RSS Islanders Team Notes

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Matinee News: Capitals visit as homestand gets dicey

The Islanders close November on Sunday afternoon by starting a new chapter in their 2025-26 story: life without Kyle Palmieri. The winger’s ACL surgery (following a heroic exit) is the latest season-ending injury for a roster that has proven better than many thought — thank you, Matthew Schaefer! — but still tested in the depth department.

The 1 p.m. faceoff today offer the latest chance to get this homestand back on track. They followed the 6-1 road trip with 1-2-1 start to this homestand, and after the Capitals visit this afternoon, the red-hot Lightning and juggernaut Avalanche follow. So this homestand could get messy in a hurry, though admittedly we said the same thing when they headed out west and returned with 12 additional points.

In the ever-tight Eastern standings, the Islanders are no longer in a playoff or wild card position, though that could change today as the Capitals (Wild Card 1) are one point ahead of them and the Penguins are level on points.

First Islanders Goal picks for today go here.

Islanders News​

• So yes, the news was as bad as it looked: Kyle Palmieri tore his ACL, requires surgery, will be out 6-8 months, and will have to recover and restore his mobility to top-league-in-the-world level at age 35 (February birthday). [LHH | Isles]
• Newsday Insider: on Palmieri and where the Isles go from here.
• Also from Andrew Gross, on the Isles’ turnaround (asterisk needed!) and Patrick Roy’s communication skills. [Newsday]
• Mat Barzal and Max Shabanov had maintenance days yesterday. We need all the health and speed those guys can muster. [Isles]
• Mathieu Darche’s media availability didn’t offer a whole lot new, though he did say Schaefer is so, SO not available for the WJC. Olympics? Sure, we’d allow that. [Isles | Newsday]
• The Capitals of course have Anthony Beauvillier, who wears the #71 taken from him by #LousRules in the name of culture. He’s been connecting with Alex Ovechkin, most recently to do Bossy’s work in beating the Leafs.

Elsewhere​

Saturday’s scores featured 11 games, including the Leafs destroying the waddling Penguins and old friend Brock Nelson notching four points as the Nordique-clad Avalanche won in Montreal.

• An interesting look at the effect of the butterfly motion on goalie health, with poster child Matt Murray. [NHL]
• Sartorial news: The Stars unveil a quasi-1999 retro with a trolling cameo by Brett Hull. [NHL]
• Update your fantasies: Logan Cooley exits game with a knee injury. [TSN]
• Update your fantasies: Ducks goalie hero Lukas Dostal will miss two to three weeks. [TSN]
• Adam Fox — who was injured yesterday — talks about ALS and his father-in-law. [NHL]
• “With iconic photos” Mark Messier will showcase the — aww, hell, who gives a shit? Seriously. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...90/islanders-vs-capitals-news-palmieri-injury

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders News: Capped; Malakhov on the Max’s

The Islanders took another regulation loss because this sport is alternately frustrating and fun in the “on any given Sunday afternoon…” kind of way.

It was funny to hear the coaches in post-game because Washington’s Spencer Carbery was basically, “Eh, well, we were OK” and “we [were fortunate to get] a 2-0 lead and were able to protect it,” while Patrick Roy was basically, “we did everything right, [our standard was to win, but sometimes you play the way you should and still don’t get it]” or thereabouts.

By rights and hockey karma and all that, the Isles should pull off something from one of the final two home games against the Avalanche or Lightning, even though the {THIS PARAGRAPH SPONSORED BY OUR OFFICIAL GAMBLING RING PARTNER} odds don’t favor it.

Islanders News​

• This was fun though: Vladimir Malakhov on Max Shabanov, Max Tsyplakov, their adjustment, his role with the Isles, deciding not to coach, and the different vibe under Darche vs. Lamoriello. [RG]
• Speaking of Shabanov, Patrick Roy is optimistic he’ll seize an opportunity with Kyle Palmieri lost for the season. [Isles]
• About last night: the previously linked recap with coach quotes. [NHL] Lamenting another close but not close enough. [LHH] Gross: This shows they’ll need injury reinforcements. [Newsday] “Meagerly” and “plummets” says the Post ragebait headline writer [Post]
• The Skinny: 68 of Alex Ovechkin’s 909 regular season goals have been into empty nets. Also: “The Isles outshot the Caps 31-18 and have a 172-94 advantage over the last five games; however, they have been outscored 12-6 in those games.” [Isles]
• Takeaways: a little of this and that. [Isles]
• In case you missed it, Marc Gatcomb was recalled, so figure he’ll get another look or even run in the lineup soon, though he wasn’t in Sunday. [Isles]

Elsewhere​

Only four games yesterday, including the Senators getting torched by the Stars, and the Hurricanes getting past Calgary 1-0 in overtime.

