RSS Islanders Team Notes

[New York Islanders]

Capitals 4 (EN), Islanders 1: Four unanswered goals sink Isles in DC

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 02: Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) and Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) fight during the New York Islanders versus Washington Capitals National Hockey League game on February 2, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Third-string rookie goalie? No problem… for the Capitals. Clay Stevenson played just his second game this year, and while he didn’t get his first career shutout, he turned away 29 of 30 shots by the Islanders.

Bo Horvat still looks a bit rusty after missing some time due to injury; he had a lot of chances tonight but just was off the mark each time. Hopefully he’ll get on the board soon, since the power play could really use his shot.

It wasn’t a bad effort by the Islanders, but struggling to score more than one goal against this guy just isn’t going to cut it for a team that has some level of playoff ambitions.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

Early, David Rittich made a save on Ryan Leonard and took some extra contact and went down. Nic Dowd was called for slashing Rittich, sending the Islanders to the power play. That power play was not great, despite Patrick Roy putting Mat Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Matthew Schaefer back together on PP1.

Schaefer took a holding penalty, and Horvat missed a shorthanded breakaway backhand, but the Islanders killed the penalty.

Rittich saved an Anthony Beauvillier breakaway, and then the Capitals gave the puck away to Barzal in the slot, and he made it 1-0 with his 15th of the season.

View Link

Ondrej Palat drew a slashing penalty on Tom Wilson with 19 seconds left in the period, and the Caps killed it in the second period. Palat, on PP1, nearly gave the puck away to Aliaksei Protas, but he couldn’t catch up to it.

Then, Martin Fehervary scored to tie the game, and just 30 seconds later, Beauvillier made it 2-1 quickly, two fairly soft goals given up by Rittich.

Bo Horvat shot wide on a breakaway chance and Simon Holmstrom hit the outside of the post, on the best opportunities to tie the game after the quick Capitals lead.

David Rittich made big saves on Wilson and Jakob Chychrun, and then Wilson laid a big open ice hit on Holmstrom, which got Scott Mayfield’s attention. Mayfield and Wilson fought, and Mayfield picked up an extra two minutes for “roughing” that seemed like a pseudo-instigator penalty even though Wilson was the one who dropped the gloves first after Mayfield came up to him.

Casey Cizikas had a good shorthanded chance on the kill, but with 10 seconds left, Carson Soucy took a high sticking penalty, giving the Capitals some 5 on 3 time and another power play.

After some dangerous moments, the Islanders killed both Mayfield and Soucy’s penalties. Any chance of a comeback seemed to deflate, though, when a Dowd pass bounced off Tony DeAngelo and past Rittich to make it 3-1.

Rittich was pulled for an extra skater with 5 minutes left, but John Carlson scored the empty netter with 2:25 left, giving the Capitals a 4-1 win.

Up Next​

Tomorrow, the Islanders head back to UBS Arena to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who currently occupy the second seed in the Metro Division, two points ahead of the Islanders. Feels like a big one for the season as we approach the Olympic break!

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ga...-rittich-stevenson-fehervary-beauvillier-dowd

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: Back home vs. Penguins

Let’s see some of this, ok? | Getty Images

The Islanders did not get the job done in D.C., they did not claim any points vs. the Capitals, so they’ll aim for redemption tonight back home against the Penguins.

Helpfully, Pittsburgh lost last night in regulation on a late Claude Giroux goal, so their standings edge above the Isles remains two points, though with two games in hand. Their loss to the Senators ended a six-game win streak, which is just kind of in keeping with how all these mid-level Eastern teams keep streaking up and down. (Except Buffalo, which streaked downward, then up, up, up and shows zero sign of stopping.)

Tonight’s First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• About last night: Not a terrible effort, but one goal against the third-string goalie and continued power play inertia won’t get it done. [LHH | Newsday | Post | THN | Isles]
• Patrick Roy reunited Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat on a line in hopes of sparking both (and fulfilling the prophecy of Ondrej Palat, First Liner). But the real spark was Tom Wilson’s sweet pass to Barzal, amirite? Jonathan Drouin returned, at center between the Swedes. [Newsday | Isles]
• Previewing tonight: Ilya Sorokin gets the start, of course. [Isles]

Elsewhere​

Interesting results around the league last night, as the Predators became the fourth team to reverse a four-goal deficit and win this season, and the Sabres won again to hand the back-to-back Cup champs their fourth straight loss.

• Barry Trotz announced that he will step down as GM in Nashville whenever they secure a replacement. His contract goes through 2026-27 (he’ll switch to “advising”), but they’ll start the search now. [NHL | CP]
• Enjoy the many names on the Real Kyper Trade Board. [Sportsnet]
• Oilers players love the now-waived Calvin Pickard and hope he gets a chance to return to the team. [Sportsnet]
• Many “snubbed” non-Olympians have gone on points-scoring tears, but that may be as much about removing the distractions as it is about trying to prove those evil national team execs wrong. [ESPN]
• Filip Chytil, who’s had just a brutal concussion history, left Vancouver’s game vs. the Mammoth for undisclosed reasons. [Sportsnet]
• Terrible tragedy: Three Albert junior players are mourned after dying in a car crash. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...nders-gameday-capitals-recap-penguins-preview

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday: Metro back-to-back

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 31: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders watches his shot in front of Matt Roy #3 and Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals during the third period of the game at Capital One Arena on October 31, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Islanders enter a pretty significant back-to-back with a match vs. the Capitals tonight in D.C. followed by tomorrow night at home to the Penguins. The Capitals are just four points behind the Isles and can narrow that gap tonight, though they’ve played one more game. The Penguins currently sit two points above the Islanders but have two games in hand.

The Penguins also are in action tonight, home vs. the Senators, so at least both teams will be traveling before tomorrow’s encounter.

For tonight’s encounter, both teams have miserable power plays, so at least that — aww, hell, you know that’ll be what costs them.

First Islanders Goal picks for tonight go here.

