News Islanders Team Notes

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 5, Rangers 0: Bouncing back, mopping up at the Garden

Yeah, I think I’ll accept a flat home loss to the Wild in exchange for a Garden-silencing shutout of the Rangers any weekend.

The Isles bounced back from a poor Friday night in front of home fans by pleasing plenty other home fans at Madison Square Garden with a 5-0 shutout of their pajama-clad rivals. It was especially poignant since the Smurfs honored a bunch of their franchise’s greatest moments and memories before being suffocated by their longtime rivals.

Ilya Sorokin had 33 saves for his first zero of the season, Bo Horvat had two more goals (to tie for 2nd in the league), and childhood buddies Jonathan Drouin and Anthony Duclair hooked up for a pretty combo that put an exclamation point on the first period.

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

It was only 2-0 after Drouin’s goal with 33 seconds left in the first, but it made the first 20 minutes feel like a proper opening to a good evening, which it turned out to be.

The first period was arguably the toughest, with Sorokin shutting the door early, though the Rangers did manage 18 shots against him in the third with the game mostly out of hand. But the game stayed changeable through most of the second, until the Isles converted on a late power play with 1:18 left — on the 11th penalty Matthew Schaefer has drawn this year.

J-G Pageau actually scored into an empty net to make it 4-0 with 2:01 to go — Igor Shesterkin had been pulled around the 15:00 mark — while Anders Lee delivered the final blow with Shesterkin back in the net, on yet another 2-on-1 conversion by the Isles.

#Isles Bo Horvat on 5-0 win over #NYR: "Getting the lead was huge. But we didn't let ourselves sit back. We just kept pushing. And they've had our number in the past and we've been up in a lot of games. Tonight felt different. We were more aggressive. We stayed aggressive."

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) November 9, 2025

Other Notes​

• Sorokin’s shutout was his 23rd all time (regular season), pushing him past Billy Smith for second in franchise history, two behind Chico Resch.
• We had Butch Goring back in the booth for this one, always fun to have him in for these.
• One of Butch’s better moments was frankly noting a Max Tsyplakov drive-by, which is not the route to getting more ice time or a regular spot.
• Lines and D pairs were mixed up a little bit to start, and throughout the game. I’m sure they’ll land on something one of these nights.
• Damn, the Isles needed this one. It’s the first of seven on “the road,” though these first two are at the Garden and Newark. But starting Monday against the Devils and then heading out to a murder’s row of Western opponents, the rest of this road trip is against the league’s top teams before concluding in Detroit.
• What a night for Horvat, but Drouin too. This was filthy awareness on the power play:

Bo Horvat's 11th has him tied with Crosby, Gauthier & Caufield for the #NHL lead.

What a pass by Drouin #Isles pic.twitter.com/JPWExj4aZu

— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) November 9, 2025

Here was his finish from Duclair:

An outstanding sequence right here.

Heads up stick from Mayfield
The strength from Pageau
Fantastic feed from Duclair and finish from Drouin#Isles pic.twitter.com/DVhYaTZGZX

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) November 9, 2025

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ga...gers-0-bouncing-back-mopping-up-at-the-garden

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders vs. Rangers News: 1st derby of the season

The Islanders and Rangers have their first meeting of the season in Manhattan tonight, with both teams playing the second half of a back-to-back.

In theory the Isles have the advantage, since they played at home (but poorly) last night, while the Rangers are coming back from Detroit, where they beat the Red Wings handily.

Both combatants are among the eight teams that are currently outside of the Eastern playoff spots and separated by two points or less. There could be a lot of meh-ness in the East this season, but at least it will be competitive meh-ery.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• Previewing tonight. [Isles]
• About last night: Not much to say, “poor execution” and “ugly” and “sloppy” and “outworked,” etc. [Newsday | LHH | Post]
• Three Takeaways: I mean…the first five minutes were okay! [Isles]
• This is actually a really, really good Q&A with Matthew Schaefer. What a level-headed kid. [Post]
• They mentioned this during last night’s broadcast, but Ilya Sorokin sought a little shootout advice from Patrick Roy. [THN]
• Cal Ritchie is ready for his first Isles-Rangers duel. [THN]

It’s the first derby game for Schaefer, too, so it should be exciting to see how our new additions take to the atmosphere on a Saturday night.

Sorokin will be in net after David Rittich handled last night’s sleeper Faceoff is theoretically 7 p.m. EST at the World’s Most Self-Congatulatory Arena.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...nders-vs-rangers-news-1st-derby-of-the-season

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Anxiety – Episode 346 – Everything is a Thing

Mike and Dan recap a week of great, bad and ugly as the Islanders follow-up a no-show performance at home with a hilarious win on the road.

The week started with an eventful, entertaining game against the Bruins that didn’t go the Islanders’ way, and also included some social media drama. All of that was more palatable than the embarrassing zombie walk they took on Friday against Minnesota. Hosting a team on a back-to-back with travel and needing points before a daunting road trip, the Islanders chose to simply let the Wild do what they wanted for a full 60 minutes, which is the kind of game that keeps fans away from the arena.

That set up a game at Madison Square Garden against a Rangers team still looking for its first home win of the season and hosting a celebrating group of alumni. All in attendance were treated to one of the Islanders’ best games of the season, as they shutout the home team 5-0 to continue their scoring misery. Not only was the victory satisfying, but it provided us with some fresh Ranger Piece Theater material that we dive into.

We also look forward to the aforementioned daunting road trip and hope the Islanders can stay afloat and win in some places they’ve pulled points out of before.

REFERENCES

• Not gonna lie, this was pretty funny work by Zadorov.

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PLUGS!​

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• 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.

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Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...g-is-a-thing-schaefer-zadorov-rangers-shutout

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 3, Devils 2 (OT): Barzal nets winner after late Jersey equalizer

The Islanders at the as-yet-undefeated-at-home Devils right where they wanted them: Having killed off a fourth Devils power play late in a tied game, the Isles finally got a power play of their own, and after a middling start, Kyle Palmieri cashed in for the would-be winner.

But after missing several empty net tries and the icing punishment that comes with it, the Isles gave up an equalizer on a point shot through traffic with 4 seconds left on the clock.

