Islanders Gameday News: Homestand of wild card drama
Follow the captain. | Photo by Vitor Munhoz/NHLI via Getty Images
Fresh off two big third-period comeback, the Islanders begin four games against motivated wild card chasers. The Islanders’ unlikely “Don’t Call It A Comeback, We’ve Been Here Before” chase for a wild card spot continues tonight in what should be a pivotal game: The current wild card holding Montreal Canadiens are in town, three points ahead of the Isles with the same number of games played.
An Isles regulation win (ha) tonight brings them to one point behind Montreal for that second spot, while the Blue Jackets — same record as the Isles after losing four straight — host the Panthers and the Rangers host the Leafs.
This is the first in a four-game homestand, with all four games against teams (Calgary, Columbus, Vancouver too) in the very thick of their conference’s wild card race.
Leave First Islanders Goal picks here.
Islanders News
Three Takeaways from the latest comeback win: You know the team is feeling it when even Pierre Engvall has swagger. [Isles]
The Skinny: “Joona Koppanen is the 15th Penguin to score his first NHL goal against the Isles.” That tracks. But also: “The Isles scored four goals in consecutive third periods for the first time since November 14-17, 1987, under Coach Terry Simpson.” [Isles]
The Isles are gaining confidence as Patrick Roy continues his upbeat message. [Newsday]
The Islanders may have “the edge” in the wild card hunt because they’re...used to sucking most of the season before making a final inspired surge to become first-round fodder. [Post]
Previewing tonight: “The Canadiens have also won two straight, beating Florida 3-1 on Saturday, and had a sizable comeback of their own on Tuesday...” [Isles]
Adopting a pet at an Isles game seems like “just one more damn thing” while you’re dealing with parking/train, kids, concessions, etc., but if it works then great! [Isles]
Enter to win seats on the glass! And if you win...please actually sit there so we don’t get that Toronto “still at the caviar bar” effect. [Isles]
Elsewhere
Wednesday’s NHL scores were few and insignificant to our purposes.
Gary Bettman says the NHL is reimagining the All-Star Game format for 2026 on Long Island. [NHL]
Also from the GM meetings: The move to a decentralized draft might be short-lived, if teams decide they don’t like it. [Sportsnet | NHL]
Oh, and fine: Here’s everything Bettman spoke about. [Sportsnet]
Good riddance: The Hurricanes have quietly won seven in a row since trading Mikko Rantanen. [NHL]
I know Boomer Esiason’s opinion is very important to you, so you should know that he thinks Peter Laviolette has “gotta go.” [Post]
The Darryl Sutter origin story is the origin story for all six (seven, including Gary) Sutter and their wind-resistant ears. [NHL]
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