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The New York Islanders have been skidding lately. But they hope to get back to their winning and game-controlling ways when they travel to eastern Pennsylvania to visit the Philadelphia Flyers.
It will be the final time this season that the Islanders play the Flyers. The Isles’ current record against Philadelphia is 4-1-2, but three of those four wins have come after regulation. Thus far, five of the seven games they have played against one another have required extra time, including the last three: all Islander wins.
I have a good feeling about tonight. I hope the Islanders do, too—because this game will be on national TV this evening. The puck drops at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN here in the U.S.
#Isles are on the road tonight and for the first time in more than a year - I will be there to see it in person. See you at 6:30pm on NBCSN from Philadelphia.
— Brendan Burke (@brendanmburke) April 18, 2021
Islanders News
- The team site previews the season series finale between New York and Philadelphia.
- Michael Dal Colle is healthy now, but he may not have a spot in the lineup when everyone is fully healthy. [Newsday]
- This year’s post-Trade Deadline struggles feel eerily similar to last year’s: The Islanders did not win a regular-season game after acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and they have looked a bit out of sorts this season since acquiring Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac. [Newsday]
- GM Lou Lamoriello will have to make some tough decisions ahead of this summer’s expansion draft. [Newsday]
- Ken Appleby, supposed expansion draft bait, recorded a shutout as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers topped the Hartford Wolf Pack. [Sound Tigers]
- Two Stan Fischler stories this weekend! Today, we have his re-telling of Bob Bourne’s end-to-end rush in the playoffs against the Rangers. [Maven’s Memories]
- Ilya Sorokin sent a nice message to his old KHL team, CSKA Moscow, as they prepare for another Gagarin Cup Final.
Ilya Sorokin wishes @hccska best of luck in the Gagarin Cup Finals, which kick off today in Moscow. It’s a rematch of his crowning glory in 2019, when he was named playoff MVP and anchored CSKA to a sweep (with 2 shutouts in the finals themselves). #isles https://t.co/gb4Vz2uxDh
— Gillian Kemmerer (@gilliankemmerer) April 18, 2021
Elsewhere
Yesterday’s NHL scores include the New York Rangers doubling up the New Jersey Devils by a score of 6–3, though New Jersey made a valiant comeback from 4–0 to 4–3 in the third period. Also, the Washington Capitals defeated the Flyers by the same 6–3 score. Furthermore, the Pittsburgh Penguins topped the Buffalo Sabres.
- Patrick Marleau tied Gordie Howe’s games played (1,767) record last night. He will break the record on Monday night. [Sportsnet]
- Carter Hart missed yesterday’s game against the Caps with a lower-body injury. Also, Sam Bennett, formerly of the Calgary Flames, made his Florida Panthers debut. [NHL]
- The Edmonton Oilers shut out the Winnipeg Jets last night in what will almost assuredly be the 2 v. 3 North Division matchup come May. [Sportsnet]
- The Sabres announced that old friend Kyle Okposo is out for the remainder of the season. He had surgery to repair a cheekbone broken by a puck. Get well soon, Kyle! [ESPN]
- The Montreal Canadiens need a change in leadership, whether that means stripping the captaincy from Shea Weber or ousting GM Marc Bergevin. [EOTP]
- Bob Corkum abruptly stepped down as the U.S. women’s hockey coach, citing his lack of comfort with some COVID-19 protocols. [ESPN]
- Vancouver Canucks coach and former gutless puke Travis Green shared the details of his battle with COVID-19 as he gets set to return to the bench. [Sportsnet]