Good Morning, Islanders Country.
All signs point to this being an Isles Gameday. No additional positive cases to report and no mention of postponements. The team even sent out their morning skate and post-game media schedule.
And the strongest indication of all, an early morning gameday hype video.
Nothing is guaranteed this season, but no news is good news. After 11 days, it’s finally time for the New York Islanders to resume their season.
Coming up, reduced quarantine guidelines for players and the World Juniors is canceled after more positive cases. Plus, Madden on Madden, and we knew Uncle Leo can play on the top line in the playoffs, but he can play the piano too?
Let’s dive in.
📰 NEWS: The NHL & NHLPA agreed to new COVID quarantine guidelines Wednesday afternoon that will shorten the quarantine period for asymptomatic players.
⬇️ REDUCED: The quarantine for asymptomatic players that test positive for COVID-19 has been reduced from 10 days to five days, provided they can produce a negative test result and are still following the guidelines set forth by local authorities.
The new guidelines came as a result of the modification made on Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
⏎ RETURN TO PLAY: The new protocols applies to those already on the COVID list. What this means for the Islanders is that Anthony Beauvillier, Zach Parise, Cal Clutterbuck, & Oliver Wahlstrom can return Saturday with a negative test. Tuesday for Brock Nelson.
❌ CANCELED: One day after the US team forfeited a game to Switzerland, the IIHF announced the cancelation of the remainder of the 2022 World Junior Championship due to an uptick of positive COVID cases. In addition to the US, Russia, and Czechia also forfeited games due to positive cases before the ruling.
⏭ NEXT UP: After a slew of postponed games throughout the NHL after the holiday break, the Islanders and Buffalo Sabres are back in action tonight at UBS Arena. This will be the Isles’ last game of 2021 with their next game scheduled for New Year’s Day against the Edmonton Oilers at 2 pm.
📊 STANDINGS:
🏈 MADDEN ON MADDEN: As the NFL and the whole sports world remembers the transcendent life of Hall of Fame coach, broadcaster, and video game icon John Madden, Devils Insiders posted this ESPN feature of that John Madden talking about New Jersey’s John “Mad Dog” Madden, who was signed by the Devils as an amateur free agent in 1997, after catching the attention of general manager Lou Lamoriello.
📚 SOUND SMART: For the 29th day of the month, Da Beauty League tweeted an appreciation post to Brock Nelson. The Minnesota-based league was established in the Fall of 2015 by local business people in an effort to bring professional hockey to Minnesota on a year-round basis. It’s basically a glorified pick-up game for NHL players and other professionals in the off-season. In 2021, Nelson, a Minnesota native, led his team in scoring with 23 goals and 16 assists in 10 games.
🗓 ISLE REMEMBER: On December 29th, 2018, Mathew Barzal a.k.a. “The Kid Who Won The Calder” scored a natural hat trick in the second period as the Isles blanked John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 in the first game against their former captain.
"You could tell before the game guys were dialed in, guys were ready to go, we knew what was at stake, knew it was a big game against one of the top teams in the League," Barzal said after the win. "If we play like that, this team can be pretty special. Guys are just battling to win; everyone just wants to win here right now, so it's a great atmosphere."
🎧 Nassaumen Hockey Podcast Episode 91 Featuring Kevin Kurz of The Athletic: Join NHP in welcoming Kevin Kurz to Islanders Country discussing his latest article with The Athletic, and dive into the Islanders’ season so far.
🔗 Islanders Weekly: Second Bout with COVID, by Jon Zella, The Hockey Writers: “We haven’t had any rhythm,” head coach Barry Trotz said on Monday. “That’s probably the most frustrating thing for us this year.” With the short-term NHL schedule in major fluctuation, with more postponements being announced every day, the Islanders will have to continue to battle against the schedule and a roster decimated once again by COVID-19.”
🔗 What you need to know: Islanders and shorter quarantine for players, by Michel Anderson, Eyes on Isles: “Recently the US's Center for Disease Control reduced its recommendation for the period people should remain in isolation. The CDC now recommends a five-day quarantine over a ten-day period. On Wednesday, the NHL adopted this new recommendation. Obviously, that impacts the New York Islanders, but how?”
🎧 Talkin’ Isles: Episode 16: Brad Dalgarno with Cory Wright and Greg Picker “The sixth-overall pick in 1985 chats with Cory and Greg about: how he got into hockey (2:40), getting drafted sixth overall by the Islanders (9:45), how Mike Bossy changed his hockey stick and rooming with Bryan Trottier (15:30), being the locker room DJ (19:50), flying commercially as an NHL team (22:25), the 1993 playoff run (29:30), his music background and playing in the Juno Cup (38:55), his transition to the business world (41:55), cigarettes in the NHL (45:40) and more.”
And we leave you with this… Uncle Leo seems to be enjoying life overseas, showcasing his skills on the piano playing John Legend’s “All of You.”
Thanks for reading! Follow us on Twitter for regular updates until the next newsletter.
And please check out our newsletters about the Knicks and Mets, too.