Islanders Gameday News: It’s time to go outside
Isles in the Giants room? But what about the JIMs? | Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images
Unlike last time these two teams met outdoors, this game actually means something. The Isles need these points. Today’s the big day. The New York Islanders play and host their second ever outdoor game, both against their biggest rival, the New York Rangers. The first one was in the City, and this one is in Jersey, but the Islanders will have been the home team for each of them because of reasons.
I’m excited for this. The weather should be perfect for an outdoor game. The Rangers have been hot and the Islanders have been something other than hot. But they also haven’t played a game in five days and got some valuable practice time under Patrick Roy.
The Rangers are 5-0 in outdoor games all-time, to the extent that matters. To wit, Henrik Lundqvist was their goalie for all of them. He’s not there anymore. And unlike the last time these two teams met in a Stadium Series game, the Islanders are still in a playoff race.
Both teams should be keyed up. However, the Islanders need this game a lot more than the Rangers do. Hopefully, the energy of playing in a marquee game overpowers any rust. Roy’s intense practices probably helped prevent any rust, too.
FIG Picks go here.
Islanders News
A preview of today’s Stadium Series game at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+. [Islanders]
IT'S A GOOD DAY FOR OUTDOOR HOCKEY.⏰ 3PM ABC ESPN+ 88.7FM | 103.9FM | 1050AM Game Preview: https://t.co/cPNyyqyeec pic.twitter.com/m6mtupM5nW— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 18, 2024
After a couple of maintenance days, Mathew Barzal took the ice yesterday for practice. [Isles DTD]
It was a few days of hard practices for the Islanders, but let’s see what kind of results it brings. [Newsday]
Perhaps the Islanders’ special teams will stay on course. [NY Post]
This game really does mean something in the standings—for both teams. [NY Post]
Days like this are where memories are made for the teams playing in these games, and their fans. [Islanders]
Stan Fischler has his keys to the game, matching star for star on either side. [THN]
THN chatted with Bo Horvat and Noah Dobson about the intense practices. Dobson: “You’ll see a hungry group [today].” [Bo Horvat | Noah Dobson]
A feature on Ilya Sorokin, today’s presumed starter going against his buddy, Igor Shesterkin:
I had the privilege of writing a feature on #Isles Ilya Sorokin for the #NHLStadiumSeries program. From his arrival in the bubble to his growth in the NHL, take a trip through Sorokin's journey to becoming one of the best goalies the #NHL has to offer: pic.twitter.com/sVS5klXECB— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) February 18, 2024
Elsewhere
Yesterday’s NHL scores include the Devils thankfully ending yesterday’s Stadium Series game against the Flyers in regulation, and the Red Wings dominating the Flames. But the Panthers throttled the Lightning, so that’s good.
The Devils took the lead last night just 32 seconds into the game and never gave it back. [NHL]
Gary Bettman also officially announced during the broadcast that next year’s Stadium Series will be the Horsehoe where Ohio State plays football, and the Columbus Blue Jackets will host the Detroit Red Wings, a Michigan-Ohio State feel. [NHL]
Auston Matthews notched his second hat trick of the week and sixth of the season; he’s on pace for 75 goals now. [Sportsnet]
On the Saturday Hockey Night in Canada version of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman reports that Noah Hanifin officially will not re-sign with the Calgary Flames and will be dealt. Also, Andrew Brunette punished his Nashville Predators.
As for Jacob Markstrom, it’s a wait-and-see thing—Friedman reported that Markstrom waived his no-trade clause to go to New Jersey but wasn’t dealt. He’s trying to block out the noise. [Sportsnet]
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