• Adam Fox is going to miss some time. [NHL | ESPN]
• Meanwhile, the Smurfs’ performance at home has been “unacceptable.” Au contraire, I very much accept it. [AP]
• Martin Brodeur and Bill Guerin discuss Canada and USA’s goaltending situations, respectively. [NHL]
• Clayton Keller’s dad passed unexpectedly on Thanksgiving, but he wanted to stay with the Mammoth on their road trip, which included a visit to his hometown (St. Louis), where tribute was paid to his hockey dad. [AP]
• After three games in the AHL with an .839, the reinstated Carter Hart is expected to debut for Vegas. [TSN]
• Logan Cooley avoids serious injury after a knee-to-thigh hit. [Sportsnet]
• Ah, but there is a different Cooley making a name for himself in an otherwise lost season in Calgary. [Sportsnet]
• There’s “no Plan B” if the Olympic hockey facility isn’t finished on time. I, for one, would never doubt the Italians’ ability to complete infrastructure projects. [AP]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...405/islanders-news-capitals-malakhov-shabanov

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Anxiety – Episode 349 – Lucy and the Football

Mike and Dan recap a frustrating run of home games that have the Islanders losing all of the ground they picked up on their successful recent road trip.

With losses to the Bruins, Flyers (via shootout) and Capitals, the Islanders continue to struggle at UBS Arena, which is making fans annoyed. They also have to now deal with losing Kyle Palmieri for the rest of the season following an ACL injury. Palmieri was a key player and point producer and without him, there is both concern and opportunity for others to step up. So far, no one has and games like Sunday’s, where Washington simply bullied the Islanders and prized rookie Matthew Schaefer, could become more commonplace. This season went from no expectations to playoff dreams to gloomy catastrophe, and we’re only a quarter of the way through.

In the second half, we look at an upcoming schedule that sees the Islanders playing the last five Stanley Cup champions all in a row. This stretch could sink them for good, but we said that before the 6-1 roadtrip, too. So you never know. We also check in broadcast partner MSG Networks to list the many good and few frustrating things about the way the games and the Islanders are presented. Overall, we’re lucky to have a top notch broadcast. But there’s a disconnect between the games we’re watching and what we’re being told.

REFERENCES

• None

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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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Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...the-football-palmieri-acl-injury-msg-networks

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday: Lightning will strike

The Islanders face some big tests ahead with two games against the Lightning and one each against the Avalanche and Panthers over the next week. It all starts tonight with Game 6 of this homestand, as the Tampa Bay Lightning pay their disrespects.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• “You can’t keep doing this to people.” Dan and Mike on the Islanders failing to deliver at home, where the prices and the parking are exorbitant and the organization promotes “the One Tree Hill guy is here.” [Islanders Anxiety]
• Prospect Report: Big nights for Cole Eiserman, Kashawn Aitcheson and Jacob Kvasnicka. [Isles]
• Two of those guys are among the three Isles prospects named to USA’s preliminary WJC roster. [THN]
• Eiserman believes he was “put on this earth to be a hockey player.” [Newsday]
• It’s not just these next two games, it’s not just these next four games, the first two weeks and seven games in December present an enormous challenge. [Newsday]
• Share your personal data for Emil Heineman trivia. [Isles]
• In praise of Kyle Palmieri’s heroic “hockey guy” exit. [ESPN]

Elsewhere​

Five games in the NHL on Monday, including the Penguins thumping the Flyers and the Blue Jackets coming back on the Devils.

• The Devils and Blue Jackets had four fights and lots of other chaos in an eventful game. [Sportsnet]
• Peter DeBoer says the Olympic rink in Italy is even smaller than NHL standards. (Also, he can’t wait to throw Jake Oettinger under an Italian bus, probably.) [Sportsnet]
• The Canucks keep losing centers and Brock Boeser has played with five of them. [Sportsnet]
• The Adam Fox injury news is vague but ominous. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...islanders-vs-lightning-news-palmieri-eiserman

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 2, Lightning 1: Relief, and end to Tampa’s streak

The Islanders got the much-needed go-ahead goals and timely saves that had eluded them on this homestand and were rewarded with a 2-1 victory that ended the Tampa Bay Lightning’s seven-game win streak.

The the Lightning were without Victor Hedman — which has hardly slowed them the past 10 games — the Islanders’ post-Palmieri and sans-Pageau lineup started to settle in for a nicely disciplined but hair-raising finish as the Lightning repeatedly threatened with a sixth attacker.

Ilya Sorokin made 27 saves including several at 6-on-5, and he was aided by blocks from Ryan Pulock, Simon Holmstrom and a host of others as time wound down. Three unconverted looks at the empty net did not end up haunting the Isles, who ended a three-game winless slide to go 2-3-1 on this homestand with one more to go.

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

Of course, like just about every game on this homestand and indeed the road trip before it, it could’ve gone differently. The Lightning came out ready to strike {sorry} with several golden chances in the opening. But the Islanders settled things down and ended up getting some great chances of their own in what ended up as a scoreless first period.

Bo Horvat’s goal in the first minute of the second period hinted that maybe finally the pendulum of luck was going to swing back their way. When Calum Ritchie made a nifty short pass in the slot to Anthony Duclair (on a sequence Duclair started with a takeaway) for Duclair’s fourth goal and a 2-0 lead, the possibility of a win cracked open.

Sorokin was great all night except for the goal he allowed with 3:34 left, a bad-angle shot that bounced in off his side through the only gap available.