Islanders News​

• It’s kind of a case of the less said about Saturday’s loss to the Predators, the better. But here are recaps: LHH | Newsday | Isles | Post
• And here’s The Skinny: “The Isles are 6-29 on the power play in the last eight games and have allowed a power play goal in three straight game, killing only 4-7 in that span.” [Isles]
• Islanders Anxiety: Dan and Mike discuss the week behind and the week(s) ahead. [LHH]
• Gross: The power play is still broken. [Newsday]
• Ryan Pulock credits Barry Trotz with establishing the right mindset for this Isles core. [Newsday]

Elsewhere​

Yesterday’s schedule was light, highlighted by the stadium series meeting in Tampa, where the Lightning came back from four goals down to win via shootout. Narrative: Lightning spurred on to rally by a goalie fight!

STADIUM SERIES GOALIE FIGHT pic.twitter.com/ntCWlmmr25

— ESPN (@espn) February 2, 2026

• Lots of potential injuries to monitor heading into the Olympics. [NHL]
• Wow: $90 for event parking in Seattle. [Sportsnet]
• Asking Mike Sullivan about his old team, after they swapped coaches (and later, that team beat his Rangers yet again). [Post]
• As the Oilers waive Calvin Pickard, Tristan Jarry is still not proving to be what they needed. But at least he’s blaming the defense for his troubles. [Sportsnet]
• The Leafs’ “emptied the tank” to beat the 32nd-place Canucks. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...81/islanders-gameday-capitals-power-play-woes

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 5, Penguins 4 (OT): Horvat, Barzal find their groove

Bo knows OT. | NHLI via Getty Images

The New York Islanders pulled out a late equalizer and 5-4 overtime win in an intense, back-and-forth meeting with the Pittsburgh Penguins that highlighted how we have Ilya Sorokin and they have Replacement Jarry.

True, Sorokin allowed at least one goal he would want back, when Bryan Rust banked a shot in off his glove from below the goal line to make it 3-2 in the second period, but he faced more shots (35-23) and stopped more nailbiters while Stuart Skinner offered holes the Islanders gratefully found.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

That applies to Bo Horvat’s late first period goal, when Skinner bobbled a glove save and Horvat pounced on the loose puck with Skinner unawares (to be fair, it took an odd carom in between). It also applies to noted cannon-launcher Mat Barzal’s one-timer from the point to tie it at 3-3 and Ryan Pulock’s snap shot from the slot to tie it at 4-4 with 4:36 left in regulation.

RYAN PULOCK TIES IT FOR THE @NYISLANDERS!

IT'S 4-4 WITH LESS THAN FIVE IN THE THIRD

: @NHL_On_TNT & @StreamOnMax https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T pic.twitter.com/Ij7LFVR9Ot

— NHL (@NHL) February 4, 2026

Horvat finished things off on an overtime breakaway, snapping a shot past Skinner right as the wobbling, rolling puck finally settled down.

LATE ADD: Here’s Horvat, mic’d up for his encounter with a bird during play.

Bo Horvat was mic’d up for the Bird Goal in the 1st period.

It’s incredible. pic.twitter.com/TqY0x6PTPw

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 4, 2026

Notes​

• It was a competitive game throughout, but felt too tilted Pittsburgh’s way for comfort. As has often been the case this season, Islanders goaltending provided an important difference, just enough cover to keep them in the game.
• There Barzal Offensive Zone Orbits aplenty, but his rushes and breakouts were also key to several goals, including his own. Made a nice chip to send Horvat on the breakaway for the OT winner, too.
• Matthew Schaefer continued his “moah than Bahbby Aahh” season with his 16th goal of the season, and 23rd assist on the winner.
• Was that a power play goal? No. No, the Isles did not score on the power play. 0 for 2.
• Gotta be huge for Horvat to put a couple in; he’s had some breakaways since coming back from injury, so finishing one will help make him feel whole going to Italy.
• Damn, Patrick Roy is cold and hard-ass with Anthony Duclair. Benched him after four shifts, 3:04 TOI. Per Andrew Gross, “Roy said this was a ‘big game’ and he didn’t like Duclair’s defensive tracking. But he said Duclair will be OK.” Duclair got back as the third man on Anthony Mantha’s goal, but he was covering no one. So I definitely get it, especially if this is a discussion they’ve had before.
• After the Isles tied it up yet again at 4-4, the Penguins thought they had another go-ahead goal, but Ben Kindel clearly was kicking Sorokin’s pad and then continuing to drive him into the net, so even by current random standards that was pretty obvious goalie interference. Took the refs long enough to review it though.

Sidney Crosby had a bout of Vintage Crosby Whiner when he tripped Simon Holmstrom as the Isles winger carried the puck out of the zone in the third period. It was special edition, since Crosby pre-whined, stopping and making a diving gesture as play carried on before a penalty was called…oh, by the way, no penalty was called. So it was fun to see Crosby continue to whine after he went to the bench, a display reminiscent of his early Entitlement Years in the league. It was one of those occasion where it didn’t take much to cause Holmstrom to fall — skating fast on edges can be like that — but it wasn’t a dive. I didn’t see Crosby’s reaction to his trip of Barzal, also in the third, but I’m sure it was totally dignified.

Second-Best Moment of the Night​

Schaefer with the laser, after the Isles make a big push as the clock wound down in the first, making two goals in 1:15:

Matthew Schaefer:

Laser and tongue’s out celly! pic.twitter.com/BTdOfCvP4l

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) February 4, 2026

Best Moment of the Night​

Gotta be the Horvat winner. Schaefer breaks up the play, Barzal pitches it forward, Horvat keeps the wobbling puck moving forward and is able to snap it just in time:

BO HORVAT! GINORMOUS WIN! 6-0 in OT this year! pic.twitter.com/UiocXfp9dV

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) February 4, 2026

Up Next​

Damn, the Isles needed those two points. It was not looking promising at several moments there. Unfortunate that they let the Penguins get a point, too, but it sure beats zero and two.

