10/18 Washington vs New York 7pm FSN-2

Late day getting started so combining daily articles and game previews.

NYI.com Has the pregame and reports Marc Andre Bergeron will be a healthy scratch.

Newsday: John Jeansonne has reaction from Guerin and Hunter on the line changes.

"Oh, my god," Guerin said when asked to calculate the number of line changes he has experienced during a career of junior, international and NHL hockey. "Thousands. Thousands."

"Sometimes it's game styles that suit each other [in putting together a line]," Guerin said. "Sometimes it's personalities. And sometimes something goes well for a while, and then you have to break it up a while and come back to it later."

Washington Post:Washington Times: Semin is unlikely to play against Islanders, Jeff Schultz was recalled and will likley take former Islander John Erskine's spot tonight. Boyd Gordon is questionable for tonight. Since beating the Islanders the Capitals (3-2-0) have been outshot 94-51 in back to back losses, Oleg Kolzig is expected to start.

Joe Motzko and Tomas Fleischmann might be the first- and second-line right wings, respectively, tonight for the Capitals, who ranked 25th in the league with 2.20 goals per game through Tuesday. Motzko and Fleischmann have a combined five goals and 60 NHL games to their credit. In practice, Motzko skated alongside all-star Alex Ovechkin and center Viktor Kozlov, and Fleischmann played with rookie Nicklas Backstrom and center Michael Nylander. Brooks Laich replaced Gordon on the checking line, playing between Matt Pettinger and Chris Clark.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article is about Mike Morrison who was recalled while goaltender Joey MacDonald
is home in Canada for a few days as his wife gives birth.

"There's got to be an environment where success is not only wanted, but it's worked toward," Morrison said. "That's what's nice about this organization, and coach Jack (Capuano)."

"He likes to take shots before and after practice. He competes hard," Capuano said. "We know he'll battle."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
With the Devils scoring goals (and giving up goals) coming to the Coliseum Saturday, Islanders could use a breakout game here offensively from the players struggling up front. Another good game from Bergenheim would go a long way toward him being the second line left wing beyond a few games.

Kolzig always makes it a tough game and considering the Caps have lost two straight I'm not expecting another game where they take twelve shots against the Islanders and come at them on home ice.

Islander News Articles 10/9:

Newsday: Greg Logan has the game recap where Poti and Kozlov praised the Islansders, Nolan and DiPietro were quoted about the loss with more speculation that Berard will be signed shortly.

Newsday: Logan also has an article with player reaction to Jason Blake having Lukemia.

NY Post: Dan Martin's game article centered around Mike Comrie's turnover that led to the game winning goal. Guerin and Comrie are quoted on the game as Berard's likely signing.

"When you expect a lot out of yourself and you're an important part of the team, there are going to be high highs and low lows," Comrie said.

"It can be heartbreaking when you lose and make a play like that, but you learn from it."

"You can shoot a lot and just fluff the goalie's pads all day," said Bill Guerin, who acknowledged that the Caps had more scoring chances.

Daily News: Brian Bohl showed up again, his article centered around Comrie's turnover, shot selection and thoughts from Nolan, DiPietro.

"Offensive guys like to make great offensive plays," coach Ted Nolan said. "Mike knows maybe he should have went up the boards with it. If he has one turnover a game and creates six on the other end, we'll take that any day."

"It's not always the shots, sometimes it's the chances that they get," said DiPietro, whose team held a 31-12 edge in shots.

"We just have to take better shots," captain Bill Guerin said. "I think we're shooting to shoot. Especially with bad ice, you have to keep things simple: get to the net."

Washington Post: Required registration for access to their game coverage.

Washington Times: Corey Masisak has the Caps Centric coverage of the game.

NHLPA Had a feature on Islanders goaltending coach Mike Dunham.

Toronto Sun: Mike Zeisberger, did an article on former coach Peter Laviolette's support for Jason Blake.

Edmonton Journal: Cam Tait, had another updated on prospect Robin Figren who again had a good game according to Oil King's management.

10/8: New York vs Washington FSN 2pm

Combining the news articles with the game previews today because it's an early game.

Islanders website: Has early preview for today's game.

Newsday: Greg Logan's talks about Chris Campoli, Tambellini practicing on the second line with Satan and Vasicek and where Berard may fit if signed by the club.

"I'm just playing the game the way I know how to play it," Campoli said. "For me to help this team, that's the way I need to play. Right now, I'm shooting the puck and it's going in."

"Chris came into camp much more mature this year," Nolan said. "I think when you're younger and get things given to you a little too quickly, you take things for granted. Chris worked extremely hard this off season and it's paid off for him."

Washington Times: Corey Masisak has an updated on how former Islander Viktor Kozlov is doing well paired with Ovechkin.

Washington Post: Did not have an update this early on today's game.

The Toronto Star: Reports Jason Blake has been taken off the first line because both Sundin and Blake like to control the puck. Also talks about how many chances Blake creates with his hard work and skating but already the pressure is on Blake from the media because he has not scored in the first three games.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Kolzig is coming off of a shutout. Oveckkin, Semin, Nylander, Kozov are a very good offensive combinatinonb and the backline is improved with Poti. Caps have been a hard working team for years under Hanlon and will give the Islanders everything they can handle and more today. My impression is Sim will be out for a long stretch and a knee injury can really linger as we saw with Yashin and so many former Islanders.

Islanders could use a big offensive game from Satan and the second line with Tambellini getting his opportunity.

A small sidebar today is finding out if Meyer cleared waivers. You want to keep him if possible because this is an injury prone defense and you need all the depth you can get. As for Tambellini this is his chance to prove he can play on a second line in this league. Unfortunately he's going to have to do it with a center who had six goals last season but he's a first round pick on his second organization at a point where he has to show he can play in a top nine position as Nolan indicated.