It’s preseason sounds like you made the right decision.
- Cptmjl

Indeed I did. Wouldn’t have done that if It was a regular season game!!

https://sports.yahoo.com/...pportunity-041926074.html

Gauthier getting some notice.

Silly Streaks.

Just play the game on the radio, AND have a fire whilst getting wasted.
- Wildschwein

Sound advice.

https://sports.yahoo.com/julien-gauthier-hoping-most-opportunity-041926074.html

Gauthier getting some notice.
- JohnScammo

Hope he sticks and this is the year he puts it all together. Would be huge for this team.

I didn’t see the game, how did Romanov look? I heard he threw some nice hits and looked sharp

I didn’t see the game, how did Romanov look? I heard he threw some nice hits and looked sharp
- Vukota

After shoulder surgery you would think he would have been a bit tentative to engage physically but he looked like himself and was noticeable in a good way.
Him and Noah taking the next step is huge for this team this year.
I also thought Horvat and Barzal looked great together. They both could have huge years.

After shoulder surgery you would think he would have been a bit tentative to engage physically but he looked like himself and was noticeable in a good way.
Him and Noah taking the next step is huge for this team this year.
I also thought Horvat and Barzal looked great together. They both could have huge years.
- nyisles7

If they can light it up. It would open things up for the other lines. They both know what is at stake. Hopefully they can find the magic.

ISLANDERS LINES

Simon Holmstrom-Bo Horvat-Mathew Barzal

Pierre Engvall-Brock Nelson-Julien Gauthier

Anders Lee-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Oliver Wahlstrom

Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech-Noah Dobson

Alex Romanov-Ryan Pulock

Sebastian Aho-Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin

Semyon Varlamov

Looks like tonight's expected lineup. Wahlstrom's gonna have to have a strong showing, otherwise he might be in danger of starting the year in the press box. Unless they're considering replacing Martin or Clutterbuck with Fasching or Gauthier instead...which seems unlikely right now.

ISLANDERS LINES

Simon Holmstrom-Bo Horvat-Mathew Barzal

Pierre Engvall-Brock Nelson-Julien Gauthier

Anders Lee-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Oliver Wahlstrom

Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech-Noah Dobson

Alex Romanov-Ryan Pulock

Sebastian Aho-Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin

Semyon Varlamov

Looks like tonight's expected lineup. Wahlstrom's gonna have to have a strong showing, otherwise he might be in danger of starting the year in the press box. Unless they're considering replacing Martin or Clutterbuck with Fasching or Gauthier instead...which seems unlikely right now.
- eichiefs9

What’s your thought on Holmstrom so far?
I’m not a fan, especially on the first line with Bo and Barzal.

What’s your thought on Holmstrom so far?
I’m not a fan, especially on the first line with Bo and Barzal.
- nyisles7

I haven't seen a ton of him honestly.

He didn't play the first Ranger game, I only half-watched the Flyers game doing stuff at home and I was out Saturday during the other Rangers game. I hope he works there but I don't have high hopes he is going to be the answer. I haven't liked him from the minute they drafted him and he hasn't done very much to make me change my mind.

Not a lot of other options though, unless they try Wahlstrom or another typical RW in that spot.

I haven't seen a ton of him honestly.

He didn't play the first Ranger game, I only half-watched the Flyers game doing stuff at home and I was out Saturday during the other Rangers game. I hope he works there but I don't have high hopes he is going to be the answer. I haven't liked him from the minute they drafted him and he hasn't done very much to make me change my mind.

Not a lot of other options though, unless they try Wahlstrom or another typical RW in that spot.
- eichiefs9

Yeah, we are aligned on him. He just doesn’t bring any energy or at least it looks like that. I honestly like Lee up on that line as he brings physicality, is great on the boards ( making space for Bo and Barzal ) and of course brings net front presence.
I like him and JGP together so far in pre-season but I know this isn’t popular but I don’t see Lee as a 3rd liner yet. I would give him some starts with Bo and Barzal.
If it doesn’t work then you can always put him back with JGP. I just think he brings what Bo and Barzal need on that line. It worked last year for a bit before Barzal went down.

