Islanders Gameday News: Let’s try that again; Mike Bossy answers; my kingdom for a penalty

Outside of the first minute, which featured a very “We’re taking over the Garden again LOL!” opening goal, the Islanders laid an egg against their rivals Monday night. Artemi Panarin — the free agent who chose the World’s Most Self-Promoting Arena over New York’s Playoff Team last summer, had himself a banner night to kick off his part in the rivalry. (Coincidentally, Panarin was the first Ranger to log five points in a game since...Derick Brassard.)

Compelling rivalry drama, but overall: not so fun.

Fortunately, the Isles have a chance to make amends, both tonight against an even weaker opponent in the Detroit Red Wings, as well as in two more meetings with the Rangers over the next eight days. At least there’s no chance of a Ranger hangover tonight, right? ...right?!

Leave your FIG Picks for tonight’s tilt with the Wings here.

Islanders News

• About last night: LHH | Isles Notebook | Newsday | Newsday on Panarin | Post | 3 Takeaways (Isles Insight) | The Skinny]
• Panarin showed the Islanders what they were bidding on last summer. [Neil Best Newsday column]
• You know it’s the Post when editors/click-baiters give the story a headline that says the captain was “seething” and “angry.” (Here is Anders Lee’s post-game clip.) Speaking of which, time for a “make no mistake” column about how it’s now clear the Smurfs should re-sign Chris Kreider before he net-crashes his way off of Broadway.
• Before last night’s game, Dan and Mike checked in with a new Islanders Anxiety reviewing games in 2020 so far, how Barry Trotz has altered the New York rivalry, and how Lou Lamoriello has put his rather unique Lou stamp on the team. [LHH Podcasts]
• Also before last night, and not really relevant to last night, but here are some more Islanders thoughts on their ridiculous, record-breaking pace for drawing so few penalties. [Athletic] That was also one of the topics on the latest PTIsles podcast.
• Some thoughts on what is essentially Rivalry Week with the Smurfs. [IslesBlog]
• Mike Bossy Time: The legendary sniper answered questions via the Islanders Twitter account — they’re worth watching, as you see his expressions and genuine reactions — and also visited Andrew Gross’ “Island Ice” podcast for Newsday.
• Prospect Report: Reece Newkirk’s points streak reached 16, and Cole Coskey had a six-goal week. [Isles]
• More from Bridgeport as Otto Koivula discusses the dip in his game, discussions with Brent Thompson and Chris Lamoriello, followed by a scratch and a hat trick. [Islanders Insight]

Elsewhere

Last night’s NHL scores included the Capitals shutting out the Hurricanes, and the Flyers humorously getting past the Bruins in a shootout.

• Oh my Bossy, someone’s creating a three-on-three summer league, and CBS bought the TV rights. As Dan noted, this publication might need to update its hockey photography. [Hollywood Reporter]
• The Leafs have lost Morgan Rielly for eight weeks. [TSN]
• The Senators are clearly preparing for life after Craig Anderson. [TSN]
• That Alexis Lafreniere kid is the clear consensus #1 for this summer’s draft. [NHL]

Further fallout for Matthew Tkachuk trucking Zach Kassian three times — including at least one pretty blatant head shot — then turtling while Kassian receives a two-game suspension for rag-dolling him:

• Lots of former NHLers and at least one ref weighing in that it was dirty, and why isn’t the league disciplining a rather Steve Downie-on-Dean-MacAmmond kind of hit? [Edmonton Journal]
• Turtling was “probably the right thing,” Tkachuk said. [Sportsnet]
• If you don’t like him, don’t fall into his trap. [THW]
• His antics — effective, though — overshadowed another great Battle of Alberta. [Sportsnet]
• The decision is perhaps not the best look for a disciplinary office trying to maintain consistent standards. [Sportsnet]

Awwww, this couldn’t happen to a more appropriate weasel:

You hate to see it.