That left the final stretch, which was nerve-wracking — especially after the Isles missed their shots at the empty net — but in the end they got the regulation win they needed to feel like all this “played well enough” will occasionally pay off.

Other than a redirection stop as they clung to a one-goal lead, Sorokin’s best stop may have been with about seven minutes left in the second period. The Islanders had a nice push started by a Duclair interception, but then they got caught in a bad change that enabled an uncontested break-in for Anthony Cirelli. The Lightning forward made a a great couple of moves, but Sorokin stretched in an abdominals-defying way to make the pad save.

Huge save by Ilya Sorokin holding the #Isles 1-0 lead.

He's been sharp tonight. pic.twitter.com/nberYGP2ro

— Isles Den (@IslesDen) December 3, 2025

Other notes​

• We are so lucky to have recent and cerebral Islanders Thomas Hickey and Cal Clutterbuck on the broadcast. Their observations and awareness of what these players are thinking in critical situations is refreshing. The Tampa timeout with the goalie pulled allowed them time to go through scenarios and mindsets for both squads.
• Tony D’Angelo took a regular shift after being an illness worry at the morning skate. He looked like himself.
• Travis Mitchell (19 shifts) and Max Tsyplakov (12) were sheltered a bit in their positions but were often part of getting play pointed the right way.
• Max Shabanov, who assisted on Horvat’s opening goal, continued to look more comfortable overall and insightful with the puck.
• The Lightning featured Charle-Edouard D’Astous (whose name on the play-by-play call sounds jarringly like “Datsyuk”) in his first NHL season after years in the minors (presumably held back by the NHL’s hyphen-or-apostrophe-but-not-both rule) and being named defenseman of the year in four different pro leagues. He was active, seems like he may stay awhile.

Up Next​

The homestand concludes with an even better opponent, as the Colorado Avalanche begin a road trip here Thursday in Brock Nelson’s return. They had one regulation loss heading into tonight’s contest with the Canucks.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ga...-vs-lightning-sorokin-horvat-shabanov-ritchie

 

[New York Islanders]

Capitals 4 (2EN), Islanders 1: Bad home cookin’

The New York Islanders’ seven-game homestand got evermore frustrating Sunday afternoon as they dropped their third in regulation and fourth loss overall through five tries.

Falling to the Capitals 4-1 (with two empty netters), the Islanders couldn’t convert their chances early, then couldn’t get a toehold late after Tom Not That Kind of Player Wilson spotted the Capitals a 2-0 lead with the help of a Ilya Sorokin puckhandling gaffe.

Like a few of the losses in this stretch, it wasn’t an awful performance, and in fact they felt they were doing a lot of the things that got them success out west, but the finish, the timely conversions and saves were not in their column.

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

The Isles did get a power play goal but also conceded one, making special teams a wash. Bo Horvat pounced on a rebound to finally get the Isles back within one 6:17 to go in regulation.

But the Isles couldn’t get the next one with Sorokin pulled for a sixth attacker with over two minutes to go, enabling Aliaksei Protas and then Alex Ovechkin to ice the game with freebies.

#Isles insisting they are doing pretty much everything right except not scoring goals. Roy says he does not see top players pressing with injuries to lineup. Players say they have to trust the process and know wins are coming if they keep playing like this. 1-3-1 on homestand.

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) November 30, 2025

True, they didn’t look quite like a team reeling from depth injuries with Kyle Palmieri, J-G Pageau and Alex Romanov out. But those absences will hurt at the margins in close games like this, with the Isles back to a makeshift fourth line just when they’d found a trio that was making some progress.

On that note, Marc Gatcomb was recalled from Bridgeport, though he didn’t get in the lineup today.

#Isles in warmups (Game No. 26 vs. #Caps)
Lee-Barzal-Drouin
Heineman-Horvat-Shabanov
Duclair-Ritchie-Holmstrom
MacLean-Cizikas-Tsyplakov
Schaefer-Pulock
Pelech-DeAngelo
Mitchell-Mayfield
Sorokin
Rittich

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) November 30, 2025

Roy, in his words:

“Sometimes after games there’s nothing to be said. And I think today is an example. We did everything right. We had a lot of shots and we had a lot of chances. We just came up short. We could find excuses. I get it. I mean, the standard of our team is to win hockey games and do the right thing, but sometimes we just need to continue to play the way we are and believe that things will go our way.”

So will things go their way again if they keep at it? After the road trip that solidified their approach, we discussed how things will go up and down but if they keep it up they’ll at least keep things interesting. I suspect that’s where we are now. The East looks to be a traffic jam of teams in the bottom playoff spots, wild cards and wild card chasers, and this 1-3-1 rut has the Isles still just a sneeze away from wild card position.

