The 10th game of the season for the New York Islanders will take the team on the road tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This game is another winnable game for the New York Islanders, and given that Columbus is a Metropolitan Division foe, one point ahead of them in the standings. The Columbus Blue Jackets are in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division with 9 points, one more than the Islanders and the same total as four other Atlantic Division teams.
This road game is the back half of back-to-back games for the Islanders though the Columbus Blue Jackets have a day off. In this article, we will review why this is an important and winnable game for the Islanders and we will review the Columbus Blue Jackets roster, though we will begin with a tragic loss.
A Tragic Loss
The most important story in this game is the tragic loss of Columbus Forward Johnny Gaudreau, who died in a car accident with his brother Matthew. Gaudreau was probably the best hockey player on the Columbus Blue Jackets, and he was a dangerous scorer. His loss weakens the Blue Jackets, though, they do get some lift because of the emotional nature of the surprising loss.
The Blue Jackets honored both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in a pregame ceremony before the team’s home opener against the Florida Panthers. Also, there was no left wing at the opening face-off, Gaudeau played left wing, and the teams were motionless for the first 13 seconds of that game. Thirteen was Gaudeau’s number. The team is wearing patches on their jerseys and a helmet decal honoring the brothers throughout the season. There may be some pregame ceremonies and the New York Islanders may wear some kind of decal honoring Gaudreau.
An Important and Winnable Game For the New York Islanders
This is a key division game, despite the emotions, for the New York Islanders. Columbus is just one point ahead of the Islanders in the Metropolitan Division standings. As the Blue Jackets are just one point ahead of the Islanders, they are close in talent. The New York Islanders need to come away with a win in this game as well.
Here Is the Blue Jackets Roster
Columbus has a mediocre roster. Their roster is about as good as the Islanders. On the first line, the Blue Jackets have Yegor Chinakhov, Sean Monahan, and Kirill Marchenko. On the second line, they have Cole Sillinger, Adam Fantilli, and Mikael Pyyhtia. On the third line, they have James van Riemsdyk, Sean Kuraly, and Kevin Labanc. On the fourth line, the Columbus Blue Jackets have Zach Aston-Reese, Justin Danforth, and Mathieu Olivier.
On defense, the Blue Jackets have Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov on the top pairing. The second pairing is Brian Dumoulin and Tristan Luneau. The third pairing is Jack Johson and Jordan Harris. In goal, the Blue Jackets have Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov. With today as an off day, we could see either goaltender. Elvis Merzlikins played in the 6-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers.
Conclusion
The game against the Blue Jackets will be on the road, but it is a must-win for the New York Islanders against another weak division opponent. The Blue Jackets have five injured players. It is the dangerous back game of another back-to-back for the Islanders. New York struggled on offense last night as they lost 3-1 to the Anaheim Ducks.
The New York Islanders play at the Buffalo Sabres on November 1 in their next game following tonight. Then they take on take on the rival Rangers on November 3rd at Madison Square Garden. The Islanders take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin on November 5.
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