NYHN Daily: Missed Chances in First Period Sink Islanders in Loss & More

The New York Islanders fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins last night by a score of 3-2. The Islanders had plenty of opportunities to put this game away in the first period, but their missed chances were the storyline. Islanders forward Mat Barzal idolized Sidney Crosby growing up and he spoke about what it would mean to share the ice with him on his milestone night. These stories and more on today’s daily links!

Presented with another opportunity to get back in the win column in Pittsburgh, the Islanders came up short again.  This game was lost by the Islanders in the first period when they were held off the scoresheet. (NYI Hockey Now)

Before Mathew Barzal was on his own path to stardom in the NHL, Barzal remembers watching Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby on TV dreaming of being him one day. Fast forward to Saturday and Barzal was on the ice for Crosby’s 1,000th NHL game. (NYI Hockey Now)

Mathew Barzal led the Islanders with seven shots in Saturday night’s 3-2 loss in Pittsburgh. Clearly, there were no lingering effects from Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson’s hit on him two nights earlier. (Newsday)

The Islanders accomplished so much of what they wanted to do, getting waves of bodies to the Penguins’ crease in a very physical effort. Despite outhitting and outshooting their opponents the Islander still lost. “Life’s not fair sometimes,” said head coach Barry Trotz. (Newday)

As the Boston Bruins get set to play their game at Lake Tahoe, head coach Bruce Cassidy has confirmed that center David Krejci and defenseman Kevan Miller will not play. (Boston Hockey Now)

Long-time Sidney Crosby teammate and friend Kris Letang would not divulge just who had the idea for all Pittsburgh Penguins to wear Crosby’s No. 87 during warmups, or where the idea originated for the entire team to stop warmups and tie their skates in unison with Crosby, for whom that is a pregame ritual. It was a day and night of tribute. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

It’s looking like the Philadelphia Flyers made at least one wise pick in last year’s draft. 2020 fourth-round pick Zayde Wisdom scored his first professional goal in a three-point game last Sunday and he stayed hot Saturday night. (Philly Hockey Now)

A strange day at Lake Tahoe eventually saw the Vegas Golden Knights fall to the Colorado Avalance 3-2.  The game began with snowy mountain tops, crisp green trees, and a picturesque lake in the background. It ended nearly 12 hours later in a blanket of darkness. (Vegas Hockey Now)

The Colorado Avalanche beat the Vegas Golden Knights yesterday in one of the longest days ever. It was a great win for the Avs even if we had to wait eight hours or so between the first and second period. (Colorado Hockey Now)

A night after being embarrassed in a five-goal loss to the Florida Panthers, the Detroit Red Wings showed quite a bit of fight on Saturday. In the process, they beat the Panthers for the second time in the past two weeks, this one 2-1 at Little Caesars Arena. (Florida Hockey Now)

The San Jose Sharks have had a rough go of things this season. But last night they beat the St. Louis Blues 5-4. Maybe, just maybe, Doug Wilson’s plan is coming together? (San Jose Hockey Now)

NHL Outdoors Saturday overcame a long delay to finish the game at Lake Tahoe. The setting was ‘pretty incredible’ for the Avalanche’s win against Golden Knights. (NHL.com)

When the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers step on the ice for warmups ahead of the Honda NHL Outdoors Sunday game, it will be their first chance to take in the scenery and views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada from the ice. However, it will come at a later time than previously scheduled. (NHL.com)

Colorado Avalanche forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare took NHL.com behind the scenes at Lake Tahoe. The forward savored the experience of facing the Golden Knights in NHL Outdoors Saturday. (NHL.com)

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews had another impressive night as he recorded four points in the win over the Montreal Canadiens. (TSN.ca)

The Edmonton Oilers superstar captain continues to amaze and get the better of his team’s provincial rival. Connor McDavid scored a natural hat-trick and added two assists in a 7-1 Edmonton Oilers win over the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place in Edmonton. (TSN.ca)

Alex Nedeljkovic made 24 saves in his first NHL shutout and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 on Saturday night. (TSN.ca)

Former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock, who led the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup title and the Canadian men’s team to two Olympic gold medals, is taking over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s team. (TSN.ca)