They finish the pre-Olympics stretch with a visit to the struggling Devils on Thursday.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/game-recaps/44020/islanders-vs-penguins-bo-horvat-barzal-schaefer

 

[Zedster]

That OT win against the Penguins was exactly what the Islanders needed after that frustrating loss in Washington. Horvat finally burying one of those breakaways has to feel good, especially heading into the Olympic break. The guy's been snakebitten since coming back from injury, so getting that winner should do wonders for his confidence.

Sorokin continuing to be the difference maker is both reassuring and a little concerning at the same time, you know? Great that he's there to bail them out, but relying on your goalie to face 35+ shots and keep you in games isn't exactly a sustainable playoff formula.

The power play situation is rough though. Going 0-2 against Pittsburgh after already struggling just compounds the issue. When you're in a tight Metro race like this, those extra goals matter. Hopefully the Olympic break gives Roy and the staff some time to figure out what's not clicking there.

Schaefer's been fun to watch this year. Kid's got a cannon and clearly isn't intimidated by the moment. Sixteen goals from a defenseman is no joke.

The Devils game Thursday feels like a trap game on paper given how they've been playing, but the Isles really need to stack points before everyone goes to Italy. Should be interesting to see if they can carry any momentum from that comeback.

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders vs. Devils Gameday News: Olympics Eve

Send us to the break happy, okay? | NHLI via Getty Images

I don’t know nor care when the Olympics actually start (the men’s hockey games start in six days), but for our NHL-centric purposes they start tomorrow. Or rather, today is the last day before a long, cold break in the schedule, when we’ll just hope Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat stay healthy while we hear inside stories trickle out about just how bad the ice arena in Italy is.

Tonight, the Isles have one more chance to add points to the ledger before the break, after which 24 games will remain in their playoff push. They visit the Devils, who are 11 points south of the wild card and just acquired Nick Bjugstad for some reason. (Watch, he’ll score tonight. You know he will.)

First Islanders Goal Picks go here.

Islanders News​

• Now our sweet 18-year-old wunderkind gets a brief profile in the New Yorker, with a cameo from landlord and wrestling foe Matt Martin. [New Yorker]
• Previewing tonight: Could the Isles sweep both local rivals? [Isles]
• Gross: There is no room for excuses tonight. [Newsday]
• I completely forgot this by game’s end, but here’s more on Bo Horvat’s bird encounter shortly before setting up Matthew Schaefer’s goal against the Penguins. [Athletic]
• Italy-bound Horvat’s return to the goal column came just in time. [Post]
• Prospect Report: Lots of prospects racking up points, including one via prospect-on-prospect crime. [Isles]

Elsewhere​

• Artemi Panarin has been traded to the Kings for…things. He also signed a short-term, $11M AAV extension. [ESPN | NHL]
• The Devils took Bjugstad from the Blues in exchange for an AHL bubble guy and a 4th-round pick. [TSN]
• Drama in Philadelphia over ice time for Matvei Michkov, Rick Tocchet’s blaming his conditioning, and even fans planning a coordinated “Fire Tocchet” chant. [Reddit | Twitter]
• Presumed top ick Gavin McKenna is charged with felony assault for allegedly breaking a person’s jaw in a fight. Not the college experience his handlers were hoping for! [ABC27]
• The Oilers are stinking it up again and they know they have to get going if they want the honor of losing in the Cup final again, while Tristan Jarry admits that he is Tristan Jarry. [Sportsnet]
• Bourne: 10 questions heading into the break, like how the disparity in representatives will affect how teams (and healthy players) come out of the break. [Sportsnet]
• Caleb Jones messed up with some “outside” injury treatment, gets a 20-game drug violation suspension. [TSN]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...islanders-vs-devils-gameday-news-olympics-eve

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 3 (EN), Devils 1: Horvat comes up clutch again

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 05: Bo Horvat #14 of the New York Islanders celebrates after scoring during the third period of the game against the New Jersey Devils on February 5, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Up until a little over 16 minutes into the third, this recap had a very different vibe. The Islanders did only register 14 shots on goal, apparently tying their lowest ever against the New Jersey Devils, last done in 2004. Ilya Sorokin needed to put in a Vezina-level (and frankly, Hart-level) performance to keep the Islanders in the game. The fourth line was really the only consistent line tonight, which is never great. And Jonathan Drouin made a terrible turnover that created a clean breakaway that only luckily wasn’t in the back of our net, yet for some reason didn’t get stapled to the bench like Mat Barzal and Anthony Duclair.

But then, Bo Horvat.

For the second game in a row, Horvat came up clutch, picking up the game-winning goal out of nowhere. And Mat Barzal will be taking a four game goal streak into the Olympic break, putting him just six goals away from tying his career high of 23 in a season.

The Islanders sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division and they’ll stay there at least until the season resumes on February 26th, after the Olympic break.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

Early on, Emil Heineman had a great chance, putting the puck behind Jake Allen, but across the crease rather than in the net.

Timo Meier took a high sticking penalty, but the Devils killed an inept Islanders power play.

Dawson Mercer had a breakaway after a bad Jonathan Drouin turnover, and his backhand shot went off the post.

The fourth line played well all night and got rewarded when Casey Cizikas got the Islanders on the board 6:30 into the second period, with both Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb picking up the assists.

View Link

But then, MacLean took a high sticking penalty, which the Islanders killed largely thanks to Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin was incredible this period, although he got a little bit of help when Adam Pelech made a huge block with his right skate to save a sure goal. Following that, Sorokin made a big save on Dougie Hamilton to keep the Isles’ one goal lead.

Evgenii Dadanov couldn’t get a chance across the goal line for the Devils, but the Islanders got caught in a change after clearing the puck, and Nico Hischier tied the game.

With just a few seconds left in the second, Anders Lee got hit by a Simon Holmstrom shot, and Lee skated off the ice slowly and had to be helped by the training staff down the tunnel at the end of the period. He did return at the start of the third, though.

