The New York Islanders managed one goal at home last night and, as we’ve seen in recent deflating and numbing results, that’s not a recipe for victory.
It was a testy game, a 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers with Jiggs McDonald calling the action in honor of his 50 years in hockey broadcasting. The Isles were alternately lifeless and marginally exciting.
The one bit of potential entertainment to this story is that both teams will be back at it Friday for the back end of this home-and-home. So...tension and drama? Maybe.
Islanders Reads
Here at Lighthouse Industries, Steve had recap duties privileges, capturing the highs (few) and lows (very).
Meanwhile, Dan was...confirming his theories about whether he should attend games:
Tonight's game makes me 0-4 in my vintage LaFontaine jersey between the Islanders and Riveters. Quite a funk.
— Dan Saraceni (@cultureoflosing) January 12, 2017
One of these days, @MichaelWillhoft and I will witness an Islanders win live. Wait. Me and @TheBigLeebowski have only seen losses, too. Hm.
— Dan Saraceni (@cultureoflosing) January 12, 2017
- Newsday captured the "sputtering" offense and Jack Capuano's exasperated post-game comments, with a side of "some guys should've stayed in the room" to begin the second period.
- So you'd think that would mean a shakeup for Friday. Capuano says Anthony Beauvillier, who is coming up on another CBA-related milestone, will probably get in a game soon. Also: Hamonic out "a couple of games." [Newsday]
- And here's more recaps from the Isles and the Post, which emphasizes Capuano's remarks.
- Aw hell, let's do a rerun from yesterday just for the fun of it: Next four games (including last night) give Isles a chance to climb playoff ladder. [Newsday]
- Last night was a tribute to Jiggs (here's video of the ceremony), and there's lots more on that front...from Brendan Burke | Neil Best/Newsday | Isles] Cool detail from Best: Jiggs offered to do this season as a stand-in if they had to wait on a successor to Howie.
- Talkin' with Bryan Trottier on the Isles Buzz podcast.
- Loic Leduc is getting few games but trying to stay sharp in Bridgeport. [CT Post]
- Otherwise, things are kind of quiet in Bridgeport. [Soundin' Off]
- Jaroslav Halak is fine after leaving last game with an injury, which no doubt instills confidence from the organization. [CT Post]
- These people and their failure to understand the beauty of Frans Nielsen, deserving All-Star. Seriously, I think he'll be a great story and ambassador for the event. [THW]
Elsewhere
- Continuing the bizarre chain of goalie swaps between the two teams, the Maple Leafs sent Jhonas Enroth to Anaheim for scraps. [PPP]
- Really interesting Q&A here with Michel Therrien here. [Sportsnet]
- You know who also stinks? The Avalanche, that's who. [Denver Post]
- The All-Star jerseys: Now, with actual color! (It's the colors the Kings have used over their 50 years...boy things gonna be crazy when Vancouver hosts). [SB Nation]
- Speaking of, here's a fun breakdown of how a Canucks power play in a tie game turned into giving up the winner with 1.5 seconds left. [SB Nation]
- This here is a hockey goalie fight, which ended in one punch, followed by the Mike Tyson goalie checking on the well-being of his victim. Hockey is so weird. [SB Nation]