Islanders Get A Helping Hand From Ottawa & Philadelphia; Can Carolina, Anaheim & Vancouver Do The Same On Friday?
Another night where the out-of-town scoreboard goes in the Islanders' favor.
The New York Islanders are like cats. They have an exorbitant number of lives, it seems.
After a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, the Islanders blew a chance to have control over their destiny. That means Thursday night was another scoreboard watching night, with the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings in action.
The Canadiens, who entered the night a point up on the Islanders, holding down the second wild-card spot, ended up losing to the John Tortorella-less Philadelphia Flyers by a score of 6-4.
The Canadiens have now allowed six goals in two straight games, and it seems like they could be in a bit of trouble given their struggles.
More importantly, Montreal failed to take advantage of the Islanders’ misfortunes.
The Red Wings, who entered the night just two points back of the Islanders, were facing off against the top wild-card Ottawa Senators.
The result was a slim 4-3 win for Ottawa. Detroit almost mounted the comeback, but almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
“I mean, any help you can get is great,” Islanders Noah Dobson told me the other day. And Long Island consistently is getting help.
They got a clean sweep on Tuesday night, with all the wild-card hopefuls falling in regulation, so that’s two straight nights where the Islanders get some help.
However, the Islanders are not out of the woods just yet when it comes to where they stand before their next game on Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Montreal is in action yet again, playing the second of a back-to-back as they travel to face the Carolina Hurricanes. That’s a tough one for Martin St. Louis’ squad.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, who are one point back of the Islanders host the Canucks.
The New York Rangers, who are tied with the Islanders in points but are below them in the standings due to playing one more game (which will now be two), are in Anaheim to face the Ducks.
Regardless of what happens on Friday, the Islanders do need to get back in the win column as soon as possible. Tampa will be a tough task, followed by the Hurricanes on Sunday.
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1. Be successful in the Draft
2. Get Richtie Esierman and D. Nelson signed and in the lineup. These guys are physically ready for the NHL.
3. Clear as much cap as possible via trade or buy out
4. Get Holmstrom Romanov and Dobson signed before an offer sheet complicates the situation.
5. Sign Mitch Marner using his friendship with Matt Martin and sell Long Island as the anti Toronto. Great school and Family life.
6. Kick Lou upstairs and hand GM duties to Patrick. Let him coach with a staff of his own choosing.
7. Money is going to be tight unfortunately, and I don’t see anyone helping us out of that situation. Make some magic happen and buyout.
8. If a large group of players can get the same results over the Summer as Lee did we will contend. However these players have to have the balls and will Lee had. Train with Adam Oates on their own dime, and have a commitment to transform themselves. I have the utmost respect for what Lee has done this year. Bravo, dude you have revived your career through hard work and self reflection. Follow the Captain Barzel & Dobson, because you simply aren’t good enough! I question if they have to self awareness and drive to make themselves significantly better.
If Lou was a true leader he would fall on his sword. Take responsibility and call it a career. I would be very surprised if management didn’t make a change. It would be a ballsy move to continue with “In Lou We Trust”. He isn’t much of a help to season ticket sales, not very open to the fans. Me personally I would love to see everything under Patty.