Fortunately, Mat Barzal made that late heartbreak an afterthought when he streaked up ice and finished a give-and-go with Jonathan Drouin for the OT winner 77 seconds into the bonus frame. The Isles handed New Jersey its first defeat on home ice, and more importantly they started a seven-game road spell with an important 2-0 head start.

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

That OT sequence could’ve easily gone the other way. Ryan Pulock made a bit-too-predictable back pass across the slot in the Isles zone that a predatory Jack Hughes nearly intercepted. But Barzal was alert to the risk, and poked the puck just by Hughes, enabling the beginning of his sprint. Jesper Brett helpfully just kind of watched Barzal go the length of the ice rather than defend him; it was surely a nice view of the winner.

barzal rescues the isles from near disaster at one end, calls game at the other pic.twitter.com/6486wY5tSM

— Liam McHugh (@liam_mchugh) November 11, 2025

Sorokin Stands Tall Again​

Recency and elation point to that moment as key, but it was really a great night — another 33 saves — for Ilya Sorokin to hold the Isles in it. He made several stops and squaring off dangerous chances as the Devils pushed for the equalizer. The tying goal was through several bodies and took a deflection.

It would’ve been a harsh result for Sorokin to not get at least a point out of tonight.

Per @NatStatTrick , #NJDevils generated 25 high-danger chances in 3-2 OT loss to #Isles, 11 coming with teams skating five-on-five and 10 coming on Devils' four power plays. Ilya Sorokin makes 33 saves for the win.

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) November 11, 2025

#Isles Ilya Sorokin thinks 3-2 OT win at #NJDevils might have been best defensive effort of the season.

"It was a tough game tonight. Tough shots."

Sorokin makes 33 saves for win, same as he had in Saturday's 5-0 win at #NYR

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) November 11, 2025

Up Next​

Now the real road begins. Vegas on Thursday, Utah on Friday, then Colorado, Dallas and Detroit next week.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ga...arzal-nets-winner-after-late-jersey-equalizer

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders vs. Devils News: ‘Road’ trip continues

The Islanders have a daunting November road trip ahead, but the travel part doesn’t kick in until later this week. For now, and tonight, they’re just over in Newark to complete the weekend’s metro area tour.

That started with a thud at home on Long Island in an uninspiring loss to the Wild, but rebounded wonderfully with shuffled lines the next night in a shutout of the Rangers at the Garden. Tonight begins the real competition, starting with the 11-4-0 Devils.

There are so many crazy things happening in the NHL right now — the Pacific-leading (!) Ducks have won seven in a row! — that the Devils going toe to toe with Carolina for the Metro Division lead is relegated to a “they’ve been due to arrive” footnote.

And then over here you have the in-transition, retooling Islanders, who go as Bo Horvat, Ilya Sorokin or Matthew Schaefer go. They are in the thick of a large mass of average wild-card chasers in the East. Even if this western road trip goes south, they’ll probably still be there when they return home six games from now.

First Islanders Goal picks for tonight go here.

Islanders News​

• Previewing tonight: The Isles did not lose in Newark last season, but the Devils haven’t lost there at all this season (7-0). They are without Dougie Hamilton. [Isles]
• Ilya Sorokin is in a much better stretch, leaving us to wonder if the goalie coach change had any effect on that. [Post]
• Relishing some trivia in The Skinny: “J Drouin to J Drouin: A half-century ago, Jude Drouin’s pass to JP Parise ended the Rangers’ 50th anniversary season; [Saturday], as the Rangers were having one of their Centennial celebrations, Jonathan Drouin had one goal and two assists.” [Isles]

Elsewhere​

Sunday’s NHL scores included a Penguins loss, a Hurricanes win, a Red Wings loss and five points for Nathan MacKinnon.

• Mats Sundin is excited to see his Leafs franchise goal mark soon eclipsed by Auston Matthews, who curiously put Darcy Tucker in a group with Sundin, Darryl Sittler, Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour as guys who “paved the way.” [NHL]
• Behind women’s legend and former Isles broadcaster Jennifer Botterill’s path to the Hall of Fame. [NHL]
• The PWHL’s Seattle and Vancouver expansion teams announced their names. [NHL]
• The Oilers are “full of excuses” after being blown out by the Avalanche. [Sportsnet]
• The Leafs were “immature” and “didn’t check anyone” in blowing a lead to the Canes. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is.../islanders-vs-devils-news-road-trip-continues

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders in Vegas News: Shabanov inching back

The Islanders’ seven-game road trip really gets down to business tonight with the opening of a back-to-back at Vegas and then Utah.

Sorry for the mid-week gap in posts — I had something planned about the crater in the fourth line but an ill-timed broadband outage scrapped that. Dan and Mike touched on it in the latest Islanders Anxiety podcast, how it’s painful to watch Nystrom Award-level Islander Casey Cizikas struggle, along with Kyle MacLean and whoever else they rotate in. You’ve got two guys who are limited (one always has been, one is late career), which itself isn’t a recipe for success for whoever joins them, be it Anthony Duclair or Max Tsyplakov.

A casual scan of the Islanders’ individual rankings in Corsi percentage, goals for/goals against, scoring chances for/against, high danger for/against percentage — all these categories do not flatter that group. And it’s not like they’re being used in a defensive zone role either.

Having an unresolved or underwater fourth line is not uncommon for your average or below-average NHL team. But it does highlight a weakness this squad has at 5-on-5.

Anyway, they’ll be tested in Vegas tonight starting at 10 p.m. EST. First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• Another area of concern, then penalty kill has perhaps turned a corner under Bob Boughner. [THN]
• Another way of looking at all that: Who are these Isles? Some good, some bad. [Newsdsay]
• Previewing tonight: Ilya will start in goal. He stopped 63 of 64 against Vegas last season [Isles]
• Scott Mayfield is a question mark for tonight, as he missed practice in anticipation of the birth of his first child. [Isles]
• Bo Horvat is good at hockey, and is hot right now. [Isles]
• Jonathan Drouin has continued to be a great fit for the Isles. [Newsday]
• Prospect Report: Kashawn Aitcheson had his first OHL hat trick, and in a 5:07 span. Meanwhile, Dmitry Gazmin had back-to-back KHL shutouts. [Isles]
• Of course, in other Aitcheson news…he’ll learn from getting a suspension for tossing water at a harassing fan as the team left the ice following a heated battle. The fan probably deserved it, and there were three suspensions handed out, but he should and will know better than to cross that line. [THN]
• The Isles are ready to bond and all that on this long trip, and Matthew Schaefer looks forward to a proper cross-country trip. [Post]
• Max Shabanov is with the team in Vegas and skating, though in a non-contact jersey. [Isles | THN]
• Bridgeport Report: On the bright side, the Artists Formerly Known as Sound Tigers won both games against Springfield, who included Milan Lucic on a PTO. On the down side, Springfield is absolutely terrible. [Isles]
• Agree or disagree with Anders Lee and Bo Horvat. [Isles video]

Elsewhere

Last night’s scores include just four games, but the Rangers won in Tampa, while the Devils won in OT over Chicago and the Flyers picked up a regulation point.

