SHIPPING UP TO BOSTON! Islanders Lines, Matchups and Game Notes vs. Bruins

After uncertainty whether tonight’s game was going to even happen, the New York Islanders arrived in Boston on Wednesday in preparation for tonight’s game with the Boston Bruins. Tuesday’s game between the two teams had originally been postponed last week by the NHL due to COVID-19 protocols.

Tonight is the second game of a four-game road trip for the Islanders and it Boston’s first game in a week.

The New York Islanders have had Boston’s number for the better part of this season, defeating them in all four meetings on Nassau Coliseum ice this year. The Islanders have outscored Boston 14-5 through their first four games.

The remainder of the season series will take place in Boston.

“You look at some clips, watch a couple of tendencies, but those games are behind us,” Brock Nelson said about the Islanders past success against Boston. “Obviously it’s nice to get the wins, but they’re going to come out at home a little bit different. We have to raise our game, but I don’t think it has any impact.”

The Islanders will have everyone available to them aside from Noah Dobson, who remained in New York. Dobson did come off COVID-19 protocol on Wednesday but isn’t expected to play until the Islanders return from their road trip.

Trotz did not say who would be in net, but after two consecutive starts for rookie netminder Ilya Sorokin, it’s likely the Islanders turn the net back over to Semyon Varlamov.

Tuukka Rask will be in goal tonight for Boston and Jarred Tinordi and Trent Frederic are considered game-time decisions for tonight’s game.

New York Islanders Lineup (Projected)

Leo Komarov — Mathew Barzal — Jordan Eberle

Michael Dal Colle — Brock Nelson — Josh Bailey

Anthony Beauvillier — Jean-Gabriel Pageau — Oliver Wahlstrom

Cal Clutterbuck — Casey Cizikas — Matt Martin

Adam Pelech — Ryan Pulock

Nick Leddy — Andy Greene

Thomas Hickey — Scott Mayfield

Semyon Varlamov

Ilya Sorokin

Boston Bruins Lineup (Projected)

Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — David Pastrnak

Nick Ritchie — David Krejci — Craig Smith

Anders Bjork — Charlie Coyle — Karson Kuhlman

Trent Frederic — Greg McKegg — Chris Wagner

Matt Grzelcyk — Charlie McAvoy

Jakub Zboril — Connor Clifton

Jarred Tinordi — Steven Kampfer

Tuukka Rask

Jaroslav Halak

Game Notes

Boston is opening a seven-game homestand tonight, which is tied for the longest homestand in club history. … Long Beach, Long Island native Charlie McAvoy leads all Boston defensemen in points with 17. His 14 assists this season also lead all Boston defenders. … Bruce Cassidy will coach his 400th career NHL game tonight. Over the course of his career has a record of 224-121-9-45. … Jean-Gabriel Pageau is one goal shy of his 100th career goal in the NHL. Pageau has a four-game point streak (four goals, one assist) against Boston. … Oliver Wahlstrom enters tonight’s game on a four-game point streak (three goals, two assists) and is currently second in NHL rookie scoring this year with eight goals. … Through 33 games, the Islanders have allowed the fewest goals against of any team this season, with a 2.18 goals-against average per game.

How to Watch

Tonight’s game will air on MSG+2 and stream on MSG Go or on NHL.TV outside of the New York market. On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 970 AM WNYM, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.