Islanders Gameday News: Five to go, two in Buffalo before the fun starts

The Islanders are in Buffalo, where the latest carnage has to do with goalies. The Isles have two games there tonight and tomorrow before a couple with the Devils this week.

With five games left, the Isles trail Pittsburgh by four points, the Capitals by two, and lead the Bruins by one. They could finish anywhere in the top four, but at least getting home ice for the first round would sure be nice.

Tonight’s variables: The Bruins are in Jersey, the Capitals are at the Garden, and the Penguins visit the Flyers.

Leave your First Islanders Goal pick for tonight here.

Islanders News

• Barry Trotz is encouraged by the Islanders “dialing in” as the playoffs loom. We’ll see if they do it against more than the Smurfs. [Newsday]
• More post-mortem from Saturday: The Rangers rolling over was all but inevitable. [Post]
• Also in the Post, Islanders players reflect on the rivalry as it saw its last Coliseum meeting.
• Podcast: Hockey Night NY discusses the clinch. [Twitch]
• ICYMI: Sound Tigers profile: Seth Hegelson, the ‘definition of consistency’ [Sound Tigers] Bridgeport faces the P-Bruins one more time today, another 1:00 start.

On the Sabres:

• One topic for this series will be Buffalo’s goalie turnstile. The latest “calamitous setback” in a season full of them was an unusual injury to goalie of the future Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. [Buffalo News | Die By The Blade]
• And it’s been a while since his Buffalo days, but memories abound for Ryan Miller as he retires. [Buffalo News]

Elsewhere

A quiet night in the NHL meant last night’s only game was old friend Christopher Gibson getting the win for the Lightning over the Wings.

• John Tavares has changed his stick curve for the first time and also embraced a defense-first mentality for the... _______ [TSN]
• At one time the Jets had brought themselves into contention with the Leafs for the top of the North. How they respond after an extended slump will speak volumes. [Sportsnet]
• The Kraken aim to go for local sourcing for their goal song, organist, and various in-game fare. [NHL]
• Rod Brind’Amour is definitely wanted by Carolina to continue as coach, but word is he wants to make sure his staff and trainers are extended before anything moves forward. [Sportsnet]
• Jason Robertson of the Stars is the Rookie of the Month. [NHL]