Sorokin made a save on Connor Brown after a bad pass from Carson Soucy, MacLean had a shot saved by Allen, and Tony DeAngelo had a solid shift where he made a great pass to Heineman in the slot who hit the glass with his shot, and a great pass to Gatcomb who had his shot saved by Allen.

The Islanders had some solid looks, with Ondrej Palat having a shot saved against his former team, and Lee setting up Holmstrom only to have that chance saved by Allen, too.

But then, our hero, the Olympian, the rally bird man himself, Bo Horvat, scored with 3:27 left off the faceoff, picking up the puck behind Hischier and driving to the net to make it 2-1. That goal was Horvat’s 600th NHL point and 24th goal of the season.

View Link

The Devils pulled Allen a minute later, and Sorokin had to make a big save as the Islanders essentially defended 6 on 4 when Cizikas broke his stick. But Mat Barzal would extend his goal streak to 4 games, shooting the puck into the empty net as the Isles picked up a massive win heading into the Olympic break.

View Link

Up Next​

Next, it’ll be a while before we see more Islanders hockey, when the season resumes for the Isles in Montreal on February 26th. Hopefully everyone will be back well-rested and healthy, especially the latter for our Olympians!

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/game-recaps/44044/islanders-vs-devils-horvat-sorokin-cizikas-barzal

 

[Zedster]

Nice way to head into the break. Horvat coming up clutch two games in a row is exactly what you want to see from your alternate captain, especially with him heading to Italy. That 600th career point being a game-winner feels fitting.

Sorokin was the story though. Fourteen shots on goal is not going to cut it most nights, and without him standing on his head this could have been an ugly loss heading into the layoff. Pelech's block was huge too, but man, Sorokin bailed them out repeatedly.

The Cizikas line deserving the opening goal felt right given how they played. Fourth line doing the heavy lifting offensively is a bit backwards, but credit where it's due.

Barzal quietly putting together a four-game goal streak heading into the break is encouraging. Six away from his career high with 24 games left is definitely doable if he keeps this up.

Second place in the Metro going into the Olympic break is a solid position to be in. Hopefully the rest helps more than it hurts, and everyone comes back healthy. The Horvat and Palat injury watch during the tournament is going to be stressful.

 

[New York Islanders]

Weird Islanders: The Podcast! – Episode 80 – Dick Tarnstrom (with guest Dan Hopper)

Along with “Thrill of Defeat” host and Pittsburgh guy Dan Hopper, we remember Dick Tarnstrom, who turned getting waived by the Islanders into a starring role on some bad transitional Penguins teams.

While the Penguins have had some all time great players in their history, the periods between those players were pretty dire. Bankruptcies, empty buildings and lots of losses were not uncommon for one of the NHL’s now-marquee teams. Into one of these eras stepped Dick Tarnstrom, a very late round pick of the Islanders who found himself squeezed out of Long Island during one of their rare fertile periods of the early 2000’s and onto a Penguins team desperate for anyone who could put the puck into a net. Tarnstrom was competent on a bereft squad, which means he got comparisons to Hall of Famers, and Hart and Norris Trophy votes from the win-starved writers covering it. The Penguins’ “X-Generation” might have featured a lot of weird players, but thanks to cheap tickets and EXTREME marketing, it actually succeeded in creating a new wave of fans. To those kids, guys like Dick Tarnstrom felt like superstars of tomorrow.

Dan takes us through the Full Tarnstrom Experience and tells us what it was like watching the Penguins between the Lemieux/Jagr and Crosby/Malkin eras. We learn about the “Ric and Dick Show,” attending Ryan Malone’s hockey camp as a kid, the Woodstock 99 flavor of the “X-Generation” ads and how Tarnstrom was able to capture hearts in the Steel City. We also wonder how we forgot he played for the Oilers during their 2006 Cup final run and why he was put on waivers in the first place (it probably had something to do with being Swedish and having Mike Milbury as a general manager). It’s the deepest dive you’ll find on the man who is surely the last “Dick” in NHL history.

Thanks again to Dan for coming on. His podcast, “Thrill of Defeat” is outstanding and if you’re a fan of Weird Islanders, it will be right up your alley. He’s on a bit of a hiatus now, but there are plenty of episodes to get started on.

WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL

• Tarnstrom didn’t score a ton of goals for the Islanders but one of them helped them forge a 6-6 tie (!) with the Panthers in February of 2002.
• Most people probably didn’t notice Tarnstrom getting picked up off waivers by the Penguins in August of 2002. But he started turning heads early that season (playing with Mario Lemieux might have helped). After a 41-point campaign, he would re-up with them in the summer of 2003 because, basically, they had to sign someone on defense. That investment would pay off in spades for them.
• Here’s Tarnstrom scoring for the Penguins (includes a couple of classic Mike Lange calls)

• This incredible article detailed the impact Tarnstrom had on the Penguins in the early rebuild stages. It would read like a satire if it didn’t really happen. Includes a cheap shot at the Islanders for good measure.
• After playing for the Oilers, on their 2006 Stanley Cup final team, and the Blue Jackets to disappointing results, Tarnstrom returned to his native Sweden and his original club, the Stockholm-based AIK in 2008. The team had been relegated to the SEL’s second division. But with Tarnstrom as captain, they made it back to the top tier in 2010 and went on a couple of long playoff runs.
• He was forced to retire in 2013 due to a herniated spinal disc. He’s currently the youth hockey manager for the Mälarhöjden/Bredäng Hockey or MB Hockey school. His son Oliver was drafted by the Rangers in 2020 but wasn’t signed and is currently playing in Sweden.

---

What makes a “Weird Islander?”

We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:

• Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
• Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.

---

Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, chats with us and much more.

---

Visit our friends!

• Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys featuring hundreds of classic hockey logos, as well as Islanders Anxiety merch, and our Al Arbour and The Island shirts. Our portion of the sales benefit the Center for Dementia Research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items.
• The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Pinot Noir that was named a 2024 Top 100 Best Buy by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. All are under $15 a bottle and are available at local wine shops and at UBS Arena.
• Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).
• Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp.
• Drum sfx via Zapsplat.com. Jingle bell sfx also via ZapSplat.

