Islanders vs. Blackhawks Preview/Game Thread: Travis Hamonic activated

The New York Islanders continue their episodic road trip by completing a back-to-back swing tonight in Chicago.

Coming off a 5-4 win over the Dallas Stars last night, the Islanders may yet have a different look tonight against the Blackhawks.

The big lineup news of the day is that defenseman Travis Hamonic, who hasn’t played since Jan. 7, was activated from IR.

Per Arthur Staple of Newsday, Hamonic will jump back into the lineup in favor of Scott Mayfield, while Adam Pelech will step in for Thomas Hickey, who’s likely battling something. Anthony Beauvillier will return to the lineup after missing last night, chasing Stephen Gionta.

Alan Quine remains out on a multi-week prognosis, while Cal Clutterbuck and Shane Prince survived their returns from injury layoffs last night.

Thomas Greiss gets the start in goal on back-to-back nights.

Chicago

The Hawks are without Artem Anisimov, Nick Schmaltz, Niklas Hjarmalsson and backup goalie Scott Darling, though Corey Crawford was the planned starter in goal anyway. Also, trade deadline acquisition Johnny Oduya will not begin his second tour with the Hawks until next week.

Ho-Sang

In some paper work news, Joshua Ho-Sang’s recall was changed from “emergency conditions” to regular. (Teams are allowed four regular recalls after the trade deadline.)

He remains in the lineup for his second NHL game, and his family caught his NHL debut last night, and mom “spent a lot of time crying, but they were good tears:

Excellent.

Coverage

This one is on MSG+ for TV, 970 AM and WRHU 88.7 for radio.

Check more Blackhawks coverage at Second City Hockey.

Leave your First Islanders Goal picks here by game time, which is 8:30 p.m. EST.