New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers Preview: Beat this team.

The Florida Panthers were Southeast Division champions last year, giving their famished fans a much-needed respite from years of mismanagement and ownership turnover. They got there in a bit of a Faustian way, handing out multi-year deals to multiple mid-tier free agents who definitely helped but also come with a bit of a price tag and cap hit hangover.

This year is a completely different story, but it's not because those free agents are a year older. Rather, most of their key players are hurt, and their goaltending has been awful.

The big loss was key center and pending unrestricted free agent Stephen Weiss, who wasn't himself and was finally shut down to have wrist surgery. It doesn't help that Scottie Upshall has only appeared in eight games and Sean Bergenheim (GoGo Gordon groin relapse) has been out since the lockout. Recently, Kris Versteeg (knee) was lost for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, defensemen Dmitry Kulikov (hand), Mike Weaver (lower body), and Ed Jovanovski have been out too. (Jovanovsky returns tonight though.)

The goaltenders have not bailed them out: Jose Theodore has an .893 save percentage (.901 even strength), Scott Clemensen is at .858 and .868, respectively, and blue chip prospect Jacob Markstrom is at .891 and .904 in seven games.

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln thought the play was just fine, thanks.

Islanders (12-12-3, 10th/E) @ Panthers (7-15-6, 15th/E)
7:30 p.m. EDT | MSG+ | Audio: NHL - WRHU
[Bed Bath & Beyond or Something] Center
Several Yards Short of a Ball of Yarn: Litter Box Cats

So yes, this game and this two-game Florida swing is a symbolic must-win for the Islanders' playoff aspirations. There are just 21 games left in the season, they're three points and two teams out of eighth on the low side of the playoff bubble, and this is another chance for the 12-12-3 Isles to get over that proverbial NHL quasi-.500 mark.

This is their chance to break some miserable runs in south Floriday, too: The Isles are 15-3-3 in the past 21 meetings with the Panthers, who are 9-0-2 in the past 11 vs. the Isles at the [whatever the hell it's called these days alphabet soup] Center.

They'll do it without Michael Grabner and David Ullstrom, both now on IR. (On that note, here's one view that has the Atlantic Division least affected by injuries, while the Southeast has been the hardest hit in 2013.)

Fresh off a contract extension, Colin McDonald looks to be back in the lineup, while Jesse Joensuu is not quite ready yet, per Isles Twitter:

Cappy says he'll likely keep Cizikas on Reasoner line w. Martin as possible 3rd. McDonald will move around depending on how he feels.

The defense remains the same and Evgeni Nabokov follows up his shutout in Tampa Bay to start in goal yet again, while Kevin Poulin sorts his holy cards.

Clemmensen will start for the Cats.

Notes

• Jonathan Huberdeau leads the Panthers with 12 goals and 5 assists. Brian Campbell is minus-19, while the team overall is minus-38.
  
• Newsday with a bit on Kyle Okposo, saying the coaches met with him and Josh Bailey to discuss playing against opponents' top lines with Frans Nielsen. We'll watch for that to see if that line's usage shifts to more of a traditional Frans role.
• Clark Gillies gives the move to Brooklyn a vote of confidence.
  
• The Sound Tigers lost a tough one to Manchester last night -- they'd come back to tie it, only to lose 3-2 -- and the Sound Tigers Twitter account was diplomatic but not shy about a late and lone Monarchs powerplay changing the game.
• Also from that game, Fornabaio has a "men" and "boys" quote from Scott Pellerin.
• ESPN NY with some old but sort of updated hints about Mark Streit and the Isles in extension talks.

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