Islanders Gameday News: Life without Johnny Boychuk

It's still not known -- they have doctors for that -- how serious Johnny Boychuk's shoulder upper body injury is, but it's serious enough for the Isles to place him on IR and call up Adam Pelech for this weekend's back-to-back games in Pittsburgh and home to the Stars (with tomorrow a lovely early start, 5 p.m.).

Here we go. Leave your FIG picks here. Don't choose Johnny Rockets.

Islanders Reads

• So...Boychuk is on IR, and we won't know prognosis until doctors see him next week. Bummer. [Newsday | LHH]
• That means Adam Pelech is up with the Isles -- and down in Bridgeport Ryan Pulock moves to the left side, where he thinks he'll be fine with a little practice. [Soundin' Off]
• For those burning torches for Ryan Pulock's recall, you can blame Brent Thompson for recommending Pelech. [@StapeNewsday]
• Jack Capuano says the D pairings without Boychuk will be "a bit of an experiment." [@StapeNewsday]
• The Sound Tigers called on Parker Milner but didn't cash in on their chances in a loss to Springfield. Kyle Burroughs (re)debuted next to Kevin Czuczman, but then the Churchman slid next to Scott Mayfield and Burroughs ended up paired with Matt Finn. [CT Post | Soundin' Off]
• We wrap up the Islanders Moments of 2015 Series with the first Battle of New York in their new home. [LHH]
  
• Oshawa captain Michael Dal Colle, who has struggled this season, is no longer their captain because they traded him to Kingston... [LHH]
• ...where he promptly scored the game winner as part of two goals and an assist in his debut. [The Whig]
• Jack Hillen, a breath of fresh air when the Isles were at their most desperate, has retired. [Let's Play Hockey]
• New Blackhawks and former Penguins/King Rob Scuderi remembers sitting in Nassau Coliseum wondering what it was that hockey players did for their actual jobs. [Chicago Trib, may need sub.]

Beyond the Island

• New Penguins coach Mike Sullivan discusses what he means by playing smart (or is it smaht?) [Trib - Chipped Ice]
• Winter Classic: The Canadiens dominated the Bruins at whatever field that whatever football team plays at. [HEOTP | ESPN]
  
• Here's a time lapse of the game. [SCOC]
  
• Here are some of the issues with the women's game at the Classic. [NYT]
  
• Here are all three episodes of the Road to the Winter Classic. [HEOTP]
• Are the Devils too hot, too cold, or just right? [All About The Jersey (cause Lou's gone baby gone, the Lou is gone)]
• The year that was in college hockey. [SBN College Hockey]