The Islanders return to home ice tonight as they take on the Washington Capitals. It will be the first meeting of the two teams, since the Caps hard fought seven game playoff series win last spring. That of course means nothing tonight as the Isles will use this time to get a further look at their kids.
Many regulars will not be playing tonight including goalie Jaroslav Halak who was given a “maintenance day… off by Islander Head Coach Jack Capuano. While those words usually sound the alarm bell in Isles land I do not think that Halak is injured. If he was truly injured, the team would have never have waived goalie Kevin Poulin who was claimed by Tampa this past weekend.
As for the team itself, a trimmed down roster will take on the Capitals in Brooklyn at 7pm. If the Isles were still rebuilding or thin up front you could make a case that 2015 first rounder Mathew Barzal would make this opening night roster, he has been that impressive in camp. With that being said, there is zero reason to rush the young 18 year old, especially with the Isles set up front. I do expect that he will be pushing hard for a spot on the team next season.
Ryan Pulock has also had a very solid camp and it will be interesting to see what the team does with him. I fully expect Pulock to make his NHL debut this season, it is just a matter of when. I would personally put him on the bottom pairing on opening night and if the Isles decide to keep him up they will carry 8 dmen. However, I do believe that Pulock will start the season in Bridgeport and be the first dman called up when there is an injury. While I feel that a 105 MPH slap shot should be in this lineup I understand why the front office may go with a more experience Marek Zidlicky. Here are the lines and d combinations for tonight’s game. Their will be no television broadcast of the game.
Forwards: Nelson-Grabovski-Okposo Kulemin-Nielsen-Bailey Dal Colle-Barzal-Petrov Boulton-Cizikas-Halmo
Defense: Hickey-Zidlicky De Haan-Pulock Pelech-Mayfield
Goalies: Griess Williams