N.J. Devils: Newark Offers Wandering Long Islanders No Quarter

From the desks: THE BRICK CITY STYX & LONG ISLAND NOMADS

THURSDAY

Islanders   0

DEVILS      4

FINAL

Islanders Arrive on Familiar But Unfriendly Shores

Newark, New Jersey, is the closest the Islanders have been to home base since departing for an Oct. 14 game at Carolina in the first stop of a Homeric-like season-opening 13 game road Odyssey.  

The Isles defeated the Winnipeg Jets but lost to the Minnesota Wild on the very next night.  Four days later, they sailed up the Hudson River where their metropolitan area neighbors on Thursday night offered them no quarter.  

With their defeat at the hand of the Devils, the Long Islanders are now 5-4-2 with two more road games left before finally swinging the doors open at the brand new UBS Center at Belmont.

I know Barry Trotz isn't one for excuses and is not exactly pleased with their play of late, but I believe the Islanders are still in a good place and that a significant correction will occur when they play 12 of 20 games at home through Christmas.

Semyon Varlamov finally made his 2021-2022 debut during the Isles Nov. 7 game against Minnesota, who went wild with five goals but only three off Semyon, who stopped 34 of 37 shots on goal.  But Varlamov did not earn a second straight start.  Enter Ilya Sorokin.  Making his tenth start and coming off a shutout over Winnipeg, this may have been both Barry Trotz's and Ilya Sorokin's most frustrating game to date.

Long Island's power-play in the first period fell apart like wet toilet paper.  At 12:12, Janne Koukannen capped off a flurry of activity in front of Ilya Sorokin with a shorthanded goal on assists from P.K. Subban and Nico Hischier.

With 0:50 left in the second period, Tomas Tartar scored during a Devil power-play on feeds from Dougie Hamilton and Pavel Zacha.

Dawson Mercer gave Newark a 3-0 lead at 5:46 into the third period, assisted by Andreas Johnsson and Jesper Bratt. Approximately eleven minutes later, Dougie Hamilton closed out the scoring with his third goal this season at the 16:33 mark.

However, the clear star of the game was Newark goalie Mackenzie Blackwood.  He faced 42 shots on net and stopped them all, including 35 at even-strength and five on special teams.  It marks his second consecutive win through three starts and his first shutout this season. 

The Devils improve to 7-3-2, just four points behind the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes.

Next, the Islanders set sail for Tampa.

 

N.Y. Islanders: Ilya Sorokin Grounds Winnipeg Jets

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

SATURDAY

Islanders   2

JETS          0

FINAL

Ilya Sorokin Shuts Out Winnipeg Jets; Keeps Semyon Varlamov Season Debut On Ice

With Saturday's victory over the Winnipeg Jets, the Islanders improved to 5-2-2, highlighted by wins in four of their last five contests.  That's nine games down, and four more to go during this North American-wide road trip before the Islanders finally play their first-ever match at their new home arena just off the Cross Island Parkway.

The Jets are lagging in the standings, and the Isles treated them as such.  Ilya Sorokin faced 24 shots on goal and stopped them all.  He has started all nine games this season.  Despite opening the season with two consecutive heavy-handed losses, Sorokin has since turned things on a dime, and Saturday night pitched his third shutout in his last four starts.  Ilya's teammates also blocked another 19 Winnipeg shots attempts.

All this being said, Coach Trotz seems in no rush to insert Semyon Varlamov back into the starting role, although it's understood that day is coming sooner than later.

Anders Lee scored a goal in the first game of the season against the Hurricanes.  Then went the next six games without so much recording a point.  In fact, he is still without an assist through eight games.  But at 3:12 of the first period, Anders Lee gave the Isles a 1-0 lead on a feed from Josh Baily, who together outworked the Jets to force through the game's opening tally.  

After a scoreless second period, Brock Nelson notched his team-high seventh goal just 0:47 into the third period, assisted by Adam Pelech and Kyle Palmieri.  

As noted, Ilya Sorokin took care of the rest.

After a 1-2-1 start, the Islanders are elevating back up to standard.  They have a quick turnaround with a Sunday encounter at Minnesota against the Wild.  

The schedule is indeed as much an adversary as any forthcoming opponent.  But the good teams get through it.

N.Y. Islanders: Long Winding Road Trip Off To Bumpy Start

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Islanders Set Sail in Stormy Seas

Having to open the season with 13 consecutive road games is a gargantuan task.  