• Tomorrow’s opponent, Utah reversed an 0-2 deficit to the Sabres to win 5-2. [NHL]
• Uh-oh: Thatcher Demko is injured again. [Sportsnet]
• I guess the Predators and Penguins are in Sweden. [NHL]
• Are Utah and Anaheim really this good? [ESPN]
• Bourne: What’s truly ailing the Leafs? (Whatever it is, I assure you “it starts with me.”) [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...islanders-in-vegas-news-shabanov-inching-back

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 4, Vegas 3 (OT): Pageau’s shorthanded stunner caps win

The Islanders pulled off multiple stunning escapes to take both points in Las Vegas, capped by J-G Pageau’s dramatic shorthanded solo effort to win the game in overtime, 4-3.

Twice when things looked set for a loss, the Isles flipped the script, including Mat Barzal tying it with 2:37 left in regulation after his team had blown an opening 2-0 lead. Even that lead itself was against the grain, as Vegas got the first six shots on net in the game before the Isles somehow emerged from the first period with that two-goal lead.

Through it all, Ilya Sorokin made fantastic saves, occasionally aided by his posts, on the way to another win over the Golden Knights.

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

Emil Heineman opened scoring at 14:03 of the first with his sneaky release from distance…

HORVAT TO HEINEMAN! #Isles | @Ford pic.twitter.com/DcQgCF8pZF

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 14, 2025

That was the first hint it might be an against-the-grain night. Then four minutes later, Matthew Schaefer sizzled a wrister through traffic to cash in on a late power play. (And yes, that caption says he’s now tied with Cale Makar for the league lead in goals among defensemen. He’s 18.)

MATTHEW SCHAEFER

He's now tied with Cale Makar for the League lead in goals by a defenseman with six! pic.twitter.com/O4nyvdVJdt

— NHL (@NHL) November 14, 2025

The second period was not a case of the Isles sitting on the lead, but rather the teams alternating five power plays without converting. It seemed the Isles could be headed toward a good position in the third until Shea Theodore finally broke through for Vegas with just over a minute remaining in the period, sending the game to the second intermission at 2-1.

Shots on goal in the third period were only 8-5 Vegas, but the Knights were tilting the ice as they tied it at 8:23 on a Tomas Hertl rebound after some dangerous setups down low. Then they pulled ahead at 10:45 after Reilly Smith finished a sequence he started with a nifty move.

Reilly Smith picks up his 300th point with the Golden Knights with the lead goal in the third#VegasBorn   | @GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/GVHaYeSRi5

— VegasHockeyFreak (@VGKHockeyFreak) November 14, 2025

Things looked ominous at that point. Patrick Roy even made a thinly found, desperate challenge for goalie interference: Kyle Palmieri had been pushed into Ilya Sorokin’s area, but it was hard to find anything more than a paper argument for that being a factor. The video review quickly rejected the challenge, and the Isles were now on the penalty kill already trailing by a goal.

I figured the Isles had fully coughed up a 2-0 lead they didn’t totally deserve, and blown their chance to walk out of Vegas with a point or two, and a Golden Knights power play insurance goal would finish them off.

But things were far from over. Barzal tied it on a one-timer, set up by Schaefer and aided heavily by Anders Lee’s disruptive net-front presence…

MATHEW BARZAL TIES THE GAME LATE pic.twitter.com/2GnLX7ATUr

— NHL (@NHL) November 14, 2025

Then they survived some scares during the final two minutes to make it to overtime, which itself was a glorious, chaotic back-and-forth scramble at both ends. Sorokin made some outstanding stops and also had some post luck.

In one desperate sequence, the Isles “changed” way too early to stem a Vegas counterattack, and they were called for too many men on the ice. They’d spend essentially the final two minutes of overtime shorthanded, if they could even survive the 4-on-3.

Enter Pageau, pursued by a bear.

Thomas Hickey on the MSG broadcast talked about how hard it is to win a 3-on-4 faceoff when you have no support. Then he saluted Pageau, who won the draw by himself, somehow completed the defensive zone exit on his own, rushed up ice, used a “I’m just gonna burn some time” decoy before launching a shot that ramped off a defending Mitch Marner’s stick and over Akira Schmid’s shoulder for the stunning, improbable, shorthanded winner.

JG PAGEAU! SHG OT WINNER! HOLY SHIT! pic.twitter.com/NFHwLj3NZo

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) November 14, 2025

What just happened? That just happened.

The sustained post-game mob celebration captured the moment and the full-team effort. The Isles had come back from the dead a couple of times and secured two crucial points on a daunting road trip. Their third road win in a row — following two local wins at the Rangers and Devils — means they are in position to make this a successful trip but will go no worse than 3-4 if they crater over the next four.

Up Next​

Speaking of which, it’s back to back on the road here, with Friday night in Salt Lake City.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/game-recaps/43172/islanders-vs-vegas-recap-pageau-overtime

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: Back-to-back concludes in Utah

If you didn’t stay up late last night, you missed quite the stirring against-script conclusion. Shorthanded in OT, having blown a 2-0 lead and then scored a late 6-on-5 goal just to make it to extra time, the Isles pulled off another one on the back of Ilya Sorokin and a tremendous individual play by J-G Pagaeu.