Up Next​

To sound like a broken record: this homestand only gets harder, with visits from two of the league’s very hottest teams in the Lightning and Avalanche, followed by one of those back-to-back Florida tours.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/game-recaps/43396/capitals-4-2en-islanders-1-bad-home-cookin

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders News: Just as we predicted…

I don’t care if Bettman’s blue,
Football’s dull and basketball too
Baseball, I don’t care about you
It’s hockey, I’m in love

Thursday night was crazy and fun and so modern-era Islanders. After struggling to score all homestand, they rang up goals against the top team in the league with everything from a Kyle MacLean goal that most expected to be overturned, to an Adam freaking Pelech goal, to a Mat Barzal backhand classic. They welcomed back a longtime Islander in style, and even Brock Nelson’s wife did a long intermission interview with Shannon Hogan, the four cute Nelson kids climbing around the intermission desk in Cal Clutterbuck’s stead.

Say what we will about the wisdom of keeping so many players together for so long, there’s something very old school and fun about it, as affirmed by Mrs. Nelson discussing how the players and eight or nine wives basically grew up together on the Island. As a bonus, we had Thomas Hickey and Clutterbuck on the broadcast sharing impressions of even-keel, do-anything Nelson that we all suspected but heard confirmed by his longtime teammates.

Lose to the Blues and Capitals, then salvage the homestand with wins over the Lightning and Avalanche? Sure, of course. For a transitional season where little is expected, this continues to be fun.

Islanders News​

• A most unexpected outcome, yet consistent with the season thus far… [LHH | Post | NHL]
• Brock on returning to the Island as a visitor: It’s weird. (You made the right choice though, Brock.) [Newsday]
• Here’s the video tribute, which MSG helpfully showed during the first period rather than going to commercial. It was good, but I was disappointed they didn’t show at least one clip of him getting under opponents’ skin while maintaining that classic Reverend stoneface expression. [Isles]
• Yet more from Brock and his memories: “Opening night here, when UBS first opened up. First goal. A lot of different memories,” he said. “Beau’s goal back in the Coliseum against Tampa. Bails’ OT goal [against Pittsburgh in 2018]. There’s a number of different moments and times that stick out.” [Post]
• Definitely helping matters is that Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock are showing flashes of their younger selves. Dare I say Pelech has looked like the cobra again. [Newsday]
• Mat Barzal alluded to this in post-game with Shannon Hogan, but this team believes in itself and feels like it can skate with anyone. That belief will make for entertaining efforts even when they fall short. [Newsday]
• More from Barzal: “It was the exact same as past games, just a matter of the puck going into the net.” [Isles video]
• Takeaways: Jonathan Drouin was a late scratch due to his back. (That afforded Max Tsyplakov a little more TOI, and I though he did well. Haven’t given up on him yet.) [Isles]

Elsewhere​

Ten games in the NHL Thursday night, with wins for the Bruins, Smurfs, Penguins, among others. All those teams and the Isles have 32 or 33 points.

• Bourne: Is this Auston Matthews’ decline? [Sportsnet]
• Meanwhile, another Joseph Woll injury for the Leafs? [Sportsnet]
• File under Unexpected: Ryan McDonagh gets a three-year, $12.3M extension from the Lightning at age 36. [TSN]
• Legendary former Islanders assistant coach Scott Gomez, who also had a career as a player, reflects on being inducted into the U.S. Hall. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is.../islanders-news-barzal-brock-nelson-avalanche

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 6 (EN), Avalanche 3: Giant killers

Brock Nelson’s return was an emotional affair, and you can tell just how much the long-time Islander meant to his teammates, the organization, and of course, the fans. That guy was part of some of the best moments of my Islanders fandom, and even though it was definitely the right move to trade him, it still stings to not see him in the blue and orange.

But the New York Islanders channeled that emotion into a strong performance, making the best team in the NHL look mortal and handing them just their second regulation loss, their first since October 25th (!!!) and their first one by multiple goals.

With Jonathan Drouin day-to-day, Max Tsyplakov moved up to play with Mat Barzal and Anders Lee, and Marc Gatcomb got into the lineup for his second game this season. That lineup change seemed to bring out the best in the fourth line, who brought the right energy early and picked up the opening and empty net goals.

Barzal put up a three point night with a goal and two assists, including the critical fifth goal that gave the Isles some breathing room as the Colorado Avalanche attempted a comeback after going down 4-0.

Matthew Schaefer drew multiple penalties, increasing his penalty differential lead, and became one of the fastest teenage defensemen (in strong company) to pick up 20 points. That kid is truly something special.

This team might be the most confusing one in the NHL, but when things click, they can hang with (and beat) anyone.

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

First Period​

Kyle MacLean put the Islanders on the board early, finding the puck after a scramble in Mackenzie Blackwood’s crease after a Ryan Pulock blast. The Avalanche challenged the goal, but it was ruled a good one, despite the fact that Marc Gatcomb’s stick was caught in Blackwood’s pad. The Isles got a power play after the failed challenge, but couldn’t take advantage of that.

View Link

Mat Barzal got an incredible pass through to Anthony Duclair, but it was stopped by Blackwood. Then, Matthew Schaefer got a step on Martin Necas and drew a holding penalty, but the Isles couldn’t convert.

Ilya Sorokin was huge when needed, making some big saves, notably on Joel Kiviranta, to keep the score 1-0.

And then, to bookend the period, late in the first, Mat Barzal set up Anders Lee short side to double the lead.

