Islanders Gameday News: Hogberg to start vs. Flames

1 week ago  /  Lighthouse Hockey

Believe in Hog. | Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images


The Islanders look to extend their win streak against their mirror image from the West. The Islanders take their three-game win streak and unlikely wild card push into a late afternoon meeting with the Flames, who are in an identical position in the Western Conference. Calgary is currently two points behind the Blues for the second wild card out there, coming off a third-period comeback win in Newark that helped them keep pace with St. Louis.
After doubting and dismissing this team for weeks, I think I finally get them: as with the stretch run during the last couple of seasons, they like high-stakes hockey. They thrive and step up then. (Especially if their goalie is on fire.) They’re a bubble team by talent, and being close to the prize brings out their best. Which, of course, is the equivalent of a first-round also-ran, but hey...
Patrick Roy thinks Alex Romanov will be able to return tonight, and Marcus Hogberg will get the start.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
Islanders News

Previewing tonight, Casey Cizikas: “This time of year, it’s arguably the best hockey. Everyone is fighting for the same thing. That’s what brings the best out of the group here.” [Isles]
Patrick Roy led an intense practice Friday, and Hogberg’s start is part of managing a busy load for Ilya Sorokin. [Isles]
Six years after his draft day and with Lou Lamoriello saying scouts were confident he could be a top-six forward, the selection of Simon Holmstrom is paying off. [Newsday]
The Skinny: “Ilya Sorokin is the first goalie in Islander history with a multiple-assist game and the first Islander goalie with a goal and an assist in the same season. Sorokin also joins Ron Hextall (December 1993) as the only Islander goalie with three points in a month.” [Isles]
The Islanders have signed tall NCAA free agent Gleb Veremyev. [LHH | Isles | Colo. Springs Gazette]
Left for dead by many (including me, I confess), how are the Isles still hanging around? [Athletic]
There’s a two-sport star out of Edina, Minnesota, who could learn from Anders Lee. [NHL]

Elsewhere
Friday’s only NHL game was the Penguins knocking off the Blue Jackets in regulation, keeping Columbus a point behind the Isles and three behind the wild card.

Now the Oilers will be without Draisaitl AND McDavid for at least a week. [NHL]
Connor Bedard sees positives for the Blackhawks despite them being a depressing black hole. [NHL]
John Tavares fends off Father Time. Probably good he moved on, not sure those kids’ names would fly on Long Island. [NHL]
J.T. Millers is facing the Canucks for the first time since the trade, so he’s saying all the right things about his time in Vancouver. [Sportsnet]
The number of words and stats spilled over whether the Leafs can ever, ever finally break through is astouning. [Sportsnet]
The Red Wings signed a Czech “standout” who went to U. of Maine and played a few seasons in the North American minors. This is news. [TSN]
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