Now they try to keep this road streak rolling tonight in Utah.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• About last night: Taking a shot in Vegas. [Newsday | LHH | Post | NHL]
• Post-game takeaways. [Isles]
• The Skinny: “Matthew Schaefer now has 14 points, tying David Chyzowski for second among 18-year-olds in club history, trailing only Tim Connolly (34); he tied Gerald Diduck for the second-highest assist total (8) among Islander teenage defensemen.” Also: “Ilya Sorokin earned his 131st win, passing Rick DiPietro for 3rd in club history.” [Isles]
• Not real sure about that (unless “contend” just means for a wild card spot, a playoff round or two): Isles can contend if Mathieu Darche adds pieces. [Newsday]
• Behind the marketing of and instant buzz around Matthew Schaefer. [Newsday]
• Islanders dynasty members who were there remember Larry Brooks, longtime Post reporter who passed away at 75 from goddamned cancer. [Post]
• Tony DeAngelo also paid tribute. [Post]

Elsewhere​

Last night’s other nine scores included the Capitals falling to the Panthers and the Blue Jackets outlasting the Oilers, also the Bruins finally lost.

• Pretty cool: How some specific in-shoe/skate sensor technology aided Gabriel Landeskog’s long, long comeback. [TSN]
• Adjust your fantasies: Auston Matthews is on IR for a week at least. [NHL]
• Jim Rutherford on to rebuild or not to rebuild. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...s-gameday-news-back-to-back-concludes-in-utah

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 3, Mammoth 2 (OT): Another one down

Hey all, good to be back writing recaps! I spent the early part of the season in Tokyo, so the disastrous 0-3 start to the season happened in the early morning for me. It’s a weird experience to get notifications on Islanders goals while eating breakfast.

But like I said, good to be back, and even better to get to see Matthew Schaefer play hockey. That nifty little move he pulled bouncing the puck off the boards (twice!) to get out of the zone and create an odd-man rush is just another example of how special he is as a player beyond the goals and points he’s putting up directly.

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

The game did not start nicely for the Islanders, who really looked like a team that played last night as David Rittich had to turn away 9 shots just 6 minutes into the first period.

Adam Boqvist took a holding penalty, but that was negated around 15 seconds in by Adam Pelech, who drew a penalty, sending Logan Cooley to the box and giving us some 4 on 4 hockey. On that 4 on 4, Emil Heineman improved his Salt Lake City fortunes (last season, he was hit by a car here while on a scooter) and deflected a bouncing puck past Karel Vejmelka to make it 1-0 Islanders.

View Link

Then, it looked like Clayton Keller might have tied the game, but Rittich got a piece of the puck, deflecting it under the bar but not past the goal line, overturning an initial goal call on the ice. Not too long after that, though, the Mammoth would tie the game for real, as JJ Peterka deflected the puck in past Rittich.

The Islanders went to the power play after Utah had too many men on the ice, but they couldn’t convert. Then, Matthew Schaefer went to the box for interference, followed closely behind by Simon Holmstrom for putting the puck over the glass, giving Utah a nearly full two minute 5 on 3 power play, which Dylan Guenther converted on to make it 2-1 Utah.

In the second period, the Isles had some chances early, but couldn’t take advantage. Mathew Barzal had his shot saved on a 2 on 1, and Casey Cizikas missed the net while out in front of Vejmelka.

Barzal drew a penalty on Logan Cooley, and despite some good chances, the power play couldn’t convert.

Schaefer took a low hit and left the ice limping, and then left the bench briefly, but then returned seemingly okay.

Tony DeAngelo took a high sticking penalty, and the Isles killed it, but closed out the second period still down a goal.

In the third, Calum Ritchie took a tripping penalty, and Holmstrom had a shorthanded chance blocked. DeAngelo went to the box again shortly after, for hooking.

Schaefer blocked a shot and was with the trainer after, but did play his next shift.

After the back to back kills, Jack McBain went to the box for interference. Holmstrom had a great chance, but Vejmelka made the save, and ultimately the Mammoth killed the penalty.

Jonathan Drouin kicked the puck and it deflected off Nate Schmidt and into the net. Originally on the ice it was called a good goal, then no goal for the kick, and then it went under review, which deemed it a good goal. While the goal was under review, Tony DeAngelo picked up a 10 minute misconduct penalty.

View Link

Rittich made a great save on Mikhail Sergachev to keep the game tied late. Schaefer had a good chance but shot the puck wide, and Vejmelka stopped a Horvat wraparound, and so in back to back games, the Islanders picked up a point and headed to overtime.

In overtime, Barzal set up Schaefer for the overtime winner, a one-timer past Vejmelka.

View Link

Up Next​

Next, the Islanders head to Colorado to take on the Avalanche on the 16th as the gauntlet road trip continues.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/game-recaps/43190/islanders-vs-utah-schaefer-overtime

 

[New York Islanders]

Weird Islanders: The Podcast! – Episode 74 – Josef Vašíček (with guest Sab)

Joined again by their friend Sab, Mike and Dan remember Josef Vašíček, the big, versatile, likeable center who left us far too early in the Lokomotiv airplane disaster.

Vašíček only spent one season on Long Island, but he made a lot of fans in that short time, bringing goals and a big smile to a patchwork team about to enter a full rebuild. In Al Arbour’s historic return game, it was Vašíček who led the Islanders to a victory in front of a packed house and the legendary coach. In a season that isn’t fondly remembered or marked by consistency, Big Joe was one of the team’s most reliable players.

Years before that, he made his reputation playing for the Hurricanes at both their bizarre beginnings and in their best seasons. He was part of their Stanley Cup finals team in 2002 and, after a quick jaunt to Nashville, was on their championship team in 2006. As usual, Vašíček contributed positively on the ice, even if it wasn’t with a goal or an assist.

Following his time with the Islanders, he signed on with the nascent KHL so that he could play closer to his home in Slovakia. Even there, he helped lead Lokomotiv to the first Gagarin Cup finals and proved he could win anywhere. Tragically, in September of 2011, Vašíček died as the team’s plane crashed soon after take-off, killing 44 passengers. The shocking loss of life still reverberates to this day, especially for those of us who were fans of the many players on board, including and especially Josef Vašíček.

Sab tells us about his memories of and connection to Vašíček through the years, including some rare personal stories that might be forgotten. As always, we thank him for coming on and for his invaluable YouTube channel, which is packed to the gills with Islanders history.

To hear more of our conversation with Sab about Lou, Kashawn Aitcheson and other topics, head over to our Patreon and sign up for the Country Club tier to access our latest Weird Islanders Extra! bonus podcast.

WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL

• Vašíček was an important player in the early history of the Carolina Hurricanes, helping the franchise break out of the shadow of the Hartford Whalers. In both their Stanley Cup runs of the early 2000’s, he played a vital role as a checker and occasional scorer, and is well remembered among fans and writers.
• The versatile (and large) Vašíček was just what GM Garth Snow and coach Ted Nolan wanted for the 07-08 Islanders.
• Vašíček had a great game on November 3, 2007 against the Penguins, which was Al Arbour’s 1500th game behind the Islanders bench:

• Here’s the post game ceremony for the coach and his new banner
• Vašíček also had two points, including an assist on Trent Hunter’s overtime winner, in an eventful (aka bonkers) game in Atlanta against the Thrashers in February of 2008.

• “Big Joe” was well-liked everywhere he played and left an impression. Here’s the Kraft Hockeyville video Sab mentioned, where Vašíček met up with some friends from an old stomping ground.

• He brought all of those skills to Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the KHL and became a leader on the ice as well as they went to the first Gagarin Cup finals.
• On Sept. 7, 2011, a plane carrying the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv KHL team crashed soon after takeoff. Among the 44 people aboard who died were NHLers Vašíček, Pavol Demitra, Karel Rachunek, Karlis Skrastins, Ruslan Salei, Igor Korolev and former Islanders Alexander Karpovsev and assistant coach Brad McCrimmon. It was an unspeakable tragedy then and now. What started out as confusing became a time of great sadness and reflection for those left in its wake.
• Here’s a video of various Vašíček highlights from his one season as an Islander. The big center often made it look too easy.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ny...-vasicek-guest-sab-hurricanes-lokomotiv-crash

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday: Next mountain’s in Colorado

The Islanders are riding a 4-0 start to a seven-game stretch away from home that includes three consecutive overtime wins, which is both inspiring and classic “that’s the luck of the draw” kind of muddied reflection of where they are.

The East is a mashup of meh-ness but the Islanders now find themselves in wild card position, a wild (sorry) turn after an 0-3 start.

And even if the NHL’s current overtime regime obscures rather than reveals teams’ nature, how the Isles got there says a little something. Rebounding from a late equalizer in Jersey, equalizing late (after blowing a 2-0 lead) in Vegas, and then forcing overtime again in Utah with a late kick goal by Jonathan Drouin, setting up yet another of what will surely be more Barzal-Schaefer highlights.

This team right now is fun and at least doesn’t throw in the towel even when they’re outmatched, as they will be tonight against the NHL-leading 12-1-5 Avalanche. To ease their arrival, Brock Nelson had several over for dinner.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• Takeaways from the win in Utah: David Rittich continues to uphold his end as backup. [Isles]
• Day-to-day: Travis Mitchell has been returned to Bridgeport, which means Scott Mayfield will be back (and we’d assume, in the lineup) after departing for the birth of his child. [Isles]
• UPDATE: Indeed, Mayfield returns to the lineup and Max Shabanov does, too, bumping Tsyplakov. [Isles]
• The Skinny: “Matthew Schaefer is the youngest player in NHL history to score an overtime goal. … Schaefer is the first 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history to score an overtime goal… he is the first 18-year-old defenseman to score seven goals in his first 18 (Bobby Orr is the only other 18-year-old defenseman with at least six). [Isles]
• Brock Nelson is grateful for his time on Long Island and the friends he made along the way. [Newsday | Post | THN]
• Post hyperbole about Schaefer: What an experience | Oh, sure, he’s like Doc Gooden

Elsewhere​

Thirteen games in the NHL last night.

• The Leafs suck; how can Craig Berube get through to them? [Sportsnet]
• They want to make changes but don’t want to trade young guys/prospects. [Sportsnet]
• Leafs escapee David Kampf has landed on a $1.1 million deal with the Canucks. [TSN]
• Injury alerts: Drew Doughty, Charlie McAvoy (after a Noah Dobson shot to the face), Thomas Harley [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...nders-gameday-news-colorad-avalanche-schaefer

 

[New York Islanders]

Colorado 4 (EN), Islanders 1: Beaten but not Avalanche’d

With the Islanders riding a three-game overtime win streak, if you were expecting a back-to-earth reality check against the league-leading Avalanche in Colorado, that’s not exactly what they received.

Though the Isles lost, 4-1, the game was close until the end — an empty netter plus a garbage-time deflection goal by Brock Nelson inflated the score — and Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood’s saves, particularly agains the Isles power play, were major factors.

The Isles exited with zero points, and their only goal was off a fortunate skate deflection (Emil Heineman), but also…they kind of hung right there with a team that’s now won six in a row and has points in 10 straight?

Patrick Roy called it their best performance of the previously 4-0 road trip and he’s arguably not wrong. This is going to be an interesting team to follow as it evolves this year.

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

Brock Reunion, Part 1​

Miss you, Brock, and wish you well. “It’ll be funny lining up against some of the guys I grew up with.”

MSG had some fun bits with him before the game, including getting him to suspect J-G Pageau would be the first to chirp him. And then the next clip is his full pre-game, where he admitted it takes a bit for him to realize Isles highlights with #29 are now Jonathan Drouin, not him.

Brock Nelson thinks JGP will be the first to chirp him tonight as he faces the Islanders as an opposing team for the first time in his career.@Shannon_Hogan | #Isles pic.twitter.com/NCGQ64J2Ad

— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) November 17, 2025

"I try to approach it like any other game. I think it's a big game. Obviously, they're playing well, and we're on a roll, and we want to keep things going."

Brock Nelson is facing his former team for the first time since being traded.

Full presser pic.twitter.com/1EwJ6FrcSV

— DNVR Avalanche (@DNVR_Avalanche) November 16, 2025

And Avs rights holder Altitude also got some sentiments about facing his old mates:

“Every little play matters, every second counts” – Brock Nelson pic.twitter.com/5spCeWqgRf

— AltitudeTV (@AltitudeTV) November 17, 2025

Where will these teams be when Brock returns to Long Island with the Avs later this season?

