Islanders Gameday News: Howlin’ for two
“Can we please bury them?” | Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
The boys from Long Island aim to jump the Coyotes, who are playing on consecutive nights. Tonight for their second trick, the Islanders host the Coyotes, who are playing back-to-back to complete their swing through the metro area (beat the Devils in a shootout, lost in Manhattan last night) on their long season-opening road trip.
Leave your First Islanders Goal (FIG) Picks here.
Check for Coyotes coverage and background at Five For Howling.
Islanders News
The Islanders may have their first (short-term) casualty of the season: Scott Mayfield didn’t practice yesterday after taking some painful shot blocks in the opener. He’s probably back tonight but we’ll see. [Isles | Post]
Same old Islanders? No problem, in close games, writes Staple. [Athletic]
More on whether we might have a nice little top-six unit here. [Post]
Matt Martin reflects on nearing 900 NHL regular season games. [Newsday]
Dan and Mike discuss the opener, narratives over taking hold in this young season, and introduce a new feature about Leafs fanfic. [Islanders Anxiety podcast]
Incredibly, the Islanders’ home arena now includes a trading card wall with every player that has suited up for the Islanders game in a regular season or playoff game. So, that’s like Yann Danis and Freddy Meyer IV and Terry Crisp and Steve Konroyd and Sean Bentivoglio and all that. [Isles]
Mat Barzal. The Coliseum. Memories.
#Isles Mathew Barzal just now on @NHLNetwork on Josh Bailey’s OT GWG vs the Penguins in 2019: “I think that was literally the loudest I’ve ever heard a building. After the game, we couldn’t believe how loud it was. You couldn’t hear yourself think. The Coliseum was special.” pic.twitter.com/aBNmyiTJm5— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) October 16, 2023
Elsewhere
The Coyotes visit after losing 2-1 in the Smurfs’ home opener last night. [Post]
After winning the Stanley Cup with two wins to start 2023-24, the Leafs’ season has now gone off the rails with a devastating loss to the lowly Blackhawks. [Sportsnet]
Dan and Mike riffed on this in the Islanders Anxiety podcast, but the Sabres, led by Kyle Okposo, say they have successfully changed their culture. [ESPN]
The Canucks have started off with two wins, though they were outplayed in the second one, and Rick Tocchet is doing the classic “you guys haven’t done crap” routine. [Vancouver Is Awesome]
Kirby Dach’s injury leaves a big hole for the Canadiens, although there was little hope for their season to begin with so this provides plausible cover for being bad again. [Sportsnet]
Sam Reinhart scored twice in a Panthers win. Griffin is still out there somewhere, I’m sure. [Sportsnet]
This “21st Duck” has been through a lot. [NHL]
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