New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils [Game 39 Thread]

The Islanders enter a new year by hosting the Devils on Long Island. The game at the Coliseum will be on NBCSN, for those watching at home.

New York will send out Semyon Varlamov for the third straight game after his outstanding work during the third period of Tuesday’s game against the Capitals. He’ll go against New Jersey’s Mackenzie Blackwood.

The Islanders had an optional morning skate today, but Jordan Eberle was out early with Michael Dal Colle and Noah Dobson, who have been the extras of late.

Is Eberle a healthy scratch? Is he dealing with a nagging issue? Is he fine and he just wanted to get on the ice early today? We’ll have to wait until warm-ups, at least, to find out.

The Devils, meanwhile, will be without 2019 no. 1 overall Jack Hughes, who is out with an upper-body injury. Here are the lines they were rolling with today in their morning skate.

Hear what Barry Trotz has to say about playing New Jersey, whom he says has been playing their best hockey of the year of late now that the Taylor Hall-sized elephant is out of the room.

Last chance for FIGs here. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.