Islanders News: Capped; Malakhov on the Max’s

The Islanders took another regulation loss because this sport is alternately frustrating and fun in the “on any given Sunday afternoon…” kind of way.

It was funny to hear the coaches in post-game because Washington’s Spencer Carbery was basically, “Eh, well, we were OK” and “we [were fortunate to get] a 2-0 lead and were able to protect it,” while Patrick Roy was basically, “we did everything right, [our standard was to win, but sometimes you play the way you should and still don’t get it]” or thereabouts.

By rights and hockey karma and all that, the Isles should pull off something from one of the final two home games against the Avalanche or Lightning, even though the {THIS PARAGRAPH SPONSORED BY OUR OFFICIAL GAMBLING RING PARTNER} odds don’t favor it.

• This was fun though: Vladimir Malakhov on Max Shabanov, Max Tsyplakov, their adjustment, his role with the Isles, deciding not to coach, and the different vibe under Darche vs. Lamoriello. [RG]

• Speaking of Shabanov, Patrick Roy is optimistic he’ll seize an opportunity with Kyle Palmieri lost for the season. [Isles]

• About last night: the previously linked recap with coach quotes. [NHL] Lamenting another close but not close enough. [LHH] Gross: This shows they’ll need injury reinforcements. [Newsday] “Meagerly” and “plummets” says the Post ragebait headline writer [Post]

• The Skinny: 68 of Alex Ovechkin’s 909 regular season goals have been into empty nets. Also: “The Isles outshot the Caps 31-18 and have a 172-94 advantage over the last five games; however, they have been outscored 12-6 in those games.” [Isles]

• Takeaways: a little of this and that. [Isles]

• In case you missed it, Marc Gatcomb was recalled, so figure he’ll get another look or even run in the lineup soon, though he wasn’t in Sunday. [Isles]

Only four games yesterday, including the Senators getting torched by the Stars, and the Hurricanes getting past Calgary 1-0 in overtime.

• Adam Fox is going to miss some time. [NHL | ESPN]

• Meanwhile, the Smurfs’ performance at home has been “unacceptable.” Au contraire, I very much accept it. [AP]

• Martin Brodeur and Bill Guerin discuss Canada and USA’s goaltending situations, respectively. [NHL]

• Clayton Keller’s dad passed unexpectedly on Thanksgiving, but he wanted to stay with the Mammoth on their road trip, which included a visit to his hometown (St. Louis), where tribute was paid to his hockey dad. [AP]

• After three games in the AHL with an .839, the reinstated Carter Hart is expected to debut for Vegas. [TSN]

• Logan Cooley avoids serious injury after a knee-to-thigh hit. [Sportsnet]

• Ah, but there is a different Cooley making a name for himself in an otherwise lost season in Calgary. [Sportsnet]

• There’s “no Plan B” if the Olympic hockey facility isn’t finished on time. I, for one, would never doubt the Italians’ ability to complete infrastructure projects. [AP]