NYHN Daily: Schedule Change, Youngsters Stepping Up for Islanders & More

Good morning and happy Wednesday. The NHL has announced schedule changes for the Islanders as one postponed game has been rescheduled. The Islanders have seen two youngsters in Noah Dobson and Kieffer Bellows step-up lately and forward Austin Czarnik is staying positive despite the uncertainties that comes with his role.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

Keeping it on the Island

The New York Islanders have picked up points in eight out of their last 11 games and are currently riding a four-game point streak. They have won their last two contests and added critical points before another long break between games. How? Young players in Noah Dobson and Kieffer Bellows have seized opportunities this season and as of late have showcased a new level to their game that we had not yet seen from them. (NYI Hockey Now)

The New York Islanders had five games postponed this season due to COVID-19. On Tuesday, the National Hockey League announced schedule changes for the Islanders, as one of those five games will be made up in January, with a venue swap for the final two meetings of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs. (NYI Hockey Now)

If you follow the New York Islanders, you are more than likely aware that forward Anthony Beauvillier writes “have fun” on the butt-end of his sticks, as a subtle reminder to himself that hockey is just a game. Although Austin Czarnik does not mimic Beauvillier’s habit, his mindset has been the same despite the uncertainties that come with his role. (NYI Hockey Now)

In the absence of head coach Barry Trotz, Islanders associate coach Lane Lambert has filled in during practices and media sessions. Could this handling of the team allow for Lambert to get a head coach gig in the NHL after years under Trotz? Lambert told the media he had not given it a thought. (Newsday)

Around the National Hockey Now Network

Despite blowing three one-goal leads, the Boston Bruins scored two third-period goals and held on for a 5-3 win over the New Jersey Devils Tuesday night at TD Garden. Here’s how it happened. (Boston Hockey Now)

On Saturday, Brian Boyle and his wife, Lauren Bedford, welcomed their third child. After telling her husband to go to the Pittsburgh Penguins practice instead of heading home to Massachusetts for the birth of new son Callum, Bedford gave birth just minutes after Boyle raced to the Brigham, MA hospital. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Philadelphia Flyers lineup was hit by COVID later Tuesday afternoon, hours before the Flyers game against the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center. (Philly Hockey Now)

After dismantling a Tampa Bay team missing its All-World goalie and the Montreal AHL team from Laval, the Florida Panthers had themselves a bonafide challenge Tuesday night in the Calgary Flames. They won 6-2. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Washington Capitals saw adversity strike again. as Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov both left the ice with apparent injuries at Tuesday’s skate. Head coach Peter Laviolette did not have an update on the two players. (Washington Hockey Now)

The Detroit Red Wings needed offensive confidence heading into a three-game Western Road trip and may have found it with a 6-2 home win against the San Jose Sharks. Here are five takeaways from the win. (Detroit Hockey Now)

For the majority of sixty minutes, the Vegas Golden Knights (22-13-1) played an uninspired and lazy game of hockey on Tuesday night. They lost to the Nashville Predators (21-11-2) by a score of 3-2. The Golden Knights played a sloppy defensive game in front of 24-year old goaltender Logan Thompson. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Adrian Dater has covered the Colorado Avalanche for 26 years. Cake Makar’s game-winning goal in overtime on Tuesday may have been the greatest goal he has ever seen. His reaction and breakdown of the magic here. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Kyle and JD say goodbye to the 2021-22 San Jose Sharks after their 6-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. We explain why it is time for the San Jose Sharks to look ahead towards the Draft by looking at how the Red Wings rebuild has gone. (San Jose Hockey Now)

When Bruce Boudreau arrived on December 6th and abruptly threw together a morning skate ahead of shutting out the Los Angeles Kings that evening, some of the talk around the Vancouver Canucks beat was “Gabby’s” ability to bring energy and enthusiasm on the fly. It also meant trying to instill some of his system adjustments in a hurry. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

It was billed as a battle of two legitimate contenders. Owners of the best away record in the NHL, the Calgary Flames faced the Florida Panthers, the top home team. The game however was rather lopsided. (Calgary Hockey Now)

League Business

Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid has tested positive for COVID-19. He missed warmups prior to a game against the New York Rangers on Monday, but head coach Dave Tippet stated that was just to keep him fresh. We await the result of his next test. (NHL)

“It’s been 84 years” is the line from the famous movie the Titanic. While it has not been that long since the Detroit Red Wings last scored a short-handed goal, their streak of 100 days without one came to an end Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks. (NHL)

New Jersey Devils forward Dougie Hamilton is out indefinitely as he broke his jaw after taking a puck to the face in a contest against the Washington Capitals on Sunday. (NHL)