The playoffs march on without the Islanders, but the Islanders players aren't done with hockey:

• Several players are already involved in the "preseason" before the IIHF World Championship gets underway. Steve Staios talked about how it can help them.
• John Tavares picked up points against the Swiss, while Frans Nielsen picked up four vs. Italy. Kyle Okposo registered a goal and an assist against Sweden. Scott Gordon used to play him in all situations; wonder if that's the role he'll get under Gordon in this tourney. (By the way, Petr Nedved is playing in his first W.C. ... at age 40.)
  
• Prospects Ryan Strome and Mitchell Theoret are about to do battle for Niagara in the OHL final, fighting London for a spot in the Memorial Cup where Kirill Kabanov will also get another run. The former two did a Q&A with the official site.
• NEW: David Ullstrom profiled in Sverige (Google Translate link here)
• A couple more looks at the IceDogs-Knights series here and here and here.
• They're just like us! Matt Donovan gets his name in the society pages for being "seen" at an NBA playoff game in his home state.
• Yep: Frozen In Time - May 1, 1980 Video - NHL VideoCenter

NHL Fodder

• Ilya Bryzgalov made some excellent saves last night ... then the Devils blitzed him for three third-period goals.
• Alexander Radulov and Kostitsyn's night at the Roxbury.
• But seriously, what happened? Radulov is "a tower without a roof"?
• Reactions from Poile and Suter
• And by "real" he means "real Moulson brother-in-law": Kings' Quick is the 'real deal': Vachon
• Ouch: Sami Lepisto blocked a slapshot
• Where will Jordan Staal go, if he goes?
  
• I'm not sure I understand this: Three-quarter shields may replace full facemasks in college hockey — Sports — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine
• John Tortorella is always cantankerous and frequently brief, but is this playoff season's over-the-top brevity a response to his $20k fine for daring to rip the Penguins? I hope he loses.

Next report card is due up later today.