Islanders vs. Devils: Home game away from home? (Lineups, odds, +)

The New York Islanders are finally playing in the New York metro area, but it’s not a home game. The Isles will be heading to the Prudential Center to face off against the New Jersey Devils. A game that won’t be on home ice but will be close enough for Islanders fans to make it seem like one.

With ten games of the 13-game road trip done, Islanders fans on Long Island are absolutely itching to see their team. Tonight’s game likely gives them their first chance to do so before the home opener at UBS nine days later.

For all of you Isles fans heading to the Prudential Center, make it feel like it was on Long Island.

New York Islanders head to New Jersey for first game close to home

Tale of the Tape

The Devils have started the year off well with a 6-3-2 record. Tonight’s game is a good inter-divisional test for both sides.

Islanders Projected Lineup

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

Pelech-Mayfield
Chara-Pulock
Greene-Dobson

Sorokin (Varlamov)

A goalie from Russia will start this one, that much we know for certain. Which one gets the start is anyone’s guess really. Semyon Varlamov was the last goalie between the pipes for the Isles, so with a 50/50 split the likely strategy for the Isles shot-stopping duo, Ilya Sorokin will likely get the start tonight.

With a 3-1-0 record, 0.921SV%, and a 1.98GAA against the Devils in his career, it might be a pretty good idea to start Sorokin regardless of the crease split.

I’ve put Josh Bailey and Kyle Palmieri in italics in the lineup because I have a feeling Barry Trotz might return them to their original lines. Neither has been particularly productive in their new settings. Bailey has one point, while Palmieri has two.

Mathew Barzal: He’s playing game number 300 tonight for the Islanders. Three-hundred, already? It feels like it was just yesterday that they drafted him.

Andy Greene: he’s playing career game 999, to do so in Jersey, where 923 games were played is certainly going to be special for him, even if it isn’t game no.1000.

Betting Odds

The Islanders are the favorites tonight with a +180 according to WynnBet. But like I said in the “Tale of Tape” section, the Devils are a good team including a solid 4-2-1 record at home so far this year.

The Devils -210 line might not be quite fair to them. Even if the Islanders are the better team on paper.

Where to Catch the Game?

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