The Islanders have two games left on the big seven-game trip, with tonight in Vancouver feeling like a “gotta have it” two points. With the Olympic break nearing, these next two games could be big for not only how the trip ledger balances out but also where the season heads. Dan and Mike talk about that on the latest Islanders Anxiety podcast (along with some epic Master-foe Theatre).

Tonight, it’s an opponent (16-27-5, 37 points) that is so far in the league basement, they’re even 11 points behind the “Strongly Worded Letter” Rangers.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News

• Day to Day: Ilya Sorokin is due back in net, and it looks like Max Tsyplakov will get a chance next to Cal Ritchie and Emil Heineman, with Max Shabanov coming out. [Isles | THN]
• Line shuffling for Patrick Roy is a matter of necessity. [Newsday]
• The Skinny: Anders Lee’s 300th goal was the first for the Islanders since Miro Satan. [Isles]
• Takeaways from the loss to the Flames: Just didn’t bear down on chances, and what-not. [Isles]
• Health has been huge for Adam Pelech’s bounce-back season. [Post]
• Roy isn’t worried about Cal Ritchie hitting a rookie wall. [Post]
• He’s not worried about analytics either. [Post]
• On Isaiah George working back into form following multiple injury stints. [THN]
• Catching up with Wade Dubielewicz, who’s loving life. On poke-checks, which were a massive part of his game: “I was an undersized goalie, not in the greatest physical condition either.” [Isles]
• R.I.P. Phil Goyette, 92, the first coach of the Islanders who made his mark as a Cup-winning Canadien, Lady Byng-winning Blue and briefly a player with some other team. [NHL]

Elsewhere

Yesterday’s scores were few — evidently there were other sports in action? — but they included Detroit getting an OT win with Ottawa picking up the consolation point.

• We have a trade: Rasmus Andersson finally gets his trade, and the Flames finally get their price, from Vegas: Zach Whitecloud, a first-rounder and a second that could become a first if Vegas wins the Cup. [NHL]
• An original Knight, Whitecloud is excited to be a Flame. [Sportsnet]
• Craig Conroy felt the time was right to make the deal, with Andersson saying he would not entertain sign-and-trade scenarios. [Sportsnet]
• Will that trade, and the Rangers throwing in the towel, open up the trade market a bit? [Sportsnet]
• Ol’ friend Nick Leddy is on waivers, again. [NHL]
• Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchment are close to returning for the Panthers. [TSN]