No one denies that.  

But the first four games provide a curious little narrative nonetheless.

Ilya Sorokin started all four games.  He has so far faced 141 total shots and yielded 14 (.901%) goals.  In the opening game against Carolina, he allowed six goals and five in game two against Florida.  Afterwhich, Sorokin allowed just three regulation goals over the next two games and one goal in overtime against Columbus.  So, chalk that up to a bad start ...

... by Long Island's forwards!  All those goals are not wholly on Sorokin.  Oliver Wahlstrom leads the team with three goals after four games, which means something else isn't clicking.  The Isles needed to work too hard to defeat Chicago, thanks to a pair of Wahlstrom goals.

Although scratched against the Blackhawks, Anders Lee is back after being limited to just 27 games last season.  Kyle Palmieri and Zach Parise return for a full season, and entering his 20th NHL season, Zdeno Chara dons an Islander jersey.  

Otherwise, a turnaround is expected sooner than later.

On Saturday, the Islanders arrive in Arizona to face off against the 0-3-1 Coyotes, who have scored just eight goals through four games.  The Islanders have netted ten over the same span.  

So, therein lies their challenge: winning convincingly over a lesser opponent.

N.Y. Islanders: Long Island Blows Overtime Budget

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Bruins lead Islanders; 2-1

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

III - BOS 2; NYI 1*

*overtime

GAME FOUR

Bruins

vs.

Islanders

FROM

The Barn

Semyon Varlamov Surrenders First and Last Goal

The bottom line is Boston won on a really bad-angle shot.  

It renders moot which skaters were on the ice at that moment.

Was Semyon Varlamov surprised by this one particular attempt on net after already having faced 40 shots?  Did he not seal his body against the pipe?  Was he also being mindful of a Bruin potentially barreling down the slot?  Did Semyon even see the puck?   

Yes, he surrendered yet another early goal.  Lest we forget, he made five saves during an early Boston power play in the first as well.  That being said, can Semyon Varlamov be criticized for stopping all but one of 40 shots before the curtain fell?

Answer as you will.

Mind you, the Isles laid more hits and won more face-offs.  However, it's no wonder they also blocked more shots as Boston fired off 41 shots on goal, whereas the Islanders mustered 29 shots on goal.  Said another way, the Islanders were outplayed.  The power play was scoreless in three chances.

Islanders centermen (minus their captain) totaled nine shots on goal with one point.  Boston centermen joined together for 15 shots on goal with two points.  That's how close this is, two straight overtime games, and why Coach Trotz faces another dilemma regarding who starts the next game in net.  

Ilya Sorokin, if you remember, yielded five goals in game one, two on Boston power-plays, and three in the third period.  Meanwhile, Varlamov has carried the Isles into consecutive overtimes.  Fans might be split evenly down the middle.  It's just that Varlamov continues rendering the most inopportune goals.  Even then, you know what they say, listen to the fans, and before long, you'll find yourself sitting with them.

In three power-play opportunities, Tuukka Rask made five saves.  Otherwise, he makes 23 saves at even strength.  In fact, he made some rather stellar saves.  The Isles had their chances but simply couldn't convert against Rask.  After keeping the Isles scoreless through two and a half periods, Mathew Barzal decided to finally show up.  He scored his first goal of the post-season at 14:34 of the third period on feeds from Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Pulock, but that's all there was.  

At 3:36 of overtime, Brad Marchant takes a bad angle shot from the left corner that beats Semyon Varlamov.  

Boston takes two games to one series lead.

The Bruins have now outscored the Isles by a 10-7 margin and by a 9-6 margin in regulation.

Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy played 29:11 minutes, which sort of mirrors what Pittsburgh does with Chris Letang.  You do not see the disciplined Barry Trotz doing that.  Ryan Pulock led Isles blueliners with 24:34 minutes, Adam Pelech was next in with 23:21 minutes. 

New York Islanders Take Game Two In Overtime

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND TWO

Islanders and Bruins tied; 1-1

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

*overtime

Goalie Decision Still Altering Barry Trotz's Sleep Patterns

Both teams laid a lot of hits.  In fact, the Isles in game one inflicted seven more than Boston.  Physicality in this series is expected.  But if you remember, Long Island actually had to ease back on the physicality against Pittsburgh to better sync up their game.

