Difference Between Varlamov & Sorokin SUNRISE, FL -- With 11 games left in the regular season, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-josh-ho-sang-rap-album-new-york-post-christian-arnold-interview] (30-26-15) begin a Sunshine State road trip against the Florida Panthers (46-21-5). Puck drop from Amerant Bank Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The last time the two clubs met was their final game before the All-Star break. The two teams traded goals twice in the second and third periods, with Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk scoring for Florida. Simon Holmstrom and Kyle Palmieri had answers for both goals, with the latter scoring with less than 90 seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime. In the extra session, Olver Ekman-Larsson finished a two-on-one with Evan Rodrigues, giving Florida a 3-2 win. For the Islanders, they're six points back with 11 games to go. "We're not oblivious to what's going on around us," Islanders captain Anders Lee said. "But at the end of the day, it's up to us. It's up to our team to put ourselves in a position to make this thing happen." If Florida comes out on top, they could find themselves playoff-bound as soon as Thursday. Florida could also clinch by earning a point and a loss from the Detroit Red Wings or Philadelphia Flyers. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad will return to the Panthers lineup for the first time since March 9 after suffering a lower-body injury, which forced him out of the lineup for seven games. WHERE THEY'VE BEEN: The Panthers couldn't punch their ticket to the dance on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The two teams traded goals all night long, with Rodrigues, Reinhart, and Carter Verhaeghe lighting the lamp for the Panthers. However, Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, and Trent Frederic had the responses for Boston, forcing a deadlock in the final five minutes. In the closing minutes, Pavel Zacha buried a feed from Pastrnak in front of the net, giving the Bruins a 4-3 win. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Islanders head coach Patrick Roy confirmed Semyon Varlamov will make his 21st start of the season on Thursday (20-8-7, 2.86 GAA, .910 SV%). He defeated the Winnipeg Jets in his last start on Saturday, making 32 saves on 35 shots to earn the win. In 15 games against the Panthers, he is 8-4-2 with a 2.71 GAA and .921 SV%, most recently taking the loss with three goals on 37 shots in the loss on Jan. 27. Holmstrom has goals in both meetings against the Panthers this season. Kyle Palmieri's game-tying goal in their last meeting gives him points in both matchups against Florida this season. A handful of Islanders could reach milestones in Thursday's game. Bo Horvat remains one point shy of 500 for his NHL career, while he and Brock Nelson could also reach the 30-goal mark if they light the lamp. Both could reach the mark for the third straight season. Palmieri's goal also put him even with Anders Lee for the most goals against the Panthers among active Islanders; both have eight in their careers. Horvat is tied with Mathew Barzal for assists with eight, while Lee tops the Islanders in points with 14. Starter Anthony Stolarz is riding a six-game winning streak, last time out stopping 32 of 33 shots in a 4-1 against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 24. Fresh off of reaching the 50-goal mark for the first time in his career, Sam Reinhart has a three-game point streak entering Thursday; the All-Star forward has three goals and two assists in that span. Verhaeghe also has points in three straight, boasting three red lights and a helper. Matthew Tkachuk enters Thursday's game on a three-game point streak against the Islanders. The forward has three goals and an assist in that span, in addition to red lights in both meetings this season. Brandon Montour also has assists in three-straight matchups with New York. Florida's big splash at the Trade Deadline was the acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators. The forward has three goals and two assists since joining the club and is tied with Aleksander Barkov for the most goals against New York with 10. Tarasenko leads the remaining offensive categories with 11 assists and 21 points. NEW YORK ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINES: Brock Nelson - Bo Horvat - Kyle Palmieri Anders Lee - Mathew Barzal - Hudson Fasching Casey Cizikas - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Pierre Engvall Matt Martin - Kyle MacLean - Cal Clutterbuck Adam Pelech - Noah Dobson Alexander Romanov - Robert Bortuzzo Mike Reilly - Ryan Pulock Semyon Varlamov Ilya Sorokin FLORIDA PANTHERS PROJECTED LINES: Evan Rodrigues - Aleksander Barkov - Vladimir Tarasenko Carter Verhaeghe - Sam Bennett - Matthew Tkachuk Eetu Luostarinen - Anton Lundell - Sam Reinhart Nick Cousins - Kevin Stenlund - Steven Lorentz Gustav Forsling - Brandon Montour Niko Mikkola - Aaron Ekblad Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Dmitry Kulikov Anthony Stolarz Sergei Bobrovsky HOW TO WATCH: Thursday's game will air on MSGSN. On the radio, the contest will air on 88.7 FM WRHU, 103.9 LI News Radio, and 1050 AM ESPN.