Speaking of Drouin though:

Jonathan Drouin on realizing that he wouldn’t be able to sign in COL and would have to go the Free Agency route:

“Yeah, it sucked… I enjoyed my time in Colorado. I would have loved to stay here for the rest of my career, but the business side of it doesn't allow it sometimes”

— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) November 16, 2025

Other Notes​

• Scott Mayfield (attending childbirth) and Max Shabanov (injury) each returned to the lineup. Shabanov looked active and was on PP2.
• Speaking of Shabanov, at least for one night he added more to that makeshift fourth line with Cal Ritchie (also facing his former team, albeit with less history) and Casey Cizikas than Max Tsyplakov has.
• This one could’ve gone either way a few times. The Isles weren’t in pole position by any means, but it hurt that they gave up the equalizer and then the go-ahead (ultimately game winner) in a 1:19 span early in the second. It could’ve gotten worse there, but for a few big Ilya Sorokin stops.

Up Next​

Two games left in this Carmen Sandiego road trip, Tuesday in Dallas and Thursday in Detroit.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ga...-vs-islanders-brock-nelson-wedgewood-shabanov

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Anxiety – Episode 347 – A Heartening Week

Mike and Dan are in good spirits as the Islanders win four of the first five games of their road trip and show signs of excitement.

The seven game gauntlet through several Stanley Cup contenders loomed large on the schedule. But after three electric overtime games, the Islanders were making believers out of many. While not perfect by any means, they were playing fun games and picking up points, beating heavy hitters like New Jersey and Vegas, as well as surprising Utah, with timely goals and great goaltending. Even a loss in Denver to a stacked Avalanche team couldn’t bring them down. Despite the defeat (and a goal against by an old friend), it was one of their most complete games of the season and showed that they can play with the NHL’s elite.

But the job’s not done. Two more road games close out the trip before back-to-back matinee games at home. The names might not be as daunting, but the Islanders need to keep up this pace if they want to stay alive in the crowded Eastern Conference. They also might need to make decisions on what they want the bottom of their line-up to look like. Because right now, it’s a bit of a mess and some of these guys are real psychos.

Finally, they discuss a surprise article about former Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello, who is apparently still working with the team but away from the hockey department. It feels good to know Lou is still around and offering council and protection, but letting the new kid do his thing.

REFERENCES

• Here’s Pierre LeBrun’s article on Lou. Good for him.
• This is what we assume his “own office separate and at a different location from the Islanders’ team headquarters” is like:

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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.

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

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...rzal-pageau-schaefer-overtime-goal-lamoriello

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 3, Stars 2: Ritchie’s first goal overshadowed by Romanov injury

Well that was one of the most up and down third periods of hockey in a long time.

A 1-1, penalty-free game after two periods quickly devolved after Bo Horvat gave the Isles a 2-1 lead, then took a high-sticking double minor that also earned him a misconduct penalty. Kyle Palmieri scored short handed to give the Isles a two-goal cushion, but with the net empty, Jason Robertson would make it 3-2. And then Mikko Rantanen hit Alex Romanov in a dangerous spot behind the net, earning himself a five minute major, a misconduct penalty, and a probable upcoming suspension, as Romanov had to be helped off the ice.

Just thirty seconds later, the game ended with an overturned Dallas goal after goaltender interference, and an Islanders win that’s hard to get too excited about.

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

The Islanders started slow in the first period, and needed David Rittich’s excellent play to help bail them out from a few key Stars chances. Towards the end of the period, the Isles started to get into the game, and they’d bring that momentum into the second period.

Halfway through the second, Cal Ritchie scored his first goal and point as a New York Islander on a nifty little one-time play he helped set up. He got the puck from Ryan Pulock, made a cross ice pass to Anthony Duclair, then headed for the slot where Duclair passed the puck back to him, and he one-timed it past Jake Oettinger to give the Isles the lead.

View Link

But the lead would be short lived, as Jason Robertson tied it up two mins later, sneaking the puck past Rittich short side.

Despite some chances late in the second, the Isles couldn’t convert, and we headed to the third period tied up at 1.

What looked like a harmless puck pushed behind the net turned into a great opportunity for Bo Horvat, who had the puck bounce right to him in the slot where he made no mistake, scoring his 13th of the season and giving the Isles a 2-1 lead.

View Link

But just a few minutes later, Horvat was called for a double minor for high sticking, and also received a 10 minute misconduct penalty to go along with it, taking him out for the rest of the game. It was a… controversial call, to say the least.

And then, Kyle Palmieri quickly scored short handed on a 2 on 1 with Casey Cizikas, extending the Islanders’ lead to 3-1.

View Link

The high sticking penalties started flying after that, with Jamie Benn sent to the box to give us some 4 on 4 time, and later Matthew Schaefer after both penalties had expired. We got 4 on 4 hockey again when Jason Robertson was called for hooking, and shortly after that penalty expired, Dallas pulled Oettinger for an extra skater, and Robertson picked up his second goal of the game to make it 3-2.

And then, Mikko Rantanen pushed Alex Romanov into the boards behind the Isles net while chasing a puck, and it was immediately clear that Romanov was seriously injured. He was able to get up with some help, and obviously did not return to the game. Rantanen received a 5 minute major penalty and a misconduct penalty, and the league will almost certainly be taking another look at the hit for supplemental discipline.

Then, Wyatt Johnston appeared to score with just 0.2 seconds left on the clock, but David Rittich was knocked to the ice and immediately angry over what he believed to be goaltender interference. An automatic review by the league was triggered, and the play was determined to be goaltender interference, which meant no goal, a faceoff at center ice, and the Islanders picked up the win against another tough opponent.

With the win against Dallas, the Islanders are 5-1 on the Road Trip of Doom, and currently sit in a wild card spot.

Up Next​

Next, the Islanders will close out the road trip in Detroit, taking on the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on November 20th.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/game-recaps/43230/islanders-vs-stars-ritchie-rittich-romanov-injury

 

[New York Islanders]

Starting today, comments and Feed posts on Lighthouse Hockey will have activity notifications

When you post on SB Nation, we don’t want you to miss all the conversations and responses that follow.

So starting today, whenever a user replies to your comment or to your post on the Feed, you’ll see a notification at the top right corner of the page.

And of course, this means that when you engage with other community members, they’ll get an alert too.

Our goal is to create more and better conversations on Lighthouse Hockey and elsewhere across the SB Nation network. Anytime someone engages with your comments or Feed posts on another SB Nation community, you’ll see it in your notifications.

