NFT: Flyers at Islanders, 7:30pm Game Thread

Okay, back to the Metropolitan Division. Isles made a tremendous amount of hay against the Metro last season (21-6-3). Time to carve out the games that need to be won (of note, though, against the "tougher" West, the Isles are 8-2-1 this season).

Tonight's lineup: Zidlicky back in for Pelech; Bernier in for Beck; Halak between the pipes.

Hickey began skating with the team yesterday and the thinking is he'll be back for the TB game. There was also a Strome mention in a Newsday tweet today:

Quote:

Cappy says they're keeping an eye on Strome - started slow, showing good practice habits, improving. Thinks they'll evaluate situation soon.

Ex-Isle news to watch: Kenny Jonsson's health is being closely monitored. He had been diagnosed with an infection in his small intestine, which then resulted in blood poisoning. Jönsson was placed in intensive care, and was also suffering from dehydration and sepsis, a condition that often follows an infection. Get well, KJ.

Mathew Barzal picked up five points (1G, 4A) in three games for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. The Islanders’ prospect picked up at least one point in each of his three games this week – all wins – to extend his point streak to six games. The Thunderbirds have won six straight games, as well. Barzal leads Seattle with 34 points (6G, 28A) and is currently sixth in WHL scoring.

Meanwhile, in the OHL, Joshua Ho-Sang extended his point-scoring streak to an OHL-best, 13 games. His streak is tied for the longest in the OHL this season.

On the goaltending front, Ilya Sorokin continues an amazing season so far at CSKA Moscow, and now stands at 8-3-1 in 12gp with a 0.97 GAA and a save percentage of .957.

Let's Go Islanders!

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