Islanders Gameday News: Stingy with the lead, happy with the podcasts

The New York Islanders are in Buffalo tonight, where old friend Kyle Okposo has really struggled with the Sabres this season. Check on the opposition — and their patience — at Die By The Blade.

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Islanders News

• Prospect Report! Ruslan Iskhakov had a four-point week, Noah Dobson is on a point streak, Oliver Wahlstrom will play for Beanpot title. [Isles]
• The Islanders sit atop their division, but are trying to maintain a “hunter” mentality. [Newsday]
• Under Barry Trotz, the Islanders are totally into getting the lead, and protecting it. [Athletic]
• Carey Haber talks Islanders hockey. [Hockey Night in NY podcast]
• Isles ticket prices are soaring on the resale market. [Newsday]
• Sooooo...big game on the 28th, yes? Anyone fancy an LHH meetup? Discuss here.
• Evidently the Islanders don’t get much air on sports radio (to which I wonder...who listens to sports talk radio anymore?!) [Eyes on Isles]
• Pajamas Robot says that game will be like any other game except not. [Islanders Insight | Newsday]
• Ol’ Carp Lad is helping his hometown with a brewery. [NHL]
• Who’s a good dog? Radar’s a good dog. [Isles]

You can make Lou in charge of all hockey operations, but you can’t keep Jon Ledecky from having a little more fun with fans on the LIRR. H/T to Eddie Westfall for playing along:

Elsewhere

Last night’s NHL scores include regulation wins for the Penguins and Capitals.

• Evgeni Malkin swung his stick at a guy, so he’ll have a league hearing. That’s a no-no. [NHL]
• The Oilers? They’re probably not so good. [Copper N Blue] The culture problem starts with the ownership, many say. [Oilers Rig] They are wasting Connor McDavid. [TSN]
• Claude Julien wanted a new fourth line and Marc Bergevin is getting it for him. The latest is acquiring ex-Isle Nate Thompson. [HEOTP | NHL]
• Bob Murray took over the Ducks coaching reins because he hopes that will expose him to the problems the team faces. (Pssstt...it’s the contracts you signed, dude.) [NHL]
• Scott Darling is taking a leave of absence from the Canes organization to get his head right. [News & Observer]
• Is Jonathan Huberdeau the next trade bait candidate as the Panthers eye an off-season UFA push? [TSN]
• The Ducks owners have written to fans to reassure them. [Anaheim Calling]
• Joel Ward has retired. [RMNB]
• Covering the sled hockey classic. [NHL]
• News flash: Fewer fights mean fewer injuries due to fists punching brains. [THN]