The New York Islanders will battle the New Jersey Devils tonight in Newark, as the blue and orange look for their ninth win in a row.

Storylines:

Ilya Sorokin will most likely get the start in net for New York’s second game without Anders Lee this season.

Without Lee, the Islanders defeated the Devils 3-2 last night. Kieffer Bellows took over the third period, scoring two impressive goals to give his team the win.

Oliver Wahlstrom also recorded a tally, his fifth of the year and second at Prudential Center in two weeks.

Semyon Varlamov made 26 saves on 28 shots, a performance worthy of a rest tonight. Without their captain and starting goalie, tonight will be a challenging game.

The Devils have lost 10 consecutive home games in regulation and want that to change. They are looking for more production from their stars. Finally, they are playing a team that has beaten them twice in the last three days, something that is never ideal for the loser.

The Devils will come out angry today and the Islanders must respond without their captain. After this game, the competition gets much harder, making this another must-win game as the Islanders attempt to build a cushion in a difficult East Division.

Lineup Prediction:

The Islanders will most likely stick with the same lineup tonight. Andy Greene could use a rest and Sebastian Aho could use an appearance, but against his old team, Greene will likely play once again.

Bellows-Barzal-Eberle

Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey

Dal Colle-Pageau-Wahlstrom

Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Pulock

Leddy-Mayfield

Greene-Dobson

Sorokin

Prediction:

The Islanders just placed Anders Lee (right leg) on long-term injured reserve retroactive to Thursday. His cap hit is $7 million.

They can make a trade to replace him, but for now, Bellows is the man. While this could be a trap game, I think Bellows will record another point and the Islanders will stay hot against the Devils in Newark, winning 3-2 once again.

Islanders 3, Devils 2

Drive4Five