Islanders Gameday News: A paints and banks back-to-back with the Pens

I hope you all had a glorious and restful break that included very little mind paid to the Islanders — though there was no respite for our regular commentariat as we stewed over the state of the team.

Anyway, the Isles are back in action as they begin a run of 20 games between now and the Four Nations tournament in February. It’s a home-and-home with the Penguins, so glorious banking and paint-making sponsors will be highlighted for their innovative sponsorships of each team’s respective arenas.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News

• Mat Barzal shares how crappy the break felt after the 7-1 humiliation. [THN]
• The Islanders opened up practice to “Select Season Ticket Holders,” who apparently did not pelt them with tomatoes. Also, some discussed feeling crappy and Patrick Roy addressed fans to say they want to make them proud. [Isles | Photos | Newsday]
• Making the playoffs, however, is a tall order. [Newsday]
• In a shock, the Islanders believe their best game of the season is how they should play more often. [THN]
• WJC Tracker: Keeping up with the four prospects through the first two days. [Isles]
• In the latest Weird Islanders podcast, Dan and Mike talk with Sean Cuthbert about Robin Lehner’s wild and affectionate single season on Long Island. [LHH]

Elsewhere

A busy return to NHL action included the Blue Jackets thumping the Bruins, the Devils beating the Hurricanes, and the Sabres beating their second bad opponent this week.

• WJC roundup: Latvia stuns Canada with a shootout win. [NHL]
• In another shock, the Red Wings have fired their coach again. Former Islanders prospect Todd McLellan gets yet another head gig. [NHL]
• “I’m going to do everything I can to build a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup,” said Steve Yzerman. “I feel today we’re a long way from that.” [NHL]
• McLellan’s debut was spoiled by the Leafs and a Mitch Marner hat trick. [Sportsnet]
• David Pastrnak left the Bruins loss injured, so alert your fantasy manager. [TSN]
• Cutter Gauthier, the Flyers’ 5th overall pick who famously spurned them, is ready to face them for the first time. (Canadian media will call Flyers fans classless if they rip or boo him, right? That’s how this works?) [Sportsnet]