Islanders Gameday News: People are starting to notice what’s going on around here

The Islanders are out west until Thanksgiving, making their California swing as they start in San Jose and move south.

They’ll take on the Sharks tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET, so take a nap or make some coffee or something because this team is appointment-viewing, even that late.

FIGs go here. You should have plenty of time to get them in!

Islanders News

• Let’s preview the damn thing, shall we?
• This west coast trip is set up rather favorably for the Islanders, since they had a day to adjust to the time change and they aren’t playing any back-to-backs after long travels. They also don’t have to fly an extra time, since they’ll play the Ducks and Kings in consecutive games. [Newsday]
• It’s still early in the season, but you’re permitted to enjoy this streak. [Newsday]

And they’re getting a lot of recognition around the league.

They’re even getting some attention on ESPN, courtesy of new fan Damien Woody.

• Thomas Greiss is on the radar of the Trophy Tracker as a leading candidate for the Vezina at the quarter pole. [NHL]
• The city of Pittsburgh looks on fondly as Derick Brassard, who struggled with the Penguins, is producing for their rival. [TribLIVE]
• Hockey players play through injuries all the time, but should they? [Newsday]
• The Sound Tigers began a three-in-three last night in Providence as the Bruins whooped them 5-0. They’re home for the next two nights. [Soundin’ Off pregame | CT Post-game | Sound Tigers recap]
• Andrew Ladd is hanging out down in Bridgeport. [CT Insider]
• And Simon Holmstrom is adapting live there, as well. [Islanders]
• LISTEN: On the latest No Sleep ‘Til Belmont, Arthur Staple and Mark Parrish discuss what Garth Snow was like as a teammate, as a GM, and as a person. [The Athletic]
• WATCH: The players’ wives and girlfriends visited a soup kitchen to help out as the holidays roll around. [Islanders]

Elsewhere

Last night saw only two NHL games: the Penguins and the Senators beat the Devils and Rangers, respectively, each by a score of 4-1.

• Brendan Shanahan has managed to stay out of the public eye as President of the Maple Leafs, but he had to show his face this week with the coaching change. [Sportsnet]
• The Stars could get back both John Klingberg and Roope Hintz tonight against the Blackhawks. [NHL]
• And Mikko Rantanen got back on the ice to practice with the Avalanche for the first time in a month or so. [NHL]
• Old friend Frans Nielsen is declining sharply this season and the Red Wings are in a pickle. [Wings Nation]
• Jordan Binnington channeled Curtis Joseph on Throwback Night for the Blues and earned a shutout. [NHL]
• The Predators are struggling and a lot of people are looking at Matt Duchene, but he can’t save them from the declining play of some of its stars. [On the Forecheck]
• Nicklas Backstrom shared the touching story of his mother overcoming cancer. [NHL]