The Islanders look to stop a two-game home losing streak this afternoon as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets. The cannon went off seven times as the Blue Jackets embarrassed the Isles 7-0 in Columbus back on February 25.
The tired Islanders, who have played nine games in the last 15 days will get a boost today as Casey Cizikas returns to the lineup. The center missed the last 11 games with a broken hand. The team was 5-5-1 in his absence.
New York will also have to overcome their awful play in matinee games. This season they are 1-3 and 4-7-2 over the last two seasons. Ironically, their lone win this season was Jack Capuano's final game as head coach. The silver lining is that they are 3-1-1 at Barclays.
Thomas Greiss will get the start, his 12th in the last 13 games, though he has played in 13 straight. Following today's game, the Islanders have a much-needed three days before facing the Rangers at the Garden. I would expect Jaroslav Halak to rejoin the club following Bridgeport's game on Sunday.
The Blue Jackets will start Joonas Korpisalo in net. Korpisalo has lost his two starts following the 7-0 shutout of the Isles. Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella has elected to start Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 7-0-1 with a 1.24 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage in his past eight starts, against the New Jersey Devils tomorrow afternoon.
Defenseman Johnny Boychuk will miss his seventh straight game. He injured his ankle blocking a shot in Chicago. The defense has missed him as they have played terribly of late, most notably, Travis Hamonic and Thomas Hickey. With both the defense and power play struggling, this is the perfect time to bring up Ryan Pulock to infuse some energy into the lineup. It has worked with Josh Ho-Sang. The team's second power play unit should not have Alan Quine on it. Having Pulock would solve both problems.
Anthony Beauvillier and Cizikas will replace Stephen Gionta and Quine while Scott Mayfield will replace Hickey.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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