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UPDATE: Tavares out tonight. Greiss in net. Linus Ullmark is net for Sabres

The Islanders will be without John Tavares for the second straight game as they host the Buffalo Sabres in what could be a very small crowd at the Barclays Center. The Isles have lost two straight overtime games after winning 6 of the previous 7 games.

Tavares was a late scratch yesterday due to an illness. The Captain got it from his housemate Ryan Strome who missed Thursday's game vs the Carolina Hurricanes. The Isles played 40 minutes of solid hockey vs the New Jersey Devils before losing in a shootout. What was a strength at the beginning of last season has gone the other way as they have lost six straight shootouts.

The Isles special teams are firing on all cylinders as the penalty kill hasn't allowed a goal in their last 8 games (28 for 28) and have scored a power play goal in 5 consecutive games.

The size of the crowd will be a direct result of Game 5 of the World Series. The Barclays Center had a college hockey doubleheader today and could not move the Isles start time up. The ice conditions will definitely be a factor. Barclays Center did have a promotion for Thursday's and tonight's games that if you show up to the' box office with Mets gear on you will receive 25% off a ticket. What they should have done is offer a buy one get one free for tonight.

Frans Nielsen has been great recently. His shorthanded goal yesterday against the Devils extended his goal streak to three games and has a four game point streak (4 goals, 2 assists).

Check in later for updates on lines and goaltender

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