Morning Skate Updates: Islanders vs. Flyers

The New York Islanders are set to face off against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night at 7 p.m. (MSG+, WNYM AM 970, 88.7 WRHU, WRCN 103.9 FM).
The Islanders held morning skate on Thursday at Northwell Health Ice Center where Jack Capuano announced his lineup and addressed the media. Keep reading for news, notes and quotes from morning skate.

The Lineup:

Jaroslav Halak will start in goal for the Islanders on Thursday night. Halak made 22 saves on 25 shots in relief of Thomas Greiss on Tuesday night.
Alan Quine draws back into lineup after a two-game absence, taking out Anthony Beauvillier. Quine, who has one goal in six games this season, will center Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera.
GAME PREVIEW - BUY TICKETS

#

Prince to Skate on Top Line with Tavares:

Shane Prince gets an opportunity to play on the top line with John Tavares and Josh Bailey on Thursday.
"We're trying to get some speed on that line and create some possession time in the offensive zone," Capuano said. "That's the one thing that especially our team and Johnny's line has to do a better job of is making sure that we can possess the puck. Prince brings a little speed to that line, he's done a good job possessing the puck and we're going to give him an opportunity."
Prince has four points (2G, 2A) in three games since returning from a lower-body injury. He's excited, not intimidated to play alongside Tavares on Thursday.
"You don't want to overthink it," Prince said. "I played with him a few times last year, so it's good to have that experience here tonight. I just have to play my game. I have to use my speed and tenacity, create turnovers and loose pucks and play offense. That's where John is his best, that's where I'm at my best too."

Projected Lineup

| FORWARDS | | --- | | LEFT WING | CENTER | RIGHT WING | | SHANE PRINCE | JOHN TAVARES | JOSH BAILEY | | ANDERS LEE | BROCK NELSON | RYAN STROME | | ANDREW LADD | ALAN QUINE | JASON CHIMERA | | NIKOLAY KULEMIN | CASEY CIZIKAS | CAL CLUTTERBUCK |

| DEFENSE | | --- | | LEFT | RIGHT | | NICK LEDDY | TRAVIS HAMONIC | | THOMAS HICKEY | JOHNNY BOYCHUK | | CALVIN DE HAAN | DENNIS SEIDENBERG |

#

They Said It:

Cal Clutterbuck on the Islanders adjusting to a new lineup:

"I think we know what our identity is. We're trying to get there consistently. We've got some new personnel, which is something that hasn't happened here in three-and-a-half years so I think we're used to starting really well because we're really familiar with each other and there's a consistency, you can pick up from where you left off. You have some guys who played big minutes leaving and guys that are playing big minutes coming in and there's an adjustment period there. We're just trying to work through that and play the same way we always play and it's one of those things. I think offensively you're going to see us pick it up."

John Tavares on playing the Flyers:

"They've always been known to be a physical, gritty-type team. They play hard, they compete and certainly they've gotten younger the last couple of years. They have some youth, some good talent up front and have definitely gotten quicker. They are a really good hockey team, they found the way they play and what makes them successful towards the end of last season and into the playoffs and carried it over here.
"These games are always fun to play in, they're always come with a lot of emotion and intensity. We obviously get off to a much better start and establish our game."

Flyers Goaltending:

The Flyers have split the goalie duties fairly evenly between Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth this season. Neuvirth has started the past two games, but coming off a back-to-back, Mason could get the start on Thursday. Stay tuned for updates on the Flyers starter.

Flyers Big Three:

The Flyers are getting steady production from Claude Giroux (2G, 11A), Wayne Simmonds (6G, 6A) and Jakub Voracek (6G, 5A) to start the season.
Giroux and Simmonds both bring lengthy point streaks into Thursday's action. Giroux is on a 10-game point streak (2G, 11A), while Simmonds has points in five straight (2G, 5A) and in nine of his last 10 games.
Voracek, who scored the OT-winner against the Red Wings, is poised for a bounce-back year offensively. After scoring 20 goals in three straight seasons, Voracek's total dropped to 11 last season, but with six goals in 11 games to start this season, the Flyers' winger is well on his way to surpassing the down year.

#