Eyes On Isles
Fansided

Islanders vs. Blackhawks: Keys to getting a win in Chicago

By Michel Anderson

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 27: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck in front of Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders at the United Center on December 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Islanders 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 27: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck in front of Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders at the United Center on December 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Islanders 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New York Islanders are in Chicago to take on the Blackhawks. With two tough losses to start the regular season, tensions are running high among the fanbase. How can the Islanders improve?

The focus has to be on the system, specifically in the D-Zone. Players seem not sure of where they need to be or what they need to do. Leading to a bunch of seemingly simple mistakes. It’s alarming to see a number of Isles vets (Pulock, Greene, and Mayfield) fall into this category.

They should know how the system works by now. But in order to be in a position to get a win, they’ll need to go back to the basics. That’s the key. Honestly, it will come down to that. If they can’t figure out the system in the d-zone they’ll have a hard time pulling out a win tonight. Even against a Chicago side, that isn’t seen as particularly strong.

New York Islanders vs. Blackhawks: Keys to getting a win in Chicago

New York Islanders Projected Lineup

Lee-Barzal-Palmieri
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Parise-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Pulock
Chara-Dobson
Greene-Mayfield

Sorokin (Schneider)

The one change is on the fourth line. Matt Martin is now healthy and will take Leo Komarov‘s spot. Leo hadn’t yet cleared waivers at the time of writing, but it’s expected he will.

The d-core might not change. Some have called for Sebastian Aho to step in for either Greene or Chara, but at this point even putting in Aho won’t fix the Islanders issues.

Chicago Blackhawks Projected Lineup

Hagel-Dach-Kane
Kubalik-Toews-Kurashev
DeBrincat-Borgstrom-Hardman
Entwistle-Johnson-Khaira

De Haan-Jones
McCabe-Murphy
Stillman-Gustafsson

Fleury (Lankinen)

Source: DailyFaceoff

Marc-Andre Fleury will officially get the start today for the Blackhawks. The veteran goalie hasn’t had a good start with a 7.06 GAA and 0.826SV%. Although, Sorokin isn’t much better (5.09 GAA and 0.855SV%).

The rest of the squad is as expected. Islanders fans will see their first glimpse of former-PTO player Erik Gustafsson.

Where to Catch the Game

The game is not available on MSG tonight. The game will be broadcast nationally (on TV) and the ESPN crew will get the call today as per MSG’s Brendan Burke:

TV: ESPN, ESPN+
Radio: 88.7FM, 103.9FM, 98.7FM

Home/NY Islanders News