Islanders News: This call to the bullpen brought to you by Hillshire Farms

Good morning folks. A change in the lineup, if you will. (Me and Dan traded Bits responsibilities for this week).

Well, last night was spectacularly bad. I mean, I missed the first, so maybe it was a bit more even of a period, but the second and third were largely uninspiring.

As Staple notes in his recap (see below): Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera were out of position on Matt Niskanen's game winner, with Ladd way out of position. In fact, Ladd was so out of position, I even noticed it live, and I hardly ever notice things like that. He also notes that Jack Capuano may make some lineup changes, but even Cap acknowledges the lack of a "bullpen."

Islanders (Not-So) Goodies

• Recaps: LHH | Newsday | Islanders | NHL.com | NYI Skinny | NY Post | Japers' Rink
• Casey Cizikas had his arm sliced open by a teammate's skate and was rushed to the locker room. He returned, though - warrior, he is. [Daily News]
• Anthony Beauvillier returned to the lineup finally so that Cappy wouldn't be accused of negligence. We'll see him again in, oh, I don't know, 5 games probably? [Newsday]
• Cal Clutterbuck, 5-year deal man, is more than a great name or a great mustache, in this week's Hogan's Highlights with Shannon Hogan.
• Michael Fornabaio has you covered with notes on "like everybody who matters." [Soundin' Off]

On the Road Again

• Last night's NHL scores.
• Sam Steel, an Anaheim Ducks first round pick, scored twice as the Canadian Junior squad topped the U Sports all-stars (Canadian college all-stars, everything is so weird in Canada). [Sportsnet]
• The kids are keeping it loose in anticipation of the looming final cuts. [TSN]
• The Dallas Stars are a team struggling mightily this season, after their stellar 2015-16 campaign (hey, we know something like that). I had assumed the problem was letting Alex Goligoski and Jason Demers go, but it seems the biggest issue is the lack of wing depth. [Defending Big D]
• Joe Dunman was the original leader of Mile High Hockey, and he stopped back for a visit.
• In honor of Patrik Laine's magnificent, Italian-chef-kissing-fingers own-goal, Down Goes Brown looks back on some of the more memorable own goals. You just know Steve Smith (NOT ME) is in there.
• An arcade hockey game pays homage to the violent 1970s-style of play. In fact, it's called Old Time Hockey.

The Isles play again tomorrow night, hosting the Chicago Blackhawks.