The New York Islanders continue their northwestern sojourn tonight on Canada’s Pacific coast, visiting the white-hot Vancouver Canucks. Indeed, it is the first time former Canucks’ captain Bo Horvat returns to his first NHL home. Perhaps that is why tonight’s 10:00 p.m. ET start is on TNT. But there will also probably be a painful amount of love for TNT’s old buddy, Canucks coach Rick Tocchet.
The Islanders are on a five-game losing streak and have fallen below NHL .500. On the other side of the ice, the Canucks are 11-3-1, second in the Pacific Division, and almost at the point where they need only play .