Islanders Gameday: Sleepwalking into New Jersey

Embrace your fate. Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images The Islanders are in Newark for the second half of a road back-to-back after being eliminated via shootout yesterday afternoon in Philadelphia. With Ilya Sorokin on the shelf — and barring another shock appearance by Tristan Lennox — Marcus Hogberg has a chance to continue shaking off that 9-2 loss to the Rangers after he rebounded somewhat against the Flyers.

The Devils are already locked into a first-round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes, who have home ice advantage secured, so neither team has anything to play for today. Leaguewide and lottery-wise, the Islanders are currently 23rd overall and could plausibly fall as low…