Morning Skate Updates: 3/5/15
by Cory Wright / New York IslandersNEWS, NOTES AND QUOTES
Martin Suspended: Matt Martin will miss tonight’s game as he serves a one-game suspension for a knee-on-knee collision with Dallas’ Trevor Daley on Tuesday night.Cizikas, Boulton Return: Casey Cizikas (lower body) and Eric Boulton (lower body) return to the Islanders lineup tonight. Cizikas missed eight games, while Boulton is playing for the first time since Dec. 11.
Cizikas: I tried playing through it for a while, but it came to a point where my body was just telling me to stay off it for a bit, give it rest and let it heal. That’s what I did and I’m back now which is exciting.
Cizikas’ Minutes: Cizikas resumed skating Monday, so Head Coach Jack Capuano said he plans to limit his minutes to ease the transition back into the lineup.
Capuano: We want to bring him in slow. Obviously he’s safe to play, he’s gone through a good recovery. Conditioning will be a bit of a factor, we’ll ease him in tonight, give him some minutes and hopefully he can help us out on the penalty kill as well.
Mouillierat Out: Kael Mouillierat will sit tonight in favor of Cizikas.
Projected Lines:
Where/When: The Islanders play the Predators tonight at 8 p.m. eastern time. The game can be seen on MSG+.
Halak vs. Rinne: Jaroslav Halak and Pekka Rinne will start tonight. Rinne is second in the league in wins (35), while Halak is third (33).
PK: The Islanders penalty kill has killed 28 of their last 32 opportunities (87.5%) including a five-minute major in the opening period on Tuesday.
Strome: Ryan Strome is on a four-game point streak (one goal, three assists).
Smashville: The Islanders have lost six straight at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators are 26-5-1 at home this season.
Predators Struggling: The Predators have lost four straight and have been outscored 15-7 over that stretch.