Islanders News: Brocktober is the choice for America

1 day ago  /  Lighthouse Hockey

“I must break you. Wait, no! I must break THEM.” | Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images


The Isles return to the ice to prepare for a road trip finale with the Blues. We’re three games into the season but Brock Nelson’s highlight pair of goals in the Islanders’ first win, over the Avalanche, gives us the off-day water cooler talk that some look for.
Thankfully, it’s not about his pending UFA status (although I’m sure those stories will come in droves) but rather about his candidacy for a spot on Team USA’s entry in the Four Nations’ Cup, which is a thing that some people, mostly people in four nations that can both supply players mid-season and are not currently invading another sovereign country, want to see.
The Islanders finish their road trip on Thursday in St. Louis, where the Blues lost their home opener last night to the Wild to begin a four-game homestand. So both teams probably view this one as a “we should beat those guys” match.
Islanders News

So this is ostensibly about how Nelson should be in the Team USA conversation, but my takeaway is his continued work, appreciation of and communication with Max Tsyplakov. [Post]
Has the Islanders 5-on-5 defense improved, and continued to improve, under Patrick Roy? Huge if true sustainable. [Post]
Three takeaways as the Isles enjoy their first win and prep to close their first road trip of the season. [Newsday]
Kyle MacLean has been working on faceoffs. Which he probably should, as that’s part of his job. [THN]

Elsewhere
Last night’s NHL scores include the first wins for the Oilers and the Hurricanes.

The Blue Jackets and the visiting Panthers remembered the Gaudreau brothers at their home opener. If you watch the video, you will cry. The players also did a 13-second silent tribute at the opening faceoff. I still can’t fathom the terrible randomness and senseless road rage of this tragedy. [NHL]
The Post and others will definitely make Igor Shesterkin’s season about his pending UFA stats and reported turning down an $88 million deal, so kudos to them. [Post]
We have a goalie goal! Filip Gustavsson of the Wild scored a shorthanded goal against the Blues. He’s the 10th goalie to shoot and score in an NHL game. Probably doesn’t count on your fantasy team stats though because that’s just too hard for our modern tech-dependent dystopia to account for. Go place a bet at FanDuel on who the next goalie scorer will be, that should make you feel better. [NHL]
Alex Ovechkin recorded his 700th assist and also returned to right wing for the first time in a long time. Will it last and does it matter? Probably no and no. [TSN]
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