If you're heading into the weekend pondering whether or not to engage in the bipolar emotions that accompany following the New York Islanders, just remember that both games are matinees and plan your mood regulation accordingly.

The Panthers (Sunday's opponent) beat the Kings (Saturday's opponent) last night in Sunrise, which was probably the worst outcome because the Panthers gain two points and the Kings come to Long Island needing a win that much more.

Saturday is Kenny Jonsson Night (Day), the last of the "Decades Nights" honoring Islanders in their Hall. A few clips are embedded below after the morning links.

Someone tweeted at us a few days ago that with the Islanders blueline injuries they should convince Jonsson to suit up Saturday afternoon. The crazy thing? Jonsson, 37, is younger than Steve Staios.

Islanders Coverage

Our post-game thread from last night includes pertinent video reaction and links. Capuano's interview was pretty realistic -- including another question about how he sees Nino Niederreiter's progress.

Other recaps of last night: Newsday highlights the fourth line | Hockey Inside/Out has audio and coverage from the Montreal side | Gazette: Isn't Pat Hickey a funny old man | Kevin's recap at IPB starts off with a well-aimed shot at Dolanvision. | The Skinny from last night's game

• Painful but a good read: Brian Compton on Scott Gomez.
  
• Newsday notes the heavier load on Mark Streit and Andrew MacDonald with the injuries to the blueline. Also notes Mike Mottau took a "spin."
• PGI helpfully FransShots our way toward a cool Grantland article that talks Nielsen and the DBOJ.
• Ted Nolan brings First Nation action to Latvia.
• Scott Burnside tries to look at the Islanders without cliches.
• NYISkinny: Nabby's Numbers ... putting Evgeni Nabokov's season to date in historical perspective
• Random Stats: Mark Streit's fourth goal of the season last night ties him with Brian Rolston. John Tavares' assist keeps him above a point per game (54 in 53). Rhett Rakhshani has three shots on goal in five games.
• UPDATE: Ryan Strome returned in a big way. Four points in 11-0 rout of Casey Cizikas' old squad.

NHL

• I don't often enjoy Scott Hatnell, but when I do, I prefer it's at Dion Phaneuf's expense.
• Roster-gazing: The trade deadline looms: looking at the available cap space for teams in the Eastern Conference | Backhand Shelf
• Major condition: Will be smaller markets and will be susceptible to swings such as what sent the Jets packing in the '90s. Not that history ever repeats. Canada could support 9 NHL teams: report
• Another one off the market? Hurricanes look to sign Ruutu to new deal ahead of deadline
• In which Oilers fans cynically deal with the prospect of losing Ales Hemsky.

Garth Snow on Kenny Jonsson

So we've caught up to the era where the general manager played with the honoree. Somehow makes me feel both young and old:

Also see Stan Fichler on Jonsson.