Islanders Go To War With Wild: Lines & Notes
Ilya Soroklin makes back-to-back starts.
After dropping the front end of a back-to-back against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, the New York Islanders (25-22-7) head into the 4 Nations Face-off break against the Minnesota Wild (38-14-3).
Puck drop at Xcel Energy Center is scheduled for 8:00 p.m., and the game can be found on MSGSN.
The Islanders were swept aside by the Wild last season, starting on Nov. 7 in a 4-2 loss at UBS Arena. Minnesota romped the Islanders 5-0 in their last meeting on Jan. 15, it was Marc-Andre Fleury’s 552nd win in his career, putting him in second over Islanders head coach Patrick Roy for wins by a goaltender.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Lee-Horvat-Duclair
Tsyplakov-Nelson-Palmieri
Cizikas-Pageau-Holmstrom
Engvall-MacLean-Gatcomb
Romanov-DeAngelo
Pelech-Perunovich
Cholowski-Boqvist
Sorokin
Skarek
Who’s Hot:
Simon Holmstrom lit the lamp once again on Friday, giving him 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points this season. It’s the first time in his NHL career he’s eclipsed the 30-point mark. He has five goals and three assists for eight points in 10 games since returning to the lineup.
Marc Gatcomb scored his third career goal on Friday night, continuing his impressive run in the team’s bottom six. He has three goals in his last five games to remain a regular in the Islanders’ lineup.
Bo Horvat is the Islanders’ leader in goals and points against Minnesota among active players. The center has nine goals and 14 points in 23 games when facing them. Tony DeAngelo tops the Islanders in helpers against them with nine in 11 career matchups.
After making the start against Winnipeg, Ilya Sorokin will start the second game of the back-to-back. He dropped Friday’s decision with four goals against on 27 shots, his first loss since Jan. 16. Against Minnesota, he is 0-3-1 with a 2.71 GAA and .916 SV% in four career games, most recently allowing three goals on 32 shots in his last outing against them before getting pulled.
Opponents Notes:
Minnesota has a new face to their lineup in forward Vinnie Hinostroza after being claimed off waivers from the Nashville Predators. The journeyman forward lit the lamp in his debut with the team on Thursday.
Jonas Brodin enters Saturday’s game one assist short of 200 for his NHL career. In 836 games, all with the Wild, the defenseman has 58 goals and 199 assists for 257 points. Marcus Johansson also enters on milestone watch, needing one point for 500 in his career. The forward has 179 goals and 320 assists for 499 points in 957 career games.
Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello are tied for the Wild lead in goals against New York with five. Johansson leads the team in assists and points against the Islanders with 20 and 23, respectively.
Filip Gustafsson will make the start for the Wild on Saturday night. He picked up the win in his last outing on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, making 37 saves on 38 shots. Against New York, he is 2-1-0 in three career matchups, boasting a 2.29 GAA and .920 SV%, most recently making 39 saves on 40 shots in a win on Feb. 28, 2023
Minnesota Wild Latest Lines:
NOTES: Eriksson-Ek will not play. Minnesota will go 11 forwards/7 defensemen.
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Strategically turn the page. This next month is a critical time for this team. Lou and Patty need to set this team up for the next five years not a valiant gentlemen’s sweep. There are fundamental flaws and inconsistencies in effort or maybe energy is a better term. Without a PP the team won’t win, make no mistake it’s a personnel issue.
Give Boqvist almost 100% of the PP time, let’s see if he can make a difference. As a young reclamation project it’s possible his talent might finally come through. Deangelo and Perunovich are nothing more than a seventh defenseman type. If I was Boqvist I would consider this my last real chance at any big money in the NHL, he should be plenty motivated. Part of the solution to all these issues that plague this team is improving the quality of play from Dobson and Barzel. They simply need to get better this Summer. Adam Oates work with Horvat and Lee speaks for itself. If they believe Dobson is Shane Gostisphere then trade him. If not get the young man the help he needs a weight training guru along with Oates. Trim off the Fashings Martin types. Engvall get him an intestinal fortitude transplant or let him ride the bus in Bridgeport for six years. He’ll go to Europe eventually and void contract after a year or two. The forward group needs another Horvat type talent. Trade Nelson and Palmeri they will be FA and can be resigned back. It can bring you an excellent NHL ready prospect and a draft pick. If they do think of trading for Petterson , Bo better know his patella tendinitis isn’t a problem. Horvat is the key on Petterson he knows the guy 100% and has the relationship. Vancouver is a beautiful city, but too much drama and the team is not stacked with talent. Tockett got a lot out of that team last year, they are in the same situation as the Islanders basically. Petterson (if completely healthy and Bo says Good) for Dobson I do it. Can really understand Dobson’s regression and lack of confidence?????
Not a very good showing. Playing Jets and Wild just shows you that the Islanders are two steps below the top teams. The playoffs aren’t going to happen this year. Most likely that’s the best thing that can happen to this team. 1. Possible lottery pick 2. Trade Palmeri and Nelson (if you want them back sign them during FA) It gives them a chance at a Cup, and the Islanders get prospects and picks back. I would give the GM job to Patrick.