New York Islanders Lineup and Keys To Win Against Arizona Coyotes

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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 07: Anthony Beauvillier #72 of the New York Islanders celebrates his goal at 10:44 of the second period against the New Jersey Devils at the Barclays Center on January 7, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

New York Islanders Lineup

Line 1: Lee-Tavares-Bailey D1: Leddy-Mayfield
Line 2: Beauvillier-Barzal-Eberle D2: Pelech-Aho
Line 3: Johnston-Nelson-Quine D3: Hickey-Pulock
Line 4: Chimera-Fritz-Clutterbuck Goalie: Halak

Coach Doug Weight is going with the same lineup that thrashed the Chicago Blackhawks 7-3 on Saturday. Makes sense. He got a good return from his team selection so why not continue with it?

Taking all the injuries into account this is probably as good a lineup that the Isles can put out. Ideally, Scott Mayfield isn’t a top pairing defenceman. But we’ve seen what happened when Doug Weight put Dennis Seidenberg in that spot.

I highlighted Beauvillier for his recent performances. In five games since his return from Bridgeport Beauvilier has six points. He was told he needed to find his identity when he was sent to the AHL. I think he found it. (That or he found his BFF Mathew Barzal as his center.)

Players like Beauvillier, Fritz and even Johnston have to keep making the case for their inclusion in the Islanders roster. Tonight marks a great opportunity as they enter Arizona. A team that has one but twice in their last seven games.

And guys like Jason Chimera have to show that these young upstarts can’t steal his roster spot. It can’t have gone unnoticed to the coaching staff that Chimera has a single point in his last eleven games. But then again it seems that the fact he’s played over a thousand games keeps him the lineup night-in and night-out.