The Columbus Blue Jackets are competing in their fourth road North American game of the season with a battle at the UBS Arena in Queens, New York to do battle with the New York Islanders for the first time this season.

The Islanders are managed by one the sneakiest and most respected general managers in hockey, under the name of Lou Lamerillo. Lou was the quietest he’s been this summer, losing players due to age, and cutting ties with coach Barry Trotz.

Due to retirement, the Isles said adios to Zdeno Chara and Andy Greene.

In free agency, out went Austin Czarnik, Michael Dal Colle Thomas Hickey, and Mitch Vande Sompel. Kiefer Bellows was claimed by Philadelphia.

In came forward Nikita Soshinkov on offense (via free agency) and Alexander Romanov on defense (for their first round pick).

The Islanders team is essentially the same, with players being promoted or acquiring one by trade.

The chemistry on this team is strong, given they’ve played together for years between Bridgeport and being signed long term by management.

After 2 seasons of being in the Eastern Conference Finals, they missed the playoffs by a few points and changed their coaching staff, promoting head coach Lane Lambert.

For the Islanders, their goaltending and defense is their strength, but they are employing an offensive mindset this year.


Columbus will have a mountain to climb with the injury bug crippling their team. Yesterday, forwards Jakub Voracek and Sean Kuraly have been placed on the IR; defensemen Nick Blanenburg and Zach Werenski have joined them, but will be out longer; and Erik Gudbranson and Kent Johnson remain day to day.

The Blue Jackets’ bench boss, Brad Larsen, has confirmed Joonas Korpisalo will start; and we will witness the NHL debut of Swedish defenseman Marcus Bjork.


Projected Lineups

New York Islanders

Andreas Lee—Matt Barzal—Oliver Whalstrom
Zach Parise—Brock Nelson—Kyle Palmieri
Anthony Beauvillier—Jean-Gabriel Pageau—Josh Bailey
Matt Martin—Casey Cizkas—Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech—Ryan Pulock
Alex Romanov—Noah Dobson
Sebastian Aho—Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

Scratched —
Injured —


Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Patrik Laine
Gustav Nyquist—Jack Roslovic—Emil Bemstrom
Eric Robinson—Cole Sillinger—Yegor Chinakov
Liam Foudy—Brendan Gaunce—Mathieu Oliver

Vladislav Gavrikov—Andrew Peeke
Jake Bean—Jake Christiansen
Gavin Bayreuther—Marcus Bjork

Joonas Korpisalo
Elvis Merzlikins

Scratched — none
Injured — Jakub Voracek, Justin Danforth, Joona Luoto, Kent Johnson, Sean Kuraly, Adam Boqvist, Zach Werenski, Nick Blankenburg, Erik Gudbranson


Players to Watch

NY Islanders — Matthew Barzal — the top dog. The steal of the 2015 first round. Mr. WouldaBeenOiler. Barzal is a complete player and needs more recognition and respect on his name.


Columbus — Johnny Gaudreau — another team that was rejected. The top guy in Columbus. 9 points in 12 games, good for 0.75 points per game. Not the best league wide, but best on the team by 0.25 points per game.

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