Islanders News: And we back, and we back, and we back, and we back, etc.

Last night’s game started off pretty good, and the Islanders had a commendable second period before playing like they just met each other in the third period. Sad to say, though, that Ilya Samsonov’s NHL debut would have been a shutout had it not been for a Capitals own goal. That being said, they held the always-strong Washington offense (mostly) in check — the game-winner from T.J. Oshie just sort of appeared at his skates before he fired.

Of course, it’s only one game, but while the structure is back and (hopefully) better than ever, scoring may be a problem again this year. I’ll take one Oliver Wahlstrom, please!

Islanders News

Recaps from some capital punishment (you can expect awful NHL.com-style puns from me all season, so get your complaints out now): LHH | Islanders | Newsday | NHL

The coach thought they were a little rusty in their first game in five months:

• VIDEO: The Coliseum faithful were out in the parking lot in full force before the game, and it was beautiful weather for it. Tag yourself in the comments if you see yourself! [Newsday]
• New toy Noah Dobson didn’t play, but that was expected after skating as the extra defenseman all week — Barry Trotz prefers Johnny Boychuk’s style of play against Washington’s. Sadly, though, Dobson’s parents didn’t get to see what they traveled down for. [Newsday]
• Here are five things to look out for this weekend, including the possibility Dobson draws into the roster on Sunday against Winnipeg. [Athletic]
• The fellas were excited to start a new season. [Islanders]
• Prognosticators and analysts vary widely in their opinions of the Islanders — meaning they don’t really know what to think of them — but the players themselves couldn’t give a hoot. [Newsday]
• Derick Brassard looked decent in his Isles debut. Shayna Goldman ran the numbers to see what we might expect from the new third line center. [Athletic]
• Thomas Hickey is eager to get started in Bridgeport. He’s a true professional and we all miss him dearly. [Newsday]
• The Sound Tigers kick things off this weekend with two games on the road, tonight and tomorrow afternoon. [CT Post]
• This is a league-wide-type of article, but the cream of the 2020 RFA crop, especially after Alex DeBrincat signed, is Mathew Barzal — word is that his agent and the Islanders have had preliminary discussions, which is good-ish. All eyes are on that negotiation, though. [Athletic]
• LISTEN: The IsleSeatPodcast is back for another season. The Islanders must have, like, fourteen podcasts now. I look forward to telling my grandchildren about the podcast era of history.

Elsewhere

Last night’s NHL scores include the Isles’ next opponent, the Jets, going down 4-0 and coming back to win 5-4 in the shootout against the Devils; and the Golden Knights, who look to be a powerhouse this season, completing the home-and-home sweep of the Sharks.

• Blues center Brayden Schenn signed an eight-year extension that will keep him in St. Louis for the next nine seasons. The total value of the deal is $52 million. [NHL]
• The Sabres defeated the Penguins the other night by absolutely smothering them as part of new coach Ralph Krueger’s system. And the players think it’s a fun way to play. [Athletic]
• We were all thrilled to hear Stars defenseman Roman Polak has full use of his extremities after a frightening incident against the Bruins opening night. He suffered a fractured sternum as a result. [NHL]
• However, a steaming pile of dung seems like a good way to characterize Boston announcer Jack Edwards — and Polak’s agent, Allan Walsh, did just that in response to Edwards calling Polak’s injury “a little bit of bad hockey karma,” though the play had just happened and the medical staff hadn’t even gone out to Polak yet. Edwards stands by his call, though, when it would have been much easier to apologize, so I stand by my call of him being a big shit. [Sportsnet]