Will the NY Islanders be allowed to do anything fun for the Stadium Series?

New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello is a man of rules and principal.

He wants young players to wear low numbers and forbids long hair or facial hair during the regular season. When you sign with or are traded to his team, you have to bring your razor and scissors. No exceptions. These traditions are supposed to be about forging team unity and an understanding that teams win championships, not individuals.

It's because of these rules that Islanders fans aren't expecting their team to do anything creative when they arrive at MetLife Stadium for their game against the New York Rangers on Sunday,

It's become a tradition for teams playing in a Winter Classic or Stadium Series to arrive in style, dressed in a costume that is linked to the city or state they represent. At this year's New Year's Day game, the Seattle Kraken arrived as water fishermen while their opponents, the Vegas Golden Knights, entered the building as Elvis impersonators before leaving the building after a 3-0 loss.

Previously, the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins wore throwback baseball uniforms for their game at Fenway Park. The St. Louis Blues wore beach wear for their game in the freezing outdoor temperatures of Minnesota. It's allowed hockey players, who show up to games looking dapper in their well-tailored suits, a chance to be creative and have a little fun. The fans love it.

Last night, the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers added to the tradition before their game in East Rutherford. The Flyers dressed up as Philly's favorite folk hero, Rocky Balboa, wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants with towels around their neck, looking ready to hit hanging meat. The Devils were up to the challenge as well, showing up as if they walked off the set of The Sopranos.

If, and that feels like a big if, the Islanders do something, the ideas floating around to represent Long Island range from the Karate Kid and horse jockeys to Billy Joel and the Gorton Fisherman. Maybe LIRR train conductors? Football players? Who knows?

Of course, the most important thing isn't how you arrive, but whether you leave with two points, but with the expectation that Blueshirts will likely have something planned, it would be nice to see the Islanders be allowed to let their pretend long hair down for a change.