New York Islanders
Islanders Game 15 Preview at Vancouver Canucks: Lines, Best Bets, How to Watch
The New York Islanders look to snap a five-game losing streak in a game against the upstart Vancouver Canucks at Here’s what you need to know ahead of time.
Horvat Is Back:
For the first time since being traded to the Islanders last season, Bo Horvat is back in Vancouver to face his former team. Horvat didn’t leave on the best of terms with the Canucks, and comments he made after his departure only soured his relationship with the city and fans in Vancouver. How will they respond once he hits the ice?
Projected Lineup:
Barzal-Horvat-Holmstrom
Engvall-Nelson-Palmieri
Lee-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
Pelech-Dobson
Romanov-Pulock
Aho-Mayfield
Sorokin
Varlamov
Last Time Out:
The Islanders suffered quite possibly their worst loss of the season on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers, extending their losing streak to five games.
Mathew Barzal scored 40 seconds into the first period, but the Islanders never found that pivotal second score, allowing four unanswered goals the rest of the way.
Ilya Sorokin kept the Islanders in the game for as long as he could, but the team’s third period woes once again came back to haunt them as the Oilers scored a pair of power-play goals in quick succession to take the lead and eventually two points.
The Islanders have six of their last seven games, and tensions are continuing to build.
Islanders Start Road Trip In Worst Way Possible; Only Way Out Is Up
The Opponent:
After toiling through years of mismanagement, the Vancouver Canucks have finally re-emerged as a contender in the Western Conference, occupying second place in the Pacific Division.
With a record of 11-3-1, Vancouver has won eight of its last 10 games. On Sunday, the Canucks secured a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
Averaging 4.40 goals per game, the Canucks have the NHL’s top offense, which features the league’s leader in points, Elias Pettersson, and its third-leading goal scorer in Brock Boeser. On the backend, Canucks captain Quinn Hughes leads all defensemen in points.
Their power play ranks third in the league, but their penalty kill is below average at 18th.
In goal, Thatcher Demko is expected to start for Vancouver against the Islanders tonight. With a record of 7-3-0, Demko has been stellar for the Canucks, posting a 1.96 GAA and a .935 save percentage.
Anthony Beauvillier will be in the lineup tonight for the Canucks, skating on their fourth line. The former Islander has six points with two goals so far this season.
Best Bets:
The New York Islanders have been horrible in the third period this season, as they’re a -11 in the final 20 minutes of regulation. On the other hand, the Vancouver Canucks are second in the league as a +10. Bet on them as heavy favorites to win the third period tonight using odds presented by Draft Kings.
How To Watch:
Puck drop between the Islanders and Canucks from Rogers Arena is scheduled for 10:22 p.m. EST. The game can be seen on TNT. 88.7 FM WRHU will produce the radio feed of the game, which can also be heard on 1o50 AM ESPN and 103.9 FM WRCN.