Last night was 10 kinds of disappointing. I mean sure, the screen on Noah Dobson’s goal was delightful, Mathew Barzal’s backhand move off a Zdeno Chara feed was exquisite, and the penalty kill to grind out Leo Komarov’s bad major was, at least relief.
But that just postponed the frustration, punctuated by final-minute heartache.
(On Komarov, Trotz said he didn’t regret having him out there after the penalty, felt the penalty wasn’t as bad from his angle, and “Leo’s been good for us late in games.”)
Islanders News
- About last night: Jenny with our LHH recap and post-mortem | Newsday | Isles | NHL | NYI Hockey Now]
- The Skinny: the Isles don’t score much, don’t allow much.
- Without Anthony Beauvillier, there was line juggling. With things going tough, there will be more. (See more in Trotz’s post-game video below.) [Newsday | Athletic]
- On that note, posted before the game but still relevant: Addressing the scoring woes. [Athletic]
- The latest No Sleep Till Belmont podcast looks at the first few weeks, Noah Dobson, Ross Johnston’s role, and more. [Spotify | Apple]
- Trotz: “We’re not in our playoff mentality, which is really pissing me off ... We’re gonna shake it up, put some new people in, and we’ll go from there.”
“It’s a missed opportunity, we need more from our group.”
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 27, 2021
Trotz ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bAjuEMEBaJ
Barry Trotz is none too pleased #Isles pic.twitter.com/DiwjcDac6v
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) January 27, 2021
Elsewhere
Lots of games last night, including the Bruins defeating the Penguins in OT, the Sabres dumping the Rangers and the Flyers dismissing the Devils.
- Rather quietly, the Panthers are off to their first-ever 3-0 start. [NHL]
- The Vegas coaching staff was pulled from the game against the Blues after at least one member tested positive. [NHL | TSN]
- Elliotte Friedman “empties the notebook” on the Dubois-Laine divorce and trade. [31 Thoughts]
- I’m not sure why this is even a question, but Sportsnet teases a longer interview with John Tortorella by assuring us that yes, he would bench Dubois again if put in the same situation. [Sportsnet]
- What will it take to get Laine to sign in Columbus? Term. [TSN]
- The Canadiens’ hot start begins with Claude Julien, maybe. [Sportsnet]
- Yes! May I never have to hear “AND HE SAYS NO” or “THAT’S HOCKEY BABY” again. [NHL]