Islanders: Does Otto Koivula Play This Time?

Again, the New York Islanders called up Otto Koivula. Does he finally get a chance to play tonight or does he sit up in the press box?

Otto Koivula can do the drive from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Long Island in his sleep by now. Over the last couple of weeks, he has been called up to the Islanders and then sent back down more times than we can count.

The worst part of it all, he hasn’t played a single minute in his time on Long Island. Tonight, that might change.

In practice yesterday, Koivula was manning the fourth line with Johnston to his left and Komarov/Dal Colle to his right. In all likelihood, the Isles will go with Johnston – Koivula – Komarov and I’m here for it.

The kid deserves a chance, especially with all the round trips he’s made. He has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 10 games in the AHL this year, and he made his presence felt last year with 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists).

Koivula made the switch to the North American game and to center with flying colors last year. Now, it’s about when he will take the next step to the NHL level. If I was a betting man, which I am, I’d put money on him playing tonight.

Isles Tweet of the Day

There was SO much energy in the building that night. That pause after “Scores!” was for a deep breath and a reset. And you can hear me climb right back down to “3-1.”

Trying to stay in control of my voice was a constant battle with the crowd all night. #Isles https://t.co/Dn4drqXCZR
— Brendan Burke (@brendanmburke) November 12, 2019

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