Dobson To Return As Islanders Face Bruins In Boston: Lines & Notes

The 25-year-old defenseman missed the last 11 games.

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Feb 27, 2025

BOSTON — With their losing streak now at four games, the New York Islanders (25-25-7) visit the Boston Bruins (27-24-8) in the rubber match of their season series.

Puck drop at TD Garden is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and the game can be found on MSGSN.

The Islanders defeated the Bruins 5-4 in overtime on the road in their last meeting. New York let a 4-2 lead slip away in the third period, but Bo Horvat’s second goal of the game helped the Islanders recover for the victory.

After suffering an injury against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jan. 20, defenseman Noah Dobson is set to return to the lineup on Thursday. Scott Perunovich will draw out of the lineup.

Hudson Fasching will also return, taking Pierre Engvall’s place on the fourth line.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Lee-Horvat-Duclair

Holmstrom-Nelson-Palmieri

Cizikas-Pageau-Tsyplakov

Fasching-MacLean-Gatcomb

Romanov-DeAngelo

Pelech-Dobson

Boqvist-Pulock

Sorokin

Skarek

Who’s Hot:

Horvat’s two goals give him points in four straight games against Boston. The Islanders’ top center has three goals and five assists for eight points in that span.

In their last meeting, Ryan Pulock had a three-point game, notching a goal and two assists in the victory. He now has points in three straight games against the Bruins, totaling a goal and four assists in that span.

Brock Nelson has points in his last three games overall after an assist on Alexander Romanov’s goal on Tuesday. He has a goal and three assists for four points in that span, including a helper in each game of the stretch.

Kyle Palmieri leads the Islanders in goals and assists against the Bruins with 13 and 18, respectively, in 35 games. Jean-Gabriel Pageau tops New York in helpers against them with 14 in 41 games.

Ilya Sorokin will make his sixth straight start on Thursday in Boston. He was relieved after 40 minutes of play against the New York Rangers on Tuesday with five goals against on 11 shots. Lifetime against the Bruins, he is 3-3-2 in nine career matchups, boasting a 2.97 GAA and .893 SV%, most recently making 26 saves on 30 shots in a win in their last meeting.

Opponents Notes:

David Pastrnak had a three-point game on Tuesday, notching two goals and an assist against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has a 15-game point streak entering Thursday’s game, totaling a whopping 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in that span. He also lit the lamp twice the last time he faced the Islanders.

Morgan Geekie has scored in three straight games entering Thursday’s game. He’s enjoyed a breakout season, with 19 goals and 17 assists for 31 points. His next goal will give him his first 20-goal season.

Brad Marchand has a four-game point streak after recording a goal and assist against Toronto. The forward and Boston captain has two goals and three assists for five points in that span. He is Boston’s leading scorer across the board against the Islanders, boasting 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points in 49 career games.

Jeremy Swayman will face the Islanders on Thursday. The netminder started both games for the Bruins out of the 4 Nations break, allowing five goals on 29 shots against Toronto in his last appearance. He has only one career game against the Islanders, pitching a 25-save shutout in a victory on April 16, 2021.

Boston Bruins Latest Lines:

Geekie - Zacha - Pastrnak

Marchand - E. Lindholm - Coyle

Tufte - Poitras - Brazeau

Koepke - Beecher - Kastelic

Zadorov - Carlo

Lohrei - Peeke

Callahan - Wotherspoon

Swayman

Korpisalo

NOTES: Wahlstrom was waived on Thursday afternoon.