Top Shelf: Islanders Daily 1/31/14

Jan 29, 2014; New York City, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky (11) skates with the puck against New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) during the Stadium Series hockey game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Islanders just can’t seem to get enough of their crosstown rival New York Rangers. After losing 2-1 in a continuation of the Coors Light Stadium Series, the Islanders take on the Rangers again tonight at 7 o’clock.

The game certainly is an important one, especially since the Islanders, losers of four consecutive games, sit 7 points out of the final playoff seed in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. The loss in the Bronx certainly was a game the team wishes they could have back, but they’ll just have to put that game to bed and focus on what’s going to be a very important Friday Night game.

The team’s roster certainly took a painful hit the other day, as Travis Hamonic was placed on the IR due to a concussion just a day after the return of long-missing defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky and starting goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. The Islanders just can’t seem to get a break on the injury front, but just like how they need to move on from Wednesday’s loss, they need to do the same now.

These next few games leading up to the Olympic Games in Sochi will really test the resiliency of this Islanders team, as they need to prove to the fans and to themselves they do have what it takes to be a playoff team and that last season was no fluke.

-Peter (@PJMcEntee)

In Case You Missed It

The Real Reason The Islanders Lost Last Night; Cee-Lo (Eyes on Isles)

Eyes on Isles Presents Volume 3 of The Deke Squad (Eyes on Isles)

Andy Graziano Recaps Wednesday’s Game (Eyes on Isles)

Brideport Sound Tigers Weekly Review (Eyes on Isles)

Evgeni Nabokov Gives Islanders Best Chance To Win (Islanders Op-Timism)

Around the NHL

• Montreal Canadiens 4, Boston Bruins 1
• Toronto Maple Leafs 6, Florida Panthers 3
• Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Washington Capitals 2
• Ottawa Senators 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 3
• New Jersey Devils 3, Dallas Stars 2 (OT)
• Colorado Avalanche 5, Minnesota Wild 4
• Calgary Flames 4, San Jose Sharks 1
• Buffalo Sabres 3, Phoenix Coyotes 2
• Anaheim Ducks 5, Philadelphia Flyers 3
• Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Los Angeles Kings 1

Across the Sound

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have taken the opposite, far more desire route than the Islanders have in their last 4 games. Unlike Long Island’s hockey team, which hasn’t won in four straight contests, the Sound Tigers are currently riding a four game winning streak, as they continue to push for the AHL’s playoffs.

Bridgeport forward and Islanders prospect John Persson has been a catalyst during the team’s recent resurgence, notching 4 goals and 2 assists during the four game winning streak, including a hat trick in the team’s most recent victory against the Syracuse Crunch.

Ryan Strome has been a contributor to the offense during the team’s winning streak, scoring a goal and tallying three assists over the course of 4 games. Strome is still 8th in the NHL’s top development league, despite playing 15 games in the NHL with the Islanders. He is probably in his last season in the AHL, and he may even be back up with the Islanders by the end of the 2013-14 season.

(For extensive Bridgeport Sound Tigers coverage, check out EOI contributor Drew Casey’s latest Sound Tigers briefing)