Islanders vs. Kings: Odds, Keys to the Game, Lineups, TV and more

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 02: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders celebrates his goal at 13:46 of the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on February 02, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Kings 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders host the Los Angeles Kings, in Brooklyn, to complete their three-game home-stand.

The New York Islanders are seeking to finish their first homestand after the All-Star break with a winning record and tonight’s matchup against a struggling opponent is a perfect scenario for them to do so. But then again, the Islanders have not done well against struggling teams.

Last time these teams met in California, the Islanders did not put up much of a fight in a 4-1 loss. Derick Brassard had the lone goal and the powerplay went 0-for-3. A lot has changed since that November 27th matchup.

Tonight is the last time these out-of-conference foes will face each other this season and there are two big points on the line.

Tale of the Tape

As we can see above, the Islanders dominate this board in every category, except for shots-for per game and shots against per game. This is an interesting stat: The Kings who have struggled to win games this year, average the third-most shots per game and the least amount of shots against per game.

Betting Odds

When the second to last team in the NHL flies across the country to play a playoff-caliber team, you would expect the playoff-caliber team to be heavy favorites. The Isles are heavy favorites in this matchup at a -195 money line, courtesy of the Action Network.

With the blue and orange in a tight playoff race and the Kings dropping their last six road games against eastern conference opponents. I would play the favorites in this one.

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: Barry Trotz, head coach of the New York Islanders tends to the bench during the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on November 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Keys To The Game

Find the Killer Instinct

As mentioned on the last slide, the Islanders have not done well against struggling/rebuilding teams. They have lost to Anaheim (twice), Montreal, New Jersey, Los Angeles, the Rangers (twice) and San Jose.

Tonight, they are looking for a change of fortune. The Islanders need to get a lead early and not look back like they did against Detroit last month.

Especially in a tight playoff race, the Isles need to learn how to put teams away. Tonight can be a good learning tool for the Isles. Two points tonight are huge for the chase in the Metro!

Special Teams

Special teams can sometimes be the difference in a game. When you look back at the Islanders season, there are a couple of games where an 0-for-four or an 0-for-five on the powerplay for the Isles was the difference in a game. And then there are nights like Tuesday, where a late powerplay goal forces the game into overtime.

As fans, we are looking for more consistency on the powerplay. I think everyone would be happy with one or two grade-A chances on each powerplay.

Tonight against a team with a low penalty kill percentage (74.5) winning the special teams battle is huge and it could be the difference.

Lineups

New York Islanders

Coming off the overtime win against the Stars, on Tuesday, and no practice yesterday, I do not see the Isles making any changes.

No practice for #Isles today. They conclude a three-game Brooklyn homestand vs. #LaKings on Thursday night.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) February 5, 2020

Kieffer Bellows looked solid in his NHL debut having 9:10 of ice time and there is absolutely no reason to take him out of the lineup. Also, I would expect Seymon Varlamov to stay in between the pipes after making some crucial saves in third, on Tuesday, to force the game into overtime and ultimately getting the win.

Islanders: Kieffer Bellows Picks Up Point In First Game. Read

With a crucial two points on the line against, a weak opponent, and their next game two days away, the blue and orange will keep the same lineup to keep pace in a tight playoff race. The Isles should line up like this tonight:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Bellows-Brassard-Dal Colle
Martin-Cizikas-Komarov

Leddy-Pulock
Toews-Mayfield
Dobson-Boychuck

Varlamov (Greiss)

Los Angeles Kings

After last night’s trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, we will see a new Kings lineup that will include Trevor Moore.

Also, with Jack Campbell heading to Toronto, it looks like Jonathan Quick will have the start tonight.

Iafallo-Kopitar-Brown
Grundstrum-Carter-Toffoli
Kempe-Lizotte-Wagner
Moore-Amadio-Lewis

Martinez-Doughty
Hutton-Roy
MacDermid-Walker

Quick (Petersen)

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