Top Shelf – Islanders Daily 10/21/13

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It’s a new week, Isles fans, and the New York Islanders, despite their struggles, have found themselves in playoff position through the season’s first 8 games. Losers of four of their last five, Long Island’s hockey team finds itself sitting in third place of the Metropolitan Division; however, the upcoming week only looks to get tougher.

No timetable has been announced, but the Isles figure to be without power play quarterback Lubomir Visnovsky (concussion), and possibly Michael Grabner, who has a phone hearing with the NHL’s Director of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan for his hit on Nathan Gerbe on Saturday night. Luckily, the Islanders have a little bit of time to figure everything out – there next game is tomorrow, at home, against the Vancouver Canucks – but the Islanders are hoping both players can get back on the ice sooner than later.

As for replacements, Matt Donovan and Brock Nelson, the latter who was loaned to BPT and returned to the NHL, figure to receive key roles with this struggling Isles team. It’s time to see what our rookies can do. #FreeDonovan #FreeNelson

In case you missed it

Andy Graziano takes a look at Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes, and the team’s problems, which were exposed in the 4-3 loss (EOI).

Our newest writer Joe Powers explains the underlying implications of Lubomir Visnovsky’s injury (EOI).

Sound Tiger Strome dreams of making big impact with Islanders (CT Post)

Will Michael Grabner get suspended for this hit on Carolina’s Gerbe? He has a phone hearing today (IPB).

The Curse of Battlin’ Billy? (Lighthouse Hockey)

Two Minutes for Tweeting

• Former Isles goalie Martin Biron has called it a career, and nobody has a single negative thing to say about him. Class act, and we wish him the best with the next chapter of his life.

• Brock Nelson was sent down to the AHL immediately after Saturday night’s loss to the Hurricanes to get some game action in Bridgeport. Last night, the Islanders recalled Brock, who is expected to play tomorrow versus the Canucks. Welcome back (TELL YOUR FRIENDS)!

• The Isles went to Adventureland yesterday morning. Casey Cizikas won the day.

Around the NHL

Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Vancouver Canucks 1 – CBJ (Gaborik, Umberger, Johansen); VAN (H. Sedin); Curtis McElhinny made 37 saves in his first start of the season for the win.

Nashville Predators 3, Winnipeg Jets 1 – NSH (Nystrom, Hornqvist, Cullen); WPG (Kane); Carter Hutton made 38 saves in his second NHL start, and the Predators scored three second period goals.

Anaheim Ducks 6, Dallas Stars 3 – ANA (Selanne, Perry [2], Etem, Getzlaf, Perreault); DAL (Garbutt, Dillon, Horcoff); Anaheim scored 5 unanswered goals, and Ryan Getzlaf had a four-point night as the Ducks won their 7^th straight game.

Across the Sound

After climbing back deficits of 3-0 and 5-3, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers fell to the Binghamton Senators, in overtime, by the score of 6-5. Brock Nelson played his first AHL game of the 2013-14 season, recording an assist. John Persson had a three-point game, and Ryan Strome added a goal – his first of the season – and an assist. Strome currently leads the Sound Tigers with 6 points (1-5-6).

-CT