NEW YORK ISLANDERS (29-15-6) VS LA KINGS (20-26-4)
7 PM |
The 1 place NY Islanders who came off the break and played a great hockey game against a very good Lightning team. Thomas Griess stood on his head as did the Tampa goalie. We are still in 1st and you have to beat teams like the Kings to stay there. Usually, there is some rust when you come back after the long break the Islanders did not show it. It is unfortunate that game last night ended with the skills competition. Robin Lehner who I expect to be in net tonight was named 2nd star of the month for his stellar play in the month of January. I expect to see a lot of early trades before the deadline. The Penguins made one last night getting rid of Derek Brassard. I believe will not be too far behind in a deal or 2. Go Isles!
SEASON SERIES: ISLES LEAD 1-0-0
The Islanders meet the Kings for the second and final time this season. The Islanders beat the Kings in Los Angeles on Oct. 18 by a 7-2 margin. The Islanders had six different goal scorers (Casey Cizikas, Josh Bailey, Valtteri Filppula (2G), Matt Martin, Leo Komarov, Andrew Ladd) in the win.
ISLANDERS NOTES:
- Saturday's game against the Kings marks the second leg of a home back-to-back for the Islanders. New York is coming off a 1-0 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night. The Islanders are 7-0-0 on the second nights of back-to-backs this season, one win shy of matching a franchise record. The Isles have outscored their opponents 27-6 this season on the second night of back to backs.
- The Islanders enter Saturday on a seven-game point streak (5-0-2) and are 15-3-2 in their last 20 games.
- The Islanders (29-15-6) lead the Metropolitan Division with 64 points this season and have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference trailing only the Lightning (38-11-2).
- Robin Lehner is expected to start for the Islanders as Barry Trotz said he planned to split his goalies on the back-to-back set. Lehner, who leads the league with a 2.02 GAA and a .931 SV%, was named the NHL's second star of January after posting a 6-1-1 record.
- Thomas Greiss extended his personal shutout streak to 146:48 after a 41-save performance on Friday night. Greiss is third in the NHL with a 2.39 GAA and is tied for third with a .924 SV%.
- The Islanders are victorious in their past two meetings versus the Kings. Additionally, New York has won three consecutive home games against Los Angeles.
KINGS NOTES:
- The Kings currently sit last in the Pacific Division with a 20-26-4 record. The Kings (44 points) are eight points out of a playoff spot.
- This will be Los Angeles' first game after the All-Star break and bye week. The Kings last played on Jan. 21 in a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues.
- On Jan. 28, the Kings acquired forward Carl Grundstrom, defenseman Sean Durzi, and a 2019 first-round draft selection from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Jake Muzzin. Muzzin played 496 games over eight seasons for the Kings, recording 213 points (51G, 162A) over that span. Grundstrom is currently playing for the Ontario Reign.
- The Kings last played on Long Island on Mar. 26, 2015, defeating New York by a 3-2 margin. Los Angeles is 20-25-1 (five ties) in 51 career games at Nassau Coliseum.
- Anze Kopitar leads the Kings with 14 goals and 34 points, while Drew Doughty leads the team with 23 assists.
- Jack Campbell is currently second in the NHL in save percentage (.931) and goals against average (2.19). Campbell only trails Isles goalie Robin Lehner in both categories.
- Nate Thompson (flu) did not travel with the Kings to Long Island.
Need these 2 points Go Isles!
Having 4 guys concentrate on Barzal and a sniper at the circle is insane. Right now, Barzal is the only threat.. that and the scare of a Pulock slap shot pinging you on the ankle (just not in front of the net, because Pulock can't seem to shoot it there).
Someone like Jeff O'Neill back in the day. Like what Bellows will be. What MDC SHOULD be.
Yeah but he has played in a few. Maybe he will play in a few more this year. 👍
I think Dal Colle has a bit of Lee in him. Hes dangerous near the net. If Beauvillier keeps struggling I wonder when MDC gets a shot with Barzal.
I think Dal Colle has a bit of Lee in him. Hes dangerous near the net. If Beauvillier keeps struggling I wonder when MDC gets a shot with Barzal.
If they make a trade for a top 6 guy, I think beau is the most likely to lose time right now
Stone, Panarin and Duchene are all UFAs this offseason and we age tons of cap room. Going to war with our current team and then going big game hunting this offseason looks like the best way to open up a 5-7 window of Stanley cup contention.
Stone, Panarin and Duchene are all UFAs this offseason and we age tons of cap room. Going to war with our current team and then going big game hunting this offseason looks like the best way to open up a 5-7 window of Stanley cup contention.
What about Zucc? He's the best passer in the NHL in the past 50 years!!!!!!
That's awesome - that game is going to be so much fun.
If you don't mind me asking - what do you do?
Quote:
but the second LAK goal really woke them up. Nassau Coliseum is the most fun place in the NHL to see a game right now. Everyone who goes to games comes back raving about the atmosphere. Sort of old school vibe you dont see in pro sports anymore. Hoping I can get up there for a few more games once things settle down on my homefront
I think Dal Colle has a bit of Lee in him. Hes dangerous near the net. If Beauvillier keeps struggling I wonder when MDC gets a shot with Barzal.
If they make a trade for a top 6 guy, I think beau is the most likely to lose time right now
At this rate, Beau might even be part of that deal, especially if it's for a Panarin where the Jackets need to add an NHL player to save face with the fan base.