The New York Islanders and their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers won't be making the playoffs. That means the weekend this time of year turns toward the kids. (Not the NHL kids, the even younger ones.) Islanders prospects are in postseason action in college and across the CHL.
- NCAA: The official site looks at Jake Bischoff and Taylor Cammarata's Minnesota Gophers, who will play Ohio State tonight after they beat Michigan State and Penn State shocked Michigan Thursday.
- Tonight Notre Dame is in the Hockey East semis against UMass-Lowell after upsetting Boston College (and previously knocking off Doyle Somerby's Boston U.), but Robbie Russo hasn't played since reportedly being ruled academically ineligible.
- Lots more NCAA coverage at SBN College Hockey
- CHL: In the Canadian junior leagues, there are an assortment of matchups from the West to Quebec, including a few Islanders prospect vs. prospect series, outlined by the official site here.
- Speaking of prospect-gazing, it seems a no-brainer for the Isles to retain this year's first-round pick (and defer the conditional pick from the Vanek trade to next year), but Bob McKenzie discussed the angles to that yesterday. [Islanders Point Blank]
Elsewhere
- Among the highlights last night, David Legwand shadowed Evgeni Malkin but also butt-ended him, so that's a no-no. [Puck Daddy] (Mind you, Malkin's high stick wasn't called because Penguins.)
- And this is Ales Hemsky being kind of fantastic. [SB Nation gif]
- Dustin Penner had more fun quotes on his return to Southern California [Mayor's Manor]
- Zach Parise managed a Half Moulson in his return to Newark. [Fire & Ice] Meanwhile, Jaromir Jagr reached 60 points for the 17th time.
- After previous years tackling the league's worst contracts and worst GMs, this year's Sweet Sixteen of misery at Copper & Blue is strictly Oilers-focused. Alas.
- For learnings: Your Guide to NHL On-Ice Percentages "Grantland
- For curiosity: Every NHL team's first tweet - SBNation.com
- For gawking: Barry Trotz says Michael Del Zotto's effort has been inconsistent. [Tennessean]
- For tracking the aging and fretting over when John Tavares will peak: How shot attempt differential changes with age - SBNation.com