Islanders Wrap: Looking Back, Looking Ahead, Lamoriello Chat

The New York Islanders are back in action Thursday as they host the Vancouver Canucks. What happened on the Islanders road trip? What does the home stand look like? Is Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello ready to sell?

These stories and more in today’s Islanders Wrap:

One of the most brutal losses of the season came for the New York Islanders Tuesday as they blew a 3-2 lead to the Colorado Avalanche and ultimately fell by a score of 5-3. That game capped off a five-game road drip. Stefen revisits the trip and looks ahead to the New York Islanders six-game homestand. (NYI Hockey Now)

It may still be a long shot for the New York Islanders to make the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs and because of their position in the standings. But after an interview with New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic writes that the Islanders are not throwing in the towel just yet. (The Athletic)

The Boston Bruins got caught ‘California Dreamin’ and finally came back down to earth in a frustrating 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday night. Ducks forward Trevor Zegras scored his 14th goal of the season on the powerplay with 21.6 seconds left in regulation and snapped a five-game win streak for the Bruins who are now 3-1-0 on their current six-game road trip that now heads to Las Vegas for a tilt with the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. (Boston Hockey Now)

The Pittsburgh Penguins have 15 even-strength five-on-five goals in the last 10 games. Somewhat remarkably, those same Penguins are 6-3-1 in those 10 games and have feasted on power play opportunities. Evgeni Malkin buried the game’s only goal and game-winner last Saturday in the Penguins’ 1-0 win over the New York Rangers. On Sunday, Malkin scored the game-tying goal on the advantage in the 3-2 Penguins win. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Second-line center Kevin Hayes is getting close to returning to the Philadelphia Flyers’ lineup for the first time since Jan. 17. Interim coach Mike Yeo said Hayes will give the Flyers better matchups because of his 6-foot-5, 216-pound frame, and will bring a lot to the special teams. The question is, after so many surgeries, is it too risky to bring him back for the meaningless home stretch? (Philly Hockey Now)

The Washington Capitals celebrated Black History Night on Monday at Capital One Arena. In their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Capitals paid tribute to Black history and achievement in hockey. Washington also promoted different teams and programs in the DMV. (Washington Hockey Now)

The Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames have hooked up on the NHL trade market again with the Canadiens announcing on Wednesday that they have traded goalie Michael McNiven to the Flames in exchange for future considerations. This is the second time in just over two weeks that the Canadiens and Flames have completed a deal on the NHL trade market after the Habs sent winger Tyler Toffoli to the Flames in exchange for a 2022 first-round pick, 2023 fifth-round pick, forward Tyler Pitlick, and prospect Emil Heineman on Valentine’s Day. (Montreal Hockey Now)

Golden Knights head coach Peter DeBoer earned his 500th career win at the NHL level Tuesday night. He is the 28th coach in NHL history to do so and joins Todd McLellan, Bruce Boudreau, Darryl Sutter, Peter Laviolette, Lindy Ruff, and Barry Trotz as active coaches to do so. DeBoer entered the NHL as a head coach with the Florida Panthers in 2008-09. He has been in the league for 15 seasons now and has coached four teams in the Panthers, Golden Knights, San Jose Sharks, and New Jersey Devils. Humbly, DeBoer credited other people for his success Tuesday night. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Bo Byram skated again today, and he’s really looked fast. Whether that means a return still this season with the Avalanche? Nobody really knows, maybe not even Byram himself. Officially, he remains on personal leave. But, Byram is around the team again, using team facilities, conversing with teammates again, etc., etc. So, once again with Bo Byram, there is hope at least.
(Colorado Hockey Now)

There’s a defenseman at Sharks Ice who’s missed some time, but is now practicing and should return to action soon. It’s not just Erik Karlsson. Sources have told San Jose Hockey Now that San Jose Sharks prospect Brinson Pasichnuk, who’s missed the entire season, is on the way back. He’s been a full participant at San Jose Barracuda practice recently and could return to AHL action as soon as next week. (San Jose Hockey Now)

The Vancouver Canucks plan to practice at the new UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders, at 1 pm eastern time on Wednesday. Three teams the Canucks are chasing in the NHL Western Conference playoff race won on Tuesday night, the Anaheim Ducks over the Boston Bruins 4-3 on a Trevor Zegras power-play goal with 22-seconds remaining, the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 over the San Jose Sharks, and the Edmonton Oilers shutting out the Flyers in Philly 3-0. No shortage of trade talk and somewhat controversial NHL-related activities going on in the world so while we wait for Vancouver to go for a twirl …(Vancouver Hockey Now)

The Chicago Blackhawks have struggled mightily this season and with everything that has gone in the organization, this has been a season to forget. And that means the Blackhawks will be sellers at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline on March 21st. Patrick Kane, the biggest star on Chicago hopes to remain with the Blackhawks for the rest of his career. (NHL)