NYHN Daily: Islanders Struggling, Zajac Can Still Help Team & More

The Islanders lose their third straight hockey game as it seems that the importance at this point lies on players getting rest and staying healthy as we await the start of the playoffs. The offensive continues to be a problem while the defensive mistakes are proving costly. These stories and more on today’s daily links!

The losses continued to add up for the New York Islanders on Thursday night. Defensive miscues once again cost the Islanders as they fell to the New Jersey Devils 2-1 at the Nassau Coliseum. (NYI Hockey Now)

Here are the takeaways from the Islanders loss to the Devils. The offensive dry spell continues along with the uncharacteristic defensive lapses. (NYI Hockey Now) 

Travis Zajac has had a hard time solidifying himself in the New York Islanders lineup since arriving on Long Island just before the trade deadline. While there is no guarantee he will see minutes in the playoffs, Zajac can still help this team. (NYI Hockey Now)

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is again calling on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to raise capacity limits at indoor arenas, like the Nassau Coliseum, in time for the New York Islanders playoff run. (NYI Hockey Now)

The playoff-bound Islanders are certainly slogging to the end of the regular season. “We’ve got to be better,” coach Barry Trotz said after a third straight loss to one of the East Division’s distant bottom-dwellers. “We’ve got to execute better. We have to wrap our minds around getting prepared for the playoffs not just waiting for it. Because it’s not a switch.” (Newsday)

Mathew Barzal’s usual right-wing, Jordan Eberle, was given the night off to rest. That afforded Islanders coach Barry Trotz the chance to try two other intriguing top-line possibilities. But neither rookie sharpshooter Oliver Wahlstrom nor Kyle Palmieri made the most of the opportunity in Thursday night’s 2-1 loss to the Devils at Nassau Coliseum. (Newsday)

 The New York Islanders lost ground again in the MassMutual East Division with a 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils at Nassau Coliseum on Thursday. “We’ve got to get back to our identity” said head coach Barry Trotz. (NHL)

Here are the Talking Points from the Boston Bruins 4-0 win over the New York Rangers at TD Garden on Thursday night. (Boston Hockey Now)

The Pittsburgh Penguins hung an eight-spot on the Buffalo Sabres and feel-good story Michael Houser in Buffalo’s goal but that’s only part of the story. While Jeff Carter filled the net for his first career four-goal game, and Sidney Crosby and Kasperi Kapanen also scored, so too did the Buffalo Sabres in the Penguins 8-4 win at PPG Paints Arena. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Welcome to the NHL, Cam York. The Philadelphia Flyers’ 14th overall pick from the 2019 NHL Draft will make his NHL debut on Friday night against the Capitals. (Philly Hockey Now)

With a few days between games, Joel Quenneville gave his Florida Panthers two days off before returning to practice Thursday morning. The Tampa Bay Lightning were on everyone’s mind. As they should be. (Florida Hockey Now)

All’s quiet on the Avs front today.

It was an optional skate this afternoon in Los Angeles, and by the looks of it a lot of players decided to exercise the optional part of it.  Perhaps the biggest bit of news with regards to the Avs is that high-end goalie prospect Justus Annunen is on his way to North America to join the Colorado Eagles. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Colorado almost doubled up the San Jose Sharks at 5-on-5 shot attempts last night, 66-35. But did the Sharks have the Avalanche right where they wanted them? (San Jose Hockey Now)