Islanders Start Thanksgiving Homestand Against Blues
After a frustrating three games to conclude their road trip, the Islanders host the St. Louis at UBS Arena.
EAST MEADOW, NY — After a disappointing back half of a five-game road trip, the New York Islanders (7-8-5) host the St. Louis Blues (9-11-1) at UBS Arena on Saturday.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the game can be found on MSGSN.
Four of the Islanders’ next five games and eight of the next 11 will be at UBS Arena.
The last time these two teams met was Oct. 17, where the Blues picked up a 1-0 overtime win. Ilya Sorokin and Joel Hofer traded zeroes in regulation time, but the difference in the game was a Jake Neighbours tip. Despite 34 Sorokin saves, Hofer was the better netminder on a 30-save shutout.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
Lee-Horvat-Pageau
Tsyplakov-Nelson-Palmieri
Engvall-Cizikas-Holmstrom
Martin-MacLean-Wahlstrom
Romanov-Dobson
George-Pulock
Cholowski-Mayfield
Sorokin
Varlamov
WHO’S HOT:
Scott Mayfield picked up an assist in each of the final two games on the road trip. The longest streak of games with a helper is three, accomplished three times in his career.
Three players enter Saturday’s game on milestone watch, starting with Anders Lee looking for his 200th career assist. Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock are also closing in on their 200th NHL points, needing one and two, respectively, to reach those plateaus.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau leads active Islanders in goals against St. Louis with eight. Brock Nelson leads New York in helpers against the Blues with eight while also sitting in a tie with Lee for most overall points with 12.
After coming up short in his last four attempts to reach 100 career wins, Sorokin will get another crack on Saturday. He dropped Thursday’s decision to the Detroit Red Wings with 29 saves in the effort. After dropping their last meeting in October, he is 3-1-1 with a 2.19 GAA and .923 SV% against the Blues.
OPPONENT’S NOTES:
Robert Thomas enters play with a three-game assist streak for the Blues, totaling four in that span. Despite playing in only nine games this season, he sits in a tie for second on the team in total assists with seven.
Thomas’ linemate, Jordan Kyrou, has points in three straight games, totaling a goal and two assists. He’s added at least a point in nine of his last 10 games, totaling four goals and five assists.
Brayden Schenn leads the Blues in scoring across the board against New York. The former Philadelphia Flyer has seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points in 39 games.
Goaltender Jordan Binnington tied the Blues’ franchise record for wins by a goaltender on Thursday, recording his 151st win to match Mike Liut’s number with the franchise. After making 22 saves in a shootout win on Thursday, he can break the record against the Islanders, where he’s had success. In seven games, he is 3-2-2 with a 1.99 GAA and .927 SV%, most recently pitching a 38-save shutout on Feb. 22.
PREGAME READING:
Sorokin vs. Binnington Rivalry Returns When Islanders Battle Blues - THN
With Islanders Failing To Fill Clutterbuck's Role, Does It Make Sense To Just Bring Him Back? - THN
Islanders Top Six In A Lull; Time To Shuffle Lines Again? - THN
Jets’ Woody Johnson vs. Islanders’ Scott Malkin: A Tale Of Opposite Ownership Styles - THN
Lifelong Islanders Fan Ralph Macchio Receives Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame - THN
Islanders Pierre Engvall Showing Just How Good He Can Be When He's On His Game - THN
Blues Lines From Last Game
NOTES: Forward Oskar Sundqvist will play and skate with Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker. Defenseman Matthew Kessel will slot back in for Cory Schueneman.
Islanders Community:
Complimentary Parking!
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What can be done to score more goals? Sure the PP could be better. However we just don’t finish. Patrick has restored the defensive game, and the team plays good fundamentals hockey. But even when the net is gaping it’s not going in. Obviously getting Duclair groin and Barzel Concussion ???? back could provide a lift. Maybe call up Karlstrom and Foudy. Wally and Fashing have given us zero. I honestly don’t think Wally should be in the lineup.