Islanders vs Sabres Preview: Isles Start Four Game Homestand

After starting their four-game road trip in Buffalo last Monday, the New York Islanders are back on home ice today starting a four-game homestand.

Tonight the Islanders take on the Buffalo Sabres at the Nassau Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. eastern time.

The Islanders are coming into tonight after dropping their last two games on the road in Pittsburgh. They played well in their most recent game, outshooting the Penguins 35-18, but the Penguins found a way to beat the Isles 3-2 in regulation.

The New York Islanders look to start this home heavy schedule with a win against the Buffalo Sabres

Out of the Islanders’ next 11 games, 10 of them are on home ice at the Nassau Coliseum. So far this season, the Coliseum has been a tough place for road teams to pick up points. The Islanders currently have a 4-0-1 home record.

Last time out the Sabres beat the Devils 3-2 on Saturday night. Buffalo currently sits in last place in the East Division with 12 points in 14 games played.

Tale of the Tape

Betting Odds

The Islanders come into today as the favorites, courtesy of the Action network.

The Islanders have performed well in their two prior games against the Sabres and are a tough team to beat on home ice. Goaltending will be the difference in tonight’s game.

Projected Lineups

The Islanders are projected to go with a similar lineup to what they had last time out in Pittsburgh. With the way they played against Pittsburgh (even in a loss), it’s clear Barry believes his team can put out the same effort against the Sabres. This time, hopefully, in a win.

The Isles defense looks set to remain the same and Semyon Varlamov will make the start in net for the Isles again.

The Islanders are projected to lineup like this:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Komarov-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Pulock
Leddy-Mayfield
Dobson-Greene

Varlamov (Sorokin)

The Sabres will be without a couple of their big-name defensemen tonight. Jake McCabe will be out of the lineup after being injured in the third period of Saturday’s game. He returned to Buffalo for an MRI. Also, Rasmus Ristolainen is ruled out for tonight.

There is also a chance that forward Jeff Skinner will be scratched tonight, as he skated as an extra in practice yesterday.

Linus Ullmark is projected to get the start tonight after getting the win on Saturday in New Jersey.

The Sabres are projected to lineup like this:

Olofsson-Eichel-Reinhart
Hall-Staal-Cozens
Riefer-Eakin-Okposo
Mittelstadt-Lazar-Sheahan

Dahlin-Miller
Irwin-Montour
Davidson-Jokiharju

Ullmark (Hutton)

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Where to Catch the Game

TV: MSG+, MSG-B, MSG GO App

Radio: 88.7FM 103.9FM 1050AM

*All Stats Provided by the NHL*