ELMONT, NY — The New York Islanders (20-20-7) host the Carolina Hurricanes (30-16-3) tonight in UBS Arena just after 7:30. Tony DeAngelo, signed yesterday and clearing waivers today, will make his Islanders debut according to Islanders’ Head Coach Patrick Roy.
Roy specifically said DeAngelo would skate with Alexander Romanov and that DeAngelo will be on the Islanders’ top power play unit, one that went 0/3 last night in a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Marcus Hogberg starts in net for New York.
Maxim Tsyplakov can return from his three-game suspension but will not play tonight in a coach’s decision. Roy said, ” He (Tsyplakov) understands. It’s hard to make changes after winning three in a row.”
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour effusively praised DeAngelo, declaring he had nothing but good things to say about the former Hurricanes defenseman.
The Hurricanes themselves play their first game since last night’s earth-shattering three-team trade with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche. The deal saw Carolina acquire Finnish Superstar Mikko Rantanen and former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall.
Brind’Amour tempered expectations for the duo, who both will debut tonight, citing a lack of practice and whirlwind 24 hours. He also announced Pytor Kochetkov would start for Carolina.
Roy also commented on the acquisitions, citing how he coached a rookie Rantanen a decade ago in Colorado before saying he hopes he has a bad debut with a laugh.
Islanders Lines:
Anders Lee – Bo Horvat – Mathew Barzal
Anthony Duclair – Brock Nelson – Kyle Palmieri
Casey Cizikas – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Simon Holmstrom
Pierre Engvall – Kyle MacLean – Marc Gatcomb
Defense & Goalie
Alexander Romanov – Tony DeAngelo
Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock
Isaiah George – Scott Mayfield
Marcus Hogberg
Hurricanes Lines:
Mikko Rantanen – Sebastian Aho – Jackson Blake
Andrei Svechnikov – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Eric Robinson
Jordan Martinook – Jordan Staal – Seth Jarvis
Taylor Hall – Jack Roslovic – Juha Jaaska
Defense & Goalie
Jaccob Slavin – Brent Burns
Dmitry Orlov – Jalen Chatfield
Shayne Gostisbehere – Sean Walker
Pytor Kochetkov
Special Teams:
Islanders Power Play: 12.2%, 32nd Islanders Penalty Kill: 68.0%, 32nd
Hurricanes Power Play: 21.2%, 17th; Hurricanes Penalty Kill: 85.4, 1st
How to Watch:
TV: MSGSN, ESPN+ Out of Market
Radio: 88.7 WRHU
