Morning Skate Updates: Islanders vs Sabres

The New York Islanders take on the Buffalo Sabres at 7 p.m. Buy tickets here. Watch on MSG+ or MSG GO. Listen on the Isles radio network. Read the game preview. Check the game notes.
LINEUP NOTES:
Jaroslav Halak will start in goal. Dennis Seidenberg comes in for Ryan Pulock. Same forwards from Saturday's win over Winnipeg. Seidenberg returns to the lineup after missing two straight games.

Head coach Doug Weight on tonight's roster change:
"We have seven D and I want Seids to play. It was a good talk with [assistant coach] Luke [Richardson] last night and a good talk with Pulock. He's going in the right direction, defending well. I'd like to see him be greedier to shoot a little more, but as far as his defensive play, he's been really good and made great progress."
ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINES:
BOYCHUK MIC'D UP:
Johnny Boychuk will be mic'd up by MSG on Wednesday night. The Islanders defenseman always has something to say and is one of the funnier Isles off the ice. Make sure to tune in live, or catch it after the game on MSG's website/social media, as well as NewYorkIslanders.com.

ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINES:

RESTED AND RELAXED:
The Islanders had a three-day break over the Christmas holiday with no practices or games, a luxury not often afforded during an 82-game season. A few players went home to places like Toronto and Montreal, while others posted up on Long Island.
"It's nice to have a little break. Obviously a great time of year and especially for me I have three little kids and they love it," Andrew Ladd said. "Nice to have that little break to refresh physically and mentally, just getting away from the rink and coming back here excited to play tonight."