Isles - Devils, Preseason Game 2

Here is the projected lineup against the Devils found on Islanders.nhl.com.

Forwards:

Matt Moulson, John Tavares, Nino Niederreiter
Michael Grabner, Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo
Jay Pandolfo, Ryan Strome, Tim Wallace
Matt Martin, Josh Bailey, Trevor Gillies

Defense:

Streit, Steve Staios
Mark Eaton, Milan Jurcina
Aaron Ness, Travis Hamonic

Goalies:

Al Montoya
Kevin Poulin

This will mark the first time Mark Streit will captain his New York Islanders in a game situation.

In addition, we will get to see Niederreiter paired with Moulson and Tavares on the first line.  I believe Niederreiter is ready to make the jump to the regular Isles roster.  Ryan Strome will also be interesting to watch.  So far this preseason, he looks pretty solid and just might be kept up for the 8 or 9 games to start the season, similar to the look the team got with Niederreiter last year.

Aaron Ness has played pretty well so far and may continue to make himself noticed.  Tim Wallace, former Pittsburg pick up will get his first serious look by the Islanders staff as well.

The tandem of Montoya and Poulin will be interesting as well.  Montoya is coming off his break out season as a pro last year and will want to compete against DiPietro and Nabokov to take a regular spot on the team.  I think he is the real deal and will make it tough, but that can only be good for the fans. 

Poulin is healthy after last year’s knee cap injury and had showed poise and ability beyond his years last season when called up.  The one most considered to be the crown jewel of talented Isles goalie prospects, Poulin will no doubt start in Bridgeport this season while keeping one foot in the Uniondale locker room.  Do not ever count him out, even with names like DiPeitro and Nabokov.

Isles Notes:

ESPN.com’s Katie Strang reports that D Andrew MacDonald (hip surgery), C Marty Reasoner (knee) and F Kirill Kabanov (wrist) all skating with non-game group. F Rhett Rakhshani was also on the ice.

According to the New York Post’s Larry Brooks, Rangers are looking into the possibility of signing former Islander, Chris Campoli as a stop gap D for an injured Marc Staal.

Update:  Campoli has agreed to a 1 year $1.75 Million contract with the Montreal Canadiens.