Islanders News: 5 in a row, and in 1st place

This is going to be a recurring theme until it ends, but it is absolutely insane that this team, after the summer they had, is sitting in first place in the division at any point in the season. Obviously, it is way too early for it to mean anything of substance - it’s just decorum, right now, to acknowledge the standings. And yet, you can’t smack this smile off my face.

Five straight wins, all in the Metro, certainly records an assist in this fan’s happiness.

Almost All Islanders News

• Recaps from a devilish win, backstopped by Thomas Greiss: [LHH | Islanders | Newsday | NHL | AATJ]
• Late in the game last night, with the Isles up on the Devils 2-0 and forced to face off in their own end off an icing call, Leo Komarov was called, rightly so, for delay of game when he took his time replacing his broken stick. He was okay with it, and so was Barry Trotz. That no goals were allowed because of it helps, for sure. [Newsday]
• VIDEO: Even before the Greiss shutout last night, it was clear that the Islanders’ hot start is due, in large part, to the so-far outstanding tandem of the German and his Swedish companion, a rejuvenated Robin Lehner. [Islanders]
• Brock Nelson’s traditionally hot October seems to be carrying over into November. Since October was “Brocktober,” some fans are trying to make November “Brovember.” I advise against that, since it would mean that this month his name is Broke (*rimshot*). But seriously folks, here’s hoping he’s turned a corner. He looks good. [The Sports Daily]
• It was Alumni Weekend for the Isles this past weekend, and former Islanders of all shapes and sizes, from Bryan Trottier to Petr Mika, were in attendance. They’re especially excited for the Belmont Park arena’s homages to the Coliseum. [Newsday]
• The Sound Tigers exacted revenge on the Springfield Thunderbirds from Friday night’s loss, beating them 5-2 behind Tom Kuhnhackl’s two goals. Josh Ho-Sang has played well the last two games against Springfield, and said his play was essentially an “apology” for his story in the New York Post. Michael Dal Colle, in his second game back from injury, scored his fourth of the season and is over a point per game. [LHH Fanpost | Soundin’ Off with Ho-Sang bit | CT Post on Dal Colle’s start]
• The Railers, however, dropped their third straight to one of my favorite team names ever: the Newfoundland Growlers. The Growlers? Are you shitting me?! Are they bears or beers??? [RailersHC]

Okay, Not All Islanders News

• Last night’s NHL scores. The Sabres saw seven different goal scorers tally in their 9-2 throttling of the Senators in the afternoon.
• And speaking of Ottawa, they will host the Lightning tonight in what will be both franchise’s 2,000th game played. The two teams entered the league together in October 1992. [NHL]