Islanders News: Greene debuts well, but a losing streak nonetheless

It doesn’t take much for things to turn, but the New York Islanders suddenly find themselves in their toughest stretch of the Barry Trotz era as they’ve begun a four-game road trip with three regulation losses and only one goal scored.

Because the hockey gods have a sense of humor, the lone Isles goal yesterday afternoon in Glendale was initiated by the new defense-first acquisition Andy Greene, who does not address their offensive needs but was brought on to stabilize the foundation on which all Trotzian and Lamoriellan hockey philosophy is built.

The Isles have one more chance to salvage something from this trip tomorrow in Denver, where the Avalanche represent the toughest opponent of the four.

Islanders News

• About yesterday afternoon: [The Isles only logged one goal but there were posts and other fractional goal-line saves. LHH | Newsday | NHL | Isles]
• Greene seemed to fit in immediately... (also: Cole Bardreau on waivers) [Newsday]
• ...But where do the Isles go from here to address their major weakness at the other end? [Athletic]
• The Sound Tigers were also playing some holiday afternoon hockey, and also lost. [CT Post | BST]
• The Isles showed their desperation with the Greene trade, and that’s an apt description of where they are on this road trip. [NYIsles Blog]
• I guess that odd opening-faceoff fight between Ryan Reaves and Ross Johnston in Vegas was inspired partly by some heavyweight boxer in the stands. What a time to be alive. [RMNB]

Elsewhere

Yesterday’s other NHL scores included the Capitals losing in Vegas.

• Not available to reinforce the Islanders: Tyler Toffoli, whom the Kings traded to the Canucks for a pretty penny. [NHL | Nucks Misconduct | Jewels From the Crown]
• The Isles’ next opponent will be without Mikko Rantanen after he crashed into the boards during the Avalanche’s OT loss to the Lightning. [NHL]
• Bruce Boudreau has gone through the full gamut of emotions and shares what it’s like to be fired as an NHL coach. [Athletic]
• Don’t ever change, Toronto media: It’s been a week so it’s time for hot takes on a goalie controversy with the Leafs. [Star rag]
• Arguing that player revolt against the office of player discipline is a good thing. [THN]