For instance, here’s what your notifications might look like on sbnation.com if you were getting replies across Arrowhead Pride, MMA Fighting, and sbnation.com. You will see the same expandable stack of notifications on any site in the network where you were logged in.

If you want to dig into more of how this will work across the network and what’s next, head over to this post on sbnation.com from SB Nation’s Head of Product Ed Clinton.

You can log in or sign up here. Logged in users get fewer ads along with the ability to join the conversation.

Jump into the comment section below or post on The Feed to see notifications in action.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ge...house-hockey-will-have-activity-notifications

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders News: Riding a road high, waiting for Romo news

Tuesday night had a chaotic, disheartening ending to what otherwise should’ve been an uplifting evening as the Isles took four of six points from a run through Vegas, Colorado and Dallas. (Six of eight when you include Utah, no slouches themselves, though that effort was less impressive.)

The Isles’ win over the Stars in a tough building brings their road trip to 5-1 thus far with one more to go. There were some real bright points to their play and how they responded to different situations, they were opportunistic and David Rittich again delivered as a plus backup goalie.

However, the late and avoidable injury to Alex Romanov was a major downer. (Suspension for Mikko Rantanen coming? Letting him off because he’s “not like that” and was tied up with Scott Mayfield? Knowing the NHL, it will depend on Romo’s prognosis.) The way they played shamefully with a late power play that should’ve killed the game, to the point they nearly gave up the equalizer, was a sour point. The goalie interference on Dallas’ would-be equalizer was obvious, but the Isles should’ve never been in that position to let it be so close.

But Patrick Roy showing fire, Scott Mayfield showing restraint and Rittich delivering again and getting all pumped up at the horn were memorable moments for a team completely defying expectations on this road trip.

Islanders News​

• About last night: Crazy, up-and-down, overshadowed by the apparent Alex Romanov injury. [LHH] Rittich stood tall. [Newsday]
• Takeaways: Good goalie-ing and a first goal for Cal Ritchie. [Isles]
• ‘‘it looked — at least for a while — like the Islanders may not have enough moxie in their game to get out of Dallas with two points, may have been the toughest.“ [Post]
• The Romanov injury, and Patrick Roy’s comments afterward, which were a little cooler than how enraged he (understandably) appeared on the bench. Also quotes from both sides. [TSN]
• Simon Holmstrom missed the game with illness, but Roy said Max Shabanov’s return showed he’s ready for a more prominent role. [Isles]
• Talking about whether Bo Horvat or even Matthew Schaefer (?!) are in the mix for Olympics consideration. [Post]

Elsewhere​

Last night’s NHL scores included the Wings beating the Kraken and the Devils falling in Tampa.

• Nick Cousins is dive-shamed by the NHL. [Sportsnet]
• Hilarious: A series of games with NHL alumni playing against Shoresy actors. [NHL]
• Drew Bannister discusses the trend of defensemen getting even more involved in offensive plays. [NHL]
• Islanders legend Zdeno Chara talks about working with one of those other teams he briefly played for, the Bruins, if memory serves. [ESPN]
• Leafs GM gives Leafs coach the old vote of confidence. [ESPN]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...news-riding-a-road-high-waiting-for-romo-news

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: Romanov on IR, last mile in Detroit

The Islanders finish their long and surprisingly successful road trip tonight in Detroit, back in the Eastern time zone and oh so lose to returning home for a weekend of back-to-back afternoon games. A win tonight would put them in the non-wildcard proper playoff section of the Metro for the moment.

Just half a year after their captain appeared to question GM Steve Yzerman’s lack of additions during yet another playoff-less season, the Red Wings find themselves first in the division at the quarter pole. Will it last? Heh.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Site News

• You can now see notifications for when there are replies to your comments and such. The bell icon will give you a number to guide you. Have fun out there.
• Also, apologies that we’ve not had a new thread or bits post each day; it’s going to vary by day, content, availability, phases of the moon. Yesterday’s went up late but that was intentional, following another late game where post-game conversation was still going on in the morning.

Islanders News​

• As expected, Alex Romanov was placed on IR. I’d speculate there’s a fracture but maybe we’ll hear more later. [Isles | Newsday]
• Cal Ritchie is starting to make progress in his game. (Psst…better linemates probably helps!) [Post]
• Previewing tonight: Will Simon Holmstrom be back? [Isles]

Elsewhere​

Just four scores last night, including the Bruins falling in regulation and Buffalo going back to losing, providing Calgary some much-needed therapy.

• The Oilers are basically having the mirror opposite seven-game road trip as the Islanders. Their team defense and goaltending is performing bottom-five, which doesn’t help. [Sportsnet]
• Injury news: Charlie McAvoy did have facial surgery, is out “indefinitely.” Ouch. [NHL]
• First Jack Hughes gets hurt at team dinner, now Eetu Luostarinen — who is not actually a mouthwash brand — gets burnt in a “barbecue accident.” NHL players, they’re just like us! [TSN]
• Adam Lowry agrees to a five-year, $25 million extension. [NHL | Sportsnet]
• Some favorite moments through the first quarter include Matthew Schaefer’s instant rise and connection with Isles fans. [NHL]
• Bourne: Seven takeaways from the first quarter of the season, like the entire East being a muddled mess and the Avalanche ready to claim the Cup now. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...meday-news-romanov-on-ir-last-mile-in-detroit

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 5, Red Wings 0: Shabanov’s career night caps 6-1 trip

The Islanders have turned their traditional season-ending western road trip into…something else entirely. Thoroughly dispatching the Red Wings in Detroit, the Isles finished the seven-game stretch with a 6-1 record that has launched them up the standings. At the quarter pole, they’re suddenly in a non-wild card playoff position and just a couple points off the Eastern Conference lead.

All of the things that have been highlights for the Isles during this run were in effect, including rock-solid goaltending (Ilya Sorokin with a 29-save shutout tonight), responsible defensive support from the forwards, and great waves of speedy offense through the neutral zone.

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

As a bonus, and continuing from the last couple of games: Great play from Calum Ritchie and Max Shabanov alongside Casey Cizikas. Ritchie and Shabanov assisted on each other’s goals to give the Isles a 2-0 lead early in the first and they never looked back.

