Islanders Begin Homestand Against Senators: Lines & Notes

New York enters tonight on a three-game winning streak.

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Jan 15, 2025

ELMONT, NY — Following a perfect 3-0-0 road trip, the New York Islanders (17-18-7) return to home confines against the Ottawa Senators (21-18-3).

Puck drop at UBS Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and the game can be found on MSGSN.

New York won the first two games of the season series, most recently a 4-2 decision at Canadian Tire Centre on Dec. 8. The Islanders’ power play was the difference in the contest, as a third-period marker by Kyle Palmieri propelled New York to the win.

The Islanders open a seven-game homestand on Tuesday, their longest of the season. Also on the docket are a pair of visits from the Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes, and Colorado Avalanche.

LINEUP UPDATES:

Goaltender Ilya Sorokin will back-up Marcus Hogberg, as he has not recovered 100% from his illness.

Defenseman Isaiah George returns from a three-game absence.

Forward Marc Gatcomb has been recalled from Bridgeport and will play with Jean-Gabriel Pageau out due to illness. It’s his NHL debut!

Defenseman Alexander Romanov will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Lee-Nelson-Barzal

Tsyplakov-Horvat-Palmieri

Engvall-Cizikas-Duclair

Martin-MacLean-Gatcomb

Dobson-Mayfield

Pelech-Pulock

George-Cholowski

Hogberg

Sorokin

Who’s Hot:

Mathew Barzal has a five-game point streak entering Tuesday’s game. The forward boasts a goal and five assists for six points in that span while also moving into a tie with Brent Sutter for ninth all-time on the Islanders’ assist list with 323 helpers.

Anders Lee had a pair of assists against the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday, giving him points in three straight games. The Islanders captain has three goals and two assists for five points in that span. He also has points in four straight matchups with Ottawa, tallying three goals and three assists for six points.

Brock Nelson recorded a goal and assists in each of the last two games. He now sits in a three-way tie with Sutter and Pat LaFontaine for fifth all-time in goals for the franchise with 287.

Kyle MacLean has recorded a point in all three career games against the Senators. The forward lit the lamp in their last meeting, giving him a goal and two assists for three points in as many games against them.

Lee tops the Islanders in goals lifetime against the Senators with 15 in 31 career games. Barzal has 14 assists against Ottawa to lead the team, while Bo Horvat has 23 points overall in 29 dates with the Senators.

Hogberg will face his former team after spending five years in the Senators organization. he earned the win on Saturday with 21 saves against Utah. It will be his first career start against Ottawa.

Opponents Notes:

Tim Stutzle had a pair of assists the last time the two teams met. He now has a six-game point streak against the Islanders, boasting two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in that span. He also had two goals in as many games in Ottawa’s victories this weekend.

Drake Batherson has a four-game point streak against New York after recording a helper in their last meeting. The forward has three goals and three assists for six points in that span.

Despite going scoreless in their first two meetings this season, Claude Giroux is Ottawa’s leading scorer against New York. The longtime Flyer has 26 goals and 47 assists for 73 points in 72 career games against them. He also had four points in the Senators’ wins this weekend.

Leevi Merilainen will make his third straight start for the Senators on Tuesday after starting both games of their back-to-back this weekend. The rookie netminder pitched a 29-save shutout against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and made 24 saves on 26 shots against the Dallas Stars on Sunday. This will be his first start against New York.