Game Thirty-two: Tampa Bay Lightning (18-11-2) at New York Islanders (18-11-3)

Time: 3:30 PM EST

Location: UBS Arena, Elmont

TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, MSGSN, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -130

Know the Opponents: Lighthouse Hockey

Wait, it’s a 3:30 game? Hmm. Didn’t realize that. Oh well, here’s to a little matinee action to break up your holiday festivities (we’re currently writing this on our balcony while Christmas music is blaring about two blocks away). The Tampa Bay Lightning are taking on the New York Islanders for the third time in about two weeks, and maybe, just maybe, this one will be the charmed one.

First off, lets tackle the line-up since there are some questions. Victor Hedman is definitely out. Ryan McDonagh may have been upgraded to day-to-day, but he is out. Erik Cernak – out. Jack Finley is in Syracuse. That is what we know. Now for the less known. Andrei Vasilevskiy is probably out, although he did return to practice on Friday. It sounds like his return could come Monday against Florida. Dominic James is also a game-time decision as was participating at practice on Friday according to The Tampa Bay Times‘ Eduardo Encina.

A new addition to the will-he/won’t-he discussion is Brandon Hagel. The hottest player (take that as you will) in the line-up missed the last six minutes of the win in New Jersey and didn’t practice on Friday. It could be precautionary, or it could be the latest in a seemingly endless string of injuries this season. It’s starting to reach comical proportions at this point.

If Hagel is out of the line-up, the Lightning will have to find a way to keep going, just as they have when everyone else has missed games. Gage Goncalves took his spot during practice, but if James is ready to go, it would be a good assumption that either he takes the spot, or Nick Paul moves back to the wing and James centers the fourth line.

On the other side of the ice, the Islanders are facing life without Bo Horvat, who is expected to miss a couple of weeks with a lower-body injury. With 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) Horvat is far-and-away their leading scorer, so there will be some adjustment needed. Of course, against the Lightning, it might not matter as long as Ilya Sorokin is in net.

The 30-year-old netminder has been the Lightning’s kryptonite this season. He is 2-0 against them with a .984 SV%, 0.50 GAA, and a 7.52 GSAx. Seriously, at this point, the Islanders could throw five inflatable, flappy-arm, tube things that car dealers use for advertising on the ice and probably win a game (although scoring a goal could be a problem).

Or, regression could be a real thing and the Lightning, who have found their offensive stride in their last two games, could finally sneak a couple of goals past him. With the heater that Jonas Johansson is on, one or two goals might be enough for the Bolts to sneak out with a win.

Today’s game wraps up a four-game road trip for Tampa Bay that saw them start on a losing streak, and then regain their swagger a little bit. Picking up wins against Montreal and New Jersey makes it a good trip, beating the Islanders this afternoon will make it a successful one. While it’s another game where they aren’t at their full health, they can’t use it as an excuse, and have to find a way to win.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards:

Brandon Hagel (?)Anthony CirelliNikita KucherovJake GuentzelBrayden PointOliver BjorkstrandZemgus GirgensonsYanni GourdePontus HolmbergCurtis DouglasNick PaulScott Sabourin

Defense:

J.J. MoserDarren RaddyshCharle-Edouard D’AstousEmil LillebergDeclan CarlileMax Crozier

Goaltenders:

Jonas JohanssonBrandon Halverson

New York Islanders

Forwards:

Jonathan Drouin (?)Mathew BarzalEmil HeinemanAnders LeeJ.G. PageauMaxim ShabanovAnthony DuclairCalum RItchieSimon HolmstromKyle MacLeanCasey CizikasMarc Gatcomb

Defense:

Matthew SchaefferRyan PulockAdam PelechTony DeAngeloTravis MitchellScott Mayfield

Goaltenders:

Ilya SorokinDavid Rittich