NYHN Daily: Upcoming Home Games To Define Islanders Season & More

The New York Islanders are back on the practice facility ice Saturday morning. The Islanders play the next 10 of 11 games on home ice, a stretch that will define their 2021-22 campaign. This story and more in today’s daily links!

Keeping it on the Island

The New York Islanders and home ice had a connection that worked wonders in 2020-21. After the emotional divorce with Nassau Coliseum, their newest relationship with UBS Arena was somewhat shaky. It seems that both sides just needed extra dates before getting comfortable in one another’s presence. They play the next 10 of 11 on home ice, a stretch of games that will define their season. (NYI Hockey Now)

The Islanders have called upon a handful of players to step up this season. Islanders head coach Barry Trotz has relied heavily on forward Austin Czarnik, who has earned his trust given his two-way style. Forward Josh Bailey spoke about the competitiveness of the group as so many guys look for ice time. (Newsday)

Around the National Hockey Now Boards

There was plenty of nastiness in Thursday night’s Boston Bruins loss to the Minnesota Wild, and it may have left the Wild without their Russian superstar Kirill Kaprizov after the Wild forward was knocked out of the game by a Trent Frederic hit in the second period. Frederic did not receive any supplementary discipline for the hit. (Boston Hockey Now)

Pittsburgh Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin said last week he would be ready in about seven to 10 days. That was right before he unleashed his viral quote, “I’m like a pretty rich guy,” and laughed all the way. Malkin had right knee surgery in early June after rest and rehab did not improve the situation. On Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins cleared two roster spots by sending forward Radim Zohorna to the WBS Penguins and moving goalie Louis Domingue to the practice squad. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Washington Capitals were defeated by the St. Louis Blues 5-1 on Friday night. Friday started off as another wild day for the Washington Capitals after a five-day layoff, seeing two key assets in Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie head to the IR. Here are the takeaways from the defeat. (Washington Hockey Now)

The Florida Panthers have a myriad of top-level contributors on their roster, but one player who has particularly flown under the radar this season is Anthony Duclair. Duclair ranks second on the team with 13 goals — just behind Sasha Barkov — and sixth on the team in points (23) despite missing eight games. He’s unreal. He’s a really great hockey player, a great guy, and he’s always dangerous, ” Barkov said. (Florida Hockey Now)

Jakub Vrana is back skating with the Detroit Red Wings. Hold your horses on that excitement level, though. He’s barely been given permission to handle pucks. “No, he can’t shoot yet,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “He’s not even to that point yet. It’s minor stickhandling I’d say. Not even really passing. (Detroit Hockey Now)

When the Colorado Avalanche take the ice tomorrow night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they will have a defensive core that has scored 33 of the 129 goals the team has scored this season. Not surprisingly, Cale Makar has accounted for 14 of those goals. Followed by Devon Toews, Erik Johnson, and Bo Byram who each have five goals. Sam Girard has three and Jack Johnson has one. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Kyle and JD come away from a 3-2 San Jose Sharks’ win over the Buffalo Sabres feeling uninspired. They discuss how the Sharks were unable to take advantage of a bad team being down and were outplayed most of the night, the putrid power play (10:00), and Adin Hill’s bounce-back performance (13:00). They end with our confidence level heading into the Philadelphia Flyers game and the upcoming schedule (16:00) and their three fries of the week (20:00). (San Jose Hockey Now)

The Vancouver Canucks and the NHL apparently postponed Saturday night’s game at Rogers Arena against the Ottawa Senators for limited capacity reasons. In other words, they’re betting on the fact that down the calendar a wee bit, preferably during what was the Olympic window, they’ll be able to play in front of 100% capacity instead of 50% capacity at Rogers Arena and maximize revenue. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

Three of the league’s best lined up in a row. Three straight losses for the Calgary Flames. But if you’re looking for a silver lining – and considering all that’s happened the last month or so in Flames Land, you probably are – consider this (Calgary Hockey Now)

League Business

The Chicago Blackhawks and Marc-Andre Fleury face off with the Golden Knights in Vegas. This is the first time he will face his former team since being dealt this past offseason. The Vezina winner was the first draft selection by the expansion team and a player that played to a high level with the organization. (NHL)

The NHL has postponed two Ottawa Senators games, one against Vancouver, the other against Toronto, due to attendance issues. Those games will be scheduled for a later date as Canada looks to eventually open the gates to more players. (NHL)