11:46 am: Poulin will be back in net tonight. So much for Nilsson getting his shot. Rwgin will be back in the lineup at forward with Bailey & Nielsen. Radek Martinek will be in for Carkner. Hamonic has flown home early for further evaluation.
7 am: Has this road trip lasted forever, or is it just me?
So, the Isles face the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at 7:30 pm. If you take away the fact that the Bolts have won 10 more games than the Isles, the rest of their stats are pretty equal. The Bolts won in a shoot-out in December at the Coliseum and will be looking to do that in regulation tonight.
Stamkos is still out, so that is good for the Isles. What's not good is that Travis Hamonic is out as well and will be more than likely replaced by Radek Martinek who hasn't played since November. Oh Goodie.
Much Adieu about Ryan Strome being put back on the Ferry to Bridgeport. Really?
Big question for the day will be: Is Nilsson getting his chance in net tonight? We'll know later from Art Staple at the Isles morning skate. Points are very important and even though it looks dim for the Isles, as @JohnnyT_77 tweeted:
The #Isles are 8pts out of a Wildcard spot. That's 4 games. Still got 30+ games left. The gap is not as bad as some make out to be
Oh look! Fan optimism. Nice.
There is a viewing party tonight at Miller's Ale House in Levittown if you are so inclined. There is also an event at the NHL store in NYC that will probably be more fun -- if you got an invite.