The New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks meet for the first of two dates this season. While one team is winning as a team, the other isn’t working as a team according to their captain.
When the New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks take the ice at the Honda Center later today it will feature a meeting between two teams going in opposite directions.
The Islanders have a 17 game point streak going. They haven’t lost in regulation since the fourth game of the season back on October 11. There isn’t one player driving the bus for the Isles, they’re winning by committee with everyone on the team doing their part.
That isn’t what’s going on with the Ducks of late.
With three losses in a row and the third-worst record in the Western Conference, things aren’t going well for the Ducks. And it has captain Ryan Getzlaf frustrated, angry, and ticked (subscription required).
Not just because his team is losing, but because of how they’re loosing. The long-time captain of the Ducks feels like some of his teammates just aren’t putting in the effort. He even goes so far as to say they quit on during their most recent loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tonight’s game can go one of two ways. Either the Isles can skate around a fracture lineup or they’re in for a hell of a fight with a team that’s going to go out there to try and prove to their captain that they haven’t quit.
Betting Odds
The Islanders are favored tonight. Courtesy of the Action Network, oddsmakers have the Isles at -130 to win tonight. As the road team that’s a little surprising, but when you look at recent performances for both teams it isn’t.
Going into tonight’s game the Islanders are 4-0-1 in their last five games. The Ducks are 1-3-1, with all three losses coming over their last three games. In that five-game span, the Ducks have been outscored 22 to 15.
The Islanders are favored tonight, and rightfully so.
Potential Lineups
New York Islanders
At #Isles skate, looks like...
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) November 25, 2019
Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvilluer-Nelson-Brassard
Dal Colle-Bailey-Komarov
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
Extra Fs: Koivula, Johnston
Leddy-Boychuk
Pelech-Pulock
Toews-Mayfield
Extra D: Dobson
Greiss, Varlamov
Looks like Swiss Army Knife Josh Bailey will get a spin as the team’s third-line center. He might have played wing for most of his professional career, but in junior Bailey was a centerman. So the position won’t be totally foreign to him.
Komarov will get a spin with youngster Otto Koivula taking a seat on the scratchpad tonight.
On defense, there won’t be a change. Noah Dobson will once again be a healthy scratch. With the way the Isles defense played against the Sharks it’s hard to argue for a change.
The goalie rotation continues, with Semyon Varlamov sitting after playing last time around with Thomas Greiss getting the crease.
Anaheim Ducks
Rakell-Getzlaf-Terry
Jones-Henrique-Silfverberg
Ritchie-Steel-Kase
Shore-Grant-Rowney
Lindholm-Gudbransson
Fowler-Larsson
Guhle-Holzner
Gibson (Miller)
At home following a four-game road trip that featured a three-game losing streak, the Ducks will look to bounce back against the Islanders. Their lineup might not be as intimidating as it used to be, but there’s still enough quality there to worry the Islanders. Like goalie John Gibson.
Where to Catch the Game
It’s a late one, puck drop won’t take place till shortly after 10:00 pm eastern time.
You can watch the game on MSG+ and MSG+ HD with the pre-game starting at 9:30 pm eastern. And of course on the MSG Go app.
You can also get the game on the radio at 88.7 FM, 103.9 FM, and 1050 AM.