Islanders vs. Blue Jackets – Don’t change a thing: Projected lines, TV

The New York Islanders marathon 13-game road trip continues as they return to play a Metropolitan Division opponent in the Columbus Blue Jackets. And while both teams seem to be at different stages in their cycle, don’t sleep on the Blue Jackets.

The Blue Jackets weren’t expected to be a top team in the Metro this year. But they’ve come out of the gates with a 2-1-0 record scoring eleven goals in those three games. The Blue Jackets’ top guys (Laine, Domi, Werenski, Voracek) are doing their best to power the team to winning ways with 14 points in the opening three games.

They might not be the most talented squad on paper (nor are the Islanders for that fact) but Columbus plays a scrappy game and has enough talent up front to steal a game off the Islanders. Not to mention their underrated goalies in Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo. Again, both have the ability to steal a game from the Islanders.

Tuesday’s win was a step in the right direction for the Isles. They relied too heavily on Ilya Sorokin to bail them out, but they showed improvements in the D-zone. If they can carry that better play in the D-Zone into Columbus, they’ll put themselves in a good position to win.

New York Islanders vs. Blue Jackets – Don’t change a thing: Projected lines, TV

New York Islanders Projected Lines

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

Pelech-Pulock
Chara-Dobson
Greene-Mayfield

Sorokin (Schneider)

We don’t know if Lee will be back for this one. He was out against Chicago due to illness,  he could be ready for tonight’s game, but it’s possible the Isles give him another game to rest while they take a look at Kieffer Bellows (who was not impressive in his first game).

I put the entire D-core in italics to reflect that the Isles might just rotate the entire core based on “feel” tonight. And that’s fine. These should be the default pairs come puck drop, but they should be more fluid during the game.

Basically, the Islanders shouldn’t change a thing from their win against Chicago. Unless Lee is healthy of course.

Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lines

Laine-Jenner-Voracek
Bjorkstrand-Roslovic-Chinakov
Texier-Sillinger-Nyquist
Robinson-Kuraly-Hofmann

Werenski-Bean
Gavrikov-Boqvist
Harrington-Peeke

Merzlikins (Korpisalo)

Max Domi is out for 2-4 weeks with an injured rib so Chinakov likely gets another game for the Blue Jackets. Werenski wasn’t at practice, but he got a rest day after playing (wait for it) 27:19 against the Red Wings. He’ll be good to go against the Islanders.

Gabriel Carlsson was re-called from the Blue Jackets AHL squad so perhaps the defenseman fits into the lineup somehow.

Where to Catch the Game?

The game will be available to local audiences on MSG (MSG+2 and MSG Go) and also available on ESPN+.

TV: MSG+2, MSG GO, EPSN
Radio: 88.7FM, 103.9FM, 1050AM