View Link

Joining that line at the beginning of a change, Mat Barzal extended the lead early in the third with a shot from the slot assisted by Cizikas and Shabanov. Bo Horvat, who had several good chances throughout the night, scored on a great faceoff set play two minutes later, and the Isles were up 4-0 just five minutes into the second period.

With the game out of reach in the third, Max Shabanov made it 5-0 with a stunning 1-on-2 move after yet more good neutral zone pressure from Cizikas and Ritchie. Shabanov joined rare air in having a four-point game as a rookie: Mat Barzal, John Tavares, Pat LaFontaine and Billy Carroll were his precedents.

View Link

Shortly afterward, Mason Appleton and Ben Chiarot resumed their roles as sore-losing village idiots, attacking Scott Mayfield and J-G Pageau after what ended up being an interference minor on Mayfield plus a roughing and 10-minute misconduct, while Appleton had to be escorted off the ice yet received nothing.

Chiarot only got 2 and 10 despite horse-collaring Mayfield by the visor repeatedly and throwing punches at Pageau for having the nerve to protest. Chiarot was in a foul, silly mood throughout the blowout, so it was just as well that he was finally sent home to sulk.

The Isles killed that penalty with the help of some razor-thin arm saves by Sorokin, and then they went about finishing the game with just five defensemen.

What a finale, what a trip.

Up Next​

The Isles are back to back at home this weekend against two very beatable opponents in the Blues and the Kraken. If they manage to sweep those matinees…what will we make of them?

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/game-recaps/43275/islanders-vs-red-wings-shabanov-sorokin-shutout

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday: Visiting the Stars

How do you get to Texas, the old joke goes: Go south till you smell it, then west till you step in it.

The Islanders are in Dallas tonight where they’ll step in it, alright. The Stars are a perennial contender off to another great start, 12-4-3, and of course the Isles lost both games to them last year. In the West, their .711 points percentage trails only the Colorado Avalanche, who just defeated the Isles in a closer-than-the-score 4-1 final Sunday.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• Previewing tonight: Same lineup, presumably. [Isles]
• Lou speaks, Lou advises, Lou is happy to be in a different role away from daily hockey ops. [Athletic | Post]
• With a 4-1 start to the road trip, is the Isles’ system evolution paying off? [Newsday]
• Will Max Shabanov’s return help Calum Ritchie generate some offense? [THN]
• Touching gesture in Colorado between Matthew Schaefer and a young cancer survivor. [THN]
• Prospect report: Cole Eiserman prepares to return. [Isles]

Elsewhere​

Last night’s NHL scores include the Oilers losing 5-1 in Buffalo.

• You now that result brings out the usual Spector column. [Sportsnet]
• Jamie Benn could make his season debut for Dallas tonight; Charlie McAvoy may need surgery after a puck to the face. [NHL]
• Jonathan Quick on why he sparked a post-game brawl. [TSN]
• Is the Leafs’ season beyond saving? All I know is it starts with me. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/islanders-news-headlines/43222/islanders-gameday

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders vs. Blues Gameday News: Is this team…good?

For those who went into this Islanders transitional season with low or at least cautiously tempered expectations, the last eight games have been startling, confusing and pretty damn fun. I say eight games, because the 6-1 road trip, which started with some “not great but pulled it off” wins and steamrolled into some “that was actually really good” victories, immediately followed a lifeless and troubling home loss to the Wild.

The East appears wide open this year, if the narrow span of points from first to second-last after one quarter is any indication. The Isles return from their late-night party march through Western foes in a playoff spot and two points off the conference lead.

It’s an unexpected spot that has us asking fun questions: Is this improvement real? Is it sustainable? Is this team…{gasp} actually kinda good?

Certainly offseason upgrades — Emil Heineman and Matthew Schaefer each providing better contributions than any expected — and the steadying of Ilya Sorokin’s play have certainly made a difference and are evidentiary pieces that there’s something real here.

On the other hand, “That’s so Islanders” is a self-flagellating quip many of us are prepared to pull out at the first sign of trouble.

Odds are this will be an up-and-down ride as teams in this broad middle alternately get hot or cold. Having survived and even thrived on the western trip, a big opportunity now presents itself with seven straight at home. However it goes, this team is currently fun again. Enjoy.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• Speaking of fun: 16 Stats leads off with Schaefer: no longer sheltered, but still more than holding his own. “The thought alone feels ludicrous, but Schaefer’s start to the season has become undeniable. He is not just great for an 18-year-old defenseman; he is just flat-out great.” [Athletic]
• Also, why Schaefer is the lead Calder candidate at the 1st quarter. [Athletic]
• Previewing tonight today: It’s a 3:30 start, and Hockey Fights Cancer. The Isles are 7-1-1 in the Blues’ last nine visits to our various coliseums, centers and arenas. [Isles]
• With a hot team and a back-to-back weekend, Islanders leaders are hoping the building will be rocking. (Spectator sports tip: Lower some prices, and it might just be so.) [Newsday]
• Schaefer will spend his first U.S. Thanksgiving with the Martins, and also a fan of the last-place Rangers. [Newsday]
• Returning from a long trip, at least the Isles should already be readjusted to EST since they thumped Detroit in their final stop. [Post]
• They featured this on the last game broadcast, but the improved PK has been a difference. And a team effort. [Isles]
• Calum Ritchie is enjoying picking Casey Cizikas’ brain, often between shifts. [Isles]
• Their new linemate Max Shabanov is in good form and his Russian mate Sorokin says he should do that every game. [Post]
• The Skinny: Ilya Sorokin is now one shutout away from a tie for first in franchise history. [Isles]

Elsewhere​

Last night featured just four scores, but one of them was the Penguins getting shut out by the Wild, and another featured nine Sabres goals against the Blackhawks.

• Don Maloney, the architect of one of the uglier trades in Islanders history, has not given up on this Flames season. [Sportsnet]
• The Blues are baaaaad and overly reliant on their top 4 D. [Athletic]
• Ruh-roh for the Jets: Connor Hellebuyck has knee surgery, out 4-6 weeks. [NHL]
• The Blackhawks are bringing back black alternates and pretending that they harken to a great era in franchise history. (They missed the playoffs nine out of 13 seasons and traded away Jeremy Roenick and Chris Chelios in their first None More Black era…but I’m sure they sold a lot of jerseys!) [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...slanders-gamedan-news-blues-schaefer-shabanov