I am still reeling from that Ilya Sorokin performance on Thursday in Edmonton. Ye gods, that was a masterpiece.
But anyway, on to the next one. The Islanders are in Calgary for an afternoon meeting, and David Rittich will start against his former team (though as he noted, there aren’t a lot of former teammates in the other room).
Advertisement
The Flames are a couple steps above the Western basement and seven points below the final wild card spot. They’ve been better-ish of late (5-5 in their last 10) but are still expected to basically tread water for the lottery.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
Islanders News
-
With no Bo Horvat, the Isles are getting by on great goaltending. [Newsday]
-
Some timely improvement from Anthony Duclair has also helped. [Post]
-
Takeaways, Barzal on Sorokin: “There’s not enough words to describe how good that guy is.” [Isles]
-
More discussion of Sorokin on the Tri-State podcast with Arthur Staple. [YouTube]
-
Confirmed now, Horvat will not be joining them on this trip. [Post]
Here’s a selection of practice media availabilities from yesterday, including Tony DeAngelo noting that Adam Pelech “may look like a stay-at-home defenseman, but he breaks out like an offensive defenseman,” and Andrew Gross asking Czech David Rittich if he’s “a sentimental guy” as he returns to Calgary:
Today’s opponent: Presented without comment, other than to be rude earworm for your afternoon:
Elsewhere
Last night’s scores included Carolina thumping Florida NINE to one and Tampa Bay finally losing, but still getting a regulation point.
Advertisement
-
Another letter! Chris Drury signed a letter to fans about the Smurfs disaster, and I believe he actually wrote it because it was worded weirdly and included em dashes and en dashes within the same sentence. It’s weird how J.T. Miller did not save them. [NHL]
-
Dean Evason was blindsided by his firing in Columbus. [Sportsnet]
-
Supposedly trade talks are heating up for Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson. [TSN]
-
This is an old story resurrected, but: How Moncton got Ted Nolan back into coaching, and eventually a call from the Isles. [Sportsnet]
-
The Sabres are feeling the magic. [AP]
-
Bourne: Why the Leafs have trouble holding leads. [Sportsnet]
