Isles Day to Day: Full Attendance at Practice in Prep for Flyers

Following a much-earned day off after a
First Round series clinching win on Thursday night
, the Islanders got back to work on Saturday morning to prepare for their Second Round series against the Philadelphia Flyers beginning Monday night at 7 p.m.

For the Islanders, who defeated the Washington Capitals in five games, Saturday was their first practice since their victory that advanced them to the next round. The big news was that Cal Clutterbuck, who did not dress for Game 5, participated in the skate. The winger missed the third period of Game 4 after receiving a low hit from Washington's Radko Gudas. Head Coach Barry Trotz confirmed Clutterbuck was a full-participant and had full attendance at Saturday's practice.
"Everybody was out there," Trotz said. "Cal was out there. We got up and down the ice pretty good today. I don't foresee anything going into the series that we have to be too concerned about."

ISLES ON SERIES SCHEDULE:

The Isles have little time to tune-up before they embark upon their next best-of-seven series against another Metropolitan Division opponent. Once the series gets underway on Monday, there will be minimal - if any - time to practice in between games.
The Isles-Flyers series includes one initial back-to-back set and is condensed to fit the first four games over the span of six days. Should the series extend past four games, the schedule allots for an additional four days - and another back-to-back set - to wrap up the potential three remaining games.
"We're going to have a short practice tomorrow," Trotz said. "I don't think we practice again until the series is over really just looking at the schedule."
For the Islanders, who advanced to the Second Round for the second-straight year, this series setup is on the opposite end of the spectrum compared to the framework they experienced during last year's Second-Round run.
After cleanly sweeping the Pittsburgh Penguins in the First Round of last season, the Islanders were handed a prolonged period of time off. Their nine-day break between playing the Penguins and the Carolina Hurricanes, proved to be costly as they were subsequently swept by the Hurricanes.

"Nine days [off in between series] is not good for any team," Trotz said, reflecting upon last year's schedule. "We lost the rhythm [and] a little bit of our mojo, if you will. This [duration between series] has been good. You get a day or two to rest up and get guys closer to 100% and to get ready for your opponent. We're playing our next four games in the next six days. That doesn't happen too often. [We just need to] get in a good rhythm. What I learned last year is that break is mentally hard to stay sharp."

Video: Barry Trotz Availability: 8/22

MOVING DAY:

The NHL will consolidate Eastern Conference teams located in the Toronto hub city into one hotel today. They were previously split into two hotels.
"We've seen quite a few teams heading out, so we're happy to still be here," Brock Nelson said. "I think we've gotten pretty comfortable at this hotel, so maybe bittersweet. I'm sure it'll be nice getting a chance of pace, change of scenery, but at the same time we've been here for a while and know what we can do and the setup and the walk to the rink. It'll be a little bit different. The fact that we're still here and playing, I think that's the best part everybody takes away."

FLYING THE FLAG:

The Isles may be far from home, but Isles fans brought a little home to the team. A group of fans started a GoFundMe campaign last week to fly a "Let's Go Islanders!!!!" banner over Toronto. (The four exclamations were symbolic for the franchise's four Stanley Cups.) On Saturday, the banner flew and the Isles took notice.
Tweet from @scottmayfield2: Thanks for the love #isles fans!!!! pic.twitter.com/jBZPWkq0ep