The Isles are back in action to host the Stars, and one or two blueliners are ready to return.
For their first game after a two-week break (Brock Nelson’s 4 Nations schedule excepted), the Islanders host the Dallas Stars, who are a top contender in the West.
They do it with multiple blueliners returning to health and/or close to returning to the lineup.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
Islanders News
- Brock Nelson took a rest day but is expected to be available to play. Meanwhile, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield are candidates to play, and Noah Dobson practiced with the team for the first time since his injury. [Isles | Newsday]
- Why getting Mayfield back is…important? [THN]
- Islanders players and Patrick Roy followed along and enjoyed seeing Brock at the 4 Nations. [Isles]
- Nelson called it an awesome experience, and the “most intense, energy-packed and clean hockey” he’s ever been a part of. [Isles | Newsday]
- Marcus Hogberg still isn’t ready to play, but Ilya Sorokin should be able to handle the four games this week. [THN]
- More mailbag with Arthur Staple, part 2. [Athletic]
- In the latest episode of Weird Islanders…Jamie Heward! With Pinholes Graham [LHH]
Elsewhere
The first day back for NHL hockey featured 14 games, with the Sabres demolishing the Rangers.
- Jordan Binnington’s tournament-saving stops in overtime may quiet his doubters and set him up to be the guy for them at the Olympics. [Athletic]
- U.S. player grades: Lots of great performances, with Jaccob Slavin a standout. I kind of love that Broadway’s finest “Norris winner” Adam Fox was a scapegoat and looked terrible. [Sportsnet]
- The draft will be held in Los Angeles, even though teams won’t actually be there. [NHL]
- Seth Jones would “like to give myself a chance to win in my career,” but Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno says they can’t let that trade request bother them. [Sportsnet]
- For the second time this season, downtown traffic in Toronto forced a visiting team (the Hurricanes this time) to get off the bus and walk the rest of the way to their game. [Sportsnet]