View Link

Second Period​

Schaefer drew another penalty, but it was counteracted early by a terrible call on Barzal, giving us some 4 on 4 hockey. The Isles also killed off the remainder of the Avalanche’s power play.

Then, Bo Horvat made it 3-0, with Schaefer picking up an assist, giving him 20 points in 28 games.

View Link

And shortly after, Adam Pelech broke his 115 game scoreless streak and made it 4-0.

View Link

Then, the Avalanche scored two quickly, with Nichushkin and Necas making 4-2. Necas’ goal bounced off Travis Mitchell’s skate and in.

Cale Makar took a late penalty, and Barzal took advantage on the power play with a great move through traffic to make it 5-2.

View Link

Third Period​

Artturi Lehkonen cut the lead to 5-3 early in the third.

Anders Lee’s backhand went high, and then Schaefer took a delay of game penalty, which the Isles killed.

The Avs pulled Blackwood with about three and a half minutes left, and Scott Mayfield took a tripping penalty, setting up a 6 on 4 for Colorado.

Cizikas scored into the empty net, making it 6-3 and sealing the win for the Islanders with a standing ovation from the crowd.

View Link

Up Next​

Next, the Islanders head to Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning, who they hosted just two nights ago at UBS Arena, and beat 2-1. It’ll also be the beginning of the annual dads and mentors trip, which should hopefully give the Isles that extra spring in their step.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ga...s-vs-avalanche-barzal-pelech-sorokin-schaefer

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders vs. Lightning Gameday: Swinging through Florida

After knocking off the top team from each conference to conclude their homestand, the Islanders now do a traveling back-to-back through Florida with start times 22 hours apart for some reason.

As they continue to defy expectations at each turn, your mileage may vary on whether this weekend will be a “thought they’d get stomped but stole points” or “thought they had proven something, what a disappointment” kind of experience.

Things start in Tampa with their second of three meetings with the Lightning in 11 days.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

The injuries up front have created some opportunities, including Max Tsyplakov putting together a couple of good games in two different roles. Meanwhile, Travis Mitchell seems to be preferred over Adam Boqvist on the left side of the third pair for now. More reps available with 120 minutes or so to dole out over the next 24 hours.

• Previewing tonight: Jonathan Drouin is traveling with the team but still “day to day.” J-G Pageau is also traveling with the team but won’t play on this trip. [Isles]
• Musing with centers Bo Horvat, Mat Barzal, Cal Ritchie, what if the Isles still had Brock Nelson? [Newsday]
• Islanders thrown into the trade rumor “watch” because of their injuries, though no smoke there. [Sportsnet]
• It’s the Dads Trip! Here are photos of the Isles with their pops (or in some cases, brothers, or in other cases Scott Mayfield’s guest Kyle Dubas). [Isles]

The #Isles and their Dads and Mentors are headed to Tampa! pic.twitter.com/wHbqrcEu0i

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 5, 2025

Elsewhere​

Twelve games tonight, just five scores last night — including the Devils being shutout at home by Vegas.

• Ryan Leonard is out after what was deemed a legal hit by Jacob Trouba. [Sportsnet]
• Joseph Woll is back on IR…should the Leafs trade for a goalie answer? [Sportsnet]
• Charlie McAvoy is recovering from his broken jaw. [NHL]
• Never-Isles-GM Ken Holland gives Jim Hiller the ol’ vote of confidence in L.A. [TSN]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...vs-lightning-gameday-swinging-through-florida

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: Brock’s return

The long homestand concludes tonight with Brock Nelson in the building in his new threads (shame they’re not the Nordique ones, we could have given ourselves Ron Hextall or Scott Gordon nostalgia), with his new mates who’ve still lost only once in regulation. Tear up for the tribute video? Brock wouldn’t have you do that, probably — at least not outside of Brocktober.

The man, The Reverend, who we watched grow up and go gray on the Island had 604 points in 946 regular season games as an Islander. He now has 30 points in 45 regular season games (including post-trade last season) and counting with the Avalanche, where he’s fitting in and delivering exactly what they sought.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• Inside Matthew Schafer’s bond with Nick and Marcus Foligno, who also lost their mom to cancer. [Athletic]
• Can he earn an Olympic spot? Jon Cooper was asked. [Newsday | Post]
• The Islanders and Hofstra announce a probably overdue partnership, including “preferred” pricing at “select games” for students, faculty and staff. [Isles | Newsday]
• Not pretty nor emphatic but “Our fans deserved the win.” [Newsday | Post | LHH]
• The Skinny: “The Isles allowed 30 shots on goal for the first time in nine games,” and they are 9-2-3 in games decided by a single goal including 5-2 in regulation [Isles]
• Andrew Gross on this tough stretch of the schedule, and talking with the in-and-out Adam Boqvist. [Island Ice podcast on SoundCloud]
• It’s time for the WAGs to go Christmas shopping for kids. [Isles]

On the Island, Episode 3:

Elsewhere​

Last night’s scores include the Capitals and Flyers picking up wins, damn it.

