It’s a big series! For lottery seeding.
The Islanders begin part two of the seven-game homestand, hoping to show a little more life than the opening loss to the Senators.
They didn’t practice yesterday, so no word yet on J-G Pageau’s status.
Tonight’s opponent, the Flyers, are three points ahead but with two more games played — both are pretenders making cute noise about a wild card push, but the Flyers have the luxury of lower expectations coming into the season.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
Islanders News
- Previewing tonight: the first of three meetings with the Flyers in a seven-game stretch. [Isles]
- The power play is at historically bad levels. [Post | Newsday]
- Video: Inside Brent Sutter’s career. [Isles]
- Trade tiers: Who’s most likely to be dealt by the Isles by the deadline? [Athletic]
- Five potential destinations for Brock Nelson. [Daily Faceoff]
- Islanders’ “polarizing” first-round pick Cole Eiserman appears to be the real deal. [Post]
- Shifting the goal posts to “making the playoffs” — is that really okay? [Po$t+]
- The designer of tonight’s Pride t-shirt. [Isles]
- The MSG-Altice dispute is keeping some Islanders fans from seeing games…and they’re not grateful for the relief! [Newsday]
Elsewhere
Last night had just two NHL games, including the Sabres beating the Hurricanes as Ryan McLeod got his first NHL hat trick.
- What’s happenin’ with the Flyers. [Broad Street Hockey]
- The Bruins are facing reality, “may be retooling” at the deadline. [NHL | TSN]
- Kyle Dubas is grilled on the Tristan Jarry contract as they place the
sievegoalie on waivers. [NHL] - Bourne the Younger: Simply shooting more won’t help the Leafs. [Sportsnet]
- Sheldon Keefe is excited to return to Toronto with the Devils. [Sportsnet]
- A cry for help: Taylor Hall is “open” to a trade from the terrible Hawks. [NHL]
- John Tavares was hurt at practice. [TSN | NHL]
- 10 second-half NCAA storylines. [NHL]