NYHN Daily: Islanders Lines, Yandle Ties Record, Canucks Historical Hire

The New York Islanders are back in action Tuesday as they host the slumping Philadelphia Flyers at UBS Arena. The Islanders had three absent members at practice on Monday and head coach Barry Trotz tried out some new line combinations. The NHL may not be going to the 2022 Winter Olympics but former New York Islanders are. 

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

Keeping it on the Island

The New York Islanders had three players absent from Monday’s practice. Is Islanders head coach Barry Trotz separating a long-lasting duo? (NYI Hockey Now)

With the accidental release of Team Canada’s men’s Olympic roster a day early, NYIHN can now dive into the former New York Islanders who are representing their respective countries at the Beijing Olympics. (NYI Hockey Now)

Around the National Hockey Now Boards

Here are the Talking Points from the Boston Bruins 5-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden on Monday night to close out a largely successful homestand for the Black and Gold. (Boston Hockey Now)

Pittsburgh Penguins center Teddy Bleuger will be out of the Penguins lineup for six to eight weeks, putting his return in early to mid-March. Midway through the first period of the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 shootout win over the Winnipeg Jets, Blueger was injured by a check from Winnipeg defenseman Brendan Dillon. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Two records were equaled Monday night at the sparsely attended Wells Fargo Center — one honorable, the other dubious. Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle tied an NHL record for consecutive games played (964) in his team’s 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. (Philly Hockey Now)

On Monday night, Keith Yandle tied an NHL record that has stood for almost 35 years as he played in his 964th consecutive game. Yandle tied Doug Jarvis who played 964 straight games from 1975-87. He will take the record as his own tonight against the host New York Islanders. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Jared McIsaac 2021-22 stat line that is most important to the Detroit Red Wings and to the young defenseman is this one: Games Played: 32. The Grand Rapids Griffins have played 33 games this season. That means Jared McIsaac stayed healthy for the first season since turning pro in 2020. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Another flat start did the Montreal Canadiens in and they chased the Minnesota Wild for the rest of the game in a night to forget and an 8-2 loss Monday in Minnesota. Here’s how it happened. (Montreal Hockey Now)

On Canine Night, the Washington Capitals saw the dog days continue against the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite five power-play opportunities and a strong third period, Washington failed to find twine and got shut out in a tight 1-0 loss. (Washington Hockey Now)

In the second period on an extended five-on-three powerplay for the Capitals against the Vegas Golden Knights, Ovechkin ripped a shot that hit Lehner directly in the face. Lehner stated that the shot hit him so hard that he felt it in his cheekbone and the goaltender stopped play to look at his mask. Shockingly, the shot had broken the cage of his mask and he went to the bench to put on his mask from last season as a backup.(Vegas Hockey Now)

It’s all starting to feel a little surreal, isn’t it? Sixteen wins in a row at home. A 17-1-1 record in the last 19 games. A division title that’s starting to feel wrapped up already. For the Colorado Avalanche, life is a Cars song these days. They just keep winning. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Erik Karlsson missed Saturday’s game against the Lightning with an upper-body injury, and he’s about to miss some more. “Probably not going to see him on this road trip,” San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner admitted this afternoon. The Sharks are flying out tomorrow for a grueling four-game road trip through Washington, Florida, Carolina, and Tampa Bay. They’ll then have a week-plus break until their next game on Feb. 14 versus the Edmonton Oilers. (San Jose Hockey Now)

Adding new voices, diversifying, giving women a larger role in the game; all elements of a progressive philosophy that the Vancouver Canucks have grasped. President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford announced his latest move on Monday morning, bringing in Émilie Castonguay as an assistant general manager. The move comes just days after Rutherford added 25-year-old Rachel Doerrie to his analytics department. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

The Calgary Flames looked like giant killers on Monday night. It was the kind of game that makes fans forget every frustration. That loss to the Edmonton Oilers a couple of nights ago? Can’t recall it. Leon who? With a 7-1 win over the St. Louis Blues at the Saddledome, the Calgary Flames looked like they were toying with their opponent most of the evening. (Calgary Hockey Now)