Game Preview: NY Islanders vs Vegas Golden Knights 1/28/2023

Coming off their first win in six games, the NY Islanders look to continue their winning ways as they welcome the Vegas Golden Knights to the UBS Arena. The Islanders currently sit in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division, while the Golden Knights currently are in second place in the Pacific Division.

Last Game

The Islanders last took the ice last night as they welcomed the Detroit Red Wings to the UBS Arena Friday night. Thankfully, for the first time in six games, the Islanders were able to get back in the win column. Thanks to goals by the captain, Anders Lee, and Brock Nelson, the Islanders were able to defeat the Red Wings, 2-0.

On the other side, Vegas came up just short last night, as they traveled to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Rangers. After being down 2-0, Phil Kessel got the Golden Knights on the board to bring the deficit back to just one. Unfortunately for the Knights, this would be the only goal they would pick up, as they would fall to the Rangers, 4-1.

Historical Matchup

Tonight's game between the Islanders and Golden Knights will be the second time these two teams meet this season. The first time came back on December 17. After losing the three games prior, the Islanders would pick up a rather dominating victory over the Knights, 5-2.

Goals by Islanders captain Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, Hudson Fasching, Simon Holmstrom, and Zach Parise were enough to get the blue and orange past the young and hungry Vegas team. Reilly Smith picked up two powerplay goals for the Golden Knights in this game but to no avail.

Player to Watch

When you think of the Golden Knights one name has to come to mind, Chandler Stephenson. Stephenson currently leads the team in assists, and points. Over the course of the last five games, Stephenson has picked up three assists. He does a great job finding open teammates for goals, but he can also be just as good at shooting the puck at the net. He is someone the Islanders will definitely need to watch and make sure not to give him any easy passes or open shots.

For the Islanders, Nelson has scored in four of his last five games (four goals and one assist in that span) after a cold stretch going goalless in 14 games. He'll represent the Islanders at the 2023 NHL All-Star game and is looking to ride his hot hand into Sunrise, Florida.

Projected Lines

Islanders

Anthony Beauvillier- Mat Barzal- Casey Cizikas Anders Lee- Brock Nelson- Kyle Palmieri Zach Parise- JG Pageau- Simon Holmstrom Matt Martin- Aatu Raty- Josh Bailey

Alexander Romanov- Scott Mayfield Adam Pelech- Ryan Pulock Samuel Bolduc- Sebastian Aho

Ilya Sorokin Semyon Varlamov

Golden Knights

Reilly Smith- William Karlsson- Jonathan Marchessault Paul Cotter- Jack Eichel- Mike Amadio Will Carrier- Chandler Stephenson- Phil Kessel Brett Howden- Nicolas Roy- Keegan Kolesar

Alec Martinez- Alex Pietrangelo Brayden McNabb- Shea Theodore Nicolas Hague- Ben Hutton

Logan Thompson Adin Hill