NYHN Daily: Nelson Heating Up, Parise’s Points, Hall Hit Dirty?

The New York Islanders are back in action as they host the Los Angeles Kings Thursday night at UBS Arena. Is Brock Nelson regaining his early-season form? Is Zach Parise turning the page or just getting rewarded for his hard work? Have a read on the three takeaways from Tuesday’s victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

Keeping it on the Island

Through the New York Islanders’ first 14 games of the season, Brock Nelson had 11 goals. After missing time due to injury and COVID-19, Nelson has played the last 6 games and has six points. Is Nelson getting back into his early-season groove? (NYI Hockey Now)

Parise admitted following Tuesday’s win over the Philadelphia Flyers that his “second half player” line was more to make light of the situation. Although the New York Islanders are still eight games shy of the halfway mark, the tide has indeed turned for the 37-year old. (NYI Hockey Now)

The New York Islanders had to battle but after sixty minutes of play they left UBS Arena with 4-3 victory over the slumping Philadelphia Flyers. Here are the three takeaways from their third straight victory over Philadelphia. (NYI Hockey Now)

Around the National Hockey Now Boards

The Boston Bruins were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche in overtime by a score of 4-3 on Wednesday night. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog tied the contest at three with 37 seconds to play in the third period before Cale Makar won it in overtime, thanks to a strong screen in front by Landeskog. Here are the takeaways from the devastating loss. (Boston Hockey Now)

It was only a couple weeks ago that Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jeff Carter was talking about extending his career, and now he’s poised to do that. The team announced Wednesday that he has signed a contract extension for the next two years. The deal carries a salary cap of $3.125 million. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Florida Panthers were not their high-powered offensive selves at points during their most recent road trip, scoring just four goals during regulation during a two-game stretch in Vancouver and Seattle rather than hitting the four goals-per-game pace they had been averaging. One reason could have been the absence of Gus Forsling. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Washington Capitals saw frustration start to boil over on Wednesday, as their flaws were evident against the San Jose Sharks. The Capitals let San Jose jump out to an early lead and found themselves chasing the game yet again, and ultimately, it cost them. Despite a lone strike from Daniel Sprong and upped the ante over the course of the game, Washington couldn’t execute in a rough 4-1 loss to the Sharks. The team has now dropped eight of its last 11 decisions. (Washington Hockey Now)

To celebrate the 61st birthday of Wayne Gretzky on Wednesday, the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks decided to play the game the way they did in the Great One’s prime. The Hawks and Wings combined for 13 goals in Chicago’s 8-5 victory at Little Caesars Arena. Five takeaways from Detroit’s third successive setback. (Detroit Hockey Now)

There was good news and bad news from the Montreal Canadiens after their first practice at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard in more than two weeks. Following a practice in which forwards Paul Byron and Brendan Gallagher skated with their teammates for the first time since the calendar year turned to 2022, Montreal Canadiens vice president Chantal Machabee gave the following updates. (Montreal Hockey Now)

Nathan MacKinnon may miss the Avalanche’s next game, in Chicago, because of the injury he suffered Wednesday night from a collision with Boston Bruins forward Taylor Hall. So said Avs coach Jared Bednar after the Avs’ 4-3 overtime win. The hit, although it may have looked bad on Hall’s part in real-time, was actually a clean hit. Unfortunately, the stick of Mackinnon is what cut him. (Colorado Hockey Now)

At this point, we are all familiar and caught up on the Jack Eichel story and are simply just waiting for the next chapter. On November 4th, 2021 the Vegas Golden Knights acquired Eichel in a blockbuster trade with the Buffalo Sabres. Eichel, who only played 21 games in 2020-21 underwent artificial disk replacement surgery in mid-November after he was acquired by the Golden Knights. His timetable for a return at the time was about three months. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Nicolas Meloche’s first NHL goal was “special” in so many ways. Early in the second period, the San Jose Sharks hanging onto a 1-0 lead, Matt Nieto jumped a pass and found the trailer Meloche. You have to watch it. “Amazing. Just unbelievable. It’s my mother’s birthday today too,” Meloche shared post-game. “So just special today.” (San Jose Hockey Now)

Maybe the best part of Calgary Flames’ massive shutout victory over the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Wednesday night – no cannon. The trademark blast from the old powder keg is something opposing players, coaches, management and media members visiting Nationwide Arena dread. Even when you know it’s coming, it shocks the system if only for a few seconds. But with no goals, there was no blast. (Calgary Hockey Now)