The Islanders are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot and a point tonight in Philadelphia against the Flyers would get that done. The Islanders are hoping to build off their 3-0 shutout win against the Sabres on Saturday and get a win streak going headed into the playoffs. To clinch a spot in the dance they will have to do so without Matt Martin and Frans Nielsen. Both players stayed in Long Island and will be held out tonight with undisclosed injuries.
Michael Grabner and Colin McDonald will replace the two injured forwards tonight. Neither McDonald nor Grabner have played in some time but some fresh legs might inject some positive results into the lineup. Nielsen has been banged up for some time now and he needs to be 100 percent moving forward as this team gets ready for playoff hockey. Jaroslav Halak will be in net tonight for the Islanders and Head Coach Jack Capuano said there would be no changes to the defensive pairings. I seriously hope that Calvin de Haan is nursing an injury because I simply don’t understand why he is not playing. I will be the first to tell you that de Haan has struggled this season but enough is enough. If de Haan is healthy what does he have to do to play over the likes of Thomas Hickey and Brian Strait? I simply do not understand or agree with this decision. However I am holding out hope that there is a nagging injury and that this coaching staff isn’t delusional to think Hickey and Strait are better options. I am simply at a loss for words on this topic and grasping at straws.
Looking across the sound to Bridgeport there is some good news to report from Sound Tiger land. Newly signed goaltending prospect Stephon Williams has been outstanding since joining the team winning both of his starts. The fact that the Isles were able to get Williams signed and into AHL games is a big win for the organization as Williams could have returned to Minnesota State for his senior season where he would have been competing for the Hobey Baker.
Another bright spot in Bridgeport has been the play of rookie defenseman Ryan Pulock. Pulock has had an amazing first season with the Sound Tigers and has scored 17 goals in only 48 games. Watching Bridgeport runs their powerplay is hilarious at times. Pass, pass… Pulock one-timer. I look forward to Pulock making this team next season and launching rockets from the blue line.
As for tonight the Isles will have their work cut out for them as the Flyers have gone 3-0-2 in their last five games. At this time of the season you have to score first against teams that are out of the playoffs. New York needs to give Philly a reason to be disinterested for the game tonight and if that happens the Isles will be locked into a playoff spot. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.