Islanders vs. Blackhawks: Betting odds, lineups, Robin Lehner in other crease

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 28: Robin Lehner #40 of the New York Islanders prepares to play against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 28, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders face off against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center, here’s everything you need to know about the game.

He only played for the New York Islanders for a single year. Just one. But the impact that Robin Lehner had on this franchise has been incredible. Like a Reddit post stated a while ago, Lehner has had a larger cultural impact on the Isles in a single year than John Tavares had in nine.

That’s why it’s going to be weird to see him between the pipes with a Chicago Blackhawks jersey on.

But while Lehner is proving that last year wasn’t a fluke, his team isn’t helping him out. The Blackhawks sit at the bottom of the Central Division with 36 points. They also allow a ton of shots against.

The Blackhawks 36.1 shots against per game is the most in the NHL. The next highest is the New York Rangers at 34.6 shots against per game, on average. For a goalie who isn’t known for his top-notch mobility, a ton of shots isn’t the greatest recipe for success.

Even with all those shots coming Lehner’s way, he’s averaging a 0.924SV%. That’s the seventh-best save percentage in the league for goalies who’ve played at least five games.

It’s going to be a tough reunion, but if the Islanders go back to the basics and stick to the system they should be able to get the best of their former netminder.

Puck drop: 8:30 pm EST
Venue: United Center, Chicago
TV: MSG+2, MSG GO (mobile)
Radio: 88.7FM, 103.9FM

Tale of the Tape

Betting Odds

Courtesy of The Action Network, the New York Islanders even while traveling to Chicago, are the favorites with a -140 money line, at the time of writing. The Blackhawks hold a +120 money line.