Tough to get too mad when five opening night roster guys are out.
Of all the leads the New York Islanders have blown over the past couple of seasons, last night’s was probably the one that bothered me the least. Since the wave of injuries hit, it was the first time it happened, and the New Jersey Devils are good. The tying goal was some bad luck, and the game-winner only happened because Jack Hughes was cheating.
I had said that the Islanders needed five out of six points from the three games before their trip out west, and they got them. Now let’s see how they do when they head out there.
Islanders News
About last night:
- Whatever my feelings about the blown lead, the fact remains that they squandered another point. [LHH]
- Simon Holmstrom had himself a two-point night, including a beautiful move on his goal. [Islanders]
- Ilya Sorokin put up another gem that was ultimately wasted. [Newsday]
- It wasn’t their best game through the first two periods, but they responded in the third… for a little while anyway. [NY Post]
- The Islanders technically haven’t trailed against the Devils this season. So that’s fun. Also, Isaiah George topped 24 minutes and looked great. [NYI Skinny]
- Something to consider:
Patrick Roy was asked about Isles demeanor on the bench as Devils were rallying from a two-goal deficit in the third period.
“Do you mean were their asses tight?”
Roy said, no, that was not the case.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) November 10, 2024
Onward:
- Anders Lee has done well since returning to the top line; he’s resurgent this season. [Newsday]
- Kyle MacLean was really close with his junior coach, Bob Jones, and has missed him dearly since Jones passed away from ALS this August. [NY Post]
- Cole Eiserman is dominating so far as a college freshman, and if he keeps it up, this may be the only season he plays in college. [THN]
Elsewhere
Yesterday’s NHL scores include the Jets setting the record for the best 15-game start in NHL history by dominating the Stars, as well as the Senators beating the Bruins in overtime and the Avalanche coming back on the Hurricanes.
- Brock Boeser will be out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, likely a head injury. [NHL]
- Predators defenseman Dante Fabbro is on waivers. I remember when he was an untouchable prospect. He’s a righty, and the Oilers, who need a righty more than the Isles, sit before the Isles in the waiver order. Still, wouldn’t shock me if the Islanders put in a claim with their LTIR space. [Sportsnet]
- Among the buzz are Mike Reilly’s downgraded status and the Penguins recalling Tristan Jarry from his conditioning stint. [NHL]
- The new PWHL uniforms have been unveiled now that the teams have names. [NHL]
- The Hockey Hall of Fame induction festivities continue. [NHL]