Game Preview: Islanders at Rangers

NEW YORK ISLANDERS VS NEW YORK RANGERS
7 P.M. - MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
TV: MSG+, MSG, MSG GO
With an NHL roster starting to take shape, the New York Islanders head to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night for a preseason date with the New York Rangers.
After trimming the training camp roster to 28 skaters on Monday, the Islanders begin their final evaluations in the lead-up to their final cuts and the 2018-19 season.

General Manager Lou Lamoriello said Monday he wanted to give the Islanders current veteran group an extended look and opportunity to see more ice time as he whittles the roster down to the 23-man limit.
For Head Coach Barry Trotz, the Islanders final two preseason games will be about evaluating line combinations, as well as how his new systems and structure are being absorbed by the group. The Islanders coach has been experimenting with Josh Bailey on Mathew Barzal's wing for the past two games, while Jordan Eberle plays alongside Brock Nelson and Anders Lee.

"Just let people sort of solidify their role," Trotz said of what he wants to see out of the exhibition contests. "Let guys get familiar with roles and what I call cadence. Right after a penalty do we have a bump up line that's a regular line or is it a line that's sort of scrambled. They'll start getting some cadence on how we're going to play."
For the players, it's another chance to practice the new systems, adjust to new line combinations, power play and penalty kill units and compete for roles.
The Islanders are 4-2-0 in preseason play and have won three straight games, including a 5-2 win over the Rangers on Saturday night in Bridgeport.
The Rangers are 2-2-0 in four preseason games, most recently beating the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in overtime on Monday night.
MORNING SKATE UPDATE: Robin Lehner will start in goal for the Islanders.
ISLANDERS PROJECTED ROSTER: FORWARDS:
DEFENSE:
GOALIES:
RANGERS PROJECTED ROSTER: FORWARDS:
DEFENSE:
GOALIES:
- Henrik Lundqvist - Marek Mazanec