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Islanders vs. Coyotes: Betting odds, lineups, Andy Green to top pair

By Michel Anderson |
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: Vinnie Hinostroza #13 of the Arizona Coyotes skates against Nick Leddy #2 of the New York Islanders during their game at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on October 24, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: Vinnie Hinostroza #13 of the Arizona Coyotes skates against Nick Leddy #2 of the New York Islanders during their game at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on October 24, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 18: Head coach Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Islanders defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 18: Head coach Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Islanders defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders face off against the Arizona Coyotes as they try and get their first win on this four-game western road trip.

The New York Islanders road trip has been disastrous so far. Both the Nashville Predators and the Vegas Golden Knights have shut out the Islanders in games one and two. And now they take on an Arizona Coyotes team that is strong defensively.

Related Story. Islanders Offense Struggles to 1-0 loss vs. Vegas

Much like the Islanders, the Coyotes are hanging on to a playoff position by a thread. The Yotes are just a point ahead of the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets in the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference.

This is going to be yet another playoff-type game for the Islanders. If the Isles want to play a regular-season game as they did against the Golden Knights they’ll find themselves looking at another loss.

The Season Series

The last time these two teams played was in October. Right in the middle of the Islanders eleven-game winning streak.

That game finished 4-2 for the Islanders. It was a low shooting affair with 45 shots on net between the two teams. I expect much of the same tonight.

Tale of the Tape

Both are strong defensive teams giving up less than 2.75 goals against per game on average.

Betting Odds

With the money line opening at +115, the Islanders are once again the underdog tonight.

I can see the Islanders having their spirits lifted with the arrival of Andy Greene. They’ll play a more competitive game and should come away with both points in a 3-2 win.

121. Prediction. 3. 106. 2

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 04: Andy Greene #6 of the New Jersey Devils prepares to play against the Colorado Avalanche at the Prudential Center on January 04, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 04: Andy Greene #6 of the New Jersey Devils prepares to play against the Colorado Avalanche at the Prudential Center on January 04, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Players to Watch

New York Islanders – Andy Greene (D)

He was brought in to be cover for Adam Pelech and that’s exactly what he’ll do. Greene will step into Pelech’s spot on the top pair next to Ryan Pulock.

The move returns the left-right balance to the Islanders blue line that has been missing since the end of December. Greene also gives them a player that can hold his own on the PK. With Adam Pelech, Casey Cizikas, and Cal Clutterbuck out they were missing their top three penalty killers.

Today we get to catch a glimpse of what Andy Greene can do wearing Blue and Orange and playing in a Barry Trotz system.

Arizona Coyotes – Taylor Hall (LW)

He hasn’t exactly ‘taken off’ in Arizona. With 21 points in 26 games he’s been fine Coyotes GM John Chayka was certainly hoping he would be better than fine when he shipped out three prospects and two picks to get him.

Over his last five games, Hall has just two points. So things aren’t necessarily going well right now either. You have to think at some point that turns around for the former Hart Trophy winner.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 06: Kieffer Bellows #20 of the New York Islanders celebrates his second goal of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at 12:10 of the third period at the Barclays Center on February 06, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 06: Kieffer Bellows #20 of the New York Islanders celebrates his second goal of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at 12:10 of the third period at the Barclays Center on February 06, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Potential Lineups

New York Islanders

Trotz said he’d ‘rattle’ the lineup for today’s game against the Coyotes. But we have yet to see what that means exactly. Bellows will certainly play, but will he stick to his regular third line duties or will Trotz’s ‘rattling’ put the rookie higher up in the lineup?

We know what Trotz is doing on the blue line. With Andy Greene coming in, the veteran-D will slot next to Pulock on the top pair. Devon Toews will slot back with Scott Mayfield on pair two and Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk will take up the third pair. Leaving Noah Dobson as a healthy scratch.

The goalie rotation is likely to continue even if Semyon Varlamov looked good in relief versus Nashville and against the Golden Knights where he stopped 42 of 43 shots.

Arizona Coyotes

Hall-Dvorak-Garland
Crouse-Stepan-Hinostroza
Keller-Schmaltz-Kessel
Soderberg-Richardson-Fischer

Ekman-Larsson-Hjalmarsson
Chychrun-Goligoski
Oesterle-Lyubushkin

Raanta (Hill)

With a 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals, the Arizona Coyotes aren’t likely to make too many changes from that win.

And why should they? Over their last ten games the Coyotes have gone 3-4-3. They need to start stringing together some wins. So if the lineup ain’t broke why try to fix it. Right?

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Where to Catch the Game:

TV: MSG+, MSG GO

Radio: 88.7FM, 103.9FM, 1050AM

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