Mave's Choices For Islanders Opening Night Lineup

How will the New York Islanders line up to start the 2023-24 campaign?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I know of no penalties for looking ahead, making guesses, and -- if you don't mind my saying it -- being dead wrong.

With that in mind, The Maven has been fixing his periscope on opening night with one overall thing in mind; guessing what the New York Islanders starting lineup will be as well as special teams.

If this seems a bit precocious and premature on my part, so be it. Until coach Lane Lambert tells me differently, here's how I view his club -- line by line and defense partner with defense partner -- plus special teams. 

Here I go, dropping the puck or, if you will, cracking the crystal ball.

FIRST LINE: Anders Lee on the left, with Bo Horvat at center and Mat Barzal on the right side. (I like the right-hand shot Matty on the right side; Bo can be the good pivot, and Lee has a mortgage on the enemy crease.)

SECOND LINE: Pierre Engvall on the port side, with Brock Nelson as a pivot and Kyle Palmieri at the right. (We know what Brock and Kyle can do. We don't yet know about Pierre long-term. But he seems right on the left.)

THIRD LINE: Hudson Fasching is my surprise left-wing here. Despite being a right winger, Fasching's versatility should allow him to play his off-wing effectively. Jean-Gabriel Pageau will center a healthy Oliver Wahlstrom on right. 

FOURTH LINE: Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck. The Identities, who else!

ABLE RESERVE: Simon Holmstrom & Julien Gauthier

FIRST PAIRING: Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech. They match well.

SECOND PAIRING: Alex Romanov and Noah Dobson. The pair ooze with talent.

THIRD PAIRING: Sebastian Aho and Scott Mayfield. Scotty's fine; Aho has come of age -- and is underrated. Last year he put up five goals and 18 assists and an impressive plus 9.

ABLE RESERVES: Samuel Bolduc & Robin Salo

POWER PLAY UNIT ONE: Anders Lee, Bo Horvat, and Mat Barzal up front with Brock Nelson and Noah Dobson on the points.

POWER PLAY UNIT TWO: Pierre Engvall, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Kyle Palmieri up front, backed by Sibby Ao and Ryan Pulock.

PENALTY KILLING UNIT ONE: Pageau, Palmieri, Pulock, and Pelech.

PENALTY KILLING UNIT TWO: Cizikas, Clutterbuck, Romanov, and Mayfield.

ABLE RESERVES: Engvall, Fasching, Nelson

The Islanders kick off their season against the Buffalo Sabres at UBS Arena on Oct. 14.