If they can light it up. It would open things up for the other lines. They both know what is at stake. Hopefully they can find the magic.
- Nfdbulldawg

What’s your thought on Holmstrom so far?
I’m not a fan, especially on the first line with Bo and Barzal.
- nyisles7

I do not see him as a top 3 guy...more the bottom of the middle 6.

Well Barzal and Horvat looked good last night, so that's encouraging

I do not see him as a top 3 guy...more the bottom of the middle 6.
- Nfdbulldawg

They have two more preseason games before the season opener, I'd really like to see Wahlstrom get a spin at LW with 13/14. Might be the only way he gets into the lineup regularly at this point.

Well Barzal and Horvat looked good last night, so that's encouraging
- eichiefs9

I haven't been able to catch all the games; how has Varly looked?

Well Barzal and Horvat looked good last night, so that's encouraging
- eichiefs9

They should be the least of the issues. It would really help if Wally or Holmstrom can play well.

I haven't been able to catch all the games; how has Varly looked?
- Wildschwein

I've not seen the games either. I have to think there is rust with Varly and especially not playing a lot last year.

I do not see him as a top 3 guy...more the bottom of the middle 6.
- Nfdbulldawg

Agreed

I haven't been able to catch all the games; how has Varly looked?
- Wildschwein

I've been busy, even during the little bit I've gotten to see. He was pretty bad in the first Ranger game but they had a veteran-heavy lineup and it was his first game action since last year so I'm not overly concerned. He'll probably only end up in the neighborhood of 25ish starts, give or take, as long as Sorokin stays healthy.

They have two more preseason games before the season opener, I'd really like to see Wahlstrom get a spin at LW with 13/14. Might be the only way he gets into the lineup regularly at this point.
- eichiefs9

He’s gotten his chances with Barzal honestly in the past without much success.
I think he needs to earn his time on the first line and prove he belongs up there. Although I don’t like Holmstrom on that line.
Just my opinion of course.

Well Barzal and Horvat looked good last night, so that's encouraging
- eichiefs9

I didn’t get to watch last night.
That is certainly good news. The opposition will need to focus on them and give the Nelson and JGP lines better opportunities.

He’s gotten his chances with Barzal honestly in the past without much success.
I think he needs to earn his time on the first line and prove he belongs up there. Although I don’t like Holmstrom on that line.
Just my opinion of course.
- nyisles7

It's not your logic I disagree with, but there's nobody else really to be a fourth LW if Fasching/Gauthier can't/don't play there. And if they both make the opening night lineup as RW's then Wahlstrom won't be playing.

I'd rather gift that spot to Wahlstrom than Holmstrom, I think the upside of that risk is much higher.

It's not your logic I disagree with, but there's nobody else really to be a fourth LW if Fasching/Gauthier can't/don't play there. And if they both make the opening night lineup as RW's then Wahlstrom won't be playing.

I'd rather gift that spot to Wahlstrom than Holmstrom, I think the upside of that risk is much higher.
- eichiefs9

Totally get your logic
I think Holmstrom is there because he’s better on the d side of the puck.
I’m just thrilled that Bo and Barzal are playing they way we hoped they would.
If Wally gets a shot so be it. Hope he does well because I think it shat or get off the pot time for him.

I didn’t get to watch last night.
That is certainly good news. The opposition will need to focus on them and give the Nelson and JGP lines better opportunities.
- nyisles7

Devils dominated the 2nd period, the Hughes line was unstoppable last night and tore the isles up. That wasn't great to see and the hischer line wasn't even dressed. Martin looks cooked but it is preseason so hoping he plays well like last season. Also wally doesn't look like a fit on the top line so will be interesting to see who plays there