A tough result at the Garden feels like a sign of things to come.
Now 12 games into the season, the Islanders are entering a fascinating stretch with a big road trip just around the corner, significant injuries that would challenge even a good team, and a squad that has not found its own idea of optimal form in any of the first dozen games of the season. They’re either gonna save their season or accelerate a spiral that just might have implications next offseason.
Making matters worse, the injuries that are testing the organization’s depth are reveling that the coach doesn’t have much faith in the reinforcements. Say what you will about Samuel Bolduc — who once looked promising before an injury appeared to derail his AHL and NHL trajectory — but playing him for five minutes and benching him for half the game after a mistake is not a sign of confidence from Patrick Roy.
#Isles D-men time on ice
Pulock: 29:24
Dobson: 24:57
Mayfield: 23:00
Hutton: 14:14
Cholowski: 13:53
Bolduc: 5:56— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) November 3, 2024
Islanders News
- Injury depleted and still suffering on special teams equals not a good afternoon vs. the Rangers. [LHH]
- Video high/lowlights. [Isles]
- Three Takeaways: Something about special teams, you don’t say? [Isles]
- With Alex Romanov out again, the blueline injury nightmare continues. [Post]
- And that means Patrick Roy has his hands full. [THN]
- A predictable outing given the circumstances, and a convincing win for the home team. [Post]
- Any options out there for blueline help? [THN]
- Gross: The Isles can’t keep giving away points. [Newsday]
Elsewhere
Yesterday’s NHL scores include the Hurricanes continuing to roll, this time over the Capitals, and the Blackhawks being the latest non-Isles team to beat the Ducks.
- The Panthers’ Finns are having a ball as the Global Series visits Finland. [NHL]
- David Pastrnak was benched for the third period. Is Jim Montgomery kind of, well, grasping at straws more and more? [Sportsnet]
- One of the 2018 Team Canada WJC players facing sexual assault charges is suing his agent and agency for lost wages, alleging misconduct. Sure. [TSN]
- Six things about the Senators after 11 games under Travis Green. [Sportsnet]