The Islanders return home tonight to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7pm in Brooklyn. Tampa will be without Anton Stralman and Steve Stamkos as both are out with long term injuries. I would say that the Isles are catching a break but New York was a complete embarrassment Saturday afternoon against the Penguins who were without Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury and Olli Maatta. Why would we expect anything different tonight?

I don’t want to go off on a tirade because today’s blog will focus on something bigger than hockey. I’ll get to that at the end. Therefore I will refrain from commenting on the garbage we saw Saturday. All I’m asking for tonight is effort. Is that asking too much for these professional athletes? Just look like you give a damn. Please!

Thomas Greiss will be in goal tonight and Christopher Gibson has been called up on an emergency basis because of an injury to rookie goalie J.F. Berube. After watching Saturday’s dumpster fire, it could be shell shock. Ryan Pulock will return to the lineup in place of Brian Strait. Finally Adam Pelech has been loaned to Bridgeport on a two-week conditioning stint.

We all see how little the top nine forwards are doing for this team. While Islander cruise director, I mean head coach, Jack Capuano has continued to spin his wheel of excuses, he finally showed some angst today. This should have been said weeks ago, but Capuano said “Strome, Nelson and Bailey need to pick their poop up and work harder.” Well well well. Are Cappy’s feet finally being held to the fire? One can only hope.

While I can write a book about the garbage that we are watching I need to take a step back today and focus on something far bigger than hockey. Maya Cohen was a happy little Islander fan that tragically lost her life in December. At tonight’s game against Tampa her family will be holding an awareness night in honor of her charity, Maya’s Rainbow Foundation.

There will table featuring her foundation on the concourse explaining her story and how you can help. There will be a 50/50 raffle that will benefit the charity and her father Seth will be interviewed on MSG Plus during the first intermission.

I urge you to support this wonderful cause and keep the memory of one our most precious Islander fans close to your heart. For more information please go to MayasRainbow.org and follow them on twitter and instagram @mayasrainbow.

This is just a sobering reminder that some things are much bigger than hockey. But at the same time, the hockey community is an awesome one and we always come together in times like these. Please take the time to learn more about this great cause and donate to it if you can. I will have more info on my twitter and instagram feed so you can check that out @DanDanNoodles78. Thank you.

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