Isles Day-to-Day: Morning Skate in Ottawa

The New York Islanders took the ice for morning skate in Ottawa on Thursday.

Matthew Schaefer did not participate in Thursday's morning skate as he was feeling a little under the weather, but is expected to play per Head Coach Patrick Roy.

Adam Boqvist took Schaefer's spot during line drills at morning skate. 

PROJECTED LINES

Emil Heineman – Bo Horvat – Mathew Barzal 
Anthony Duclair – Brayden Schenn – Simon Holmstrom
Anders Lee – JG Pageau – Cal Ritchie
Kyle MacLean – Casey Cizikas – Ondrej Palat  

Matthew Schaefer – Ryan Pulock
Adam Pelech – Tony DeAngelo
Carson Soucy – Scott Mayfield

SOROKIN EXPECTED TO START

Ilya Sorokin was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate and is expected to start against the Senators.

Sorokin is 5-0-1 lifetime against the Senators with a 2.31 GAA and a .931 SV%. Sorokin is 3-0-0 lifetime at Canadian Tire Centre.

STANDINGS IMPLICATIONS

Thursday's game is a big one for both teams, as the Islanders (83 points) and Senators (77 points) are separated by six points in the standings, with Ottawa holding a game in hand. 

An Islanders regulation win extends the gap to eight points, which would be a healthy cushion on the second team outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. However a Senators regulation win puts Ottawa four points back with a game in-hand and further clogs up the race in the East. 

"It's a huge game," Bo Horvat said. "I feel like every game is going to be huge down the stretch, but these guys are trying to catch us, and they're playing good hockey as of late and we have to be ready to go."