• Former Whaler (among others) Kevin Dineen reveals he has pancreatic cancer. [ESPN]
• Tyler Seguin is likely out for the season with an ACL injury. Man, he and Taylor Hall have not aged as well as that kid who didn’t win the Calder. [NHL]
• The Flyers will be without Tyson Foerster for 2-3 months. [NHL]
• “On pace for a six-point season…” Trent Frederic is trying rebuild trust after the Oilers signed him to a puzzling eight-year contract. [Sportsnet]
• Catching up with Andrei Markov, who’s getting honored by the Canadiens after being frozen out by Marc Bergevin. [NHL]
• More on that: “If Canadiens owner Geoff Molson didn’t feel good about [Bergevin freezing Markov] then, he had to have felt horrible months later — after 39-year-old Mark Streit was signed for pennies on the dollar to end up dressing for only two games before having his contract torn up.” [Sportsnet]
• The Leafs tried a five-forward power play unit, not sure if they’ll try it again. [TSN]
• Sharks top pick Michael Misa will go to the AHL on a post-injury conditioning stint. [Sportsnet]
• Bourne: Do the Canadian teams stink this year, or are some just in injury funks? [Sportsnet]
• Mikko Rantanen has learned from his double-trade UFA season (but maybe not from his double misconduct this season?), but the thing I learned is Rantanen’s girlfriend is named Susanna Ranta. (There are other sounds in that language, aren’t there?) [ESPN]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...417/islanders-vs-avalanche-news-brocks-nelson

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Back-to-Back Gameday: Eyes on the Cats

It wasn’t pretty (other than Ilya Sorokin’s saves and Calum Ritchie’s cheeky finish), but the Isles pulled it off again to collect two regulation points and stun the Lightning in Tampa. Their march against recent Cup winners and their back-to-back weekend continues early this evening with a visit to the Panthers.

Florida is also playing back-to-back, though without travel, after getting past the Blue Jackets in a wild 7-6 OT affair yesterday that Columbus coach Dean Evason called “a joke.”

J-G Pageau is a candidate to return, though Jonathan Drouin is not.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

• Sorokin earned his 25th regular season shutout— and boy do we mean earn, keeping the Isles in it until they could pounce — to tie Chico Resch for the franchise mark. [LHH | Newsday]
• “Statement” wins this week against the Avs and Lightning… [THN]
• “Every time I look at [Sorokin and his longtime goalie coach], it reminds me of the relationship I had with Francois Allaire when I was in Montreal,” says Patrick Roy. “I think it means a lot for a goalie to have a connection with a goalie coach. That’s exactly what’s going on for him right now.” [Post]
• Ritchie’s goal: Not “goal of the year” but still damn impressive. [NHL]
• The Skinny: “The Isles moved into 3rd place in the Metro (and 3rd place in the East), and are just two points behind the first place Caps…Five points separate the eight teams in the Metro, and three points separate 2nd-8th.“ [Isles]
• J-G Pageau is so close to returning, he might even appear tonight. [Isles | THN | NHL]
• Speaking of Roy and relationships, his dad is joining him on this fathers trip. [Newsday]
• Mathieu Darche’s brother is enjoying it, too. [Isles]
• Behind the affable smile, Darche is fiery competitive. [Newsday]
• In their first visit since exiting Tampa, Darche and equipment manager Jason Berger received the videoboard tribute treatment from the Lightning. [THN]
• Islanders legend and one-time Devil Zach Parise reflects on his route to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, recalls lessons from his dad J.P. [NHL]

Elsewhere​

Saturday’s dozen games also included the Rangers taking the Avalanche to OT, the Bruins defeating the Devils. Everyone in the East is going to be crowded this Christmastime.

• How today’s opponent, riddled with injuries, could miss the playoffs. [Sportsnet]
• Meanwhile, their fellow Cup finals counterpart may be emerging from their early season mediocrity? [TSN]
• Somewhere buried in this Tim Horton’s ad is info about Winnipeg hosting the Canadiens for the next outdoor Heritage Classic. [NHL]
• Fellow “everyone loses this trade” party Aatu Raty gets his first three-point game. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...465/islanders-gameday-panthers-sorokin-parise

 

[New York Islanders]

Panthers 4 (EN), Islanders 1: UNSYNC

The Islanders couldn’t complete the Florida sweep, though all things considered they can come away marginally pleased to have exited the back-to-back with a couple points. They finished it with a 4-1 loss to the Panthers that they described as “out of sync,” while a positive-looking Patrick Roy said they can take away some learning experiences from the Cup champs.

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

After a fella who goes by the name of Uvis Balinskis gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the first, Max Shabanov had an oopsy in the second to allow one-that-got-away Carter Verhaeghe to make it 2-0.

Petry with the elite poke!

Verhaeghe with 6 goals in his last 6 games. pic.twitter.com/cfRSjzpeA1

— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) December 7, 2025

Two minutes after that one, Mat Barfzal scored another backhand goal to keep the Isles in it and give them some spirit. Great netfront disruption by Anders Lee and yet another assist (13) for Matthew Schaefer:

Mat Barzal on the backhand! pic.twitter.com/976dakFbge

— Islanders Videos (@SNY_Islanders) December 7, 2025

If they were going to pull this off, it was likely going to be like the win in Tampa where the Isles hung around long enough for a smash-and-grab. But that never happened.

Despite only mustering three shots in the third period, they weren’t totally out of it until deep in the final frame when Seth Jones restored the Panthers’ two-goal lead at 4-on-4. Coverage on the play was a perplexing mixup for Schaefer and Tony DeAngelo:

#Islanders 1 @ #Panthers 3 [P3-6:03]:

Goal: Seth Jones (5)
24’ Wrister

Assists: A.Lundell (15), S.Reinhart (12)#Isles #TimeToHunt #NHL pic.twitter.com/uVpE7c1U3Z

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalsVideo) December 8, 2025

Patrick Roy frames this as a good learning experience for #Isles against a Cup-tested team. And a good learning experience for Max Shabanov on the speed of the game.

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 8, 2025

With Dave Rittich pulled for a sixth attacker, Sam Reinhart sealed it into the empty net with just under three minutes to go, allowing us all to get back to our Sunday evening.

Lineup Notes​

• Despite some rumblings stirred by Mathieu Darche’s media update, J-G Pageau did not return to the lineup. Sounds like he’ll be in this week though.
• Travis Mitchell slotted back in for Adam Boqvist, who didn’t get the chance to face his brother and his old team. Mitchell was minus-2 in 13 minutes.
• After his miscues leading to the Verhaeghe goal, Shabanov and Simon Holmstrom were swapped between the second and third lines.

Up Next​

As the Isles return home, the fun continues with a visit from Vegas Tuesday night, the upstart Ducks on Thursday and one more meeting with the Lightning — who will surely be out for blood — on Saturday.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/game-recaps/43470/panthers-4-en-islanders-1-unsync

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Anxiety – Episode 350 – They Proved Us Wrong

Mike and Dan enjoy being proven wrong by the Islanders, who won three of their tough games this week before losing to the Panthers on Sunday afternoon.

Last week, things were not looking good. The Islanders had squandered much of their homestand on losses and had a run of games against recent Stanley Cup champions on the horizon. But using a more balanced attack – including from a new, actual fourth line – and some dominant goaltending, they beat Tampa Bay twice and Colorado, who had only lost once this season. The games against the Lightning and Avalanche were some of the most fun this season, even if Saturday’s 2-0 win at [whatever it’s called] Arena in Tampa was also nerve-wracking. Even Adam Pelech, of all people, got in on the scoring fun. The games were so good for our psyche that losing to the Panthers in a sludgy Sunday matinee didn’t even bother us.

In the second half, we look at tricky upcoming games against the Golden Knights, Ducks and Lightning – again! – for the final time this season. They can win them if they keep using their new identity. We also discuss the delights of Brock Nelson’s return to UBS Arena and the induction of Pat LaFontaine into the Islanders Hall of Fame coming up on Saturday. Finally, we thank you for letting us do this for 350 episodes (so far) and for giving us another great year of growth and laughs. We hope you’re having as good a time as are.

REFERENCES

• The Brock Nelson tribute video.
• Karley Nelson’s interview with Shannon Hogan.
• Patrick Roy is not a fan of some of these questions.

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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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Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...ghtning-avalanche-brock-nelson-pat-lafontaine

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 2 (EN), Lightning 0: Ritchie gets game-winner, Sorokin earns 25th shutout

This one was a bit of a snoozer to start — not much action, save for Ilya Sorokin standing tall and the Islanders hitting the post a few times. We went into the third period tied at zero, a rarity for this sometimes defensively-challenged team, but a four minute power play helped the Isles break the deadlock, with an incredible goal from Cal Ritchie.

Sorokin was locked in all night, and earned his franchise-record tying 25th shutout, matching Chico Resch’s total. He was absolutely the best player for the Isles tonight, tracking the puck well and making key saves, keeping the team in the game all night despite Tampa putting 32 shots on him.

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

The first period was pretty uneventful, with Sorokin turning away all nine of the Lightning’s shots. Max Shabanov left for the locker room for a little bit, but returned to the bench and seemed fine the rest of the game, so it must have been something minor.

Sorokin took some contact early in the second, with a Lightning player driving the net and Mayfield falling backwards on top of Sorokin, but he was fine and continued his strong play for the rest of the game.

Marc Gatcomb had some solid chances on Jonas Johansson, but couldn’t convert. Casey Cizikas drew a tripping penalty, sending Victor Hedman to the box, but the Isles couldn’t convert.

Shortly after, Anders Lee took a high sticking penalty, but the Isles killed that.

Lee and Anthony Duclair hit the post on shorts that beat Johansson, and then Bo Horvat took a hooking penalty, which the Islanders killed.

In the third, Adam Pelech took a shot that produced a healthy rebound that just skipped past Shabanov, who would’ve had an empty net.

Pelech hit Curtis Douglas against the boards and while it was very clearly a routine hit, Douglas must have caught the boards strangely, because he struggled to get up after the hit and left the game.

