The Islanders enter a pretty significant back-to-back with a match vs. the Capitals tonight in D.C. followed by tomorrow night at home to the Penguins. The Capitals are just four points behind the Isles and can narrow that gap tonight, though they’ve played one more game. The Penguins currently sit two points above the Islanders but have two games in hand.
The Penguins also are in action tonight, home vs. the Senators, so at least both teams will be traveling before tomorrow’s encounter.
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For tonight’s encounter, both teams have miserable power plays, so at least that — aww, hell, you know that’ll be what costs them.
Islanders News
It’s kind of a case of the less said about Saturday’s loss to the Predators, the better. But here are recaps: LHH | Newsday | Isles | Post
And here’s The Skinny: “The Isles are 6-29 on the power play in the last eight games and have allowed a power play goal in three straight game, killing only 4-7 in that span.” [Isles]
Gross: The power play is still broken. [Newsday]
Ryan Pulock credits Barry Trotz with establishing the right mindset for this Isles core. [Newsday]
Elsewhere
Yesterday’s schedule was light, highlighted by the stadium series meeting in Tampa, where the Lightning came back from four goals down to win via shootout. Narrative: Lightning spurred on to rally by a goalie fight!
Lots of potential injuries to monitor heading into the Olympics. [NHL]
Wow: $90 for event parking in Seattle. [Sportsnet]
Asking Mike Sullivan about his old team, after they swapped coaches (and later, that team beat his Rangers yet again). [Post]
As the Oilers waive Calvin Pickard, Tristan Jarry is still not proving to be what they needed. But at least he’s blaming the defense for his troubles. [Sportsnet]
The Leafs’ “emptied the tank” to beat the 32nd-place Canucks. [Sportsnet]