Islanders Daily: Dobson Development, Magic of the Aho’s & More

The New York Islanders took both meetings against the Columbus Blue Jackets this week, as after a 4-3 victory on Tuesday, the Islanders beat them 5-2 on Thursday. Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson spoke Thursday morning about his confidence and about the mentorship of Zdeno Chara.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

The New York Islanders took both games against the Columbus Blue Jackets this week, as they capped off the home-and-home with a 5-2 win on Thursday night. The Islanders are now 30-27-9 on the season and now have tied Columbus in the standings. (NYI Hockey Now)

New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson has taken strides since breaking into the league three seasons ago. But this season especially, we have seen his game grow and his confidence. Having veteran Zdeno Chara in his ear has helped significantly. (NYI Hockey Now)

When Boston Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask called int a career earlier this season due to an injury, many wondered what was next for the 35-year old. Well, Thursday night at T.D. Garden, Rask spoke to the media ahead of his ceremonial puck drop and shared what was next. (Boston Hockey Now)

It may have taken overtime, but the Pittsburgh Penguins left Minnesota with a 4-3 win thanks to Evgeni Malkin. Although the win was important, forward Jason Zucker left the game after his knee buckled along the boards, and that is a cause for concern. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Philadelphia Flyers prospect Bobby Orr Brink, a University of Denver right-winger who leads the nation in scoring, was named one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. The award is presented to the nation’s best collegiate player, and the nominees were reduced from 10 to three players Thursday. That’s some name for the young lad there. (Philly Hockey Now)

The Florida Panthers took on the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night and it was a lopsided affair. The Cats, as the cool kids say, took down the Hawks 4-0, as Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside all 37 shots he faced. Jonathan Toews played in his 1,000 career NHL game. (Florida Hockey Now)

In the latest Capitals Notebook, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin took a maintenance day as he missed practice, despite there being two days off prior. Coach Peter Laviolette says he’s fine. T.J. Oshie had a fan fly all the way from Japan to see him, which is crazy. (Washington Hockey Now)

The Montreal Canadiens were simply outmatched in their 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes showed why they aren’t to be taken lightly this spring, as they continue to roll as one of the team teams in the NHL. (Montreal Hockey Now)

Shortly after taking the Ball Arena ice for the Avalanche morning skate Thursday, Nathan MacKinnon noticed the media contingent in the lower bowl intently shooting pictures and video of him — getting proof that he indeed was out there. On the move, he waved. A good sign for the Avalanche. A lucky sign for the Avalanche. (Colorado Hockey Now)

If you haven’t already noticed, Owen Krepps had taken a break from covering the Henderson Silver Knights on a weekly basis with his “Silver Knight Sundays.” The reasoning is simple, as the Vegas Golden Knights roster is essentially made up of half Silver Knights and half Golden Knights due to injuries. (Vegas Hockey Now)

The San Jose Sharks visit Ball Center at the back-end of a back-to-back. The Colorado Avalanche pelted San Jose in the first period, but Kaapo Kahkonen turned away every bid. Timo Meier got the Sharks on the board, Brent Burns added another goal, but Colorado edged San Jose 4-2. (San Jose Hockey Now)

Calgary Flames head coach is a frontrunner for the Jack Adams this year but don’t discount the guy guiding the bench beside him on Thursday night. The Los Angeles Kings may be the biggest surprise this year, and bench boss Todd McLellan seems to have taken a page right out of Sutter’s playbook. (Calgary Hockey Now)

It’s that simple. The Vancouver Canucks have to go on a five-game winning streak. That’s it. Can’t look ahead? OK, don’t. One shift at a time? How’s that working for you? 60-minutes of hockey? Try 300! The Canucks need to beat the Vegas Golden Knights, the Vegas Golden Knights again, the Arizona Coyotes, the San Jose Sharks, and Vegas Golden Knights yet again consecutively. Period. If not, it’s the slow roll to the non-postseason, tee time jokes, and looking ahead to next year (Vancouver Hockey Now)

He did. Yes, he. That guy on Toronto. His name is Auston Matthews and he scored his 50th goal of the season Thursday night in a 7-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. His 50th, an empty-net goal. Just how you draw it up. (NHL)

In the 4-0 win over the Blackhawks, Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau recorded his 71st assist of the season. That’s an NHL record. (NHL)

It was a rather interesting day in the NHL yesterday, but nothing was crazier than two Sebastian Aho’s scoring seconds apart from each other. Yeah, you read that right. New York Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho lit the lamp at 7:14 PM ET against the Columbus Blue Jackets while Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho lit the lamp at 7:15 ET against the Montreal Canadiens. Wild stuff. (NHL)