---

Please subscribe, download, rate, review or spread the word about Islanders Anxiety, Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and all of our podcasts any way you can. All of it helps to raise the show’s profile and maybe could get us another fancy sponsor to sell out to in the near future. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

All Islanders Anxiety podcasts are available on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Audible.com
• I Heart Radio
• YouTube and YouTube Music
• And everywhere podcasts are found

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ny...with-dan-hopper-thrill-of-defeat-x-generation

 

[New York Islanders]

Olympic Break News: Super Monday

Bo leaves for the break as a star. | NHLI via Getty Images

Ever since a couple of friends who most often hosted Super Bowl parties each relocated out of town, I’ve…discovered the sheer joy and found time that comes with not following the NFL. An intense, grueling season of Sundays to myself and my family culminates in Super Bowl Sunday, when I can go wherever I want and not another soul is around.

Yesterday I went hiking and continued reading The Wayfinder; last night I remembered I’ll have very little idea what people are talking about as they run through their small talk this morning. I used to feel obliged to pay attention to maintain that sort of pop culture literacy, but it was very freeing once I got over that.

This is not a self-help column nor a “you should do X” thing, just a transition as the NHL turns toward the Olympics this month and most humans get past the hoopla of the NFL trademarked championship game. I understand there were field goals and AI commercials.

As for us, the other global sports hype machine is now underway. For the men, Olympic hockey starts Wednesday with two games (Slovakia vs. Finland and Sweden vs. Italy). On the women’s side, things began last week already and there are four preliminary round games today, with both the U.S. and Canada in action.

Olympic Hockey News​

• The teams did their captaincy reveals, with little surprises. Sidney Crosby for Canada, Leafs captain Auston Matthews for the U.S., Gabriel Landeskog is good to go and will wear the C for Sweden. [NHL]
• Bill Daly also skipped the Super Bowl, but for a better reason: He’s headed to Milan. He discusses excitement for Olympic hockey, the talent on display, and how the NHL gets to provide more officials and George Parros as discipline czar. Gulp. [NHL]
• Jack Hughes couldn’t be there for his team as they were swept by the Islanders, but he’s good to go for Team America. [NHL]
• Mike Sullivan isn’t publicly naming his starting goalie yet. [Sportsnet]
• Pavel Zacha is still out, so he’ll miss the Olympics where he was going to play for the Czechs. [ESPN]
• 32 Thoughts: How Artemi Panarin decided on the Kings, plus random Olympic thoughts. [Sportsnet]
• Curtis Douglas was fined, and that’s all the supplementary discipline that came from the latest Panthers-Lightning brawl. [Sportsnet]

Islanders News​

• Breaking out of his slump, Bo Horvat receives a parting gift as NHL 2nd Star of the Week. [Isles]
• Victor Eklund discusses winning WJC gold with Sweden, “playing with men” and such. [Isles]
• Speaking of Swedes, Dick “no seriously, I’m Swedish” Tarnstrom is the latest Weird Islanders subject. He was waived and claimed by the Penguins, during one of their many dark, bottom-feeder eras that most of their fans pretend never happened. [LHH]
• Cal Ritchie made a surprise return just before the break and looked pretty good. [Post]
• They may end up gassed, but at least Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat will stay in game shape by playing at the Olympics. [Newsday]
• Also: Three takeaways for the Isles at the break. [Newsday]

Good luck as you discuss that one commercial or that one play today.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/islanders-news-headlines/44054/olympic-break-news-super-monday

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Anxiety – Episode 360 – Presented by Benihana

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders’ wheezing last games and take stock of where the team sits at the Olympic break before enjoying a dessert of Ranger Piece Theater.

The Islanders did what we asked last week and grabbed at least four points. Too bad they looked mostly lousy while doing it. So while their comeback against the Penguins and a theft from the Devils were helpful and kept them in third in the Metro, they also didn’t offer a lot in the way of encouragement for the stretch run. The bottom half of the lineup provides almost no offensive support and the top half and the defense is constantly in flux thanks to a coach who seems out of ideas.

Still, we don’t want to lose sight of the fun times despite the dangers ahead. Few expected the Islanders to be in a playoff berth this late in the season (if at all) so we want to take the good with the bad. Next week, we’ll dive a little deeper into individual player performances, especially two the Islanders might regret not doing more with if they don’t come out of the break hot.

Meanwhile, we always have time to laugh at the Rangers, whose GM and captain have very little to say about where the franchise is and why their fans should still care. Fortunately, it feels like they’ll both be around for a while so they’ll have plenty of time to come up with their next blast of hot air.

This podcast is presented by Benihana, the new official hibachi partner of the New York Islanders.

REFERENCES

• BREAKING: Rangers GM Chris Drury says absolutely nothing in rambling press availability.
• Words of encouragement from the Rangers Captain, “Mr. No BS” himself, J.T. Miller.

---

Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Or follow us for free to get announcements and our weekly release calendar. Try a free 7-Day trial of our Country Club tier to sample what we offer.

---

PLUGS!​

• Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, as well as the full line of Islanders Anxiety merch. As always our portion of those sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research.
• The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena.
• Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion.
• Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).

Theme song: “Morning Haze” by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Spotify.

---

Please subscribe, download, rate, review or spread the word about Islanders Anxiety, Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and all of our podcasts any way you can. All of it helps to raise the show’s profile and maybe could get us another fancy sponsor to sell out to in the near future. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

All Islanders Anxiety podcasts are available on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Audible.com
• I Heart Radio
• YouTube and YouTube Music
• And everywhere podcasts are found

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...-penguins-ot-horvat-bird-ranger-piece-theater

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Memories: Loudest moments at the Coliseum

Earth shook.

