MORE ON BOYCHUK:
Johnny Boychuk took morning skate on Thursday, but Weight said he doubts that the defenseman will return tonight. The Islanders coach said Friday's home game against Detroit seems more likely. Boychuk has been out with a lower-body injury since Dec. 28 and has missed 17 games.
Head Coach Doug Weight:
"Johnny Boychuk is having a pregame skate this morning. I doubt he would be playing tonight but he's had a couple of good days. Hopefully we have a decision to make, we'll find that out tonight. Maybe tomorrow, we'll see how he is after practice."
ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINES:
BARZAL GOOD TO GO AFTER MAINTENANCE DAY:
Mathew Barzal is good to go after taking a maintenance day on Wednesday.
"It was a function of being sore," Weight said. "He had the puck a lot against Nashville and they play close attention, so he's growing as well, learning his body and maintenance and I don't care how many games you play in Seattle, this is a different game, a different beast, a different animal."
Weight elaborated on his thought process on giving players days off.
"Full disclosure, guys that play a lot of minutes, I have an open door. I know that the season gets long at times and they might feel extra tired some days, so I trust the work they put in," Weight said. "When guys have something to say about needing a day off, whether it's a trainer, or a person themselves, they'll get a day off. Just bring it when 7 p.m. comes."
ISLES IN BLUE TONIGHT:
The Islanders will wear their home blue jerseys tonight in Buffalo, as the Sabres are wearing their white Winter Classic jerseys.
PULOCK LOSING THE SHIELD:
After a month playing with a face shield, Ryan Pulock will be out of it on Thursday night and back to his regular visor.
LEHNER IN GOAL FOR BUFFALO:
Robin Lehner will start in goal for the Sabres. The Sabres goalie is 0-1-1 against the Isles this season with a 4.78 goals-against average and a .860 save percentage. Lehner is 11-20-7 on the season overall with a 2.83 GAA, a .913SV% and three shutouts.
SABRES PROJECTED LINES:
| FORWARDS |
| --- |
| LEFT WING | CENTER | RIGHT WING |
| EVAN RODRIGUES | JACK EICHEL | SAM REINHART |
| EVANDER KANE | RYAN O'REILLY | KYLE OKPOSO |
| ZEMGUS GIRGENSONS | JOHAN LARSSON | JASON POMINVILLE |
| BENOIT POULIOT | JACOB JOSEFSON | JORDAN NOLAN |
| DEFENSE |
| --- |
| NATHAN BEAULIEU | RASMUS RISTOLAINEN |
| MARCO SCANDELLA | CASEY NELSON |
| JOSH GORGES | VICTOR ANTIPIN |
