Islanders Gameday News: Isles open season with Utah Hell Catchers
Pour one out for the desert dogs. Then defeat them. | Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images
The Isles welcome the Coyutahs to kick off 2024-25. It’s back! We’re back! It’s finally here!
The New York Islanders 2024-25 season kicks off with the second-ever game for the newest incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets-turned-Arizona Coyotes-turned Utah Hell Catchers.
So grab your wives and gather ‘round to watch your father’s Coyotes take Long Island.
Faceoff time at Belmont is 7:30 EDT, give or take an opening ceremony or two.
(A note about FIG Picks: Over the summer it appears our FanPost function has all-but-disappeared, so I don’t have a solution for where to host First Islanders Goal picks. Open to ideas or third-parties. Apparently the Powers That Be have prioritized the general menu category of “Betting,” which is just awesome.)
About the Foe
Okay, these aren’t quite your father’s Coyotes. In addition to their new colors, generic name, and still-not-NHL-fit-but-at-least-bigger-than-5,000-seats venue, the Utah Herpes Collectors boast a few key offseason additions. They made waves at the draft in acquiring Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino for the blueline. But can Sergachev really be a #1? And is he fully back from his leg break that stalled last season?
Otherwise, the Coyutahs are pretty similar to their post-sellof makeup of the end of last season. They have young guns, they should be bubble-ific, and they will not be a pushover.
Islanders News
The Islanders are excited. [Isles video]
Maxim Tsyplakov is excited — and how long will it take you to fall in love with the new #7? Or are you already there? (I am.) [Isles]
The top line is excited, particularly. [Post]
And both goalies are excited about their new masks. [Isles]
They’re all excited for old friend Jordan Eberle, too. [THN]
Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri were “anchors” during training camp — but in a good way. [Isles]
Patrick Roy discusses the fourth line construction: He hopes Casey Cizikas, who will start at wing, and Kyle MacLean, who worked on faceoffs all summer, will “rub off” on Oliver Wahlstrom. [THN]
Three takeaways as the Isles begin the season. [Newsday]
Previewing tonight. [Isles]
And bold predictions from Staple: Less than 50 games for Ilya, no extension for Brock, a playoff spot by April 1(!?!?), a first-round loss to the...oh, oh you shut your face. [Athletic]
Cal Clutterbuck joins the gang of ex-Isles-turned (we expect) great broadcasters. [Newsday]
I’m sure you’re excited that a global industrial company has entered — oh shit, wait, that’s their name! — er, Global Industrial Company has entered some kind of official partnership with the...zzzz. [Isles]
Elsewhere
In a sign that the hockey gods totally got this, the Leafs were without their presumed goalie savior, while getting shut out by a 48-save showing from Sam Montembeault. It would be funny if it weren’t so...actually, it’s absolutely funny. [NHL]
Their former coach Sheldon Keefe and the Devils host the Leafs tonight. [NHL]
The Very Much Still Relevant Penguins were shut out at home, 6-0 by the Smurfs. Teehee! [NHL]
Likewise, the Jets routed the Oilers, 6-0. [Sportsnet]
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