What is the story about?
The
Islanders are in Winnipeg, the Land of Butchie, where the Jets are just above the league basement but have finally won two in a row. Meanwhile, the Jets’ former coach landed a new gig after the NHL’s latest firing.
For the Islanders, a lineup change that is consistent and a non-change that is out of character.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
Islanders News
- Lineup news and rationales for tonight: Kyle MacLean goes back in for Max Tsyplakov, with Patrick Roy saying he wants to keep both involved; and Adam Boqvist gets a consecutive game for the first time since November, as Roy says he and the defenseman have talked about “building trust.” [Isles day to day | Preview]
- Islanders Anxiety podcast: On creating a little breathing room with five out of six points, the road ahead, putting Emil Heineman in a proper role, and more drama in Ontario and around the Metro. [LHH]
- Prospect Report: Jacob Kvasnicka gets WHL Rookie of the Week twice in a row. [Isles]
- More on the team outing at Anders Lee’s pond: Here’s the writeup (video and photos linked yesterday). [Isles | Newsday | Post]
- The Islanders noted that Simon Holmstrom’s big game brought him to 100 NHL points. That puts him in the top 100 of all-time Islanders by points, with Andre St. Laurent and Arron Asham and a whole bunch of defensemen (Lachance, Morrow, Langevin, Martinek…Hickey) next in his sights. [Hockey-Reference]
- Speaking of whom, Holmstrom’s benefited from being back with J-G Pageau [Post], whose resigning would probably help him. [Newsday]
Elsewhere
Last night’s scores included the Lightning winning their 10th straight (and sweeping Philly), while the Devils won in Minnesota.
- FIRED: Dean Evason doesn’t last long in Columbus, is replaced by Rick Bowness at age 70. [AP | NHL]
- The Smurfs lost again, and dropped the “inconsistent” Alexis Lafreniere in the lineup. [Post]
- Detroit and Sergei Fedorov finally make up. [Sportsnet]
- The next (still decentralized) NHL Draft will be hosted in Buffalo. [NHL]
