The New York Islanders are out in Las Vegas for Thursday's matchup against the Golden Knights.

Meanwhile, the team had a pro scout busy on Wednesday night, taking in Chicago Blackhawks vs New Jersey Devils game.

Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) on X#Isles one of a handful of teams who have a scout in Chicago tonight.

While it's still early in the year, it's always interesting to see which teams are watching which others. In this case, it's almost certain the Islanders are watching Chicago, as it would be far easier and cheaper for the franchise to scout the Devils back in New Jersey -- a team the Islanders just beat 3-2 in overtime on Monday. 

The Islanders have a glaring need on the right side of their defense, and Chicago has a pair of players who could be acquired to join New York's defense corps.

First, Louis Crevier is thought to be available. He's a 6'8 monster, drafted in the 7th round of the 2020 NHL Draft, and has 72 games under his belt. He posted two assists last night, and through 16 games this season, has two goals and eight points total. 

He could very easily jump right into New York's lineup, perhaps as an ideal partner for Alexander Romanov or Adam Pelech, with Ryan Pulock now stapled alongside Matthew Schaefer.

Crevier's just 24, and with his size, why would Chicago be looking to trade him?

For starters, they have too many defensemen. Last night, they ran an 11-forward, 7-defensemen set-up, something far from ideal. 

Chicago also wants to add an NHL forward to the mix of their roster, as they continue to plow along in their rebuild. The Islanders are flush with NHL forwards and would likely be open to flipping a forward to improve their defense.

The other option thought to be available in Chicago is Connor Murphy, a 32-year-old veteran right-shot blue liner and steady presence for all 762 games of his career. He's spent the last 9 years of his career with the Blackhawks, remaining loyal throughout the long rebuilding process that's gone on.

Murphy's even worn a letter since the 2020-21 season, showcasing how much his leadership means to the team.

He's available for the same reasons Crevier is, just too many defensemen pushing and not enough spots. If Chicago gets the right forward or pick package in return, Murphy, a pending UFA, will be available.

He's expected to be dealt ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, but it's never too early to make an early run.  

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they have called up goaltender Artur Akhtyamov from the Toronto Marlies.

Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) on XThe Maple Leafs have recalled G Artur Akhtyamov. F Scott Laughton has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 8.

The Maple Leafs fell to the Boston Bruins 5-3 at TD Garden on Tuesday. Starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz was unable to finish the game, getting pulled after 20 minutes due to what the team said was a lower-body injury.

Stolarz allowed three goals on 11 shots in the game. He was pulled for performance-related reasons in his previous match, which was also against the Bruins, where he allowed four goals on 19 shots faced.

Following Tuesday's game, Craig Berube didn't feel Stolarz' upper-body injury was serious.

Toronto's next option in goal, Joseph Woll, is unavaiable to the Leafs as the goaltender continues his conditioning stint with the Marlies. Woll made 25 saves on 28 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

In all likelyhood, Dennis Hildeby is set to make his fourth consecutive NHL appearance when the Leafs host the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. Despite an 0-2-0 record, Hildeby has posted a .909 save percentage under difficult circumstance as the club tries to snap a 3-game losing streak. In six games with the Marlies, Akhtyamov has a 4-2-0 record with an .894 save percentage.

To be updated....

Simon Nemec scored a hat trick and Jacob Markstrom made 17 saves on 20 shots in the New Jersey Devils' 4-3 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night at the United Center. 

"He showed the forwards how to do it,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Nemec. "All three goals he is in forward positioning and finishing it. But good on him to find those spots and to finish. We worked this morning about activating our D and getting our defense involved and he certainly was paying attention.”

"That was probably the first hat trick in my career," Nemec told NJD.TV. "I was never a shooter or a scoring guy. I’m glad for that, but obviously a great team win."

Blackhawks star Connor Bedard opened the scoring with 1:25 remaining in the first period while Chicago was on a five-on-three power play with Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon in the penalty box. 

More important than the 1-0 score after 20 minutes was the Devils losing two forwards, Cody Glass and Zack MacEwen, with apparent injuries. 

At the 7:27 mark, MacEwen got hit by Connor Murphy behind Chicago's goal. The 29-year-old looked to be in pain as he made his way to the bench and down the tunnel. In the final seconds of the period, Glass crashed into the boards and was holding his arm as he skated off the ice into the Devils' locker room. 

Glass came out for the second period and was on the ice for one 17-second shift before disappearing back to the locker room. MacEwen did not return. 

Per reporters in Chicago, there is no update on Glass or MacEwen. The club will be off on Thursday, so any news will wait until Friday. 

Even with a depleted lineup, the Devils tied the game with 14 seconds remaining in the middle frame. Nemec's backhand shot beat Blackhawks' goaltender Spencer Knight for a tied 1-1 score entering the second intermission. It marked the first time in the 21-year-old's career that he scored in back-to-back games. 

With the Devils down to 10 forwards, Chicago regained the lead in the opening minutes of the third period. Landon Slaggert, who was recalled from the American Hockey League on Wednesday morning, scored his first goal of the season on a tip-in.

For a second time, New Jersey tied the game. The Devils' new-look top line delivered, with Dawson Mercer scoring his ninth goal of the season. Jack Hughes and Arseny Gritsyuk collected the assists. 

Sam Lafferty gave Chicago their third lead of the night, but it was short-lived as Nemec scored his second of the night less than three minutes later. Hughes picked up his second assist of the period. 

Nemec called the game 3:26 into overtime for his first career NHL hat trick. Markstrom picked up the primary assist for his second point of 2025-26. 

"He was waving for it with his stick, he was wide open, " Markstrom told NJD.TV. "A little soft pass, he had to wait for it a little bit, but it was his night tonight. Huge game for him and to top it off with the OT hat trick is huge.”

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