Connect with us

Uncategorized

NYHN Daily: Islanders Season on Pause, Difficult Time for Trotz & More

Published

on

New York Islanders puck

The New York Islanders saw another player added to COVID protocol along with three non-players on Saturday. Due to this, the NHL has postponed all Islanders games through Nov. 30. The Islanders losing streak is still at eight games and once their season gets underway again, whenever that may be, the veterans in the lineup are going to need to do more. Islanders head coach Barry Trotz is dealing with the toughest challenge of his coaching career but continues to find a silver lining.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

The NHL has postponed the New York Islanders schedule through Nov. 30 after another New York player entered COVID protocol on Saturday. The Islanders were supposed to play the New York Rangers on Sunday and Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday before Saturday afternoon’s announcement. The NHL is in the process of revising the New York Islanders schedule. (NYI Hockey Now)

When it rains it pours, and for the New York Islanders, there couldn’t be a more accurate way to describe their current situation. The Islanders have dropped eight straight games, dealt with COVID issues and lost several players to injury. Worst of all is there seems to be no clear sign on how to stop the bleeding, with even the team’s few veterans left in the lineup struggling to produce. (NYI Hockey Now)

Islanders coach Barry Trotz has literally seen it all coaching in the NHL since 1998 with Nashville, Washington and the Islanders, not to mention AHL years with the Baltimore Skipjacks and Portland Pirates. But he’s never encountered a situation as surreal as what his Islanders have faced in recent weeks leading to a staggering eight-game regulation-time losing streak for a franchise that reached the semifinals each of the past two playoffs.(NYI Hockey Now)

The Islanders have been dealing with COVID-19 since Josh Bailey tested positive back on Nov. 16. Since then, players have been added and added to the point where the Islanders found themselves with eight players on the list, including three non-players. It begs the question, should the NHL have postponed Islander games sooner? Andrew Gross thinks the decision may have come two days to late. Most Islander fans would probably agree. (Newsday)

Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark is ready to return to the crease after tweaking something Wednesday morning in practice. After Jeremy Swayman handled the workload around Thanksgiving, Ullmark is slated to start tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. He is also rocking some new pads, that have the Boston skyline at the bottom. (Boston Hockey Now)

The Pittsburgh Penguins fell to the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 6-3 on Saturday night. Jake Allen was brilliant in goal for Montreal as he stopped 47 of 50 shots.  Evan Rodrigues, Jeff Carter, and Sidney Crosby had goals in the third period but two empty-net goals by Montreal sealed their fate. Here’s how it happened. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now) 

Washington Capitals’ centerman Lars Eller is back with the club after having to quarantine for 10 days in California after battling COVID-19. He missed six games and spoke about what it was like in isolation for that long. He told the media that the quarantine was worse than the disease itself, as it was difficult to stay sane. (Washington Hockey Now)

The Florida Panthers were on the verge of setting an NHL record for most wins at home to start an NHL season. Just one game shy of 12 straight wins at home to start the season, the Seattle Kraken came into town and defeated the Panthers by a score of 4-1 to end the impressive streak. Here’s how it happened. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Buffalo Sabres in overtime on Saturday night by a score of 3-2. Detroit rookie Lucas Raymond scored just 26 seconds into the overtime frame for his 9th goal of the NHL season, which leads all rookies. Here are five takeaways from the win. (Detroit Hockey Now)

The Montreal Canadiens have been lackluster to say the least, this season after making it to the Stanley Cup Finals last postseason. General manager Marc Bergevin is in the final year of his contract and it seems that the owner Geoff Molson is already looking for his replacement. Bergevin’s second-hand man Scott Mellanby resigned during their game on Saturday after being notified that he was out of the running. Former New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton is being targeted as director of hockey operations, so who are the eyes on now for the general manager position? (Montreal Hockey Now)

The Vegas Golden Knights fell victim to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night, as they fell by a score of 3-2. Oilers’ netminder Mikko Koskinen stood on his head early in the game, which frustrated the Knights’ players. This led to players cheating the Vegas system, which gave Edmonton prime opportunities to take the lead. Here are the takeaways from the loss. (Vegas Hockey Now)

The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Nashville Predators by a score of 6-2 on Saturday night. Here are the player grades from the big-time win. (Colorado Hockey Now)

With all the trouble surrounding San Jose Sharks’ forward Evander Kane, who would want to trade for him? Well New York Posts’ Larry Brooks indicated that a team in Eastern Conference has shown interest in Kane, that team not being the New York Rangers. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said earlier in the week that the Sharks would be willing to retain some of Kane’s salary. (San Jose Hockey Now)

The Vancouver Canucks have not played well at all this season. The offense has been lackluster, while the defense and goaltending has been under a lot of pressure, pressure that seems to be overwhelming. The Canucks sit 6-13-2 so why not have some fun and grade the players on defense after 21 games? That’s what Rob Simpson did. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

Calgary Flames forward Milan Lucic was ejected from Saturday night’s contest against the Winnipeg Jets after boarding Winnipeg defenseman Dylan Demelo in the second period. Face-first into the boards, Demelo drew blood and the referees came together before ruling it a major penalty and a game misconduct. Lucic has had three suspensions before so will he receive further punishment from NHL Player Safety? (Calgary Hockey Now)

On Saturday the Ottawa Senators had to swallow a tough pill as they were left with no choice but to put goaltender Matt Murray on waivers due to his lack of development since joining the club following a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins in October of 2020. He was in his second year of a four-year, $25 million contract but his inability to remain healthy and play to the level they expected led to this decision. (NHL)

GET NYIHN IN YOUR INBOX!

Enter your email address to get all of our articles delivered directly to your inbox.

NYI Team & Cap Info