Islanders Open February Against Tampa Bay Lightning, Boqvist To Debut: Lines & Notes

The Islanders claimed Adam Boqvist off waivers from the Florida Panthers on Friday.

Stefen Rosner, Matthew Page, The Elmonters, and David Kolb

Feb 01, 2025

TAMPA BAY, FL —After rattling off six straight wins to end January, the New York Islanders (23-20-7) open February against the Tampa Bay Lightning (27-20-3).

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

Saturday marks the first matchup between the teams this season. In their first meeting, New York routed Tampa Bay 6-1 on Feb. 8, but the Lightning picked up 4-2 and 4-1 wins to finish their season series.

Saturday’s game could also mark another debut for an Islanders defenseman. The team claimed Adam Boqvist off waivers from the Florida Panthers on Friday, and he is probable to play against the Lightning; Isaiah George was sent down to AHL Bridgeport in a corresponding move.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Lee-Horvat-Barzal

Tsyplakov-Nelson-Palmieri

Cizikas-Pageau-Holmstrom

Engvall-MacLean-Gatcomb

Pelech-Perunovich

Romanov-DeAngelo

Mayfield-Boqvist

Sorokin

Skarek

Who’s Hot:

Simon Holmstrom capped off his strong January with the game-winning goal on Thursday. Since returning to the lineup, he has four goals and an assist for five points in six games.

Scott Perunovich is set to skate in his 100th NHL game on Saturday. After being acquired in a trade on Monday, the defenseman has settled in nicely, putting up two assists in as many games since joining the Islanders.

Casey Cizikas has a three-game assist streak entering Saturday’s game, putting up a helper on Kyle Palmieri’s goal on Thursday. Although kept off the scoresheet on Tuesday, Adam Pelech has four assists in his last five games.

Palmieri and Brock Nelson each have 11 goals in their careers against Tampa Bay to lead the Islanders, with the former scoring twice against them last season. Mathew Barzal has a team-best 10 assists against the Lightning, while Nelson leads in total points with 20.

Following his 23-save shutout of the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, Ilya Sorokin will be in net for New York on Saturday. Against Tampa Bay in his career, he is 2-5-0 with a 3.62 GAA and .871 SV%, surrendering three goals on 24 shots in a loss on Feb. 24.

Opponents Notes:

The Lightning saw a major roster shakeup this offseason with the departure of longtime captain Steven Stamkos. Following his departure, the team signed Jake Guentzel to a seven-year contract this summer. The former Pittsburgh Penguin and Carolina Hurricane has filled in nicely, putting up 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points in 49 games.

Brandon Hagel had a three-point game last time out against the Los Angeles Kings. The forward had two goals and an assist, including the game-winner. He had a pair of helpers the last time he faced the Islanders, giving him a three-game point streak against them with a goal and three assists in that span.

Anthony Cirelli had three points the last time he faced the Islanders. He had two goals and an assist, including the go-ahead goal, on March 30 at Amalie Arena.

Even with Stamkos gone, Nikita Kucherov remains as dangerous as ever. After a two-assist game in their last matchup, he has an eight-game point streak against New York with four goals and nine assists in that span. He leads the Lightning in scoring with 23 goals and 52 assists for 75 points.

Cam Atkinson, signed to a one-year contract this summer, leads Tampa Bay players in goals against New York with 14. Guentzel tops the team in assists and points against the Islanders with 21 and 32, respectively.

Andrei Vasilevskiy (21-15-2, 2.28 GAA, .919 SV%) gets the start. He’s 13-4-0, with a 2.04 GAA and a .937 SV% in 18 games against the Islanders.

Tampa Bay Lightning Latest Lines: