:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60657115/usa-today-9623626.0.0.0.jpg)
The New York Islanders host the winless {knock on wood} Arizona Coyotes in Brooklyn tonight before embarking on a two-game Central trip later this week.
In Doug Weight's great Search for Chemistry, the Islanders will end their short-term 11-forward, 7-defensemen experiment by dressing the traditional 12 forwards and six defensemen.
That means there are casualties.
Dennis Seidenberg is out after a one-game return. Ryan Pulock is out after a two-game recess and actual power play threat. Joshua Ho-Sang remains out for the second game in a row.
Up front, Nikolay Kulemin returns from a two-game scratchery, with Weight speaking to his penalty killing abilities, and Scott Mayfield returns from one-game "banged up" status. Jaroslav Halak starts in goal.
For the Coyotes, life has yet to get better as many hoped and projected, though former longtime coach Dave Tippett likely anticipated in stepping away.
Their hot rookie of the moment is St. Louisan Clayton Keller, who lines up next to ex-Rangers survivor Derek Stepan and hot youngster of yesteryear Max Domi. In goal, they will start Louis Domingue, who gave up three goals on 31 shots in a loss here 12 months ago, but exacted vengeance upon the Islanders with a Coyotes win in January.
Dylan Strome was sent to the AHL after two games, which is fine and normal, though the reports give me a bit of terrifying deja vu as an Islanders fan who witnessed the curious management of Ryan Strome. But chances are even if the Coyotes mess up Strome The Younger, they can always cash him into Edmonton for a promising return.
Coyotes (0-7-1) at Islanders (4-3-1, 5th/Metro)
7 p.m. EDT | Barclay's Center, Brooklyn
MSG+, 88.7FM - WRHU, AM970 - The Answer, 103.9FM - LI News
Dog-faced killaz: Five for Howling
Tonight's broadcast on MSG+...now with 100% more Asham!
The Islanders find themselves in fifth place in the Metro (wild card territory!), but just three points behind first-place New Jersey. So yeah, it's early. But games like this are important to grab.
With zero wins the Coyotes are, of course, at the basement of everything and will remain so even if they take two points tonight. Which, you know, is inevitable at some point, so...be very afraid.