Islanders News: Back-to-back losses shrinks Metro lead

The Islanders revered a deficit in Edmonton last night to take a 3-2 lead with a rare pair of power play goals. They held it until the last few minutes of regulation, then lost in OT on a familiar Draisaitl-to-McDavid combination.

So, just one point out of the Alberta swing. Now they’ll try to salvage more from this trip Saturday night in Vancouver.

Islanders Reading

• About last night, where Nick Leddy survived a hit to the head by McDavid, and Tom Kuhnhackl is “banged up” but okay and kept playing after an apparent arm malady: [LHH | Newsday | Isles | NHL | NYI Skinny]
• Headline is a bit...baiting, but Josh Ho-Sang did say he’s “all for it” if the Islanders need to deal him to improve their NHL roster. He also said he believes in Lou’s vision and Barry’s coaching, etc. [Athletic]
• Lineup and line shuffles down in Bridgeport as the Sound Tigers prepare for another three-in-three weekend. Also, a reminder that players need to clear waivers on Sunday in order to assign them to the AHL by Monday’s trade deadline. You have to figure Hickey and Ladd are kept on IR until then. [Soundin’ Off]
• Matt Lorito is thrilled to finally be in the lineup and contributing for the Sound Tigers after knee rehab. [CT Post]
• Meanwhile, ownership has selected Belmont arena developer Oak View Group to manage the Bridgeport arena going forward. [Webster Bank Arena]
• No telling if he’ll be a part of it, but as Jordan Eberle revisits the successor to the “other” Coliseum in Edmonton, he sees a bright future for the Islanders in their new arena... [Newsday]
• ...of course, that arena’s “shovel in ground” moment may be delayed until this summer, with the environmental impact review being extended. [LIBN]
• In which Pierre LeBrun, Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger wildly speculate what the Islanders are doing at the deadline, because none of them know what Lou is thinking. [Nichols on Hockey]
• But he’s likely working the phones hard to see what prices are and what he can do. [Newsay]

Robin Lehner said their attention to details have slipped the last few games. You know Trotz affirmed that view. Just “stop the bleeding” in Vancouver:

Elsewhere

Last night’s NHL scores include an end to the Blues’ 11-game win streak, a Capitals win over the Leafs (Washington is now two points behind the Isles), a Hurricanes victory in Florida, and a Penguins regulation loss, among others.

• Orderly chaos: What it’s like inside the NHL’s central registry on trade deadline day. [TSN]
• Where might Wayne Simmonds be headed? [BSH]
• Mark Stone won’t be staying in Ottawa: The Sens held him out of last night’s game to “protect the asset” in anticipation of a trade. [TSN]
• Unpacking the scenarios facing the Blue Jackets at the most pivotal trade deadline in their history. [Athletic]
• A little more under the radar than Ottawa’s trio or Columbus’ pair, but Buffalo’s Jeff Skinner is also a pending UFA, one they hope to re-sign. [NHL]
• Kim Davis’ job is to try to make sure the NHL lives up to its “Hockey is for Everyone” motto. [FTW]