New York Islanders vs. Anaheim Ducks Preview: Pierre-Marc Be-Gone

The Anaheim Ducks are good. The New York Islanders are not. These two face off to prove that brilliant insight tonight.

For goalie-starved Islanders fans, this is a chance to blatantly break the ninth article in the fan Bill* of Rights: Thou shalt not cover thy neighbor's goalie.

The Ducks have some pretty fine goalies in Jonas Hiller and Danish stopper Frederik Andersen, so Islanders fans figure maybe Garth Snow could sneak in through the window and take one, seein' as how they have more than they can handle.

Islanders (8-17-5, 8th/Met) @ Ducks (20-7-5, 1st/Pac)
10 p.m. EST | MSG+ | WRHU/WRCN
[The Pond, Always]
The other end of the continent: Anaheim Calling
Criminal Element: Battle of California

Six years from now Ryan Getzlaf might be too old and make too much money, but today he is a more coveted top center than John Tavares. So, Bobby Ryan is gone, but Getzlaf, Corey Perry and the Ageless Teemu live on.

Unfortunately, Lubomir Visnovsky continues to not live on, so that issue will remain for the Islanders. True, Ryan Strome's callup is widely expected, but it wouldn't be possible until tomorrow so there's no goose to the offense there.

Lineup Notes

Anyway, lineup things: With Pierre-Marc Bouchard scapegoated to waivers, Peter Regin steps back in after being a healthy scratch in Los Angeles. Regin will remain at center -- where his faceoff performance is thus far indistinguishable from rookee Brock Nelson's -- while Arthur Staple reports Brock Nelson will be on Frans Nielsen's wing, providing a wealth of Hockey IQ Assistance for Josh Bailey on the other wing.

Anders Nilsson starts, meaning Kevin Poulin is likely left to the wolves Sharks tomorrow. Most importantly, we at long last have the Butch Goring nightmare lineup of Nilsson, Nielsen and Nelson all at once. Jackpot.

If you've heard Ryan Strome buzz, well he can't be recalled until there is officially room. And regardless, he's not a goalie.

Ex-Isle Alert: In case you missed it, Tim Jackman is now a Duck and is expected to play tonight.

Hiller is expected to get the start for Anaheim, while Francois Beauchemin and Jakob Silfverberg, among others, remain out.

Opposition Notes: How They Do It

As mentioned, the Ducks get pretty good goaltending (.913 overall, middle of the league), but they also generally outshoot other teams by about three shots per game, 2.8 shots per 60 at even strength.

*Or something. I flunked Constitutional Theology.