Top Shelf : Islanders Daily 6/3/2013

Jun 2, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing

(29) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against Los Angeles Kings goalie

(32) during the second period in game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Middletown, N. J. – Another quiet day on the news front for the Islanders as the team continues to fine tune its off-season plan and get ready for the NHL entry draft on Sunday, June 30.

With the Blackhawks taking command of its Western conference series with the Kings (more on that below) and the Penguins and Bruins getting back underway this evening, those four teams have rightfully taken center stage under the NHL spotlight.

Our report card series continues today with a look at Eric Boulton as we grade each and every Islander daily through the end of June. Also on the way is summer Q & A as I had a chance to sit down with several editors of other teams around the network and get their thoughts on where they think their team might be heading and what adjustments they need to make.

For the report cards, please don’t forget to let your voice be heard and vote in the poll at the close of each and every one.

Links

• Summer report card : Josh Bailey (EyesOnIsles)
• The continuing saga of Tim Thomas (Yahoo)
• Looking back on the 2012 Islanders draft (Rant Sports)
• Losing Brendan Kitchton : What does it mean? (Islanders Optimism)
• Changes Mike Gillis needs to make in Vancouver (NW Sports Beat)

Around The Twitter-Sphere

• Ah the joy of love is especially heightened when you both have the same NHL rooting interest! Hee Hee ?

• The dreaded injury bug decided to stay away from Long Island this year and it paved the way for the playoff run the team went on. Hopefully it does not rear its ugly head ever again. We have had our share. 

• The Blackhawks star defenseman, playing the best hockey of his career, knows better than to get ahead of himself while playing the defending champs.

• The Bruins played a tremendous game one but it was not mistake free. The Penguins and their explosive offense will come out firing tonight. Boston’s young defense must be ready and especially survive the first period.

Around The NHL

• The Blackhawks took the game to the defending champions last night at United Center, winning 4-2 and taking a 2-0 series lead back to Staples Center in LA. Jonathan Quick was not himself, allowing all the goals before being pulled in the second period. The unlikely goal scorers were Andrew Shaw, Brent Seabrook, Bryan Bickell and Michael Handzus. The Kings came back from the same deficit in the first round against the Blues and are undefeated at home this postseason so anyone writing them off as finished in this series could be sorely mistaken.

-AG