Rosner Wrap: Islanders Fall to Flames, Varlamov in Protocol & More

The New York Islanders lost yet again on Saturday, as they fell 5-2 to the Calgary Flames. Semyon Varlamov is now in COVID-19 protocol.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

After leading the New York Islanders out for warmups Saturday night prior to their contest against the Calgary Flames, goaltender Semyon Varlamov did not come out of the tunnel with the team for puck drop. Ilya Sorokin was in goal to start the contest. During the first period, the New York Islanders announced that Semyon Varlamov had been placed into COVID-19 protocol. (NYI Hockey Now)

The New York Islanders fell 5-2 to the Calgary Flames in the second of a back-to-back on Saturday night. The Islanders move to 17-19-6 on the season, 8-9-3 on the road. (NYI Hockey Now)

Hockey will be watching center Evgeni Malkin on Sunday afternoon when the Pittsburgh Penguins play at the New Jersey Devils. He will be returning after missing the past two games because of COVID-19. That includes Malkin’s expected right winger, Brock McGinn, although McGinn will be fighting the urge to become a spectator. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Ottawa Senators forward Austin Watson will have a hearing with the National Department of Player Safety Sunday after being called for a two-minute minor for interference on Boston Bruins rookie defenseman Jack Achan in the Bruins’ 2-0 win Saturday. (Boston Hockey Now)

The Florida Panthers were back from a welcomed break in their season Friday afternoon and had a nice surprise waiting for them at FLA Live Arena when they came out onto the ice. During the team’s absence — Florida last played at home on Jan. 29 — the team installed brand new dasher boards around the rink and new tempered Plexiglas as well. (Florida Hockey Now)

For the Philadelphia Flyers, their rematch with Detroit on Saturday afternoon was a chance for redemption. Didn’t happen. Red Wings 4, Flyers 2. The Flyers were much more engaged in their play than in Wednesday’s 6-3 loss to the Red Wings at the Wells Fargo Center, but they couldn’t get enough pucks past goalie Thomas Greiss, who was sharp despite playing his first game since Jan. 9. (Philly Hockey Now)

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin says it’s hard to say if Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras embodies a younger version of himself. But looking at Zegras, it’s easy to see that he does embody a lot of that same energy that the Great 8 had — and still has. (Washington Hockey Now)

The Montreal Canadiens began to build their goaltending depth Saturday by acquiring goalie Andrew Hammond from the Minnesota Wild for forward Brandon Baddock. To make room for Hammond, the Canadiens sent down the struggling Cayden Primeau to the Laval Rocket. (Montreal Hockey Now)

The Vegas Golden Knights need to find a way to fit Jack Eichel under the NHL’s salary cap before they even think about looking at buying at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline. But when that is all said and done with can general manager Kelly McCrimmon add some bargain-bin players? (Vegas Hockey Now)

As the snow melts away the Avs were warming up on the ice for tomorrow’s big game. That was the best pun I had. Buh-dum-bum. The biggest question heading into today’s practice was an update on Nathan MacKinnon and coach Jared Bednar confirmed today, he’s good to go for tomorrow. The top line is reunited and it feels so good. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Tomas Hertl’s parents are asking. So’s his wife. He also sees the tweets from fans. But the impending UFA doesn’t know if he’s staying with the San Jose Sharks yet. “We just want, for both sides, to be fair,” Hertl said. Fair for Hertl would be being paid like one of the best centers in the NHL. (San Jose Hockey Now)

There was a sneaking suspicion Andrew Mangiapane would be an impact player while the Olympics were taking place. But the thought was he might be in Beijing. Instead, he’s lighting it up with the Calgary Flames. (Calgary Hockey Now)

Elias Pettersson rediscovered his game recently — worthy of a Vancouver Canucks shift diary on Saturday afternoon against the Toronto Maple Leafs. ‘Petey’ starts the evening playing with his “Baltic Line” teammates Vasily Podkolzin and Nils Höglander. (Vancouver Hockey Now)