Was Nassau Coliseum even louder during some 2000s Resurrection Moments than it was during the dynasty’s greatest moments? We’ll never know for sure, but a couple threads on Twitter elicited “loudest I ever heard that building” sentiments, though the Cup heyday and these other moments are a generation or two apart.

There was a release, to be sure, when the “NHL’s next great dynasty” (as Stan Fischler pegged them in 1976) finally reached its destiny, starting with the Bobby Nystrom overtime goal. And a case could be made for the decibel level following Ray Ferraro’s OT winners during his magical ‘93.

I wonder, then, with that glorious history behind them, and the torturous ‘90s years — 1993 excluded — casting an oppressive shadow, if the Shawn Bates and Anthony Beauvillier overtime goals tapped into a more primal roar, at least in the memory of those who lived them?

Where were you????#isles pic.twitter.com/oysPjLLEJE

— ICENET (@IslesICENET) February 9, 2026

This is not scientific, and it doesn’t really matter anyway, but for completely non-equalized sound comparison, or really just to give yourself a jolt of adrenaline or three, here are three massive moments in Nassau Coliseum history.

The 2002 series against Toronto had the added venom of the Leafs being such absolute, dirty shitheads on top of it being almost a decade since the Isles had competed in a playoff series.

That’s the Islanders’ retrospective version, and the production music kind of interferes with the crowd audio. Here’s the ESPN2 version, which captures more of the pure audio and the announcers are positively giddy about the atmosphere. (Bonus points for capturing Gary Roberts whining to the refs about the call somehow.)

(By the way, Weird Islanders guest Pinholes Graham had a great look at this series back in 2022.)

Then there’s the Beau (not Bo) goal, the last goal at Nassau Coliseum, forcing a Game 7 against the Lightning and ensuring that, even if they didn’t win that one to advance to their first Cup final in four decades, it at least closed the Coliseum in proper fashion.

Sometimes I still can’t believe this happened, 68 seconds into overtime (mercifully quick after a night of tension), and I wonder how that kid being hoisted by his dad next to the penalty box is doing today. Damn, what a moment:

But come on, nothing touches the OG, right? Part of the fun of Islanders’ playoff history is that non-star players like Bobby Nystrom and Ken Morrow didn’t just have one heroic moment, they had multiple, memorable OT goals:

As an extra time-wasting spiritually fulfilling bonus, here’s every playoff OT goal through 2021:

Anyway, the present-day Isles are off for three weeks but the Olympics start soon. Enjoy your day.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ne...ders-memories-loudest-nassau-coliseum-moments

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders News: Poletin, prospects, Olympic kickoff

Well now just Czech this Olympian out. | NHLI via Getty Images

The NHL break continues but men’s hockey begins today at the Olympics, with Group B featuring Slovakia-Finland (10:30 a.m. EST) and Sweden vs. hosts Italy (3:00 p.m. EST).

There are three groups that will do round-robin in the preliminary round, and the U.S. has the relatively light Group C assignment with House of Frans Denmark, Latvia and Germany.

But first, a few Islanders bits:

• Czech teammates love Ondrej Palat. [Post]
• Sticking with the Czech(ia), Tomas Poletin is doing well in his WHL rookie season, adjusting to (and liking) North American hockey, and enjoying friendship with David Rittich. [Isles]
• Others in a Prospect Report: Danny (don’t call me Brock) Nelson and Quinn (don’t call me Jeff) Finley head to head, plus more Nurmi and Dmitri Gamzin. [Isles]
• In their final pre-Olympics Islanders Anxiety podcast, Dan and Mike were unimpressed by how the Isles finished, but they don’t want to overlook how fun this season has been thus far. [LHH]
• What other sports do your Islanders like? [Isles video]

Elsewhere

• Some Olympic previews from the NHL-dot-com: Group B | Group C
• Over in the women’s bracket, the U.S. destroyed Canada. [YouTube highlights]
• Once upon a time, Drew Doughty was a wee pup on a Canadian champion, now he’s the grizzled veteran. [Sportsnet]
• The Panthers-Lightning rivalry carries over to the Olympics. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...s/44067/islanders-news-poletin-palat-olympics

 

[New York Islanders]

Olympic Openers: Bo & Brock shine

Bo knows goals. | AFP via Getty Images

He’s not ours anymore, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate Brocktober in February.

The first couple of days in Olympics men’s hockey produced predictable results, with the top-rated teams rolling against less-heralded opponents. Canada brushed Czechia aside while Jordan Binnington pitched a shutout to temper concerns that his NHL season results would continue when he backs the most talented squad ever assembled:

• New York Islanders center Bo Horvat also scored in the 5-0 win.
• On the U.S. side, Brock Nelson was all over the Americans’ 5-1 win over Latvia, with two goals that counted, one that was called off due to Olympics crease rules, plus an offside that erased a teammate’s, a post, and more.
• Nelson’s Olympic debut earned teammates’ praise. [NHL]
• I’m pulling for Nelson rather than any individual team. I kind of agree with this column that the “gold or bust” pressure for Canada, USA and Sweden sucks some of the joy out of this — there’s really no reason for hockey’s best-on-best to be at the Olympics if not for joy. [Athletic]
• Bourne: 12 thoughts fawning over Canada. [Sportsnet]
• Not that it’s a geopolitical statement, just a following of international norms, but Gary Bettman says there’s no plan to reintroduce Russia into international tournaments. [Athletic | Sportsnet]
• The Germans beat the House of Frans. [NHL]
• Switzerland not being a very neutral neighbor, smacks France around. (I honestly never knew Timo Meier was Swiss.) [NHL]
• Something something Snoop Dogg. [NHL]

Friday’s matches include Sweden-Finland plus three mismatches in Italy-Slovakia, Canada-Switzerland, and France-Czechia.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/islanders-news-headlines/44071/olympic-openers-bo-brock-shine

 

[New York Islanders]

Olympic Knockout Rounds Set

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: Hilda Svensson #8 of Team Sweden attempts a shot defended by Joy Dunne #24 and Cayla Barnes #3 of Team United States during the Women's Playoffs Semifinal match between United States and Sweden on Day 10 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 16, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Olympic men’s hockey round robin is complete, with things generally playing out as expected save for a couple of exceptions. One of those is Sweden, though “didn’t win your group” is not exactly an emergency crisis like, say, losing to Latvia would be.

