Islanders Gameday News: Trotz at 1,700 games; Pulock needs a goal

3 years ago  /  Lighthouse Hockey  /  Read Time: 32 seconds

One more milestone for Barry. | Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images


The legendary coach will add another jewel to his crown tonight. Nassau Coliseum hosts one more game without any fans, and it will be tonight.
The Islanders welcome the Bruins for the final time this season. The Isles won the first three contests, all at home. You may have noticed that the first four games between these two teams have been home games for the Islanders.
In this topsy-turvy pandemic world, that is just how the schedule broke. They will still have half of a season series to play, and that half will all be at TD Garden in Boston.
FIG Picks go here.
Islanders News

The team site previews tonight’s game.
It will be Barry Trotz’s 1,700th game as an NHL coach. He will be only the third coach to reach that plateau. [NHL]
Ryan Pulock uncharacteristically remains without a goal this season. But one will drop eventually. He is doing right everything else. [Newsday]
In which David Pagnotta says the Isles and Panthers discussed a Leo Komarov-for-Brett Connolly swap. [The Fourth Period]
On that note, though, with whom might the Isles consider parting via trade for an upgrade? [The Athletic]
In this week’s Back & Forth, Dan examines Oliver Wahlstrom’s nickname and reflects on a strong week for the Islanders. [LHH]
LISTEN: Dan and Mike, like the rest of us, drooled over Mathew Barzal’s goal. They also chatted about the reverse retros and some of the guys we remember watching wear them. [Islanders Anxiety]
In the QMJHL, William Dufour continues to light the lamp. I think that GM Lou Lamoriello and company uncovered a hidden gem in last year’s fifth round. [Islanders Prospect Report]
A makeshift season calls for makeshift solutions: some Sound Tigers staffers have taken on temporary roles as off-ice officials. [Islanders]

Here’s your chance to hang out with Clark Gillies:


There’s no better combo than the grand prize of a virtual meet & greet w/ #Isles legend Clark Gillies and a custom jersey! Don’t wait, sign up now to win the Islanders Believe You Will Sweepstakes presented by @GuaranteedRate! : https://t.co/vOR0N2P3Kc pic.twitter.com/vrO1moEbtY— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 9, 2021



Elsewhere
Last night’s NHL scores include only games west of the Mississippi—of note, the Wild shut out the Golden Knights, who played without both Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo.

The Sabres will sell at this year’s trade deadline, obviously; the only question is who will go. Eric Staal, I imagine, wants out of there. [The Athletic]
If Jack Eichel ended up a Ranger, well, they would be good. [The Athletic]
Ducks GM Bob Murray claims that coach Dallas Eakins’ job is safe. The ol’ kiss of death. [NHL]
As Alex Ovechkin nears Phil Esposito’s place on the all-time goals list, Espo finds “amazing” the Russian Capital’s goal-scoring. [NHL]
At last, the Lightning will raise their Stanley Cup Championship banner this Saturday, with fans in the building. Boooooooooooo! [NHL]
It’s way too early, but it’s still fun to point and laugh: in a re-draft of 2020, would Alexis Lafrenière still go no. 1? No. 3 overall, the Senators’ Tim Stützle, is already a successful NHLer. [The Athletic]
The anxiety and isolation that many of us have felt throughout this pandemic have befallen some players, as well. The league, of course, is doing what it can to help. [ESPN]
League members—players, coaches, scouts, etc.—have all been able to learn some lessons throughout the pandemic, at least. [ESPN]
The Flyers will raffle off a painting of Gritty, au naturel, for charity. No, your eyes do not deceive you. Naked Gritty, folks. [NHL]
...

Read Full Article.