Islanders vs. Blackhawks, Lines & Notes
Tonight begins a home and home with Chicago.
ELMONT, NY — After dropping a home contest against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, the New York Islanders (11-12-7) play the front end of a home-and-home against the Chicago Blackhawks (9-17-2).
Puck drop from UBS Arena is set for 7:30 p.m., and the game can be found on MSGSN.
Last year’s season series saw the two teams split their matchups. Chicago took home a 4-3 overtime win at the United Center in January, but New York picked up a 2-1 win on a pair of third-period goals during their playoff push in April.
While Chicago will be the Islanders’ only opponent over the next three days, Chicago will have a game in between their matchups. They face the New Jersey Devils on Saturday at Prudential Center before returning to The Windy City to face New York.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Tsyplakov-Horvat-Pageau
Lee-Nelson-Palmieri
Engvall-Cizikas-Holmstrom
Martin-MacLean-Wahlstrom
Cholowski-Dobson
Romanov-Pulock
George-Mayfield
Sorokin
Hogberg
WHO’S HOT:
Anders Lee moved into sole possession of eighth all-time in goals by Islanders players on Tuesday, passing John Tavares with his 273rd career goal. Across his last 10 games, he has six red lights and five helpers for 11 points.
Brock Nelson is close to moving up on the Islanders’ career goals list, but he is two short of moving into a tie with Brent Sutter and Pat LaFontaine for fifth place. Nelson has 285 goals in his career, all with the Islanders.
Bo Horvat has goals in three straight games against the Blackhawks. Across 23 dates with Chicago, he leads active Islanders in goals and points with 12 and 21, respectively.
Ilya Sorokin will make his seventh straight game for New York on Thursday. He took the loss in his last outing against the Kings, allowing two goals on 29 shots. Lifetime against Chicago, he is 3-0-1 with a 1.75 GAA and .933 SV%, winning their last matchup on April 2 with 18 saves on 19 shots.
OPPONENT’S NOTES:
Chicago relieved head coach Luke Richardson of his duties last Thursday, appointing Anders Sorensen as his replacement; he is the first Swedish head coach in NHL history. He earned his first win on Monday against the New York Rangers.
Jason Dickinson was Chicago’s leading scorer against New York last season. He lit the lamp in both of their matchups, tallying two goals and two assists for four points in their two games. Entering Thursday’s game, he has a three-game point streak with a goal and two assists in that span.
Ryan Donato is Chicago’s goals leader this season with 10 in 26 games. Connor Bedard leads in the remaining offensive categories, with 16 helpers and 21 points.
Taylor Hall, who had a goal and assist on Monday, is Chicago’s leading scorer across the board against the Islanders. In 33 games, he has 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points in 33 games.
With goaltender Petr Mrazek on injured reserve with a groin injury, Arvid Soderblom is projected to make the start on Thursday. He picked up the win on Monday with 29 saves on 30 shots at Madison Square Garden. Against the Islanders, he is 0-2-0 with a 2.61 GAA and .929 SV%.
PREGAME READING:
Islanders Notebook: Power Play Talk & Managing Sorokin - THN
Islanders Have Golden Opportunity To Secure Four Points In Home-&-Home vs. Blackhawks - THN
Flashback: When Islanders Ilya Sorokin Was 'Traded' To Blackhawks - THN
Islanders Can See Light At End Of Tunnel With Injured Players Nearing Their Return - THN
After Crosstown Rivals Trade Captain, Islanders Anders Lee Talks “C” Challenge - THN
Blackhawks Latest Lines
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,
First Star for the Islanders -The Chicago Goaltender Dude was beyond terrible. Every one of the goals were bad ones.
Watching Dobson in the a defensive zone is painful. Get stronger and play with an edge! Opponents are very comfortable around him. He doesn’t have any confidence exiting the defensive zone! make a move let it flow you make a mistake you make a mistake but pinning the puck is not working.