Islanders News: Knighty knight

Last night’s biggest shock was not another good night for the previously struggling power play, but rather James Neal taking multiple stick fouls. (Okay, I kid.) The Isles overcame yet another shorthanded goal allowed and ran away with things in the third period for the second consecutive game.

Next up is the Metro’s sixth-place (heh) Capitals, Thursday in Washington.

Islanders-Like Substances

• The offense and power play again came alive as the Islanders handed the Knights just their second official loss. [LHH | Newsday | Post | NHL | Isles | Knights on Ice]
• With two hat tricks last week, John Tavares was an easy pick for NHL first star. [NHL | LHH]
• It’s now a whole ‘nother blowout win ago, but don’t miss Spizzwolf’s breakdown of Ryan Pulock’s cannon goal against the Predators. [LHH Play of the Day]
• Quoth the Maven: The Islanders are looking hopeful and the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fit. [MSG]
• ESPN decided it should have a three-person roundtable over whether John Tavares would sign with the Islanders. The Encyclopedia of (mostly vapid) Speculation has been updated accordingly. [LHH]
• The Knights were preparing for their first visit to “quirky” Barclays last night. Ex-Cap Nate Schmidt said the ice got better last season as the year went along. [Review Journal notes]
• Young and with lots of potential, Parker Wotherspoon is adapting to the pro grind. [CT Post]
• Meanwhile, the Sound Tigers send Gaudreau The Younger to Worcester. [Soundin’ Off | BST]
• Former Isles captain and generally awesome Swiss guy Mark Streit retires from hockey. [TSN | NHL] Remembering his best moments. [THW]
• Bob McKenzie says the “Oilers unhappy with Ryan Strome trade” is either crazy talk or lunacy if they didn’t expect exactly what they got. “Oh great. Let’s line up for a guy whose numbers are average historically and is off to a terrible start.” [FanRag]

Other Notes from the Hockey Beyond

• Last night’s scores: Good heavens the Coyotes finally won, at the expense of the Flyers (teehee), but they needed overtime to do it after blowing a late two-goal lead when the Flyers pulled the goalie.
• Despite the Coyotes’ struggles, rookie Clayton Keller has been a bright spot. [NHL]
• The Golden Knights are off to a great start but are under no illusions about how the schedule has favored them early on. [Newsday]
• The Vadim Shipachyov experiment is over. After he left the AHL Chicago Wolves, the team suspended him and allowed his agent to seek trade offers, ultimately agreeing to terminate his contract and let him return to the KHL. [Knights on Ice | Review Journal]
• When not speculating on Strome, media are guessing the Oilers could part with Jussi Jokinen on his one-year deal. [Sportsnet]

Patrick Marleau returned to San Jose for the first time with the Leafs and yes, it got a wee bit emotional:

Alright then. Happy Halloween!