It was fun while it lasted, that moment atop the East (by points) on Saturday afternoon before the Hurricanes swept their weekend back-to-back with the Flyers, who also earned points in each by making
it to overtime. With a couple of more games played than several peers, Isles have just one game over a five-game span before things pick up a little again before the holiday break.
After getting by the Lightning once again, they are bound for Detroit where they take on the Red Wings Tuesday. The Wings are tied for first (by points) in an Atlantic Division that looks like it’s going to be the weaker one in the East this year.
Islanders News
- Takeaways from the shootout win over the Lightning: Good night for game-saver Ilya Sorokin and Anthony Duclair, who each received Patrick Roy’s praise. [Isles]
- Sorokin got the Iron Man mask. [Isles]
- The Skinny: “ Heineman is the first Islander to score the deciding goal in consecutive Islander shootouts since Kyle Okposo did so in three straight shootouts in November 2014, and is currently the only player in NHL history to take at least three shootout attempts and score on all of them.” [Isles]
- Scenes and reactions from Pat LaFontaine’s team hall of fame night. [Isles | Newsday photos]
- LaFontaine: “It really feels like a family….It feels like home again.” [Newsday | Post]
NDRedEagle and an illustration by MFIsles on the trade tree connecting LaFontaine and Heineman:
Elsewhere
Weekend games: 13 finals on Saturday, another six on Sunday, including the Sabres winning their third straight.
- Quinn Hughes made his Wild debut, received an ovation from fans, scored a goal and said he might like it there. [Sportsnet]
- The Canucks’ mindset has changed after moving Hughes. They beat Quinn’s former future team in the Devils and will visit the Isles Friday. [Sportsnet]
- Zeev Buium knows the deal, felt appreciated by the Wild and understands why the just-turned-20-year-old was sent in the deal to get Hughes. [ESPN]
- Devils, Red Wings, Rangers also reportedly made bids for Hughes. [TSN]
- Going deeper on some goalie stats comparing Stuart Skinner and Islanders playoff hero Tristan Jarry. [NHL]
- The Oilers stunk in Calvin Pickard’s latest start, and the backup reflects on losing his tandem-mate (whom the Oilers will face in Pittsburgh on Tuesday). [Sportsnet]
- Rinse, repeat: Craig Berube calls out Leafs after no-show vs. the Oilers. [Sportsnet]
- Connor Bedard may be out a bit. [Sportsnet]
- Emergency backup anthem singer nails it. [NHL]
