As usual, the New York Islanders will play a home game tonight, Thanksgiving Eve. This year they face the Boston Bruins, who will be playing only their fourth game under the leadership of former Weird Islander Joe Sacco.

Last night the Bruins hosted the Canucks, and although they outdistanced the Canucks badly, they were sent off 2-0 with an empty net – and their old friend, Jake DeBrusk, scored the only one on his first trip back to Boston Goal against a goalkeeper. Although this may irritate them and cause them to rage this evening, they are also likely to be a little tired given the constant travel; Not to mention, there’s been a lot going on in the last few weeks. Additionally, Jeremy Swayman started last night, which would likely mean that the far more beatable Joonas Korpisalo would get the nod tonight. These Bruins are not the Bruins we have become accustomed to, at least not right now

Therefore, the Islanders need to pick up two regulation points – ideally without giving up any – against a team they would likely challenge for a playoff spot. Against the Red Wings they failed completely and rather modestly in this task several times, but that is a thing of the past. You have to right the ship and record the tracks.

FIG tips for TGE can be found here.

Islanders News

• A preview of today’s game. Patrick Roy had previously said that Ilya Sorokin would likely be between the pipes. They have also allowed the most goals in the third period this season. And I don’t think this fact is particularly funny!!!

• Island Ice Podcast: At this point, the only thing left for the Islanders to do is whine in the third period. As I speak, I don’t know what Andrew Gross says in the podcast because I haven’t had a chance to listen yet: I know body language isn’t everything, but they slumped their shoulders as soon as Detroit’s equalizer came the other night.

• By game time, the Isles managed to keep the game within one goal longer than anyone else. But they often end up on the wrong side of the bill. (THN)
• Roy isn’t wrong when he says the Islanders are playing good hockey, which is why at this point it appears mentally (not in a British way) that they can’t hold on to the lead. That and 22 things about our crazy team after 22 games. (The Athlete)
• I imagine this will worry some of you:

But there have been some internal rumors that the Islanders, who haven’t won a playoff round since 2021, need to qualify for Lamoriello to stay. To be fair, one of Lamoriello’s greatest strengths is that he plugs all the leaks, so the internal rumblings may not be true.

But what if not? If Lamoriello is “playing for his job,” how does that impact his upcoming decision on Nelson and Palmieri? – Newsday

• The Islanders’ fourth line is a clear weakness, so if they forego cheap bottom-six players, we have to wonder if the Islanders will stake a claim. This time it’s UBS Arena All-Star Valtteri Puustinen; He has six NHL goals, but three of them came against the Isles. (THN)
• The Islanders gave Henry Schafer and his family an unforgettable experience at Hockey Fights Cancer Night. (islander)

Elsewhere

• The only other game last night besides Canucks-Bruins was an overtime win for Utah in Montreal, with former Montreal first-rounder and Jonathan Drouin trade chip Mikhail Sergachev scoring the game-winner.

• Timo Meier received a suspension for checking Zachary L’Heureux in the face. (NHL)
• Auston Matthews could return to the lineup tonight. (NHL) Tage Thompson as well. (NHL)
• Patrik Laine isn’t quite there yet, but he’ll be accompanying the Canadiens on their three-game trip, so he’s close. (Sportsnet)
• The Predators traded former first-round pick Philip Tomasino to the Penguins for a fourth-round pick. Not a great ROI. (The Athlete)
• Kirill Kaprizov is the first Hart Trophy frontrunner. (The Athlete)