Islanders vs. Avalanche: Betting odds, lineups, Isles desperate for win

Keys to the Game

The Power Play

From February 6 to February 17 the Islanders have had 12 power-play opportunities. And they’ve scored on one of them. That’s an eight percent efficiency on the man-advantage. Garbage.

Through that stretch, they have 12 shots for. That stat is buoyed with five shots coming in the 2-1 loss to the Coyotes. Hopefully, that’s a sign of things to come as they Islanders head to Denver.

The simplest solution for a poor power play is to get the puck towards the net. With 243 penalties drawn this season, the Avalanche are the third-most penalized team in the NHL. So the Islanders might find themselves with a few opportunities to get the power play clicking.

Third Line

There was a brief moment there when the third line looked like it had turned a corner. With the introduction of Kieffer Bellows, the line looked complete. Both Derick Brassard and Michael Dal Colle seemed to have found another gear and were giving the Islanders positive contributions on the ice for the first time in a long time.

But on this Western road trip that hasn’t been the case. Say what you want about Dal Colle’s play along the boards or away from the puck, but he hasn’t been much of a factor offensively. That has to change.

It’s not just on Dal Colle. The same criticism can be placed at the feet of veteran Derick Brassard. As the veteran of the line, he should be carrying it. It shouldn’t be up to Kieffer Bellows, a rookie who’s played five games at the NHL level, to give the line some life.

If the third line can find some life tonight, the Islanders will have a good chance at taking two points.