Also: Cole Eiserman joins elite company at BU.
The Islanders finish their post-deadline California road trip late tonight in L.A. for a meeting with the Kings, who’ve lost just three times in regulation at home this season.
First Islanders Goal picks go here for tonight (or tomorrow morning, depending).
Islanders News
- Previewing tonight: The Isles PK is 44% over the past three games. Not good! [Isles]
- Andrew Gross, written form: If it’s up to the players now…they’re fumbling. [Newsday]
- And Gross, audio form: Trade deadline recap episode of Island Ice. [SoundCloud]
- Not an impressive couple post-deadline games against weaker California teams. [Post]
- Staple: “Lamoriello was practical at the deadline. He’ll have to be closer to cold-blooded this summer to make meaningful change.” [Athletic]
- Prospect Report: With his weekend hat trick, Cole Eiserman leads all NCAA rookies in goals and “became the fourth BU freshman since 1990 to hit the 20-goal mark, joining Jack Eichel, Clayton Keller and Macklin Cellebrini.” [Isles]
- (Yester)day in Isles History: Butch Goring is acquired, Anders Lee gets his first hat trick. [Isles]
- Patrick Roy appreciated Adam Boqvist filling in at center; and Marcus Hogberg kept himself in good shape while his finger healed. [Post]
Elsewhere
Four games in the NHL Monday, including the Oilers losing to lowly Buffalo in regulation and the Senators topping the Red Wings in regulation.
- Aaron Ekblad fails drug test, suspended 20 games. There are 18 left in the Panthers’ season. [NHL]
- Rod Brind’Amour said Mikko Rantanen had four teams he was willing to sign with, and Carolina wasn’t one. “The better question is should we have known that before we signed him or attempted to sign him.” [Sportsnet]
- Jonathan Toews, 36, wants to explore a comeback. [NHL]
- Rick Tocchet has better things to worry about than some Vancouver social media stirring up issues about who wears the A. [Sportsnet]
- They grow up so fast: Nathan MacKinnon reaches 1,000 points, the 100th player to do so. [NHL]
- New but injured Panther Brad Marchand meets the media, feels rejuvenated. [NHL | Sportsnet]
- How coaches help trade acquisitions integrate into the team. [NHL]