Clutterbuck said. “And I think the group that we have here is that group, so it’s just time for us to recognize what it is we’re doing when we’re having success.”

“And if we can manage to do that consistently then the results I think will start to add up.”

Andrew Gross of Newsday, who is on hand for the New York Islanders road trip, reported that Ilya Sorokin was the first goaltender off the ice for the New York Islanders following Thursday’s optional morning skate. He will start for the eighth-consecutive contest.

Per Gross, Josh Bailey was an extra at optional morning skate, as Oliver Wahlstrom took regular shifts in his usual third-line spot alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Trotz confirmed that Wahlstrom will be back in the lineup and that Bailey, alongside Andy Greene, would be healthy scratches.

“I think it’s tougher with those guys because they, you know what they bring. They bring leadership, they bring experience, they bring care,” Trotz said following morning skate. “Those are always tough conversations because they’re really good pros and they’re competitive.”

“But at the same time they recognize that you know, there’s certain things that we’ve got to do.”

When the puck drops Thursday, New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara will make history, becoming the all-time leader in games played amongst defensemen with 1,652. The 44-year old wonder tied the record on Tuesday.

The San Jose Sharks have not confirmed who will be in goal against the Islanders, but James Reimer (11-5-1, 2.91 GAA, .912 SV%) is expected to get the nod as he was in the starter’s crease at San Jose’s morning skate per Curtis Pahselka of the Mercury News.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Lee–Barzal–Palmieri

Bellows–Nelson–Beauvillier

Parise–Pageau–Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Clutterbuck

Pelech–Mayfield

Chara–Dobson

Aho–Pulock

Sorokin

Varlamov

SAN JOSE SHARKS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Meier–Hertl–Barabanov

Dahlen–Couture–Dzingel

Nieto–Bonino–Gregor

Cogliano–Weatherby–Viel

Middleton–Burns

Ferraro–Meloche

Vlasic–Merkley

Reimer

Sawchenko

GAME NOTES

Tonight, the New York Islanders visit the San Jose Sharks in the second of two matchups between the teams this season. The last time these teams met was December 2, 2021, when Mathew Barzal scored to help the Islanders collect a point in the shootout.

This evening’s game is the second of a five-game road trip for the Islanders, who began the trip with a win on Tuesday in Seattle.

The Islanders have a 4-1-2 record in their last seven matchups with the Sharks.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the road favorites against the San Jose Sharks, at -130. They are +190 on the puck line. The Sharks come in at +110, which carries a reverse puck line of -230.

The over for this game is set at 5.5, with the over at +105 and the under at -125. These lines are subject to change.

HOW TO WATCH:

Thursday’s contest will be available on 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.