New York Islanders

Islanders Gm 41: Time to Takeoff vs. Jets, Martin Stay on Top

Published

1 year ago

February 22, 2023

EAST MEADOW, NY — After a critical comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, the New York Islanders (29-24-7) host the Winnipeg Jets (35-21-1) Wednesday night. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 PM ET at UBS Arena.

The Islanders have won two of their last three games and are 1-0-0 in the absence of Mathew Barzal.

“We’re just looking for wins,” Islanders forward Matt Martin said. “Whether it’s our goaltender who steps up or our big players step up, we just need to rack up the points.”

MORNING SKATE

Josh Bailey and Jean-Gabriel Pageau (IR) were not present for the skate and Lambert shared that both have not started skating yet.

Otto Koivula was recalled from Bridgeport, taking Andy Andreoff’s spot as the fourth-line center. Andreoff was reassigned to Bridgeport.

“Otto…he played the one game. He’s playing well down there. He’s a guy that we think can play a little bit more and maybe in a little bit of a different area,” Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said. “So I think it’s the right move for right now.”

Ilya Sorokin was in the starter’s crease and was the first goaltender off, as he will make his 44th appearance of the season. He put on a Vezina display on Monday, as he stopped 44 of 46 including a save of the year candidate on Kris Letang.

The Islanders to power-play unit stayed the same, with Kyle Palmieri in Barzal’s spot on the left wall.

However, the second power-play unit showcased Zach Parise at the net, Arnaud Durandeau in the bumper, Koivula on the right side boards, Sebastian Aho at the point, and Ryan Pulock on the left boards.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINES (PROJECTED)

Anders Lee-Bo Horvat-Matt Martin
Zach Parise-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Hudson Fasching-Casey Cizikas-Arnaud Durandeau
Ross Johnston-Otto Koivula-Simon Holmstrom

Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov-Scott Mayfield
Sebastian Aho-Noah Dobson

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

WINNIPEG JETS LINES (PROJECTED)

#NHLJets practice:
Connor – Dubois – Ehlers
Perfetti – Scheifele – Wheeler
Barron – Lowry – Appleton
Mäenalanen-Stenlund-Kuhlman/Gagner

Defence pairs rotated with Schmidt missing: 44, 2, 4, 5, 54, 64, 77 on ice.

Rittich
Holm
Hellebuyck (Left after first 10 minutes of practice)

— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNWpg) February 15, 2023

ISLANDERS NOTES

Tonight, the New York Islanders host the Winnipeg Jets in the first of two matchups between the two clubs this season. These teams last met on March 11, 2022, when Anders Lee scored the game-winning goal, and Brock Nelson (one goal, one assist) was one of four Islanders to record two points, helping the team capture a 5-2 victory at UBS Arena.

The Islanders enter tonight’s matchup with points in seven of their last nine games, and they have a 4-1-1 record in their last five home matchups.

The Islanders have also won their last five straight meetings against Winnipeg.

DRAFTKINGS BETTING CORNER

Do you think the New York Islanders will beat the Winnipeg Jets? You can get the Islanders at -115 & +220 on the puck line. The Jets come in at -105 & -260 on the reverse puck line.

The over for the contest is 5.5 at +100, with the under at -120.

Head over to DraftKings to place your bets now!