Back on the home front, non-Olympic NHLers (including all Russians, heh) are still on break as teams cannot reconvene for official practices until after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday.

In the meantime though, hey, share your data for the privilege of answering Ondrej Palat trivia. [Isles]

Olympic Hockey This & That​

• In the women’s bracket, Sweden was confident ahead of its semifinal with the U.S., while Canada-Switzerland is the other semi. [NBC]
• With its slipup in round robin, Team Sweden faces a gauntet to get to the medal round. [NHL]
• Border war: Italy and Switzerland will meet in the smaller rink, “inside a warehouse.” Oh, the glamor of the Olympics. [NHL]
• But there are some other fun matchups Tuesday among the teams that didn’t receive a bye: France vs. Germany should be no contest (expect Draisaitl to sweep through Belgium to get around feeble French defense); the Czechs and Danes have a rematch of their OT round robin meeting that House of Frans won; and of course Latvia will look to repeat longshot history against Sweden. The prize for winning is to play again Wednesday against a rested favorite. [NHL]
• Five things learned from round robin play. [NHL]
• Drama! Some Finn players sought to have Paul Maurice as their national team coach. [Sportsnet]
• Hoping to capture the main benefit they get from this, the NHL catches up with international fans repping various NHL teams. [NHL]

As a reminder, the Olympic cartel restricts footage (including preventing embeds), so you’ll need to look up highlights from the rights holder in your respective country.

In the U.S., here’s NBC coverage of Canada stomping France and its hapless goalie.

And here’s USA rolling over Germany.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/islanders-news-headlines/44082/olympic-hockey-knockout-rounds-set

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Anxiety – Episode 361 – These Bums Have a Chance

Mike and Dan run down the Islanders lineup to say something positive about each player and how they’ve contributed to the good overall season they’ve had so far.

We heard some feedback that the last episode came off a little too nervous or negative, so we challenged ourselves to accentuate the plusses of every position player. For some, it was easy. Players like Ilya Sorokin, Matthew Schaefer, Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal have been getting rightfully praised all season, while Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock and J-G Pageau seem to have regained their former forms. Legacy players like Casey Cizikas and Anders Lee have shown they still have a place on this team, while newer guys like Emil Heineman and Cal Ritchie have only scratched the surface of what they’re capable of.

For others, the task was slightly more difficult. In a few cases, we wonder if the team is just ready to move on despite what skills the player may possess because they’re just not a fit. Regardless, we’re able to isolate their strengths or things we think they can bring in the future, even if it’s not evident this season.

This was a fun exercise to do during the Olympic break. Next week, we’ll look ahead to their first few games back.

REFERENCES

• Yes, it’s true. The New Yorker wrote about a New York Islander.

---

Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Or follow us for free to get announcements and our weekly release calendar. Try a free 7-Day trial of our Country Club tier to sample what we offer.

---

PLUGS!​

• Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, as well as the full line of Islanders Anxiety merch. As always our portion of those sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research.
• The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena.
• Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion.
• Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).

Theme song: “Morning Haze” by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Spotify.

---

Please subscribe, download, rate, review or spread the word about Islanders Anxiety, Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and all of our podcasts any way you can. All of it helps to raise the show’s profile and maybe could get us another fancy sponsor to sell out to in the near future. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

All Islanders Anxiety podcasts are available on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Audible.com
• I Heart Radio
• YouTube and YouTube Music
• And everywhere podcasts are found

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...ve-a-chance-positives-sorokin-schaefer-horvat

 

[New York Islanders]

Olympic Quarterfinal Day; Islanders back at practice

But it’s not fair, he cheated. | Getty Images

Here we are! Well, sort of…almost. The Islanders are now legally allowed to reconvene, while Wednesday at the Olympics offers a full day of men’s ice hockey quarterfinals:

• Germany vs. Slovakia
• Czechia vs. Canada (Islander vs. Islander!)
• Switzerland vs. Finland
• Sweden vs. USA

The U.S. and Sweden likely gave themselves the toughest mutual matchup, thanks to Sweden’s round-robin slip and the U.S. failure to run up the score against each opponent as drastically as Canada did. #OlympicSpirit

It has always seemed to be Canada’s tournament to lose — or maybe Canada’s goaltenders’ tournament to lose — and the Czechs have shown little indication they pose an upset threat. The lost 5-0 to the red leafs in the opener, and also lost to Denmark in OT before beating the House of Frans, 3-2 in the knockout round.

Anyway, we’re now nine days away from the Islanders resuming their NHL schedule in Montreal, the start of 24 games in 48 days. To hold us over while stealing glances at the quarterfinals:

• Prospect Report: A flashy and brilliant Cole Eiserman assist, narrated by the most Bahston of Bahston sounds you can imagine. [Isles]
• What did the non-Horvat/Palat Islanders do with their time off? And how did they enjoy the first day back? [Isles]
• Patrick Roy needs to get creative and stay on top of the non-Olympic Isles. [Newsday]
• The value of the Isles’ first-round pick from Colorado in the Brock Nelson trade looks like it will be waaaaay late in the round. [THN]
• It’s the final run for a lot of Swede vets…hopefully it ends today. [NHL]
• The AHL suspended some guys for PED use. [TSN]
• My, how Jeff Skinner has fallen. Unconditionally waived (and cleared) by the Sharks. [TSN]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...c-quarterfinal-day-islanders-back-at-practice

 

[New York Islanders]

Canada, USA dodge disaster as Olympic semifinals set

They appear happy. | Getty Images

The practically pre-ordained dream final of Canada vs. USA in Olympic men’s hockey is still on the table after both tournament favorites needed overtime to avoid disaster in the quarterfinals.

