The Islanders return home tonight to face the Colorado Avalanche at the Coliseum. After nearly two weeks on the road the Isles are set to take on the team that gave them a 5-0 whipping just a weeks back. Tonight is actually the kind of game I’m concerned about. After nearly two weeks spent in two different time zones, these are the games where the home team is usually jet lagged and spend the entire game trying to find their legs.
The Islanders’ schedule continues to do them no favors so point are at a premium. We all know the talent that the Avalanche have, but this is a game that the Islanders have to find a way to grab some points. After tonight’s game the Islanders face a brutal stretch that features home and homes with the Lightning, Penguins and the Capitals and matchups against the Panthers, Flyers and Devils as well. November has always been the downfall of this team and if they can get through this stretch above 500, I think we would all gladly run into the kitchen and change the calendar to December as quick as possible.
As for tonight, Jaroslav Halak will return in goal coming off his first shutout of the season against the Coyotes. Cory Conacher will return to the lineup and take the spot of Eric Boulton on the fourth line. It is also expected that Johnny Boychuk will return from the lower body injury he suffered against the Kings last week. If he does return, he will take the spot of Brian Strait.
Here is the expected lineup that the Islanders will field against the Avalanche tonight. Game time is 7pm at the Coliseum. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.
Kulemin-Tavares-Okposo
Lee-Nelson-Strome
Grabovski-Nielsen-Clutterbuck
Martin-Cizikas-Conacher
Leddy-Boychuk
Hickey-Visnovsky
De Haan- Hamonic
Halak-Johnson
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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