Game one against Boston, you look at the disparity in shots on goal, then allowing two power-play goals, then just falling apart in the third period, and no one is really left wondering what happened.  

Boston centermen fired off 19 shots on goal, and three of their centermen, in particular, accounted for six assists, while three centermen each scored a goal.  Playing without Anders Lee, the Isles centermen joined together for 18 shots on goal.  Collectively they accounted for six points, and the Isles also got three goals from their centers.  That's fairly representative.

No skater for either team would post a minus-two for the game.

Tuuka Rask faced just 22 shots, allowing one even-strength goal and one on the power play.  

Meanwhile, Ilya Sorokin faces 39 shots.  He allows two power-play goals which both come very late in the period.  In the first period, David Pastrnak erases a one-goal lead with just 0:24 seconds left.  Then with the Isles trailing by two in the third, he yields a goal with 1:25 left in regulation.  He gives up three other goals at even strength.

And so, Coach Trotz spends another night with much to ponder.

For game two, Sorokin was out, and Semyon Varlamov was back in.  He faced 42 shots and stopped all but three, although it did little to avert overtime.  

Boston gets on the board at 2:38 of the first period.  But Varlamov keeps them out of the net for the rest of the first and all of the second.  Meanwhile, Long Island scores three unanswered second-period goals.  Two come on a slowly improving power play, and Kyle Palmieri tallies his fourth of the playoffs.

In a repeat of game one, the third period once again proves problematic.  Boston scores twice, sending this game into overtime.  That's when Tuuka Rask commits the mistake of a lifetime, turning over the puck, essentially handing it to Casey Cizikas, who ends the game unassisted.

The Islanders owned a slim advantage in face-offs, they increased their shots over game one, and the power play took yet another little step forward.  Physicality among both teams remains high.

N.Y. Islanders Take Out Penguins In Six

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND TWO

GAME ONE

ISLANDERS

vs.

BRUINS

FROM

Causeway Street Ice Hut

Isles Find Balance in the Force

Hear that..?

That's the sound of a window slamming shut.  

Time is running short for the Penguins.  For several years now, they've suffered poor goaltending and defensive depth.  Far too often, their top two defensemen average 28 and 29 minutes a night.  On this night, Chris Letang registers over 28 minutes.  Four Penguins defensemen finished with a minus-two.  Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust were minus-three, and Jake Guentzel was a minus-four.

Game Six starts on a down note.  Jeff Carter, there's that name again, scores just 1:27 into the game.  The Isles answer just under four minutes later.  Anthony Beauvillier nets his third of the series on feeds from Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey. 

Scott Mayfield gets whistled at 9:58 of the first for cross-checking Evgeni Malkin.  It served its purpose, but Jake Guentzel made Long Island pay at 11:12 with his first goal of the series.  Then roughly one minute later, Kyle Palmieri ties the game at two off a feed from Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

The Islanders commit their second cardinal sin of the evening when at 1:53 of the second period, Jason Zucker gives the Penguins a 3-2 lead.

After which, the Penguins fall apart like wet toilet paper.

Brock Nelson scores at 8:35, and Ryan Pulock scores 13 seconds later on feeds from Travis Zajac and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.  Just under three minutes later, Brock Nelson nets his second goal of the game for a 5-3 lead and the final margin of victory.   

Ilya Sorokin stops 34 of 37 shots on goal and all shots over the final 38:07 minutes of play.

Anthony Beauvillier and Brock Nelson register three points each.  Islanders trade acquisitions: Kyle Palmieri scores three goals in six games, and Travis Zajac, who has played infrequently, finished with a plus-two.

• ICE COLD: Mathew Barzal registers just three assists and a minus-two through six games. 

Long Island wins the series in six.  After being down two games to one, the Isles win three in a row.  Once they toned down the physicality, their overall game synced up.  They will now take on the Boston Bruins, who easily defeated the Washington Capitals in five.  I'm curious to see how they approach this easily more physical match-up.

N.Y. Islanders Take Game Five In Double Overtime at Pittsburgh

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Two Chances To Win One

GAME FIVE
Islanders  3

Penguins   2

FINAL/2OT

Double Overtime Thriller

The Islanders needed another hero.  

They got two, then three, then four ... none named Mathew Barzal.

Anthony Beauvillier made up for Josh Bailey's first-period penalty, which resulted in Evgeni Malkin's power-play goal with his even-strength goal just seconds before the period's end.  It was actually a brilliant goal at 19:05 in the first.  You know the Pens were kicking themselves.  Sloppy play on their part cost them, and Beauvilliere made them pay.  

