Tonight, our Islanders return home after their rough road trip to play host to Carey Price and the Montreal Canadians.
The goalie match up tonight features Carey Price for Montreal and Evgeni Nabokov for the Islanders. This is Nabokov's first start since November 16th.
All the talk leading into tonight though is about top prospect Ryan Strome making his NHL debut. The Islanders officially called Strome up earlier this week after sending Pierre Marc Bouchard to Bridgeport through waivers. Prior to his call up, Strome had accumulated 33 points in 23 games including 17 in his final 9. He also won back to back player of the week awards in the AHL becoming only the third player since the award began in 1994 to win it in back to back weeks. Tonight, he will be on a line with Brock Nelson and Cal Clutterbuck. Strome played on a line with Nelson while the pair were in Bridgeport late last season. Coach Jack Capuano said that Strome will also see time on the power play.
After suffering an injury the other night Casey Cizikas will not be in the lineup for the Islanders tonight. It is yet to be determined how long he will be out. Taking his spot in the lineup will be Peter Regin who had been scratched for a couple games in a row.
Projected Forward Lines according to Newsday:
Vanek-Tavares-Okposo
Grabner-Nielsen-Bailey
Nelson-Strome-Clutterbuck
Martin-Regin-McDonald/Boulton
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