The Islanders are shipping up to Boston, as we speak, to take on the Bruins tonight at 7pm. The game itself will be broadcasted on the NHL Network. The Islanders look to add to a solid start to preseason as they enter tonight with three wins in four preseason games. We all know these games don’t mean anything but a 3-1 record sure feels better than 0-4.
While health is the most important factor of the preseason, the Isles are dealing with some banged up bodies on their blue line. Calvin de Haan is day to day with a minor injury. I was told it is nothing serious and if this was a regular season game, he would be in the lineup. Lubomir Visnovsky left yesterdays practice and is day to day with back spasms. I am just fearful that nagging injuries are going to plague Visnovsky throughout this season. I would just feel more comfortable if there was another steady reliable veteran presence on this blue line. We all know the Isles need another dman. You know it, I know it, Garth Snow knows it, and the whole dang league knows it. In my opinion, I cannot call the Islanders a playoff team with the blueline constructed like it currently is.
As for the game tonight, Cory Conacher gets another look with the top line. We all remember the success Conacher had a few years ago playing on the Lightning’s top line alongside Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis. I will be interested in closely watching the second line tonight as Ryan Strome centers Josh Bailey and Nikolai Kulemin. Here is the full line for tonight’s game:
Conacher-Tavares-Okposo
Bailey-Strome-Kulemin
Lee-Nielsen-Skille
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
Hickey-Donovan
Czuczman-Mayfield
Reinhart-Brennan
Poulin-Leggio
The Islanders also made some roster cuts yesterday sending Sebastian Collberg, Jesse Graham, Loic Leduc and Lukas Sutter to Bridgeport. The Sound Tigers training camp is now up and running, so look for more players to be joining the group later in the week. As always for more on all things hockey please give me a follow on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»