Unlike game four, this time it was the Islanders answering back and scoring momentum-killing goals.  When Bryan Rust gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead in the second, Jordan Eberle tied the game midway through the third.

And into overtime, they went ...

Then another ...

Within 0:51 seconds of the second overtime, Jordan Eberle scores his third of the series, an interception he converted unassisted for the win.  Josh Bailey also assisted on Beauvillier's goal back in the first.

The Pens still won more face-offs and near equaled Long Island in hits.  However, Ilya Sorokin was a man possessed.  Pittsburgh took 22 more shots on goal than the Islanders.  In fact, Islanders centermen generated ten shots on goal, while Pittsburgh centermen alone loaded up with 21 shots on goal.  Ilya Sorokin faced 50 shots on goal, stopping all but two, including five saves on special teams and 43 saves at even strength.  He shut out the Penguins from the 7:37 mark of the second period onward.  Penguins' defensemen accounted for another twelve shots.  Sorokin earns his third victory of the series and now has the Islanders positioned to attempt one more win with two chances for getting it done.

The Islanders lead the series 3-2; they steal back the home-ice advantage and head back to the Uniondale Barn for game six.

Penguins Outlast Long Islanders in Battle of the Net Minders

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Islanders and Penguins Tied; 1-1

I - NYI 4; PITT 3*

II - PITT 2; NYI 1

Penguins Neutralizing Islanders Physicality

Truth be told, this outcome could have been worse.  Semyon Varlamov was that good.  In fact, he was rather brilliant.  Semyon went from being questionable on Monday to stopping 43 of 45 shots on goal but allowing nothing over the final 48:53 minutes of the game.

Should Coach Trotz have stuck with Ilya Sorokin?  That's academic.  Both goalies through two games have proven their worth.  

This is more about Islanders forwards putting pucks in the net.  

Long Island continues bringing the physicality, outhitting the Penguins by a 118-84 margin.  Case in point: the fourth line opened the game against Sidney Crosby's line; Jake Guentzel got knocked on his posterior; when Pittsburgh crashed the net, Matt Martin and company quickly expressed their displeasure; and Oliver Wahlstrom vs. Kris Letang almost became a thing. 

Yet, the Penguins still own a 63-57 advantage in face-offs and an 87-79 edge in shots on goal.  Meanwhile, both teams remain scoreless on the power play - nothing new for the Islanders.  

Pittsburgh's Bryan Rust scored unassisted just 3:30 into the first period.  The backbreaker came roughly ten minutes later when Jeff Carter made it a 2-0 game.  At 14:41 of the second, Josh Baily closes the Islanders' gap to one.  But that's all there was.  

I guess we say Pittsburgh's Tristan Jarry was just as good as Varlamov and maybe better.  After yielding three regulation goals and losing game one in overtime, he faces 38 shots on goal on Tuesday, stopping all but one.

Mathew Barzal ... where are you?

Casey Cizikas, Adam Pelech, and Ryan Pulock were each minus-two for the game, joined by Matt Martin and youngster Oliver Wahlstrom each with a minus-one.

N.Y. Islanders: Former New Jersey Devil Topples Penguins in Overtime

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

2020-2021 

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND ONE

Islanders lead Penguins; 1-0

I - NYI 4; PITT 3*

*overtime

Kyle Palmieri Finishes What He Starts

The Islanders have trouble scoring?  Yeah, so let's make a trade?  Oh, it did little to impact offensive production? 

About that ...

Former New Jersey Devil Kyle Palmieri does exactly what the Islanders needed most, score pucks.  He opens the scoring at 7:58 of the first period on feeds from Noah Dobson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.  But whatever the Islanders did, the Penguins answered right back.   Within minutes Frederick Gaudreau ties the game at one.  Sidney scores the only goal of the second period.  Just 3:33 into the third period, Jean-Gabriel Pageau ties the game at two.  Then at 15:50, Brock Nelson gives the Isles a 3-2 lead with assists from Anthony Beauvillier and Ryan Pulock.  But a mere 36-seconds later, Kasperi Kapanen ties the game at three, and into overtime, they go.

At 16:30 of the extra session, the veteran Kyle Palmieri patiently settles an uncooperative bouncing puck then wrists it high over Tristan Jarry's left shoulder for the game-winner.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau matches Sidney Crosby with five SOG's and one goal but also comes away with two assists for three points.

