Game Preview: Mike Reilly To Make Islanders Debut Against Devils
For the sixth time in his NHL career, Mike Reilly will debut for a new team. He will take the ice for the New York Islanders (8-6-6) as they face the New Jersey Devils (9-9-1) in the Garden State.
Puck drop from Prudential Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
The Islanders’ point streak grew to six against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, but the team couldn’t solve rookie goalie Sam Ersson.
He made 25 saves to go toe-to-toe with Islanders’ goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who made 40 saves. After 65 minutes of scoreless hockey, Tyson Foerster scored the lone goal of the shootout, propelling Philadelphia to a 1-0 win.
Morning Skate Updates
The Islanders did not host a morning skate on Tuesday; head coach Lane Lambert will address the media at 4:15.
Simon Holmstrom and Cal Clutterbuck missed Monday’s practice due to illness. Both are considered day-to-day.
Matt Martin was activated off the Islanders’ injured reserve on Tuesday after returning to practice on Monday. He will make his first appearance since Nov. 15 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Ilya Sorokin was in the starter’s crease for New York at Monday's practice, so he’ll make his second straight start and 14th overall (5-3-5, .917 SV%, 2.95 GAA).
The Devils held an optional skate at their practice facility on Tuesday.
Erik Haula is dealing with a lower-body injury, he will miss tonight’s game. Curtis Lazar will slot back into the lineup.
Both Devils goalies were on the ice for morning skate, but Devils’ broadcaster Bill Spaulding reported that Vitek Vanecek left the ice first.
He’s probable to make his 13th start and 14th appearance of the season (8-5-0, 3.32 GAA, .884 SV%).
New York Islanders Lines (Projected)
Mathew Barzal - Bo Horvat - Simon Holmstrom
Pierre Engvall - Brock Nelson - Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Oliver Wahlstrom
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck
Alex Romanov - Ryan Pulock
Noah Dobson - Scott Mayfield
Mike Reilly - Grant Hutton
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov
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New Jersey Devils Lines (Projected)
Tyler Toffoli - Jack Hughes - Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Curtis Lazar - Michael McLeod - Alexander Holtz
Max Willman - Chris Tierny - Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler - Dougie Hamilton
Kevin Bahl - John Marino
Luke Hughes - Colin Miller
Vitek Vanecek
Akira Schmid
Islanders Notes
Despite the loss, Sorokin earned his second shutout of the season and 18th of his career. He now sits four shy of Billy Smith for second in franchise history. He will look to keep the momentum going against the Devils, a team he has strong numbers against. Despite yielding five goals against them on October 20, he is 6-3-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .920 SV% against New Jersey.
Brock Nelson and Bo Horvat scored twice in the Islanders’ first meeting with the Devils. Nelson now has 12 red lights and nine helpers in 43 games against New Jersey, both good for second among active Islanders. Horvat, meanwhile, boasts eight goals and six assists in 17 games.
Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal are the leaders on offense against New Jersey. Anders Lee boasts the most goals and points against the Devils with 14 and 22, respectively, while Barzal has 16 assists to lead the team.
Devils Notes
Despite a disappointing start to the season, the Devils bounced back against the Buffalo Sabres. Six different Devils found the back of the net, with Tyler Toffoli scoring twice. Eight different players recorded a point, and their defense limited Buffalo to 12 shots in a 7-2 win.
Tyler Toffoli scored twice in the Devils’ win on Saturday.
The Devils’ leading goal scorer has eight goals to lead against New York lifetime to lead the team. He also holds a five-game point streak against the Islanders, scoring three goals and adding three assists in those games.
Dougie Hamilton and Ondrej Palat sit in a tie for the most assists and points against the Islanders, boasting 15 and 19, respectively. After a two-point performance against the Sabres, Palat enters tonight’s game hot. He has six points in as many games, totaling two goals and four assists in that stretch.
Vanecek has a strong numbers lifetime against the Islanders. Between the Devils and Washington Capitals, Vanecek has a 5-3-0 record, 2.65 GAA, and .912 SV% against the Islanders lifetime in 10 appearances.
Betting Corner
Do you think the Islanders will beat the Devils? New Jersey enters as the sizable favorite, sitting at -175 on the money line to the Islanders’ +145. The over/under sits at six goals, the over favored at -120, and under at +100.
All lines are courtesy of MGM Sportsbook.
How To Watch
The Islanders’ feed for tonight’s game is available on MSGSN2, the Devils’ broadcast will be shown on MSGSN. On the radio, tonight’s game will air on 88.7 FM WRHU, 103.9 LI News Radio, and 1050 AM ESPN.
Matthew Page contributed to this preview.
