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‘It’s Not Time to Panic’: Islanders lineup, Matchups and Game Notes vs. Chicago

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New York Islanders play at the United Center

The New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks will look to turn around their fortunes on Tuesday when they face one another for the first time since Dec. 27, 2019. Both teams have yet to win a game this season.

The Islanders dropped their first two games of the year to Carolina and Florida. Chicago has had a tough go of it dropping games to Colorado and Pittsburgh in regulation and falling to New Jersey in OT.

The New York Islanders struggles have raised some concern among those following the team. New York has allowed 11 goals through their first two games and they’ve struggled to find the same consistent defensive play that they’ve had in the past.

Still, the Islanders aren’t worried.

“It’s Game No. 3. We know we need to get a win, but it’s not time to panic,” Ryan Pulock said. “We have a positive group in here and we’re going to keep that positivity and find some joy. When you’re able to do that, that’s when you’re at your best. Tonight we have to bear down and get back to the way we play. We all have fun doing that.”

New York will get Matt Martin back in the lineup for the first time this season. He has been sidelined as he’s recovered from ankle surgery he had during the offseason.

The Islanders fourth line has not had the same impact without Martin as they’ve been able to have in the past.

“It’s good to have him back,” Anthony Beauvillier said. “Obviously it’s been a grind for him over the summer and having him in the room he is such a leader, and an important piece for us. … He just brings a presence on the ice and in the locker room, so it’s good to have him back and good to see him healthy.”

Martin’s return is the only expected change to the team’s lineup. Ilya Sorokin will get his third start in net of the year with Semyon Varlamov still out with “soreness.”

Marc-Andre Fleury will be in net for Chicago. Mike Hardman will be in the lineup for Chicago and Adam Gaudette will be scratched.

Tuesday marks Chicago’s home opener and the energy is expected to be through the roof inside United Center.

“We know that they’re going to come out. This building is electric,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “It starts with the national anthem and it’s probably the first game in a while that it will be a full building. I think from that standpoint it’s going to have some energy and buzz. I think that will give (Chicago) some energy and buzz and hopefully, it gives us some.”

New York Islanders Lines (Projected)

Anders Lee — Mathew Barzal — Kyle Palmieri

Anthony Beauvillier — Brock Nelson — Josh Bailey

Zach Parise — Jean-Gabriel Pageau — Oliver Wahlstrom

Matt Martin — Casey Cizikas — Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech — Ryan Pulock

Zdeno Chara — Noah Dobson

Andy Greene — Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin

Cory Schneider

Game Notes

Patrick Kane is one goal shy of tying Steve Larmar for third on Chicago’s all-time goals list. Larmar scored 406 as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. … Chicago enters Tuesday night’s game with a faceoff winning percentage of 54.1, which is seventh in the NHL through three games. … Kirby Dach has netted a goal in consecutive games for the first time since his rookie season. … Brock Nelson currently holds the Islanders longest active game streak with 303. It is also the sixth-longest among active NHL players. … Oliver Wahlstrom scored his first goal of the season on the power play on Oct. 16. Seven of his thirteen career goals have been scored on the power play. … The Islanders went 1-for-4 on the power play on Saturday in Florida and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill. … The Islanders have allowed 11 goals in their first two games for the first time since the start of the 1995-96 season. 

How to Watch

The game will air nationally on ESPN and ESPN+. On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 98.7 FM ESPN New York, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.

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