Top Shelf – Islanders Daily 6/21/13

Jun 19, 2013; Boston, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center

(19) and left wing

(29) celebrate after the game-winning goal by defenseman

(not pictured) past Boston Bruins goalie

(40) during the overtime period in game four of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Harry How/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

Astoria, NY – Another two-day break has left NHL fans craving more Stanley Cup finals action—if that’s possible—between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks. After a thrilling 6-5 Blackhawks overtime victory in Game 4, both teams traveled to Chicago in preparation for Saturday night’s pivotal Game 5.

In the meantime, the Philadelphia Flyers—they of the “let’s-sign-everybody” front office philosophy—confirmed that they will use the first compliance buyout under the new CBA to rid themselves of veteran centerman Danny Briere.

Yes, the Flyers have been very good at making headlines this summer. What remains to be seen is how they’ll get under the salary cap before the 2013-14 season. At the moment, Philadelphia is projected to be approximately $1.5 million over the cap, meaning they’ll have to shed a little more salary prior to October.

In other NHL news, players from the Bruins and the Blackhawks gave typical boilerplate interview responses about their upcoming game that could well decide the series.

In fact, teams that have held a 3-2 series lead have gone on to win Stanley Cup 81.3 percent of the time (26-of-32). Suffice it say that both teams will state publicly that they’re “only focused on Game 5” or that they’re “taking it one game at a time,” but they both know what’s at stake.

Regardless of the stock answers reporters got in the interview room, Saturday’s game will mean much more than the players are letting on.

-MW

Links

Islanders Summer Report Card: Frans Nielsen (EyesOnIsles)

Picking Prospects: Isles Hunting Shinkaruk? (Eyes On Isles)

Ed Mangano Responds Via Twitter (7th Woman)

Report: U.S. to Name Olympic Coach on June 29 (Pro Hockey Talk)

Floating Around The Twitter-Sphere

Anyone who was wondering how the lockout would affect fan viewership this year…you have your answer. Record ratings for a Stanley Cup finals—albeit one involving two major TV markets—are off the charts; seems like people have forgotten about the work stoppage, at least for now.

Not to troll NBA fans or anything, but seriously: NBA fans, consider yourselves trolled.

The next time I think about complaining that I’m tired at work because of a late night spent watching NHL playoff overtime, I’m re-reading this article.

And because it was a slow NHL news day, please enjoy this random picture of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane wearing European hockey jerseys.

Last Night In The NHL

Nothing happened. You know it. I know it. The world knows it.

Let’s just move on.

The top 15 goals of the season? The top 15 goals of the season.

(Link: http://www.youtube.com/v/jHLKUz_xS3w?hl=en_US&amp)

As always, thanks for reading us at EyesOnIsles. Keep it right here for all of your NHL playoff coverage and Isles offseason news. Be sure to check the menu bar at the top of the page for ways to connect with the EyesOnIsles staff; we’re always happy to talk hockey.