Islanders vs. Blue Jackets: Betting odds, lineups, defense please

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 28: Andrew Ladd #16 of the New York Islanders skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on February 28, 2019 in Uniondale City. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 6-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Potential Lineups

New York Islanders

Andrew Ladd skating on Derick Brassard's left wing with Tom Kuhnhackl at #Isles practice. Top two lines (Lee-Barzal-Eberle, Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey) the same. Cizikas back in the middle on fourth line.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 22, 2019

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beau-Nelson-Bailey
Ladd-Brassard-Kuhnhackl
Martin-Cizikas-Komarov

Pelech-Pulock
Mayfield-Toews
Leddy-Boychuk

Greiss (Varlamov)

We might see the return of Andrew Ladd tonight. Johnston and Dal Colle were out skating as extras with Noah Dobson, meaning they’re likely the healthy scratches tonight.

Ladd’s been skating with the team since Cal Clutterbuck picked up that nasty wrist injury against Boston but has yet to play.

I know Andrew Ladd hasn’t lived up to that massive free-agent contract, but he can give the Islanders something they need on that third line; depth scoring. The rotation of Michael Dal Colle, Leo Komarov, Ross Johnston, and Tom Kuhnhackl just hasn’t produced anything. Ladd, if healthy, can give the Islanders an injection of offense.

We saw Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal, and Jordan Eberle combine well against the Anaheim Ducks, hopefully, that’s the beginning of a fruitful relationship for the trio.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Told #CBJ F Oliver Bjorkstrand (back, ribs area) is out for Monday’s game vs. #NYI. Sonny Milano was expected to travel with the club, so perhaps he takes Bjorkstrand’s spot in the lineup.
D David Savard (illness) has missed the last two games but was expected to travel.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) December 22, 2019

Foligno-Wenneberg-Stenlund
Texier-Dubois-Robinson
Nyquist-Jenner-Gerbe
Milano-Nash-MacInnis

Werenski-Jones
Gavrikov-Kukan
Harrington-Savard

Korpisalo (Merzlikins)

Long Island’s own Sonny Milano will likely be back for the Blue Jackets as will David Savard.

With the significant injuries to the lineup, coach John Tortorella will hope that some of the players given an opportunity will take it and run with it.

Ryan MacInnis and Kevin Stenlund are both emergency loans. MacInnis is getting his first look at the NHL wile Stenlund is getting his second stint in two years. If they can impress this emergency loan can serve them well as they try to establish themselves in the NHL.

Next. Three positives about Andrew Ladd's return

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