Islanders Gameday News: The absence of Lee’s voice in the locker room looms large

This evening, the New York Islanders will host the Philadelphia Flyers for the second consecutive game. It will also be the middle match of a three-game set that will conclude in Philadelphia on Monday night.

The Flyers snapped the Isles’ home point streak on Thursday night. In so doing, they became the first team this season to defeat the Islanders at the Coliseum. After two dreadful periods of hockey in which they fell behind three goals, New York stormed back to tie the game. Unfortunately, Philadelphia snagged a victory in regulation anyway.

However, that comeback must have instilled some confidence in the Islanders—even when they have failed to play the game their way, they still had a chance to win. Hopefully, that translates into an actual win tonight.

FIG picks go here.

Islanders News

• The team site previews tonight’s contest. Based on the motif of the stat graphics, I believe the Islanders will wear their reverse retro jerseys tonight.
• Because four Bruins have entered COVID-19 protocol, the NHL postponed their next two games, including Tuesday night’s tilt against the Isles in Boston. These two teams are still scheduled to play on Thursday night, but it remains to be seen if they can play. [Islanders | Newsday]
• Yesterday, the Islanders officially signed Anatolii Golyshev to a one-year entry-level contract. Due to quarantine rules, no one knows when he will be able to play, whether it is for the Isles or the Sound Tigers. [LHH | Islanders]
• Important things to know about Golyshev: he can play seemingly any role; his transition to North American ice should not be difficult; and he “plays big,” despite his smaller frame. [The Athletic]
• Anders Lee’s role as captain may be understated; without him in the room, the Isles need someone to replace his voice. Barry Trotz assumed the role this week. [Newsday]
• LISTEN: On the latest episode of the PTIsles Podcast, Joe and Noel discuss Thursday’s game, the loss of Lee, and Mathew Barzal’s penalties. [LHH]
• In the latest update to The Athletic’s Trade Deadline Big Board, Taylor Hall moved up to no. 3 and the Isles’ 2021 first-round pick joined at no. 4. The writers see Hall as a perfect fit on Long Island. And an executive could envision Jake DeBrusk with the Isles.
• Stan Fischler tells the story of how his late wife, Shirley, broke gender barriers as a woman covering hockey. She won an important battle against Madison Square Garden in the New York City Human Rights Commission. [Maven’s Memories]

It must be awesome to know that you are building the arena in which your favorite team will play. Every time you go to a game, you can look around at your handiwork.

Elsewhere

Last night’s NHL scores include only one East Division game in which the Capitals took down the Rangers (and finish life without Tom Wilson at 7-0-0, annoyingly). Also, the Flames won their fourth of five games under new coach Darryl Sutter, topping the Maple Leafs in regulation. Toronto has dropped six of their last seven games.

• Wilson promises that he’ll be a good boy now. He really means it this time! [NHL]
• Evgeni Malkin will be out week-to-week with a lower-body injury. [NHL]
• The Leafs’ crease remains up in the air, as long-time no. 1 Frederik Andersen continues to struggle. Oft-injured Jack Campbell may have a chance to take the reins. [Sportsnet]
• Devils winger and pending UFA Kyle Palmieri continues to weigh his options with his agent and GM Tom Fitzgerald. I would be surprised if he doesn’t get dealt, though. [The Athletic]
• Palmieri and Hall are just a few of the players that will potentially hunt for new contracts this summer. Alex Ovechkin, Dougie Hamilton, and Gabriel Landeskog all could hit UFA. [Sportsnet]
• Alexis Lafrenière, Tim Stützle, and Nils Höglander, three young rookies, have their accents and umlauts stitched into their jerseys. It reflects a growing trend where NHL teams actually get right their players’ names. [The Athletic]