Hurricanes at Islanders [Game 22] and Wolf Pack at Sound Tigers [AHL Game 20]

New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes

The New York Islanders took the brief trip over the Hudson back to Long Island and are set to take on the Carolina Hurricanes for the third time this year and the first time at home. The Islanders have won both games against the Hurricanes despite being outshot considerably in both. They’ll look to keep it a bit more even tonight in hopes of taking three of three.

Thomas Greiss is getting the start on back-to-back days. It’s generally unwise to start the same goalie on back to backs, but Greiss was a principle reason that the Islanders won both games against Carolina. Robin Lehner hasn’t exactly given the Islanders any reason to have any confidence in him either as he has a -1.11 delta save percentage so far this season in five-on-five play.

Michael Dal Colle was sent back to Bridgeport before the game - a move that slightly aggravated those that had hoped the Lou Lamoriello era would mark the end of playing prospects with subpar talent only to be scapegoated to the minors. Ross Johnston will take his place. Tanner Fritz was called up and is expected to start at center in place of Stephen Gionta who was made to look foolish against Brian Boyle and is otherwise incredibly bad at hockey.

This one will start at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Hartford Wolf Pack

Elsewhere, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers are playing their second of a back-to-back home-and-home against the rival Hartford Wolf Pack. The Sound Tigers blew a late lead and lost the game in overtime and will be looking for revenge. Jeremy Smith is starting in this one.

The lineups haven’t been announced yet, but at the very least they’ll be shuffled with Fritz’s recall. It’s also safe to assume they’ll want to put one of their top point producers in Dal Colle back into the lineup. Beyond that, it’s anybody’s guess.

That game starts at 7:30 P.M. E.S.T.