Islanders Face Kraken, Jordan Eberle Won't Play For Seattle
The Islanders look to extend their point streak to six games after coming off the best win of the season in Vancouver.
After their most complete game of the season thus far, the New York Islanders (7-6-4) face the Seattle Kraken (8-8-1) in the Emerald City. Puck drop is at 4 PM ET, and the game can be found on MSGSN.
The Islanders were swept by Kraken last season in a pair of shootout defeats. New York fell 4-3 at Climate Pledge Arena 4-3 on Nov. 16, and Seattle completed the sweep at UBS Arena on Feb. 13.
The Kraken are in danger of being without captain Jordan Eberle on Saturday. The former Islander forward suffered a lower-body injury on Thursday.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
Lee-Horvat-Pageau
Tsyplakov-Nelson-Palmieri
Engvall-Cizikas-Holmstrom
Martin-MacLean-Wahlstrom
George-Dobson
Pulock-Mayfield
Cholowskk-Hutton
Sorokin
Varlamov
WHO’S HOT:
The Islanders’ top line once again struck in Vancouver on Thursday, with all three members having at least a point. Pageau got the Islanders their first goal of the night, Lee notched a goal and an assist, and Horvat had a pair of helpers in the win.
In seven games since being put together, Lee has four goals and six assists for 10 points. He is one helper shy of 200 for his NHL career. Pageau has four goals and two helpers in that span, while Horvat boasts two red lights and six assists.
A pair of Islanders defensemen enter the game on milestone watch, with Ryan Pulock and Noah Dobson closing in on 200 points for their careers. Pulock enters play with 197, while Dobson comes into Saturday with 198.
Horvat is the Islanders’ leader in goals and points against the Kraken, in large part due to his days with the Canucks; he has four goals and five points in nine career games. Dobson and Brock Nelson are the active roster in helpers against Seattle, with two each in six games.
Ilya Sorokin will get his third chance to earn his 100th NHL win on Saturday. In four games against the Kraken, he is 2-1-1 with a 1.48 GAA and .950 SV%, making 29 saves in a shootout loss in their last meeting.
OPPONENT’S NOTES:
Jared McCann is Seattle’s leading scorer across the board, boasting eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points. The forward enters play on Saturday on a four-game point streak, tallying three goals and three assists for six points in that span.
Brandon Tanev also enters play hot for Seattle, as he has has four goals in his last three games. He scored the empty-netter to seal their victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
Daniel Sprong, freshly reacquired by the Kraken in a deal with the Canucks last week, is Seattle’s leader in goals against New York with eight. McCann and Oliver Bjorkstrand lead in assists with 11 each, but the latter, a former Columbus Blue Jacket, leads in total points with 16.
The Kraken host the Islanders for the first of a back-to-back before welcoming in the New York Rangers on Sunday.
Dan Bylsma has not named a starting goalie for the game, but Joey Daccord has started the last three games for Seattle, going 3-0-0 with a 1.99 GAA and a .928 SV%.
He has never faced the Islanders in his career.
PREGAME READING:
Whammies, Wham! & Anders Lee Putting Two & Two Together For Perfect Islanders Win Song - THN
Key Element Islanders Showed In Vancouver Win & Why It’s Crucial For Continued Success - THN
Bridgeport Islanders Forward Chris Terry Skates In 1,000th Professional Game On Friday Night - THN
Maxim Tsyplakov: His Hit On Canucks Captain Quinn Hughes & His Effect On Islanders Lineup - THN
Bridgeport Islanders Forward Chris Terry Skates In 1,000th Professional Game On Friday Night - THN
Seattle Lines From Last Game
Islanders Community:
Complimentary Parking!
Once again for the 2024-25 season, those that drive a BMW can receive complimentary single-game parking in the Emerald Parking lot.
Please click the BMW | Islanders image below for parking registration information,
