What is the story about?
Pete DeBoer is a veteran coach so he’ll surely temper enthusiasm after two games, but he’s got to feel at least a fraction of the joy Islanders fans experienced from a proper home opener romp over a rival.
The Islanders’ 6-0 win over the Devils Saturday night had a little of everything: Ilya Sorokin’s 30th shutout, goal and assist contributions from all over the roster, first NHL point and first NHL goal by Victor Eklund in front of his mom, special teams contributions, and another Matthew Schaefer
highlight to set up the 3-0 goal that set the night on course for a homecoming party.
Whatever directions this season takes, nights like that are essential, and the perfect tonic after the bland opener in Toronto.
Islanders News
- A special, meaningful birthday night for Eklund and fam. [Newsday]
- Takeaways: DeBoer liked the depth and balance. Includes video of fans singing “Happy Birthday” to Eklund after his interview with Shannon Hogan. [Isles]
- Score one for the line re-blend. [Post]
- Sorokin got the new post-game hero award, a canoe paddle, while Casey Cizikas got the orange hard hat. [Isles]
- Matthew Schaefer continues to enjoy life at the Martins as uncle and babysitter. Piece from Compton includes some Tavares-with-the-Weights tales, too. [NHL]
Elsewhere
- With some injuries up front, the Oilers are shopping for some forward depth. [Sportsnet] We’ve got a couple with cup-winning pedigree…
- It’s somehow getting even uglier in Detroit, where unsigned former first-round pick Simon Edvinsson now reportedly prefers a trade. Feels like that franchise needs another Jimmy Devellano to come to the rescue them from another Dead Wings era. [Sportsnet]
- Aleksander Barkov’s latest injury looks long term, but they hope not season-ending. [NHL | Sportsnet]
- R.I.P. Lyle Odelein, former Canadien and Devil, among others, including the Blue Jackets’ first captain. [Sportsnet]
- The Blackhawks big-ticket acquisition Bowen Byram will miss his team’s return to Buffalo. [TSN]
- Mario Lemieux was part of the Penguins’ 60th anniversary celebration, which is maybe news since he’s supposedly been in and out and in and out with the ownership and management. [NHL]
- The Sharsk arrived to their home opener in old cars. [NHL]