Canada erased a late Czech one-goal lead (from current Islander Ondrej Palat, lest you forget) to then win on a Mitch Marner OT winner, while the U.S. outlasted Sweden and advanced on a Quinn Hughes OT winner.

In the other quarters, Slovakia continued its sleeper rise while easing past Germany — they get to face USA next — while Finland broke Switzerland’s heart with a comeback win, earning the Finns a meeting with the possibly Crosby-less(?) Canucks.

Islanders News​

• With Palat and Horvat on Olympic duty, the Islanders resumed practice with a blender of a top six. [Isles]
• The Isles need consistency from Anthony Duclair. [Newsday]

Elsewhere​

• The Palat goal came with six Czech skaters on the ice…and a goalie. That’s supposed to be against da rules, even in Italy. [Sportsnet]
• Despite that, it was the Czech coach complaining about loose officiating. [Post]
• Crosby left the game after two hits from Radko Gudas. Status unknown for the semifinal. [NHL | Sportsnet]
• 5 things learned from the quarterfinals. [NHL]
• Filip Chytl is cursed, took a puck to the face at Canucks practice. [Sportsnet]
• Petr Mrazek was having a terrible season and now we know part of the why: he’s having season-ending surgery on his hip. [TSN]
• They lit the Coffey Signal again: Paul Coffey will join the Oilers bench yet again. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/islanders-news-headlines/44088/canada-usa-olympic-quarterfinals

 

[New York Islanders]

Weird Islanders: The Podcast! – Episode 81 – Rob Davison (with guest John Cullen)

Along with comedian, podcaster and new author John Cullen, we remember Rob Davison, who had one major moment against a marquee opponent in his very short stint on Long Island.

Like a lot of defensive defensemen, Rob Davison was not a player most people would remember. His job was preventing goals, not scoring them, for a very good San Jose Sharks team in the early 2000’s. When he was dealt to the Islanders at the tail end of the 2007-08 season, it barely registered with the fanbase and was more about filling a giant injury hole than anything else. He arrived late to his first game and would eventually leave the team after that playoff-free season.

BUT! In those 19-games, Rob Davison – of all people – scored a goal so crazy, so unbelievable, so memorable that we’re still talking about it 25 years later. In an otherwise pointless game at Nassau Coliseum between two teams going nowhere, Davison launched the puck 190-feet down the ice and ended up with one of the most ludicrous shorthanded goals in NHL history, forever tying him to former Sharks teammate Vesa Toskala in a moment of infamy no one who watched it will ever forget.

Instead of finding a Sharks fan to talk about Davison, we asked John – a fan of the hated Maple Leafs – to talk about that game, that goal and Toskala’s legacy in Toronto. Ironically, we all find a degree of sympathy for the goalie who faced an impossible play and whiffed on it the way just about anyone would have. We talk about his reaction to his friend Davison scoring a goal like that on him, and about how trading Davison helped the Sharks draft an upgrade, who has a goofy connection to the Islanders decades later. We also enjoy a rarely remembered fact about that famous game (that the Islanders still lost).

We can’t thank John enough for coming on. He’s a very busy man between his many podcasts, his new book – Curling Rocks! – being out (and recording its audio version) and his work for CBC covering curling at the Olympics. Check out his shows Broomgate, A Curling Scandal, What is…? A Jeopardy! Podcast (with Emily Heller), The POD Kast (with Bryan Quinby) and Blocked Party (with Stefen Heck).

A Weird Islanders Extra! bonus episode with us and John discussing the Islanders/Leafs/Tavares thing was released back in January.

WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL

• After 176 mostly-quiet games and one Western Conference with the San Jose Sharks, Davison was traded to the Islanders for a seventh round pick that, ironically, turned into Jason Demers, another defenseman who played 200-plus games with the Sharks and an astute observer of the game.
• On that same day, Garth Snow traded Chris Simon to Minnesota and Marc-Andre Bergeron to Anaheim. Replacing Bergeron with Davison is like replacing a fresh, sweet, juicy apple with an onion (in a complimentary way).
• This man scored three (3) goals in his NHL career and this, from March 18, 2008, was by far the most memorable one (the Islanders lost 3-1). This was also the final NHL goal of Davison’s career.

• That bouncing goal on Vesa Toskala of the Maple Leafs continues to be a core memory for those who saw it. Toskala and Davison were once teammates on the Sharks and, according to Davison, Toskala told him afterwards, ‘“If one guy was going to do it – I am glad it was you.”
• Davison went on to have short stints with the Canucks (23 games) and Devils (1 game), and two seasons in Europe playing in Austria and Czechia. During his even more brief time with the Devils, Davison fought Islanders Micheal Haley and Matt Martin… in the same preseason game!
• He signed a deal to return to the Sharks in 2013 but spent the season in the AHL with Worcester.
• Since retiring, he’s had an extensive coaching career, winning a Calder Cup with the Toronto Marlies and back-to-back championships with Salzberg in Austria. He’s currently an associate coach with the OHL’s Guelph Storm.

---

What makes a “Weird Islander?”

We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:

• Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
• Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.

---

Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, chats with us and much more.

---

Visit our friends!

• Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys featuring hundreds of classic hockey logos, as well as Islanders Anxiety merch, and our Al Arbour and The Island shirts. Our portion of the sales benefit the Center for Dementia Research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items.
• The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Pinot Noir that was named a 2024 Top 100 Best Buy by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. All are under $15 a bottle and are available at local wine shops and at UBS Arena.
• Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).
• Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp.
• Drum sfx via Zapsplat.com. Jingle bell sfx also via ZapSplat.

---

Please subscribe, download, rate, review or spread the word about Islanders Anxiety, Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and all of our podcasts any way you can. All of it helps to raise the show’s profile and maybe could get us another fancy sponsor to sell out to in the near future. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

All Islanders Anxiety podcasts are available on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Audible.com
• I Heart Radio
• YouTube and YouTube Music
• And everywhere podcasts are found

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ny...n-vesa-toskala-maple-leafs-long-distance-goal