Back At Home, Gm 51: Islanders vs. Canucks, Game Notes, Lines & More

After a five-game road trip, the New York Islanders (20-22-8) are back at home as they host the Vancouver Canucks (26-23-6) at UBS Arena Thursday night. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 PM ET.

The New York Islanders went 2-2-1 on their road trip, which ended with a 5-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.  On Monday, the Vancouver Canucks were embarrassed by the New Jersey Devils 7-2, just a night after Vancouver beat the New York Rangers 5-2.

The last time these two teams met was on Feb. 9 in Vancouver, as the Islanders jumped on their opponents early with three goals in under four minutes and six in the first twenty minutes of play. Vancouver nemtinder Jaroslav Halak was pulled from the contest and the Islanders eventually went on to win by a score of 6-3.

The New York Islanders did not hold an optional morning skate on Thursday, but head coach Barry Trotz met with the media Thursday evening at 5:15 PM.

Mathew Barzal (LBI) and Zdeno Chara (UBI) are still day to day and will not be in the lineup against Vancouver.

Netminder Ilya Sorokin has started 11 of the last 12 games for the New York Islanders and posted a 2-1-1 record on this past road trip, with a .930 SV% and a 2.23 GAA.

Semyon Varlamov started against the Los Angeles Kings back on Saturday, which was his first start since Feb. 2. He stopped 30 of 34 in the 5-2 loss.

No starter has been named as of yet for the New York Islanders, as we will know who is in goal when warmups begin.

Thatcher Demko (23-16-2, .918SV%, 2.59 GAA, 1 SO) is expected to start for the Vancouver Canucks.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Parise–Pageau–Palmieri

Lee–Nelson–Beauvillier

Bellows–Bailey–Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Clutterbuck

Pelech–Mayfield

Greene–Dobson

Aho–Pulock

Sorokin

Varlamov

VANCOUVER CANUCKS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Pearson–Miller–Boeser

Hoglander–Pettersson–Garland

Podkolzin–Horvat–Chiasson

Highmore–Lammikko–Motte

Ekman-Larsson–Meyers

Hughes–Schenn

Hunt–Hamonic

Demko

Halak

GAME NOTES

The New York Islanders return to UBS Arena tonight, as they host the Vancouver Canucks in the second and final meeting between the clubs this season.

The last time these teams met was February 9, when Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck and Anders Lee recorded two points each, as the Islanders matched a season-high six goals in their win at Rogers Arena.

It has been more than two years since the Islanders hosted the Canucks; The last time they played Vancouver on home ice was February 1, 2020. Tonight’s game is the first of eleven home games the Islanders will play in the month of March.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the home favorites against the Vancouver Canucks at -115. They are +225 on the puck line. The Canucks come in at -104 and -290 on the reverse puck line.

The over for this game is set at 5.5, with the over at +104 and the under at -128. These lines are subject to change.

HOW TO WATCH:

Thursday’s contest will be available on MSG+ (local). On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.