New York Islanders vs. Dallas Stars: Pelech in, Greiss starts again

Thomas Greiss will get a chance to shake off last night's blitz in Pittsburgh by getting a rare two starts on consecutive nights as the high-flying Dallas Stars visit Brooklyn for the first time.

Also appearing will be Adam Pelech, slotting in for Brian Strait, who briefly came down from the press box after Johnny Boychuk's injury. Cal Clutterbuck, who left last night's game twice, is a game-time decision, likely to be replaced by Steve Bernier if they decide he can't go.

So, lots going on with the team as they begin a stretch of five of six at home: Boychuk's injury prognosis is still pending doctor examination this week, Jaroslav Halak is back but not quite back (Christopher Gibson, who got his NHL debut in relief last night, remains with the club) and Pelech gets perhaps his best chance to date in the wake of Boychuk's injury.

As for the Stars, they'll have big Valeri Nichushkin back after he missed last night's OT loss in Newark. Nichushkin isn't (yet?) a premier player, but he has some enticing talent wrapped in a large frame. If he puts it all together and asserts himself, look out. But of course ahead of him is a bushel of stars like Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Patrick Sharp, Jason Spezza...their list goes on.

Antti Niemi played last night against the Devils, so it's a decent bet his platoon partner Kari Lehtonen gets the call tonight -- though Lehtonen has been pulled in two of his last three starts. #goalielife

With the Stars putting up a league-leading 3.45 goals and 32.4 shots per game and these teams scoring lots of goals in their meetings over the last two seasons, this has the proverbial makings of a shootout -- exactly what opponents always say they try to avoid.

Islanders (21-13-5) vs. Stars (28-8-4)
5 p.m. EST | MSG+, radio and stuff
Brooklyn's [ingloriously sponsored] Center
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