New York Islanders vs. San Jose Sharks [Game 61 Thread]

The Islanders host the Sharks at the Coliseum this late afternoon. It is both teams’ final game before the trade deadline.

Joe Thornton had been saying for a while that he was staying put in San Jose no matter what happened, but he’s reportedly intrigued about waiving his no-trade clause to go to a contender—apparently, he’s listed the Bruins, the Lightning, the Penguins, the Stars, and the Avalanche as possible destinations he’d waive for. But he also insists he has more hockey left in him beyond this season. Either way, this could be the last time, at least this season, that Jumbo Joe wears a Sharks uniform.

Anyway, as far as the lineups go, there was no morning skate, so who knows what the lines would be. Derick Brassard was doing some work on the ice, but we know he won’t be playing.

As for the rest of the lineup, well, the Islanders continue to do some curious things with the makeup of their NHL roster. After sending Kieffer Bellows down, on paper, to Bridgeport and recalling Andrew Ladd and Otto Koivula on Friday, they have sent Ladd back down and called Bellows back up.

Bellows did not play in Bridgeport’s game yesterday, and was in the press box Friday. He probably never left Long Island. And this Barry Trotz quote about Bellows is... curious.

Andrew Gross didn’t get to ask Trotz about a goalie, but he probably wouldn’t have divulged anyway. And without the morning skate, we don’t know who skated off first. But whoever is in net will be facing Martin Jones of the Sharks. I wonder if Thomas Greiss gets in today. Semyon Varlamov has played a lot recently, and Greiss spent some time playing for San Jose. Perhaps Trotz lets Greiss go against his former team.

We have no other updates on anything else, but we’ll know in a couple hours who’s playing. Because they’ll be playing. Alright then.

Last chance at FIGs—I’m sorry again for forgetting about them. I feel great shame.