Daily Links
NYHN Daily: Islanders Win Shootout Thriller, Willie O’Ree Honored & More
The New York Islanders are off Wednesday after back-to-back games, and wins, against their division rival Philadelphia Flyers. On Tuesday, the Islanders came back late in the third period and won the contest after a nine-round shootout. With defenseman Ryan Pulock out, Islanders rookie defenseman Robin Salo has had the opportunity to grow. The NHL and the NHLPA have agreed to not test asymptomatic, vaccinated players after the All-Star break. With the way Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin has shown to steal games, is he still the no. 1 on the island?
These stories and more in today’s daily links!
Keeping it on the Island
The New York Islanders defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in a shootout on Tuesday night. The Islanders picked up their second consecutive win over the Flyers and moved within two points of the Flyers in the Metropolitan Division standings with a record of 13-13-6 to get back to NHL. 500. Here’s how it happened. (NYI Hockey Now)
On Tuesday morning, Islanders head coach Barry Trotz gave an update on defenseman Ryan Pulock. In his absence, rookie Robin Salo has been given an opportunity to grow at the NHL level. After a tough performance against the Washington Capitals last Saturday, he picked up an assist on Monday and his first NHL goal on Tuesday, both against the Philadelphia Flyers. (NYI Hockey Now)
The NHL along with the NHLPA have agreed to update the league’s COVID-19 procedures following the NHL All-Star Break. Testing for vaccinated asymptomatic players will not be required, unless there is cross-border travel or if symptoms are present. (NYI Hockey Now)
In most states and provinces, stealing leads to a hefty fine or a good ol’ slap on the wrist. But for New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin, the only punishment for stealing games is two points. And despite the strong play of Semyon Varlamov as of late, Sorokin has earned the right to remain the no. 1 netminder for the New York Islanders. (NYI Hockey Now)
Around the National Hockey Now Boards
Like Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak, former Bruins winger and hall of famer Willie O’Ree takes great pride in his style and appearance. That’s why Pastrnak and his Boston Bruins teammates decided that a new fedora would be a cool and unique gift for O’Ree when they met with him virtually on Monday, a day before O’Ree’s No. 22 goes to the TD Garden rafters and is retired by the Bruins. (Boston Hockey Now)
There are only a few greater mobilized forces than Pittsburgh Penguins fans. The army of Alexander the Great and Dead Heads immediately spring to mind. On Tuesday, the NHL announced the winners of the “Last Man In” voting for the 2022 NHL All-Star Game, and Penguins winger Jake Guentzel earned the Metro Division selection. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)
Shortly before Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders, the Flyers announced that Kevin Hayes would miss three or four weeks, thus becoming the team’s fifth center who is currently sidelined by an injury. “It’s going to be a challenge,” interim coach Mike Yeo said prior to the matchup. “We need guys to step up right now.” They did. But it wasn’t enough. Despite playing one of their best games in weeks, the Flyers fell in a shootout to the Islanders, 4-3, at the Wells Fargo Center. (Philly Hockey Now)
For the first time in quite a while, the Florida Panthers were on the receiving end of a beatdown, losing 5-1 to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night at the Saddledome. How much one can blame the long travel to western Canada or a team starting to believe all the positivity heaped upon them of late depends on who you speak to. Or, it was simply a case of a good team just getting beat. (Florida Hockey Now)
The Montreal Canadiens snapped a six-game losing streak with a spirited 5-3 win over the Dallas Stars behind a 47-save performance from goalie Sam Montembeault Tuesday night in Dallas. Montreal Canadiens forward Christian Dvorak scored twice, Tyler Toffoli had a goal and an assist in his first game since Dec. 4, and Nick Suzuki had one of his best games of the season with two assists for the Montreal Canadiens. (Montreal Hockey Now)
A first-round pick skating for a team that counts Steve Yzerman among its general managers will be the Atlantic Division rep in the NHL All-Star Game via the Last Men In ballot. Sorry folks, it isn’t Lucas Raymond. Captain Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the online voting to gain the final Atlantic Division roster spot for the Feb. 5 NHL All-Star Game at T-Mobile Arena is Las Vegas. (Detroit Hockey Now)
Sources tell Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now that Minnesota Wild forward Jordan Greenway will not be suspended for interfering with goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who left with an injury and did not return in the shootout victory on Monday. Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri will be heading to the All-Star Game as he won the “Last Man In” vote for the Central Division. (Colorado Hockey Now)
The Vegas Golden Knights are one game off from the halfway mark of the 2021-22 NHL season. They currently sit first in the Pacific Division with 48 points in their 40 games played. For the most part, the team has had a successful season so far with a winning record despite injuries and a current spot in the Stanley Cup Playoff picture. What are some of the negative surprises so far this season? (Vegas Hockey Now)
The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Nashville Predators on Tuesday by a score of 3-1. Prior to the game, Vancouver captain Bo Horvat tested positive for COVID-19. Here are five takeaways from the win. (Vancouver Hockey Now)
You just knew Sam Bennett would score against the Calgary Flames. The team that traded him away. But few expected that it would be the NHL’s top team’s only one of the night. The Flames answered the honest assessment of their ailments from head coach Darryl Sutter over the last week with their play on the ice in a massive 5-1 victory over the visiting Florida Panthers. (Calgary Hockey Now)
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