The Daily: Islanders Win to Pass Red Wings; NHL Suspends Torts

The Detroit Red Wings woke up this morning and found that the New York Islanders are right next to them. Technically, the Islanders are percentage points ahead of them for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot.

Both teams show 72 points, but the Islanders have one game in hand.

The Islanders crushed the Anaheim Ducks 6-1 Sunday for their sixth consecutive win. Their confidence is soaring.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time right now,” forward Casey Cizikas said. “I think that’s kind of our mindset. Each game we have a mentality to go in there and be the hardest working group. Guys are buying into that, and we’re coming away with big points right now.”

NYI Hockey Now’s Andrew Fantucchio has a story about how Lou Lamoriello‘s decision to stand pat at the trade deadline fueled the team’s fresh layer of confidence.

Since Patrick Roy took over coaching the New York Islanders, the Isles have the 5th best record in the Eastern Conference, fifth best in Goal Differential, fifth best in Goals Per Game. Before Roy was hired, Isles were 12th in the East, 13th in Goal Differential. Heading nowhere

— Steve Simmons (@simmonssteve) March 11, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• None of the analysis matters, the Coach Derek Lalonde‘s team just need to win games to qualify for the NHL playoffs for the first time in eight years.
• Igor Larionov and Sergei Fedorov have been successful coaches in the Kontinental Hockey League, but both of their teams have already been eliminated the league’s playoffs.
• Tim Robinson writes that the Red Wings had no luck in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat them to extend their losing streak to five games.
• Paywall story: Why are the New York Islanders now neck-and-neck with the Red Wings? We have the answers. We are trying to increase our revenue and we need your help. To subscribe, click here.  Use the promo code kevin10 to receive a $10 discount.

Red Wings Next Game

The struggling Red Wings, mired in a five-game losing streak, face the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday to close out this road trip. The same two teams also meet Saturday in Detroit. The Red Wings beat the Sabres 5-3 in Buffalo in early December. The Sabres are 6-3-1 in their past 10.

Hockey Now Network

Chicago:  Nate Brown writes about how covering the Chicago Blackhawks allows him to be a part of the family business. Good Read.

Colorado: Logan O’Connor will be gone for the remainder of the season after having hip surgery. Tough loss for the contending Colorado Avalanche.

Philadelphia: The NHL fined and suspended Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella two games and fined him for his blow-up directed at officials.

Pittsburgh: Columnist Dan Kingerski writes a column about how the Pittsburgh Penguins are crumbling from within.

San Jose: Tomas Hertl trade talks between the San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights actually started before the NHL All-Star break.