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Vegas Golden Knights vs. Islanders: Storylines to watch

By Andrew Steele-Davis

MONTREAL, QC - DECEMBER 3: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 3, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - DECEMBER 3: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 3, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Vegas Golden Knights will look to close out this road trip with a perfect 3-0-0 record when they take on the New York Islanders tonight.

After beating the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils, the Vegas Golden Knights are 2-0-0 on this three-game swing on the east coast so far, and they have won four consecutive games.

They are coming up against an Islanders team, who despite having only won two games out of their last five outings, are among the best teams in the NHL this season and they boast elite goaltending and elite defense.

It should be a mouthwatering matchup and we’ve picked out some storylines to watch out for…

Storyline 1 – Unstoppable force against immovable object

The Vegas Golden Knights have won four straight and are 2-0-0 on this three-game road trip, while the New York Islanders have struggled as of late.

However, the Isles are still second in the Metro Division and they have proved already that they are the deal this year.

So tonight will pit a red hot team in the Knights against a franchise in the Islanders who are thriving under Head Coach Barry Trotz.

And the two teams achieve success at opposite ends of the spectrum. The Golden Knights boast a plethora of offensive firepower, while the Islanders win games based on elite goaltending and a high-end defense.

What will come out on top tonight?

MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 03: Look on New York Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov (40) during the New York Islanders versus the Montreal Canadiens game on December 03, 2019, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 03: Look on New York Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov (40) during the New York Islanders versus the Montreal Canadiens game on December 03, 2019, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Storyline 2 – Varlamov vs. Subban

The Islanders have been getting elite goaltending since last season, and it hasn’t dropped off despite Robin Lehner leaving in free agency to join the Chicago Blackhawks.

However, Lehner’s replacement, Semyon Varlamov has been lights out and he has been getting the job done alongside Thomas Greiss.

They are the backbones of this Islanders team and they give their teammates the best possible chance to succeed night in and night out.

For the Golden Knights, Marc-Andre Fleury has been away from the team due to personal reasons but Malcolm Subban has stepped up in his absence, winning four straight.

He will get another start tonight and, whoever gets the better goaltending will win the game in my opinion I think.

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: A general view of the game between the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on November 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. New York Islanders defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: A general view of the game between the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on November 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. New York Islanders defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Storyline 3 – Franchise first

Tonight will see the Vegas Golden Knights play at the iconic Nassau Coliseum for the first time in franchise history.

The Nassau Coliseum is steeped in rich history and it was home to the Islanders’ stunning Stanley Cup dynasty in the 1980’s.

It is one of the most iconic arenas in all of sports and, because of how it is constructed, it makes for a raucous atmosphere.

The Golden Knights will get to soak it all in but they will also need to strike first to try and take the energy out of the building.

UNIONDALE, NY – APRIL 12: New York Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15) puts a big hit on Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Garrett Wilson (10) during game 2 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 14, 2019 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY – APRIL 12: New York Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15) puts a big hit on Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Garrett Wilson (10) during game 2 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 14, 2019 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Storyline 4 – Get physical

The New York Islanders are a franchise that always been known for its physical play, and that is no different this year.

Their bottom six unit in particular boasts players that can hit hard, put pressure on the forecheck and battle hard in the corners, and they provide a matchup nightmare for other teams.

However, the Golden Knights can also play physical and they have the likes of William Carrier and Ryan Reaves who are hitting machines.

Next. Golden Knights at Islanders: Date, Time, TV, More. dark

Plus, following the acquisition of Chandler Stephenson, the Knights were much more aggressive on the forecheck in their last outing against the New Jersey Devils, and Vegas will need to match the Islanders’ physicality tonight.

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