Good Morning, Islanders Country.
Game On! There’s a hockey game tonight.
The Islanders have been cleared to resume play following the postponement of two games due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the organization. The NHL said it is in the process of revising the Islanders' regular-season schedule, which will be announced when completed.
Coming up, Barry Trotz knows post-season intensity must start on Thursday, Anders Lee and Josh Bailey are excited to finally see their new digs and the call-ups impressed. Plus, the Sharks share their location, Dufour gets an invitation and the Hockey Maven has a new gig.
Let’s dive in.
📰 NEWS: Following the league’s announcement that the Islanders had been cleared to resume their schedule, the team hit the ice at Northwell Health Ice Center Wednesday morning. While Anders Lee, Adam Pelech, Ross Johnston, and Andy Greene all returned to practice yesterday, Zdeno Chara, Kieffer Bellows and Casey Cizikas remain in protocol.
🏒 TIME TO PLAY: "They're going to all have to play. I think you're going to see four of the five," said Barry Trotz on how many returning covid players will play tomorrow.
🐾 UNDERDOGS: “I think there is something to be said for expectations. We've dug ourselves a huge hole,” said Trotz. “It doesn't mean we can’t dig ourselves out of it. It makes you dig in. If you have any backbone you're going to dig in.” “Our playoffs are now,” Trotz added referring to the importance of games moving forward.
🏠 HOME AT LAST: "Whether you're going through a tough time or a really good time, you want to be involved in it with your teammates," Bailey said following Wednesday's practice. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. It's an exciting time for all of us guys that haven't played in the new arena yet. "The arena is phenomenal, added Lee. “I could tell from sitting at home that you can tell the place had some energy in it."
👷 GAME BY GAME: "We're just looking to build off day by day," Lee said. "There's a lot of confidence in our group in who we are and who we should be on the ice. It's evident that we haven't been the same to where we want to be. We're going to take it day by day, game by game, and not get ahead of ourselves. [We're] looking forward to this challenge. It's going to be difficult to get out of, but it's not insurmountable or anything like that. There's a lot of hockey left to be played and our best hockey is in front of us.
🔫 YOUNG GUNS: “They've all had games where they were very good,” said Trotz of the call ups. “There were times when they looked a little unsure. We did find out a lot about a lot of our young guys. You can win with them.”
⏭ NEXT UP: The Sharks will be the Islanders’ last home game before heading out on the road again to take on the Detroit Red Wings this Saturday. However, the road trip will be short-lived as the Isles will head back home to face the Chicago Blackhawks in the latter of a back-to-back on Sunday.
📊 STANDINGS:
🙅 ON LONG ISLAND: The San Jose Sharks seemingly made it to Long Island and their social media team is already mixing it up online. In a bit of pre-matchup fun, the Sharks Twitter location reads IN Long Island, rather than ON. Put ‘em up, San Jose! 🥊
🇨🇦 INVITED: Isles 2020 5th round draft pick, William Dufour, has been invited to Team Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp, beginning Dec. 9 in Calgary. Dufour is one of 35 players invited to the tryout.
Dufour is scoring at a torrid pace this season in the QMJHL with the St. John’s Seadogs, notching 18 goals, 38 points in 23 games. The soon-to-be 20-year old leads the QMJHL in goal scoring and is second in points.
👩🏫 SOUND SMART: Timo Meier has 22 total points while scoring 11 goals and totaling 11 assists for the Sharks. Logan Couture has two goals over the last 10 games for San Jose. Eric Karlsson and Brent Burns are tied for San Jose's defenseman in scoring with 12 points apiece. Karlsson has four goals and eight assists through 16 games, while Burns has one goal and 11 assists in 22 games.
🗓 ISLE REMEMBER: On December 1st, 2018, the Islanders returned to the Nassau Coliseum for the first time since moving to the Barclays Center to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. A late second-period push tied the game at two for the Islanders, and in the third period, Cizikas would net the game-winner. Thomas Greiss earned the win with a 28-save performance.
🔗 Islanders cleared to resume play after COVID-19 outbreak, by The Athletic Staff, The Athletic: “The New York Islanders have been cleared to resume their schedule after having two games postponed last week due to COVID-19, the NHL announced Wednesday. The Islanders' next game is Thursday against the San Jose Sharks at UBS Arena.”
🔗 Islanders trade targets? Or could they be deadline sellers? What to do with Zdeno Chara and Zach Parise? Mailbag, part 1, by Arthur Staple, The Athletic: “Whenever the Isles return — either Thursday or later on — the next six or seven games will force Lamoriello’s hand on trades.”
🔗 Islanders 2020 late round pick could have historic year, by Michel Anderson, Eyes on Isles: “At this rate, assuming he plays a full 68 games, Dufour is on pace to hit 56 goals and 111 points. A return that could make him the highest single-season goal scorer and point-scorer in Sea Dog history.”
🎧 Talkin' Isles: Brendan Burke with Cory Wright and Greg Picker “Islanders play-by-play announcer Brendan Burke talks about how he got his start in broadcasting, calling minor league baseball, getting the Islanders job in 2016 and more”
And we leave you with this…you’re never too old to start a new job. The Hockey Maven, the legendary Stan Fischler will now be a contributor for The Hockey News. In his first article, Stan shared his memories of reading the magazine in his early life.
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