Islanders Gameday News: McDonald back, Sound Tigers shooting gallery, Hall of Famers' health, A Ref's Life

FIG picks for today's game at Da Joe should be registered here. Don't wait. Game time is 2 pm. And don't pick Okposo.

Islanders linkage

• Casey Cizikas is with the team in Detroit and is expected to play, but on the road with 12 forwards is a dicey proposition. So old pal Colin McDonald was an "emergency" recall from Bridgeport and hopes he sticks around a while. [Newsday]
• Al Arbour is in "good spirits" and loves to hear letters from Islanders fans. So grab a pen and write the coach a card. [LHH]
• Arthur Staple did one of his impromptu Q&A's, this time from 30,000 feet up. [LHH]
• Changes are afoot for the AHL, ECHL and even the Islanders [LHH]
• All the fancystats you need from Thursday's loss to the Bruins. Now more streamlined for your reading convenience. [LHH]
• IslesTalk talks with a very special guest, the one-and-only Mike Bossy.
• It was a wild scene in Hartford as the Sound Tigers lost to the Wolf Pack 8-6. That score is only the beginning of the story. [Recap | Fornabaio post-gamer]
• Kevin Poulin is injured and Kent Simpson is back up in Bridgeport. [CT Post]
• twoeightninedesigns is back with another cool Islanders shirt, this time paying tribute to the Coliseum. [FanPost]
• PPP comparesJonathan Bernier's embarrassing goal against the other night to other Leafs goalie gaffes, including one scored by short time Islander Rob Davison.
• Iron man Brendan Witt is doing his part for charity with a new app. [ESPN]

Around the House on a Saturday

• Arbour isn't the only hockey legend facing health problems. Blackhawks icon Stan Mikita is also dealing with dementia and other serious conditions. [CSNChicago]
• Gretzky as a Canuck? If not for one contentious phone call, it would have happened. [Sportsnet]
• Chris Kreider tries to fight P.K. Subban, who laughs in his face. P.K. is the best. [EOTP]
• Greg Wyshynski meets his arch nemesis, referee Tim Peel, and finds that refs are... human. [Puck Daddy]
• Long Island native Val James, the NHL's first American-born black player, has a new book out about his often difficult career path. [Color of Hockey]

John Tavares talks about that awesome goal by John Tavares