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There would be nothing more 2024-25 Islanders than to follow up Saturday’s “best performance of the season?” win in Toronto with a Christmas Eve-eve crash at home as the 0-10-3 Buffalo Sabres visit.
But maybe not!
The Islanders are, after all, finally healthy again (excluding Mike Reilly) for the first time since Game 5.
Peeking at the standings, the Islanders continue to be in a Group of Five dysfunctional Metro teams who may battle for fourth in the division while missing out on the playoffs anyway as Ottawa, at long last, has vaulted itself into wild card territory.
Leave First Islanders Goal picks for tonight here.
Islanders News
- Islanders Anxiety: For one night, the apathy was replaced by joy. Also: Dan and Mike mock more writers’ Smurfs and Leafs poetry, a target-rich environment. [LHH]
- Previewing tonight, and hope for the Isles’ terrible PK: “The Sabres power play has struggled during their winless streak, going 3-for-36.” [Isles]
- Isaiah George, now with an NHL goal on his card in front of hometown friends and family, continues to impress and earn teammates’ respect. [Newsday | Post]
- Was Saturday also a sign of hope for a fourth line answer, with Kyle MacLean, Casey Cizikas and Hudson Fasching? [Post]
- Was it a blip or a “sign of how dangerous* they can be” when healthy? (*dangerous can be ready many ways, such as “bubbly enough to convince Lou to trade more futures at the deadline”) [THN]
- This Day in Islanders History: Trottier’s eight points against the Ran-guhs. [Isles]
- Tonight’s opponent: Oh, oh dear, the Sabres are in quite the tailspin. (Again.) [ESPN]
- Question & Isles: Which emoji players use most. 2024, everybody. [Isles]
Elsewhere
Yesterday’s NHL scores include the Rangers losing at home to the Hurricanes.
- Scuttlebutt continues about J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson clashing in Vancouver, but the team really kind of needs its top two centers to get over it. Miller: “This isn’t a thing. So am I bothered? No, but you guys are just wasting your time.” [Sportsnet]
- Matt Rempe is suspended eight games for doing dumb Rempe things. [NHL]
- Tyler Johnson’s contract has been terminated mid-season by the Bruins. Just call it the Oliver Effect. [TSN]
