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The Islanders take on the Bruins in Boston in one of the more anticipated match-ups in the NHL this season. The Islanders enter the game at 22-8-2 (46 points), while the Bruins enter at 21-7-7 (49 points), but having gone 1-4-2 in their last seven.
Two Eastern Conference titans, both of whom play similar, grind-it-out styles, doing battle on a Thursday night in December. No wonder NBCSN flexed it!
The Islanders appear to be maintaining their goalie rotation, giving Semyon Varlamov the start tonight.
Varlamov first goalie off for #Isles as goalie rotation stretches to 33.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 19, 2019
Their lineup is mostly unchanged, the only swap being Tom Kuhnhackl in for Leo Komarov. Kuhnhackl will play his first NHL game since he got hurt in October.
Looks like Kuhnhackl comes in for Komarov tonight, Varlamov in net. No other changes.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) December 19, 2019
This, meanwhile, is how Boston rolled out today.
#NHLBruins morning rushes:
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 19, 2019
Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Heinen
Bjork - Coyle - Wagner
Nordstrom - Kuraly - Backes
Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
Grzelcyk - Clifton
Rask
Halak
If the Islanders can contain that top line, which is probably the best line in the entire NHL, they’ll stand a decent chance of winning.
Last chance for FIGs here.