Getting the start between the pipes, Ilya Sorokin stops 39 of 42 shots on goal, all at even strength.

N.Y. Islanders: Major Letdown Theater

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Capitals lead Islanders; 5-2

I - WAS 3; NYI 2

II - WAS 6; NYI 3

III - WAS 3; NYI 1

IV - NYI 8; WAS 4

V - NYI 1; WAS 0

VI - WAS 1l NYI 0

VII - WAS 6; NYI 3

Islanders Lose Second Straight at Home

No Ovechkin, no problem ...

The showdown that was supposed to be has turned into a major letdown.

Washington doubled up the Islanders 6-3 in the second game of their three-game set.  

The Caps already led 2-0 halfway through the first period.  Anthony Beauvillier scored an unassisted power-play goal at the 14:28 mark.  Adam Pelech then tied it at 7:37 of the second period on a shorthanded goal, again unassisted.  

However, Washington answered right back with goals at 12:21 by Nic Dowd, and at 14:46 by Daniel Sprong.  Before the period was through, Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored on a power-play at the 17:12 mark bringing the Isles within one.  

But two more unanswered goals in the third gave the Capitals six even-strength goals for the game.  Making his 18th appearance, Ilya Sorokin faced 30 shots, all at even strength.  This is his fifth regulation time loss against twelve victories. 

The Islanders afforded the Capitals just one power-play opportunity.  Josh Bailey, Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin, and Anthony Beauvillier were all minus-3 for the game.

That makes two home losses in a row for the Islanders and their fifth loss in seven tries against the Capitals.  Long Island trails Washington by one point in the East standings.  They meet one last time on Tuesday.

 

N.Y. Islanders: Ilya Sorokin Saves The Day

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

SATURDAY

Flyers    2

Islanders 3

FINAL/SO

Ilya Sorokin Earns the Save in Closing Out His Ninth Win of the Season

After Long Island stormed the Capitals on Thursday, neighboring New Jersey failed to seize the moment against Washington losing in overtime on Friday, thus handing the Caps a two-point edge over the Isles in the East Divison standings.

On Saturday, the Isles and Flyers skated through a scoreless first session.  While on a second-period power-play Anthony Beauvillier opened the scoring at 12:01 on feeds from Jordan Eberle and Matt Martin.  Then, roughly three and a half minutes later, Beauvillier scored his second of the period (and his eighth of the season) on an assist from Mathew Barzal. 

Philly then turned the tables.  At 6:38 of the third, Claude Giroux scored unassisted, cutting Long Island's lead to one.  Then just under four minutes later, Giroux scores his second of the period (and his eleventh of the season), tying the game at two.  And that's the way it remains through the rest of regulation time.

The Islanders closed the final 0:15 second of overtime on a fruitless power play, but not before Philly goalie Carter Hart had already fulfilled the role of a thief.

In the shootout, Ilya Sorokin would outlast Carter Hart.  After three scoreless rounds, Mathew Barzal finally beat Carter for the potential winner.  Sorokin then stopped Philly's final attempt to secure the victory.  Ilya Sorokin faced 32 shots in all, making seven special team saves and 23 at even strength.  

Long Island is now 7-4 since losing Anders Lee for the season from an injury sustained on March 11 against the Devils.  That is not to suggest the Isles do not miss their Captain.  They mustered just 24 shots on goal against Philly, while their centermen accounted for only six shots and one assist.

Trotz's Troop nonetheless gain two points and reclaim their half-share of first place in the East.

N.Y. Islanders Issue Philadelphia Flyers a Reality Check

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Saturday Night Fever

Flyers    1

Islanders 6

FINAL

Islanders Halt Three-Game Skid Against Flyers in Commanding Fashion

Look what happened to the Flyers, again.  Two games after getting undressed 9-0 by the Rangers at the Garden, the Islanders bounce back from Thursday's disappointing defeat against Philly with a 6-1 drubbing of the visitors Saturday at the Barn.

Like thieves in the night, the Flyers in Thursday's match scored with just over two minutes left in the third period to snap a three-all tie and come away with a 4-3 victory.  But on Saturday, the Isles offered no quarter.  Long Island scored four times within the span of about nine minutes in the first period.  Jean-Gabriel Pageau opened the scoring with a power-play goal shortly followed by Jordan Eberle's goal at the 8:01 mark.  Two minutes later, Casey Cizikas scored the first of two first-period goals for a 4-0 Islanders lead.  However, before the period expired, Joel Farabee finally got Philadelphia on the board at 17:52 with his 13th goal of the season.

