NYHN Daily: Wahlstrom Elevated at Practice, Provorov Comments & More

The New York Islanders get set to play their first hockey game in 12 days following a postponement of their West Coast trip due to COVID-19. Brock Nelson is back in, along with Oliver Wahlstrom, as both seem to be on the Islanders’ second line ahead of their contest.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

Keeping it on the Island

At New York Islanders practice Monday and Tuesday, the second line consisted of Anthony Beauvillier and Brock Nelson, two forwards that have played together often over the last few seasons. But in the right-wing spot was 21-year old Oliver Wahlstrom. (NYI Hockey Now)

When the puck drops for the New York Islanders contest against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, it seems that head coach Barry Trotz will stick with Kieffer Bellows and Ross Johnston over veterans Kyle Palmieri and Matt Martin. Over the last two days at practice, the Islanders forward group did not include Palmieri or Martin, who skated with Austin Czarnik as the extras. (NYI Hockey Now)

Around the National Hockey Now Boards

The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 5-1. Goaltender Tuukka Rask was back and served as the backup in the contest as Linus Ullmark got the start. Here are the talking points from the victory. (Boston Hockey Now)

The roster flux that has dogged the Pittsburgh Penguins — and, frankly, all of sports — led to more moves Wednesday, including forward Drew O’Connor being recalled to the active squad. The Penguins also recalled forward Filip Hallander to the taxi squad. Jeff Carter did not practice. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov is unhappy to miss the first three games of his career, unhappy that he wasn’t able to help his team, unhappy that he was forced to sit because he tested positive for COVID-19, which he called a “regular flu.”
After coming off the COVID protocol list Wednesday, Provorov, who turns 25 on Thursday, expressed his frustration following the team’s practice session in Voorhees. (Philly Hockey Now)

Before the Florida Panthers had a pause to their season due to the combination of a Covid-19 outbreak and the NHL holiday break, their power play was one of the worst in the league. Getting healthy has helped strengthen the power play. (Florida Hockey Now)

Brad Marchand confirmed to the media that he did break his nose after taking a high stick from Nic Dowd early on in the Washington Capitals’ Monday tilt with the Boston Bruins. (Washington Hockey Now)

Being a mentor and a player who represented European hockey is a significant factor as Nicklas Lidstrom is stepping into his role as vice-president of operations for the Red Wings. He is iconic in his homeland and just as Lidstrom is filling this new position, it so happens that the Wings’ prospect pool is overflowing with Swedish talent. (Detroit Hockey Now)

After another COVID pause that kept them off the ice for 11 days, the Montreal Canadiens were as rusty as expected in a 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins Wednesday night. Here’s how it happened. (Montreal Hockey Now)

The San Jose Sharks are — gasp — holding onto the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference entering Wednesday’s action. If you said the Sharks would be right there, nearly halfway into the season, for a playoff spot during training camp, that would’ve surprised a lot of people. (San Jose Hockey Now)

After practice on Wednesday, after Tuesday’s nights 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks Head CoachBruce Boudreau said it best. “We’re gonna definitely know where we are after the seven games,” Boudreau said. “Because the seventh game is at home against St. Louis too, and I think they’re one of the elite teams in the league.” (Vancouver Hockey Now)

Who do you think will win the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals? Check out Fanduel.com’s Stanley Cup betting odds and place a future bet today!