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The Penguins host the Islanders tonight in Pittsburgh, the two teams’ third meeting this season already. You’ll remember that New York swept the home-and-home they played to straddle the end of October and the beginning of November in the midst of a five-game win streak.
Leave your FIG picks here for this one.
Islanders News
- Barry Trotz swapped Tom Kuhnhackl and Josh Bailey in practice. Bailey will start on the third line tonight, while Kuhnhackl will skate with Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier. [Newsday]
- The Alumni Corner catches up with Bruno Gervais this week. Find out what Chef is cooking up these days in retirement. [Islanders]
- The Islanders Toy Drive is on December 15. Donate three or more toys at that game against the Red Wings and receive a voucher for tickets to a future Isles game. [Islanders]
- Jeremy Smith made 25 saves in the Sound Tigers’ 2-1 win over Hartford last night. Bridgeport is 9-0-2-1 in their last 12 home games. [CT Post | Soundin’ Off]
- The Railers tied the Brampton Beast with 5 seconds left in regulation but lost in OT 3-2. [RailersHC]
Expanding Seattle Bits
- The city of Seattle has been awarded the NHL’s 32nd franchise, and their candidate pool for coach and GM are “long and deep.” [Sportsnet]
- Elliotte Friedman breaks down what Seattle expansion means for future NHL expansion in his 31 (soon to be 32) Thoughts. Bill Daly’s answer to that question didn’t seem to eliminate the idea, but it’s not happening any time soon. [Sportsnet]
- Seattle’s got a hockey team, but SuperSonics fans still wait for their team to re-appear. [SBN]
- Barzal and Thomas Hickey, former WHL Seattle Thunderbirds, are big fans of Seattle expansion. [Islanders]
Beyond the Orange and Blue and State of Washington
- Chuck Fletcher, new GM of the Flyers, will assess coach Dave Hakstol’s future on Philadelphia’s upcoming road trip. [NHL]
- Tonight’s opponent made an AHL trade with the Senators and I’m sure you’re all big fans of Ben Sexton. [PensBurgh]
- We don’t have to worry about Jan Kovar catching on with the Bruins and making the Islanders look foolish anymore: he is headed back to the Czech Republic. [Elite Prospects]
- AJ Mleczko and Jennifer Botterill aren’t the only women working on NHL broadcasts - the trend is spreading throughout the league and figures to grow even further. [The Athletic]
- The University of North Dakota’s decision to cut women’s hockey was disappointing in a lot of ways, including the fact that the team would be extremely good right now - its former personnel is spread throughout the college ranks and kicking ass. [SBN College Hockey]