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Islanders News: “Finally” is the word of the day

“Finally” Zach Parise scored, “finally” the Islanders won a game at their new home, and “finally” Steve posted Bits.

By Steven E. Smith
/ new

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New Jersey Devils v New York Islanders
This gave me goosebumps.
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

It finally happened. What am I referring to with “it”? Take your pick. Zach Parise scored his first goal as an Islander—on what would have been his late former Islander father’s 80th birthday—and it turned out to be the game-winner in the New York Islanders’ first win at UBS Arena at Belmont Park.

Yes, the Islanders beat the New Jersey Devils in regulation to win their first home game since June 23, 2021, when Anthony Beauvillier ended Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning 1:08 into overtime. If that was the peak of Beauvillier’s career thus far, last night had to be the valley thus far, as Barry Trotz scratched him.

The Islanders started slow, but it seemed like they caught onto Trotz’s message—step it up or you’re next—as the game wore on: They started to look like the Islanders we have come to know over the last four years. Please, for the love of God, keep it going, boys.

Islanders News

About last night:

  • Brock Nelson and Casey Cizikas returned in the Isles’ first win at UBS Arena. [LHH]
  • Parise’s goal was a shorty, and the Islanders scored on their first power play. Special teams continue to show signs of life. [3 Takeaways]
  • Noah Dobson, Andy Greene, and J-G Pageau also all scored. [Rapid Recap]
  • No more “Fort Neverwin” or “Fort Everlose” jokes! [Newsday]
  • Lots of great stuff in the NYI Skinny after such a historic game, but here’s my favorite part: That was the first time the Islanders have beaten a goalie, in Akira Schmid, making his NHL debut since April 2015; since then, Aaron Dell, Ilya Samsonov, and Michael Hauser have all earned a win against the Islanders in their NHL debuts.

Moving on:

  • Scratching Beauvillier, indeed, was a message—not just to Beau, but to the whole team. [Newsday]
  • The electrician that sings Sinatra has become a cult hero. [Islanders]
  • We all know the story of John Tonelli’s heroics, started by Mike McEwen, to save the Islanders’ dynasty in Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1982. What you didn’t know about was the broadcast booth drama and doom-and-gloom. Stan Fischler has you covered. [Maven’s Memories]

Elsewhere

Yesterday’s NHL scores include both the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes earning regulation wins in Alberta.

  • Ordinarily, I would say Brooksie is just an old man yelling at the clouds for a take like this, but he has a point: Mackenzie Blackwood is a dumbass for his post in which he referred to Devils teammate P.K. Subban, he of many slewfoots, as SLEWBAN. [NY Post]
  • Ben Bishop tried to come back, but his degenerative knee condition won’t let him. The Dallas Stars goalie’s playing career is over. [NHL]
  • As more information continues to filter out about COVID-19 protocols at the Olympics in Beijing, the players reportedly have some concerns about going. [NHL]
  • The NHL admitted that the officials dropped the ball in disallowing the Buffalo Sabres’ game-tying goal on Friday night against the New York Rangers. [NHL]
  • The Sabres might have a goalie in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (UPL). [The Athletic]
  • Good game today: The Florida Panthers take on the Colorado Avalanche. [NHL]

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