Isles Road Blog: Buffalo

Usually a microphone facilitates a conversation, rather than becoming the topic of one, but MSG's furry microphone could not be ignored on Thursday.
It was eye-catching, with a black, fuzzy material that belonged on a Davy Crocket or Russian ushanka hat. Doug Weight lasted about two seconds in his morning media availability before bringing up the unusual mic and seeing for himself just how soft it was. He brought it up again later in his interview, joking that it was tough to focus on one of the questions.

Josh Bailey, Ryan Pulock, Brock Nelson and Nick Leddy just rolled with it, but the mic looked like it could have been a continuation of Leddy's beard.
The furry mic is not just for aesthetics or the Buffalo cold. It serves a professional purpose, limiting the amount of popping in the audio of an interview and apparently is better in outdoor or windy environments, which may be necessary in Buffalo. Regardless, look out for it on tonight's broadcast - it's hard to miss.

PULOCK BURSTS HIS BUBBLE:

For the first time in over a month, Ryan Pulock will get to play without wearing a protective face shield.
"It's finally gone," Pulock said on Thursday morning with a smile.
Pulock's had the bubble on since Jan. 7, but as awkward as it is to play in at first, the Isles defenseman didn't let it hinder his game. Pulock has nine points (2G, 7A) in his last seven games, all with the face shield, including his five-point night in Chicago. Still, it's a relief to go back to just the visor and it'll be easier to find the puck in his feet.
"It is what it is. I was pretty comfortable with it, but it's obviously a little better vision-wise to take it off, so it'll be nice to have that gone tonight," Pulock said.