Daily Links

NYHN Daily: Time for Islanders to Face Lightning Yet Again

Published

3 years ago

June 13, 2021

The Islanders for the second straight season face the Lightning in the semi-finals. Game 1 is today at 3 PM EST on NBC. The Islanders are looking forward to this matchup, in that underdog role yet again, These stories and more in today’s daily links!

The Islanders will face the Lightning for the fourth time in franchise history in the playoffs and the second consecutive year in a row in the Stanley Cup Semifinals. Tampa knocked out the Islanders in six games last year in a spirited series in the playoff bubble in Edmonton. (NYI Hockey Now)

When the New York Islanders were in the thick of some of their toughest battles against the Tampa Bay Lightning last year in the Eastern Conference Finals, Casey Cizikas was stuck watching from afar. He’s not missing this series this year. (NYI Hockey Now)

The rest of the NHL may be surprised that the New York Islanders are back in the Stanley Cup Semi-Final but Matt Martin, part of “the best fourth line in hockey,” is not surprised his team got this far and has a chance to go further. (NYI Hockey Now)

We can hear the words echoing as you see this link on the Isles page. The team is about to begin its semifinal series against the Lightning, the Coliseum crowds are delirious and all is right in the Isles universe. But the offseason still looms large, especially the list that Lou Lamoriello will be submitting on July 17 in advance of the July 21 expansion draft for Seattle. (The Athletic)

They called Bill Torrey “the Architect,” which fit the guy who built the Islanders from scratch into a dynasty in less than a decade. So what about Lou Lamoriello? (Newsday)

Rookie forward Oliver Wahlstrom skated with the Islanders at practice Saturday and is “getting very close to be available,’’ according to Islanders coach Barry Trotz, but he added that Wahlstrom may not step right back into the lineup as soon as he is ready. (Newsday)

Give longtime Boston Bruins center David Krejci credit; while his media scrums can be vague at times, they’re always honest. Speaking in his end of the season media Zoom session recently, a clearly pensive and yet conflicted David Krejci laid it on the line when it comes to his future with the only NHL team he’s known since being drafted by the Boston Bruins 33rd overall at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Boston Hockey Now)

The phrase “copycat league” is used, abused, and has reached cliche status. It’s akin to saying, “it’s tough to win in this league.” As if there’s a league where wins come easy. But the roster construction of the final four teams in the NHL playoffs can and should send a clear message to the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Joel Quenneville is the latest member of the Florida Panthers to be nominated for an NHL award this season as he was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award on Friday morning. Quenneville, despite being a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, has only won the Adams one time — in 2000 while head coach of the St. Louis Blues. (Florida Hockey Now)

Perhaps this summer Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman should take a page from the Clark Griswold playbook and go on a European vacation when it comes to signing free agents. Forward Mathias Brome is the latest European free agent that didn’t work out for the Wings. After one NHL season in which he produced a goal and an assist in 26 games, Brome is heading back across the pond. He’ll play next season for Davos in the Swiss League. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Like most of you who frequent this site, I’m still trying to process just what in the heck happened in the past few days with the Colorado Avalanche writes Adrian Dater. Here are his final thoughts. (Colorado Hockey Now)

One of the awesome things about being a fan, writer, or broadcaster of any sport is that we can speculate until the cows come home but our thoughts don’t in any way affect the outcome of a game. That’s also why they pay those other guys and gals the big bucks. What they decide matters a lot. So when Vegas Golden Knights head coach Pete DeBoer decided to start Robin Lehner for Game One against the Colorado Avalanche, I definitely had some thoughts. (Vegas Hockey Now)

San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson couldn’t have been clearer in his exit interview. “The 3C spot,” Wilson said last month, “certainly we have to look at and explore.” (San Jose Hockey Now)

The New York Islanders must remain disciplined in series with the Tampa Bay Lightning, as they need to limit Tampa’s power play. On the flip side, the Lightning cannot get frustrated against the Islanders and must remain patient. (NHL)

Carey Price is the most valuable player at the midpoint of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Montreal Canadiens goalie received 37 of a possible 45 points from a panel of 15 NHL.com staff members. (NHL)

Peter DeBoer said the Vegas Golden Knights have to be careful not to underestimate the Montreal Canadiens when they meet in the Stanley Cup Semifinals. “You’re foolish if you look at their record and make a judgment,” the Vegas coach said Saturday. (NHL)

The Stanley Cup Semifinals include some unexpected qualifiers among the final four teams left standing. The NHL.com staff gives their predictions on the outcomes. (NHL)

Jake Evans could be available to the Montreal Canadiens at some point during the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Vegas Golden Knights, with Game 1 at Vegas on Monday. The forward sustained a concussion when he was checked by Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Second Round on June 2. (NHL)

The Tampa Bay Lightning power play is making a lot of noise in the Stanley Cup Playoffs because the band is finally together, and all five pieces are playing in harmony. (NHL)

The National Hockey League announced today that it will reveal winners of 2021 NHL Awards presented by Bridgestone throughout the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals and Stanley Cup Final. Beginning this Monday, June 14, NBC Sports, Sportsnet and TVA Sports will announce winners during their pregame or in-game windows for the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals. Those announcements will be followed by media availabilities with each winner during the first intermission of the respective games. (NHL)

There’s more than a spot in the Stanley Cup Final at stake in the New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Semifinals. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Tampa mayor Jane Castor announced a friendly wager on the series with the spoils including food, beer and cigars. (NHL)