The NY Islanders top prospects are getting the opportunity to play against NHL talent tonight

Heading into the second pre-season game against the NY Rangers at Madison Square Garden, the NY Islanders' top prospects are getting every opportunity to make their impact on the coaching staff before the start of the regular season.

With a veteran-heavy group for both sides, Victor Eklund, Cole Eiserman, and Kasahwn Aitcheson will all be on the ice tonight. The trio played on Sunday against the NJ Devils, but both teams played young lineups. Tonight they'll have their chance against regular NHLers.

Prospects playing with the veterans

"Very excited," Cole Eiserman said today. "Obviously, just another opportunity to show up and show what I can do, and obviously I'm playing with some pretty good players on my line and obviously some pretty cool guys up front. So it's going to be a pretty cool game, just going to show what I can do."

Eiserman and Eklund will both begin the game on the third line, centered by JG Pageau. Aitcheson will be paired with Scott Mayfield. The two young forwards will also get some time on the power play, with Eiserman and Eklund both part of teh second unit.

With only four pre-season games this year, Peter DeBoer wants to give his veteran players every chance to get prepared for the start of the season. Despite that, he wants to see what his top prospects can do playing with the big boys at Madison Square Garden.

With just under a week until opening night against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mat Barzal potentially missing the start of the season, either Eklund or Eiserman could fill the vacant spot, and with Matthew Schaefer playing on the right, Aitcheson could play his way into the sixth defensive spot.

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