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Isles: School on Wed, Mid Term on Friday UPDATE 11:41 AM

November 21, 2014, 7:16 AM ET [13 Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
11:41 AM: Chad Johnson will face Fluery tonight in Pittsburgh. According to the Isles Twitter account, Capuano says there are no other changes to the line-up. The Penguins Greiss will play Saturday, most likely against Halak.

Also, nice of MSG to move the Isles broadcast to their main station -- they could have put on something like a re-run of horseracing now that the Ranger vs. Sabres game is postponed. But they were nice enough to put it on where we can find it. Yeah, them.


7 am: With a little time between games, the Islanders headed to elementary schools on Wednesday as they do each year. Two to three players hit the road across Long Island to discuss team-work and of course, hockey. For many kids it will be the highlight of their school year. For a few teachers, it was probably a few hours of being star-struck.

I only found it odd that none of the schools this year were in Brooklyn. Certainly that will change next season.

Isles hit the practice rink yesterday to prepare for their mid-term test: a home-and-home against the Penguins. Oh, those dreaded Penguiins who defeated them in October. It's an important test.

For the past two days, the hockey media has discussed the standings and where each team will end up on the last day of the season based on where they are by "American Thanksgiving." Well, right now the Isles are definitely in the playoffs according to that formula.

Should they be able to beat the Penguins even once this weekend, it will improve their chances of not just being in the playoffs, but sticking around. Josh Bailey told the media yesterday the games were a mental and physical test. They are. They have to believe.

Personally, I believe they can run Marc-Andre Fluery out of the net as they have done before. He may have the league's lead in shut-outs this season, but he can be broken. We've seen it.

Michael Grabner made the trip to Pittsburgh but is not expected to play. Of course, that could change along with Jack Capuano's line combos. Will Conacher be back in the line-up? Will Grabner make a surprise appearance? Will Halak play in Pittsburgh or in front of the home crowd on Saturday? All this and more will be revealed by Art Staple later this morning.

This is a big test. It's a "Go Big or Go Home" opportunity for this team. Let's hope they pass with flying colors; Blue, White and Orange!
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