NYHN Daily: Islanders Continue Point Streak, Takeaways From Win & More

In last night’s 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, the Islanders extended their point streak to six games. There was plenty of things to like in the win such as Matt Martin’s two goals and a few things on the negative side like the power play going 0 for 3. These stories and more on today’s daily links!

The New York Islanders point streak reached six games on Thursday after they defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 in the first of three meetings on Long Island. (NYI Hockey Now)

Thursday’s matchup with the Buffalo Sabres was the perfect way for the New York Islanders to continue their hot stretch. Here are the takeaways from the win. (NYI Hockey Now)

The youth movement appears to be in full swing on Long Island. While the likes of Oliver Wahlstrom, Noah Dobson and Michael Dal Colle have thrived recently, Kieffer Bellows has remained conspicuously absent from the lineup. (NYI Hockey Now)

The Islanders, on a season-high 45 shots and two goals from fourth-liner Matt Martin to highlight a balanced attack, opened a five-game homestand and the first of three straight against the East Division-trailing Sabres with a 5-2 win on Thursday night at Nassau Coliseum. (Newsday)

Hank Abate, President of Arena Operations for UBS Arena, joined Peter Schwartz to talk about the Islanders’ new home at Belmont Park that is scheduled to open this fall.  Hank and Peter discuss the plans for other sporting events and concerts, amenities for fans and musical acts, and the access to the arena by car and the Long Island Rail Road. (NY Sportsday)

While the Boston Bruins have taken three out of four points in their last couple of games, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy is still not fully enamored with what he’s seeing on the ice as of late. (Boston Hockey Now)

The Philadelphia Flyers came from behind to shock the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. Claude Giroux scored two goals – including the game-winner – and his shot deflected in on the game-tying goal for an assist as well. (Philly Hockey Now)

It may have been one of the best periods in the short NHL career of Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Mark Friedman.  He scored his first NHL goal and was a physical presence. However, it was the physicality that may leave Friedman’s memory of his second Penguins game a little fuzzy. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

With losses in their past two games, the Panthers were facing their first losing streak of the season Thursday night against the host Nashville Predators. They made sure they weren’t going down that road, at least not right now. (Florida Hockey Now)

Avalanche fans can breathe a bit easier right now. We have learned that superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon is expected to be on the ice for Friday’s morning skate, and if things check out normally will be in the lineup for the game later that night against the Anaheim Ducks. (Colorado Hockey Now)

The Golden Knights will play six games, all on the road, with two back-to-backs on the schedule. The first begins Friday against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center. If there was a time to dip into the goalie depth pool, it would be now. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Kyle and JD discuss the San Jose Sharks’ 4-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. They about why Joachim Blichfeld’s hit shouldn’t be a part of hockey, plus the new power-play units and why they play to Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns’s strengths. This and more on the latest edition of Locked On Sharks Podcast. (San Jose Hockey Now)

David Quinn’s shocking Mika Zibanejad benching may echo with New York Rangers writes Larry Brooks. (NY Post)

Geoff Ward was fired as coach of the Calgary Flames on Thursday and replaced by Darryl Sutter after last night’s 7-3 win. (NHL.com)

Walter Gretzky, commonly regarded as the most famous father in hockey history, died Thursday. He was 82. (NHL.com)

Andrei Vasilevskiy was denied his fourth straight shutout, but the Tampa Bay Lightning rallied for their sixth straight win, 3-2 in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on Thursday. (NHL.com)

San Jose Sharks forward Joachim Blichfeld has been suspended for two games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon during NHL Game No. 363 in San Jose on Wednesday, March 3, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced yesterday. (NHL.com)

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for a dangerous trip against Detroit Red Wings forward Robby Fabbri during NHL Game No. 365 in Carolina on Thursday. (NHL.com)

Insider Trading: What are the NHL’s contingency plans for the Canadian team that makes it to the Conference Final and can’t have a visiting team cross the border? What does the future hold for Tanner Pearson in Vancouver? What area are the Flames looking to improve? (TSN.ca)

Dillon Dube‘s first career NHL hat trick for Calgary in a 7-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday was eclipsed by the post-game firing of Flames head coach Geoff Ward and the hiring of Darryl Sutter as his replacement. (TSN.ca)

New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider is so hot these days, even shots that go off his body are finding their way into the net. (TSN.ca)

The Washington Capitals are keeping tabs on the goaltender market ahead of the April 12 trade deadline, according to TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli. (TSN.ca)