Russell’s Roundup: Rivalry Matchups; Rest of Season Predictions

Today’s a fun day to be a hockey fan. Two elite best-on-best international matchups on a Saturday in February. It doesn’t get much better than that. Obviously, Sweden vs Finland as an early-afternoon appetizer will be great, but I personally cannot wait for the main event. The United States versus Canada in Montreal, in the historic Bell Centre, in prime time. It doesn’t get any better. For all the talk of nobody caring, the ratings were smash hits. In the US, Canada vs Sweden drew over one million. The US against Finland smashed records and brought in over 3.5 million viewers.

You have to tip the hat to Gary Bettman. This helps grow the game and attracts a wide audience. Hopefully, the momentum will carry over when the NHL season resumes. Speaking of the NHL, the news felt eerily quiet today. Almost like a calm before a storm. For us here at NYI Hockey Now, we predicted the rest of the season for the Islanders and others did the same.

New York Islanders:

ICYMI: In the middle of the week before predictions, NYI Hockey Now went over three reasons to remain positive for the rest of the season.

The following day, we flipped the coin and examined three reasons to be pessimistic about the season. 

Finally, the series concluded with me looking over the field and making predictions for the rest of the season, ranging from a Brock Nelson trade to a big swing by Lou Lamoriello and how it affects the Islanders’ playoff hopes. Read it all here.

Beyond that, we took another look at one thing the Islanders just have to improve. Here’s a big hint: It’s the league’s worst power play. Oops, big hint. Here’s the analysis.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman released another edition of his podcast. In it, he discussed the ongoing 4 Nations tournament before he turned his attention to trade chatter, including discussing Noah Dobson and Brock Nelson.

The Athletic ($): Teemu Selanne discusses the meaning of Sweden vs. Finland while setting the table for the showdown between the Nordic rivals.

The Athletic ($): Chris Johnston and Michael Russo combined to write the best preview for USA vs. Canada. It’s well worth the read; I can’t recommend it enough. 

New Jersey Hockey Now: Across the river, James Nichols whipped out his crystal ball and asked the same questions I did of the Devils’ future. Hint: It may include Kyle Palmieri.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: As Dan Kingerski put it: Oops. It’s a list of prospects the Pittsburgh Penguins could’ve had but instead whiffed on their draft choices.