Islanders Game 40 Preview vs. Vancouver Canucks: Lines, Notes & How To Watch

The New York Islanders (18-11-10) are home for the first time in 2024 as they welcome the Vancouver Canucks (26-11-3) to UBS Arena tonight. Here’s what you need to know before puck drop.

Pelech Off IR, In Lineup:

The Islanders activated Adam Pelech off long-term injured reserve earlier today. The defenseman suffered an upper-body injury on Nov. 24 against the Ottawa Senators and has missed the last 20 games. Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said the Pelech will be a game-time decision, but all signs are pointing towards him making his return tonight versus Vancouver.

Projected Lineup:

Lee-Horvat-Barzal

Engvall-Nelson-Palmieri

Holmstrom-Pageau-Gauthier

Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Romanov-Dobson

Pelech-Mayfield

Reilly-Aho

Sorokin

Appleby

Last Time Out:

A  loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night made for a disappointing end to the Islanders’ road trip.

There were plenty of chances for the Islanders to score, but few were finished for one reason or another. Meanwhile, issues in defensive zone structure made it easy for Vegas to capitalize on its chances.

Perhaps Pelech’s return to the lineup tonight can help alleviate that issue.

The Opponent:

By far the most surprising team in the first half of the NHL season, the Vancouver Canucks are also arguably the best.

One of the front runners to win this year’s President’s Trophy, the Canucks sit atop the Pacific Division with 55 points and as winners in six of their last 10 games.

Vancouver took down the New York Rangers last night by a final of 6-3 at Madison Square Garden.

That wide margin of victory is typical of the Canucks. They possess the NHL’s highest-scoring offense and have the best goal differential in the league at +50.

The Canucks have three players currently within the league’s top 15 point scorers in J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.

Casey DeSmith is expected to start in goal tonight. In 12 appearances, the former Pittsburgh Penguin has a 2.58 GAA and a .917 save percentage.

The Islanders lost to the Canucks in overtime back on Nov. 15, 4-3, in Vancouver.

How To Watch:

Puck drop between the Islanders and Canucks from UBS Arena is scheduled for just past 7:30 p.m. EST. The game is available to watch on MSGSN and can be streamed on MSG Plus or ESPN Plus for out-of-market viewers. 88.7 FM WRHU will produce the radio feed of the game, which can also be heard on 1050 AM ESPN or 103.9 FM WRCN.

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