With a second consecutive regulation loss last night, the Isles have now dropped back into the wild card positions, though their 41 points would be good enough for first in the Atlantic and has them still in the large Metro pack that is several points behind Metro leader Carolina.
Bo Horvat is still out, and with the back-to-back we’ll wait to see if there are any changes, such as on the third pair.
The Sabres are now just a hair above the conference floor after winning four games in a row, which spans
before and after their GM firing/hiring.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
Islanders News
- Last night: Home streak snapped, two-game losing streak begun, “probably our worst night at home all year.” [Newsday | LHH | Post]
- Previewing tonight, a 5 p.m. start in Buffalo. [Isles]
- David Rittich, who gets the start today, has proven his worth. [Newsday]
- Looking at the NHL Edge stats to see if there’s any dropoff in Mat Barzal’s skating post-knee injury. (There isn’t, really.) [THN]
- Rich Pilon, part of the 1993 team, has a horse-drawn carriage business. You read that right. But more seriously, it’s helping him help others: “Pilon, 57, has been vocal about his struggles with mental health, addictions, and his attempted suicide. Four years ago, he started his own mental health initiative – Horses and Hockey Let’s Talk. He travels to northern communities to support youth mental wellness. He brings his horses and puts on hockey sessions.” [CTV]
- A Bridgeport check-in: The good and the bad from Friday night. [THN]
Elsewhere
Last night’s games included the Hurricanes blowing a 3-0 third-period lead but still picking up a regulation point in their shootout loss to the Panthers. And there were some trades before the holiday roster freeze.
- The Oilers pinned their McDavid Window hopes on an injury-prone goalie with a checkered performance history, and Tristan Jarry is on IR before they could even get back to Edmonton. [Oilers Nation]
- That and other injuries (Zach Bogosian is still in the league???) in the NHL status report. [NHL]
- So, heh, could the Oilers make another goalie trade? [Sportsnet]
- Seth Jarvis flew into the post in overtime and looks like he’ll be out “a while.” Ribs, presumably. Remembering now there was a time when the goal posts were essentially fixed into the ice. [NHL]
- The Leafs’ continued quest to refind joy in their game. [Sportsnet]
- Bourne: “It’s impossible to see what the Leafs are trying to do some nights.” [Sportsnet]
- Montreal made an interesting trade, cap-wise, reacquiring Phillip Danault from the Kings for a 2nd-round pick. [Sportsnet]
- The Blue Jackets acquired Mason Marchment — who didn’t last long in Seattle — for 2nd- and a 4th-round picks.
