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Only two more sleeps until the Islanders play again. I can’t lie and say I haven’t appreciated the break. But, as a fan, I’m bored and ready to watch hockey again.
Islanders News
This Andrew Gross tweet is from yesterday, meaning the Islanders will be on the ice today.
#Isles back on ice for practice in a little more than 24 hours. Talk to you from back at the rink tomorrow.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) January 29, 2020
- With the rash of injuries to some players in important roles, the Islanders have displayed some versatility by stepping into new roles. Roles! [Islanders]
- Sebastian Aho didn’t get a break; he just played in the AHL All-Star Game in Ontario, California. He even scored a goal!
- In which DGB points out a number of player rivalries, including Michael Peca vs. Darcy Tucker, who ended up teammates, to see how the Matthew Tkachuk-Zack Kassian feud may have wound up. [The Athletic]
- Floral Park won’t give up—now an official is claiming the state ignored local concerns. [The Island Now]
- The Islanders and Northwell Health Ice Center are hosting a STEM Day for students on Long Island to learn about STEM fields through hockey. [Islanders]
Today’s edition of the Islanders Players Poll decides who has the worst taste in music. Leo Komarov and Johnny Boychuk finished top-two, a vote apart, in a room full of young guys. [The Athletic]
From that piece: someone in that room really hates country.
Whoever said this is now my new favorite Islander. I have never felt more of a connection with any athlete in my life than I do right now. https://t.co/FJY9UEfcEA… #Isles pic.twitter.com/csBMLdevuo
— Culture of Losing (Out On Free Agents) (@cultureoflosing) January 30, 2020
Elsewhere
Last night’s NHL scores include the Predators beating the Capitals in regulation despite Nick Bonino scoring an own goal and the heavily-anticipated next installment of the Battle of Alberta. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Sean Monahan tussled (I don’t know if you could call it a fight) and then Kassian and Tkachuk resumed the rivalry. The Flames beat the Oilers 4-3 in a shootout.
Kassian told Tkachuk right before they fought “Thanks kid, I appreciate you doing this.” Showed a healthy amount of respect for him in his media avail. Said Tkachuk wanted to go right away but Kassian wanted him to think about it for a bit first. Game within the game he said
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) January 30, 2020
- Before the game, Edmonton gave Kassian a four-year extension worth $3.2 million a year. Playing with Connor McDavid can make a man rich. [Copper & Blue]
- Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts always contain some interesting information this time of the season, right before the deadline. Nothing on the Isles, though. [Sportsnet]
- Coaches often talk about getting “the little things” right. What are they, exactly? [The Athletic]
- The Sharks have started using individual goal songs instead of the same one for everyone—sorta like walk-up music for batters in baseball. Fear the Fin has a wishlist.
We saw it last night when Tomas Hertl scored and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme played:
First time in NHL history a player has scored, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme plays… right…?#SJSharks @TomasHertl48 pic.twitter.com/9jHqyWxXvF
— Brodie Brazil (@BrodieNBCS) January 30, 2020
(Sadly, Hertl got injured later in the game and missed the end, so it may be a little while before we hear TMNT again.)