Islanders vs. Flames Gameday News [+ Game #42 thread]

Friday night the New York Islanders were just what the flailing Edmonton Oilers needed to get off to a good start under their new coach. The Isles’ offense continued its struggles — momentarily interrupted by a big first period in Vancouver — and failed to get more than one goal despite 38 shots against ancient Mike Smith.

Tonight the assignment is much tougher in Calgary, where a Flames team has steamrolled a lot of foes. It’s another late one, 10 p.m. EST start.

Leave First Islanders Goal picks for tonight here.

Islanders News

About last night:

• Lots of shots, but still offensively inoffensive. [LHH]
• Three Takeaways: Effort was there, puck luck was not. [Isles]
• “Team win” and “A performance” from Smith in Woodcroft’s debut. [NHL | CP]
• Finally reaching the season’s midpoint, with a telling loss against the Oilers. [Newsday]
• The Oilers survived the Isles’ early jump to steady their game under their new coach. [Copper & Blue]
• The Skinny: “The Isles have allowed only 34 goals in their last fifteen games; their 2.27 goals against average is the 2nd-lowest in the NHL in that span (Colorado - 2.17), dating back to December 30.” [Isles]

Also:

• Previewing tonight: These teams last met when the Flames spoiled the opening of UBS Arena. [Isles]
• Barry Trotz says the Isles could be a little more deceptive on their odd-man rushes. [Newsday]
• Anthony Beauvillier, new fourth-line scoring threat? [Newsday]
• Various bits on the Leafs, on Nazem Kadri switching agents, on Dave Tippett going out after running Mike Smith out on back-to-backs, plus a bit on the night when a Vancouver nightclub hired three women to streak on the ice during the Islanders game. [Sportsnet]

Elsewhere

Last night’s other NHL scores include a bunch of Western games plus the Lightning rolling the Coyotes.

• 32 Thoughts: Mostly about the Oilers firing their guy. [Sportsnet]
• Brad Marchand, who appears to have a tenuous grip on reality and the image he has created for himself, is appealing the length of his sixth career suspension and second suspension of this season. I kind of wish the NHL had a rule like the FA where your suspension can increase if you make a frivolous appeal. [NHL]
• The Coyotes announced they do indeed intend to play at ASU’s tiny new arena. [ESPN]
• Martin St. Louis wants to “build a winning culture” in Montreal. Somebody’s got to. [TSN]
• Sean Couturier’s back surgery will have him out for the rest of the season. [NHL]
• All of the Canadiens goalies are injured so they’ve acquired Andrew Hammond — last in the NHL in 2017-18 — from the Wild. [NHL]
• The Rangers expect to miss Kaapo Kakko for at least another month. [NHL]