The New Jersey Devils are almost as familiar with the Barclays Center as the Islanders are. The Devils visit Brooklyn for the third time in as many preseasons. The Islanders won 3-2 in a shootout last preseason.
The Isles split a pair of games vs the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. The Isles "A" squad won 3-2 in Brooklyn while the Flyers "A" team prevailed 5-3 in Allentown, PA. The story of Monday night was the play of Kirill Petrov. The 2008 third-round draft pick finally made his Islanders debut and scored a goal. The 25-year-old was on a line with fellow countrymen Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolay Kulemin. Petrov was using his 6'3", 233 pound body to his advantage. His play warrented a spot in tonight's lineup. The odds are still against him to crack the top 12 out of training camp. Much like Anders Lee last preseason Petrov can be sent down to Bridgeport without passing through waivers. The Islanders have two new forwards (Steve Bernier and Taylor Beck) who can be the 13th forward and play occasionally. Petrov needs to play consistently here to familiarize himself with the North American game.
Five Islander regulars will make their preseason debut tonight. Ryan Strome replaces Josh Bailey on the first line with John Tavares and Anders Lee. This is the first line that most Islanders fans want to see. Brock Nelson, Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo will make up the second line tonight. I would have no problem with this line opening up the season vs the Chicago Blackhawks October 9th. Travis Hamonic make his debut on the first defensive pairing.
Michael Dal Colle, Anthony Beauvillier will join Petrov on the third line. Justin Vaive, James Wright and Ross Johnston make up the fourth line.
The defensive pairings: Calvin de Haan-Travis Hamonic Kevin Czuczman-Scott Mayfield Ryan Pulock-Brian Strait
Kevin Poulin will make his preseason debut tonight. Christopher Gibson will get some playing time tonight. The acquisition of Gibson in the Grabner trade clearly puts pressure on Poulin. Stephon Williams will be fighting for playing time as well. Perhaps Poulin could be moved during the offseason.
In other Islanders news today, the team named George McPhee a Special Advisor to General Manager Garth Snow. McPhee was the Washington Capitals General Manager for 17 seasons before being fired in 2014. The Capitals made their only Stanley Cup appearance in franchise history under McPhee back in 1998. McPhee had been scouting for the Islanders last season.
Some suggested that incoming owner Jon Ledecky, a former Washington Capitals owner had some say in this hiring. This was clearly all Snow. McPhee was his first agent back when he was a player.
“George brings a tremendous amount of experience and insight to our front office,… Snow said in a statement. “His ability to evaluate players along with his managerial skills, are an asset that we’re thrilled to add to our Hockey Operations Department.…
It would be interesting to see what this means for assistant coach Doug Weight, who also serves as assistant general manager. Stay tuned.