The Daily: New York Islanders awakening in time to meet Red Wings?

The New York Islanders desperately need a winning streak and hope to start it tonight against a Detroit Red Wings team in a losing streak.

The Islanders finally looked like a Barry Trotz team a 4-2 home win against the New Jersey Devils Saturday. This is a team that was supposed to be a leading Stanley Cup contender. Instead,  the Islanders have looked somewhere in between in inept and disengaged.

A lengthy winning streak is the only way the Islanders can climb back into the Metropolitan race. The Red Wings are in a three-game losing streak. The only way they can stay in the Atlantic race is to find some level of consistency in their play. They are an improved team, but they haven’t been able to put forth the same performance level game-to-game.

The Red Wings can expect to see Ilya Sorokin in net because Semyon Varlamov has played his way out of the team’s goalie rotation.

Around the NHL

Detroit: GM Steve Yzerman has done almost everything right since taking over, including signing players to reasonable days. He signed Robby Fabbri to a three-year deal worth $12 million.

Also, Tyler Bertuzzi hasn’t changed his mind about vaccinations even after contracting COVID-19.

Boston: How the Bruins are coping with the COVID-19 situation. Plus, Trent Frederic says the Bruins needed to do more to protect their captain.

Calgary: The Flames are the latest team to have games cancelled because of COVID-19.

Florida: The Panthers have claimed goalie Jonas Johansson off waivers. What does that mean for young phenom Spencer Knight?

Pittsburgh: Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski opines that Anton Khudobin would be perfect for the Penguins. He also says the Canucks could poach the Pens’ assistant general manager.

Vancouver:  President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford explains the methodical way he will conduct his search for a general manager.