Top Shelf – Islanders Daily 9/27/13

Sep 22, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Islanders Chris Bruton (38) and Nashville Predators left wing Richard Clune (16) fight for possession at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

New York Islanders game day at Nassau Coliseum is finally here and we hope you can contain your excitement at work today. (We’re only half-kidding about the “containing yourself” part.) Yes, there will be NHL hockey played at the Coliseum tonight, and even though it’s only a preseason contest between the Isles and Nashville Predators, it’s still Islanders hockey in Uniondale, which is never not a good thing.

The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. as the Islanders look to avenge the 2-0 loss they suffered at the hands of the Predators in Nashville on Sept. 22.

The Isles are currently riding a streak of six consecutive preseason periods in which no player in blue and orange has scored a goal. While this is no doubt concerning to Islanders fans, let us remind you that these games—glorified scrimmages, really—don’t count for anything.

The Stanley Cup isn’t awarded to the team with the best preseason record and scoring titles aren’t won and lost in September. The Isles are still sorting out issues of lineup chemistry and are dealing with the loss of Cal Clutterbuck; these things take time to resolve.

Like we discussed in the last episode of our Dump and Chase Podcast, the first few weeks of the regular season will be much more telling in terms of how the team is performing.

Regardless of past game results, enjoy the on-ice action tonight—if you’re lucky enough to have tickets to the game. Hockey is back on Long Island for the first time since May; the regular season is almost here.

-Mike (@MichaelWillhoft)

In Case You Missed It

Islanders Scoreless In Last Six Periods: Don’t Worry! It’s Only Preseason, Right? (Eyes On Isles)

Islanders News: Looking At Reinhart, Nelson–Regin–Bouchard Line (Lighthouse Hockey)

Game Preview: New York Islanders vs. Nashville Predators (NY Islanders)

2013 NHL Predictions: Preview And Picks For Atlantic Division (Bleacher Report)

Trouba, Scheifele In Like Flynn (Winnipeg Free Press)

NHL’s Gary Bettman On Outdoor Game at Dodger Stadium: “When You Look At Hockey In Southern California, It Just Works” (Frozen Royalty)

Two Minutes For Tweeting

The awkward outdoor off-ice photo op: a staple of NHL cash grabs across the country.

Consensus opinion around the NHL is that the Islanders will only go as far as Evgeni Nabokov will take them; this is a statement of fact, not commentary on backup goaltender Kevin Poulin’s ability. Nothing more, nothing less.

Totally harshing my Friday mellow, brah. Let’s focus on the positives, like the fact that Tavares is only 23 years old and still growing into his potential. Now that’s something worth thinking about.

I have a feeling there were more than a few decisions like this in fantasy drafts around Long Island…

And so ends the Stepan-to-the-Isles saga that never even started. (If that’s possible.) Now we can get back to the important things, like reality.

As always, thanks for reading us at EyesOnIsles. Keep it right here for all of your NHL coverage and up-to-the-minute Islanders 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.