The Florida Panthers will look to take both games of the home-and-home series from the New York Islanders.
- New York Islanders (15-16-7)
- Florida Panthers (19-16-8)
- BB&T Center, Sunrise, FL
- Friday, Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG+
Home and Home
A dull and uninspired contest between the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers concluded Wednesday night with a 2-1 loss to the Panthers at the Barclays Center. Tonight at 7:30 pm, the Islanders will look to try and capture their first win of 2017.
In an attempt to find the offense that seemed resurgent at the end of 2016, coach Jack Capuano and the Islanders are trying to shuffle their lines. In the lineup, tonight for Shane Prince‘s spot is Anthony Beauvillier.
Cappy: Greiss in goal tonight. Beauvillier in for Prince. Same D. #Isles #NYIvsFLA
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 13, 2017
Changes also include moving Alan Quine to the left wing centered by Beauvillier and with Jason Chimera on the wing.
Veteran Andrew Ladd will skate alongside Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome on the 2nd line as well.
The time is now
The Islanders will likely not make the playoffs.
It’s a harsh reality that we need to come to terms with right now rather than later. Chances are slim, and they had an opportunity to start off on the right foot in 2017 but buried themselves with three consecutive, avoidable and heinous losses.
Changes are on the horizon. It is likely that with the hiring of a new Team President that the current regime is in danger of being handed a pink slip at the season’s end. If they want to salvage something of this season, the Islanders need to look to the future.
With the trade deadline on the horizon, General Manager Garth Snow must begin looking to unload players that are not part of the long-term plan. Freeing up roster spots for kids like Prince and Beauvillier to play full time is a must, and it’s time to give the Bridgeport kids like Michael Dal Colle a call.
Dal Colle is the only member of the 2014 first round draft to have not played a single NHL game. With the season likely over, it’s time to change that. Forget training camp, after the trade deadline it’s time to give the future a look and see where they are progressing.
Much how like the end of the 13-14 season was spent watching rookies; it’s time to help this team rebound long-term. This season may be drawing to a fast close, but the future is still very much optimistic.