After a scoreless second period, Anthony Beauvilliere and Josh Baily each scored a goal in the third, giving the Islanders a 6-1 final margin of victory.

Playing without their captain Anders Lee (lost for the season), Long Islanders centermen still generated ten shots on net with four goals and seven points.  The other guy with a C on his jersey, albeit in his name, Casey Cizikas, now has six goals for the season.

• Anders Lee will undergo right knee surgery to repair a torn ACL; he is out for the season.  He last played in a 5-3 victory on Mar. 11 against the Devils.  The Isles are now 3-2 in his absence.

Goalie Ilya Sorokin earns his seventh straight victory while benefiting from an average of 4.0 goals per game worth of support.  He faced 24 Philadelphia shots, including four on special teams, stopping all but one at even strength.

This was Long Island's first victory this season over the Flyers in four tries.  Saturday's game, coupled with the Rangers defeat of Washington again, locks the Capitals and Islanders together in a first-place tie with 44 points apiece.  Since losing five straight back in January (and two postponements against Buffalo), the Islanders are now winners 17 of their last 23 games.  Their plus-24 point differential ranks fourth in the league.

Heading In Opposite Directions, Islanders and Devils Speed Past Each Other In The Night

From the desks: THE BRICK CITY STYX  &  LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Islanders lead Devils; 3-1

I - NYI 4; NJD 1

II - NJD 2; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NJD 1

THURSDAY

(1-3) Devils    3

(3-1) Islanders 5

FINAL

Long Island Is On Fire While Newark Remains Frozen In Ice

Another day, another twenty-minute performance by the New Jersey Devils.  In a near mirror image of their contest against Washington, in which they trailed the Capitals 4-1 after two periods, the Devils fell behind the Islanders 4-0 after two periods.  The Devils scored three times in the third period against the Caps but ultimately lost that game in overtime.  Thursday against the Isles, Newark again rallied for three goals in the third, but it clearly wasn't enough. 

Newark successfully killed off five penalties, which is to say they were completely overrun at even-strength.  They generated just 12 shots on goal through the first two periods and 22 shots overall versus 33 for Long Island.  Meanwhile, the Devils power-play hasn't scored since Feb. 27, against the Capitals.

After two more consecutive losses, the Devils have now lost ten of their last 14 games since returning from quarantine.  Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood appears in lockstep.  Back in January, he posted a .947 SV% through his first three games.  He then registered a decreased .904 SV% over seven games in February.  So far in March, Blackwood owns a .815 SV% through three games.  Through 13 games, he presently sports a .900 SV% and a troublesome 3.13 GAA.

This may be an unpopular take, but the Devils should seriously consider trading Kyle Palmieri and P.K. Subban.  After all, they are a rebuilding team.  Despite a minus-18 point differential and a division-low 58-goals for, the Devils nevertheless appear settled at the center.  There are other good young talents here.  But the Devils have clear deficiencies on the blue line.  Therefore, trade remaining assets and continue forging ahead with a full rebuild.

Lest we forget, the New York Islanders are in first place for a reason.  They own a plus-twenty point differential (28 points better than Newark), and with 38 points in 27 games, the Isles continue leading the division by two points over the relentless Washington Capitals.

Congratulations are in order.  Thursday's game marks Barry Trotz's 100th victory as coach of the Isles.

For the first time this season, the home team also played in front of a limited number of Long Island fans.  Those in attendance got to watch their Islanders win its seventh straight game and ninth win in their last ten.  The bad news is they also watched their Captain Anders Lee exit the ice due to an injury.  He is expected to miss some time.  He clearly appeared in pain, but the severity of the (undisclosed) injury is still unclear.  Anders Lee leads the team with both 80 shots on net and twelve goals in 27 games.  There's no denying he is among the league's toughest and most effective goal area loiterers.  If there's a loose puck, he finds it and converts.  

Getting the call, Ilya Sorokin saw little action through the game's first forty minutes.  However, the Isles eased off the throttle.  In turn, the Devils generated ten third-period shots on goal and found net three times.  In his eighth start, Sorokin nevertheless stopped 19 of 22 shots en route to his fifth straight win of the season.