Islanders News: First win in the books at Blackhawks’ expense

The Islanders were without their captain in Chicago Tuesday night, but their goalie brought his A game. Against a winless Blackhawks team, that was enough for the Isles to get their first win of the season and slowly build back some of their mojo.

It wasn’t all pretty but it was a nice final score, and the Isles got to practice the Trotz Tourniquet once they built the lead. That will come in handy should they, you know, get more leads in the future.

Islanders News

About last night...:

• There was no doubt by midway through the third period, but a brilliant night from Ilya Sorokin (and two really nice Oliver Wahlstrom snipes) made it possible. [Newsday | Isles rapid recap | AP | NHL | Isles 3 Takeaways]
• Things looked — continually — bleak after the first period. Saw some D pair shuffles, too. [LHH]
• “Jeremy Colliton started the game by getting booed and ended the game by ... getting booed.” [Second CIty Hockey]
• The Blackhawks played quite well in many ways, but things fell apart. [NBC]

Stellar Sorokin

In answering media questions before the game, Barry Trotz said Ilya Sorokin had overall been fine but that they’d need more big saves from him. I doubt he wanted his team to play so poorly in the first that they forced Sorokin to do that or else start 0-3, but that’s what happened. He had 18 saves in the first period alone, 39 after 60 minutes.

It was a big night for Sorokin, who was really strong throughout and came under a minute shy of a shutout. (If you were watching on ESPN, do not be mislead: That was not a coach’s challenge but a league-initiated review coming in the final minute of regulation. That said, would’ve been a worthy challenge if they had the option.)

More from Trotz

Barry Trotz said Kieffer Bellows was fine — the moving lines around was an attempt to wake some guys up — and praised Wahlstrom’s positioning and decisions, and of course Sorokin’s timely and big saves:

Anders Lee Out Sick

The Isles captain was a fairly late scratch — you know that Chicago cuisine — which gave Kieffer Bellows his first game of the season. Bellows had a rough start, not really in sync on the Barzal line and getting moved around a bit. But I thought he got better, steadier as the game went on. (I guess to be fair, that description fits most of the team, but the rest of the roster isn’t on Leash Level: Microscopic.)

It may be moot if Lee is ready to go by Thursday in Columbus.

Matt Martin Returns

Safe to say he provided a spark. He also got in a fight, one of those forced by an unfortunate event: As he was laying a legal check on Mike Hardman, the Hawks winger fell or reached forward at the last second, which lined his head up between the glass and Martin’s body. Martin accepted the obligatory challenge, after first checking on Hardman, who left for observation.

Isles on ESPN

I almost hesitate to ask, but...what did you think of that ESPN production? Play-by-play was fine to me, but...the studio guys were kind of stiff. Okay, really stiff. They opened up a bit by their final intermission segment though.

Meanwhile...

• Mike Bossy announced he’s dealing with lung cancer and will take a leave of absence from his role with TVA. Pulling for #22. [LHH | Isles | NHL]
• Island Ice podcast: Andrew Gross talks to former Isles color man Billy Jaffe. [Newsday]
• No Sleep Till Belmont podcast: Arthur Staple discusses the opening two games and talks breakaways with Michael Grabner. [Athletic]
• The Isles or USB Arena or whatever announced an official car partner, but the headline “drives into USB Arena” gives me PTSD flashbacks to the Brooklyn Honda. (...which itself never really bothered me, except that it was a constant topic) [Isles]
• Cool write-up on the growing number of Isles Meet-Ups around the country. [Isles]
• Hmmm...the Athletic’s Isles beatwriter Arthur Staple is taking on a modified role as its New York hockey columnist, covering cats and dogs the Rangers and Isles. [Athletic]
• The ECHL Railers will host a block party for opening night Saturday. [Railers HC]

Elsewhere

Last night’s NHL scores include a ton of games. Some highlights: The Penguins lost in a shootout to Dallas, the Sabres won to open 3-0, and the Sharks trounced the Canadiens 5-0 to make the Cup finalists 0-4.

• Aaaand the Montreal media is out in force, with a rumor that Marc Bergevin will be ousted and replaced by Patrick Roy. A Toronto columnist enjoys. [Star]
• Nikita Kucherov is going to LTIR, may need surgery, will definitely be out a while. [Raw Charge]
• Mark Stone will not need surgery in Vegas, but his return is unclear. [NHL]
• It’s not clear where Evander Kane will be after his 21-game suspension is served, but the Sharks players sure aren’t going to worry about it. [Athletic]
• Pierre LeBrun talks to agents and execs (including Lou Lamoriello) about all the new long-term contracts. To me this is a reasonable and inevitable response to both the pandemic/cap pressures and the fact that seven-eight years is a lot better shared risk (and not cap dodging) vs. the 13-year backdivers of the old CBA. [Athletic]
• With the cap-stretched Leafs and Avalanche recently turning to short rosters/EBUGs, Elliotte Friedman says there should be cap exceptions. I say, you know the rules, build in a cushion. [32 Thoughts]
• Pavel Buchnevich was suspended two games for head butting a Coyote. [NHL]
• Jack Hughes was off to a quick start but left last night’s game after landing on his shoulder. [Sportsnet]
• About twice Hughes’ age, Oilers goalie Mike Smith may also be injured. [TSN]