Islanders vs. Kraken Gameday: Welcome back, Lane

The Islanders complete a back-to-back weekend of home matinees when Lane Lambert and the Seattle Kraken visit.

Both played yesterday, the Kraken winning in OT in Pittsburgh and the Islanders losing at home to the Blues. Hopefully the Isles can deliver a better show for home fans today.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

• Meanwhile, news for Alex Romanov is the worst: out five to six months, requiring shoulder surgery. [Isles]

• Not Islanders news, but of interest: The “not that kind of player” Mikko Rantanen who delivered the shove from behind on Romanov just got another game misconduct for checking from behind. (Scott Mayfield was not in the vicinity to be blamed for this one.) He gets a one-game suspension this time — but not for the hit, rather for getting two game misconducts in the first 41 games. [Sportsnet]

• Takeaways from yesterday: didn’t like the start, of course. [Isles]

• “Lack of jump” following road trip. [Newsday | Post]

• The Skinny: Mat Barzal passed John Tonelli on the franchise assist list; Emil Heineman’s points streak ended. [Isles]

• Previewing today: David Rittich gets the start. [Isles]

• Lambert’s Kraken are running hot at 11-5-5. Maybe he needed some time and perspective before his next head coaching gig. He remains as verbose and animated a public speaker as ever…:

Twelve total games yesterday, including the Devils losing in Philadelphia. The Metro whole East is going to be funny this year.

• The Sabres are preparing to terminate Alexandar Georgiev, who will head to the KHL. [TSN]

• The Blues are preparing to terminate Alex Texier, but supposedly nine teams will likely show interest in him at a cheaper rate. [TSN]

• Revisiting 32 preseason predictions, like “this is Roy’s last season on Long Island.” [ESPN]

• The Leafs hang their returning goalie out to dry. [TSN]