Islanders vs. Ducks: Betting odds, lineups, building on Boston win

Projected Lineups

New York Islanders

This is how the Islanders lined-up in Boston. I expect there to be some changes to the lineup. Not many, but some.

Cal Clutterbuck is out after taking a skate to the wrist. The winger immediately jumped off the ice and ran down the tunnel with blood dripping down his arm. He had to go to the hospital to get stitches. That will take some time to heal.

Andrew Ladd didn’t suit up for Bridgeport on Friday night, likely clearing a way for the veteran forward to head back to the NHL. He could be exactly what the third line needs if he’s back to full health. Tom Kuhnhackl could move down to line four to cover Clutterbuck.

Barring any injury, the defense likely stays the same. Johnny Boychuk played so well against the Bruins that Trotz can’t take him out of the lineup.

In nets, Newsday’s Andrew Gross seems to believe Barry Trotz is ready to break his goalie rotation by possibly handing Semyon Varlamov back-to-back starts. Varlamov has been great since a wobble in the middle of November.

Anaheim Ducks

Henrique-Getzlaf-Kase
Rakell-Lundstrom-Silfverberg
Jones-Steel-Comtois
Deslauriers-Carrick-Rowney

Lindholm-Mason
Fowler-Gudbranson
Del Zotto-Fowler

Gibson (Miller)

The Ducks have been hit with an injury bug of late. Patrick Eaves, Ryan Kessler, and Nick Ritchie are already out long-term, added to the list are Troy Terry (ten weeks with broken bone), Jacob Larsson (day-to-day with upper-body injury), and Derek Grant (4-6 weeks sprained AC joint).

Injuries are never the reason a team is performing poorly, but it’s certainly a factor. It’s an ideal situation for the New York Islanders to build off of that win in Boston.

Although just like in November when the Isles traveled to California, the Isles can’t underestimate the Ducks. Then, the Ducks had lost three straight by a combined score of 16-8 but handed the Isles their first regulation loss in over a month with a convincing shutout.