Cizikas took a high stick to the face, and Brandon Hagel was called for a four minute double minor after some discussion. Kyle MacLean had a hand on Hagel’s stick, and appeared to influence its movement, but still, the onus is generally on the player to control his own stick.

Simon Holmstrom hit yet another post, but then the Islanders would finally break through, as Cal Ritchie scored a between-the-legs goal in tight, banking the puck off Johansson and into the net to make it 1-0.

View Link

With just under three minutes left, Tampa pulled Johansson for the extra skater, and spent nearly that entire time in the Isles’ end. Sorokin made some strong saves, and then Cizikas, for the second game in a row, scored into the empty net to seal the win, 2-0.

View Link

Up Next​

Next, the Islanders will stay in Florida, heading down to take on the Panthers as the dads and mentors trip continues.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ga...ning-ritchie-sorokin-franchise-record-shutout

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders News: Knight time

The Islanders return home for another meeting with a recent Cup champ as the spicy mustard-wearing team from Vegas visits Long Island.

First Islanders Goal picks for tonight go here.

Islanders News​

• Previewing tonight: The Golden Knights are 14-6-8. [Isles]
• If (and when) J-G Pageau returns to the lineup, that forces some decisions that trickle throughout the lineup. [Newsday]
• Inside the Isles’ dads trip. [Isles]
• Alright, alright calm down ladies, Cal Ritchie’s dad is in the house. [Isles]
• In the latest Islanders Anxiety podcast, Dan and Mike discover the latest script turn from this past week. [LHH]
• Patrick Roy wasn’t demoting Max Shabanov, just trying something different, when he swapped him with Simon Holmstrom after Shabanov’s mistake on the Verghaeghe goal. [Post]
• Prospect Report: Quinn Finley racking up points and Kashawn Aitcheson, Victor Eklund and Tomas Poletín getting World Junior camp invitations. [Isles | THN]
• Ilya Sorokin was named NHL First Star of the Week. [Isles]
• Benoit Hogue, Josh Bailey and Matt Martin are among the Isles alums who will face the “Shoresy” crew. [Post]

Elsewhere​

Five games in the NHL last night, including the Leafs shutting out the Lightning — so how impressive were the Isles’ last two wins, really? — and the Red Wings shutting out the Canucks.

• NBC gets Jon Hamm to do a fun Olympic promo with a nod to 1980 and the rivalry with Canada. [NHL]
• Speaking of which, the latest rink report in Italy is “positive.” [NHL | Sportsnet]
• If the Flames aren’t careful, they’re going to play themselves out of the bets lottery odds. [Sportsnet]
• Noah Dobson premature celebration of a buzzer-beater tying goal that wasn’t sparks a premature ovation in Montreal:

Jordan Binnington and the Blues hang on for the 4-3 win over the Habs pic.twitter.com/jCAnLBVMis

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 8, 2025

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/islanders-news-headlines/43471/islanders-news-knight-time

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 5*, Golden Knights 4 (*SO): Two points the hard way

The Islanders overcame a 2-0 deficit, killed off a 4-on-3 penalty in overtime, and bounced back from a few setbacks to earn two points in a 5-4 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights.

For a run of schedule that we thought might be disastrous, the Isles took two points from the Avalanche, Lightning (twice) and Golden Knights to temporarily put themselves back in a regular playoff position in the ever-congested East, where both wild card holders have games in hand.

Ilya Sorokin (32 saves) stood on his head again, Bo Horvat scored two more goals to bring his season total to 19, and Matthew Schaefer continued his sterling rookie season with his 14th assist.

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

Vegas got the first goal midway through the first period on a perfectly placed rebound to Noah Hanifin, and then prodigal Toronto son Mitch Marner doubled their lead by the 16-minute mark. It felt a little unfair for the Isles to be down 2-0 based on the frenetic first period play — 25 total shots on goal between the two teams — but Bo Horvat eased fears by scoring a 4-on-4 goal with 27 seconds left in the period.

Only one of them got a point on the play, but it was a perfect example of how Mat Barzal and Schaefer’s mobility and chemistry opens space and creates opportunity. The two exchanged the puck down low and swapped places before Schaefer moved it to Pulock who set up Horvat for his one-timer from the top of the circle.

What a shot from Bo Horvat after an excellent sequence. #Isles pic.twitter.com/uj33njguCf

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) December 10, 2025

If that one gave the Isles a spiritual boost going into the intermission, it took a bit to cash in on the momentum. An early power play failed to open the period, but the fourth line — today constituting Casey Cizikas, Marc Gatcomb and Kyle MacLean doing smart, tenacious things — cashed in with a great shift resulting in a goal down low involving all three of them. (The nice exchange by MacLean almost makes up for the terribly timed high stick he took later in the game at the end of regulation.)

What a damn pass from Cizikas to Gatcomb. Wow. pic.twitter.com/tYzsYZxekh

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) December 10, 2025

Ten minutes later on a swift counterattack, the Isles got a go-ahead goal from a rushing Simon Holmstrom late in the period. That sent them to the third period with a 3-2 lead that they looked like, well, not that they’d hold it but that they might still come out on top.

Both were true. They did not hold the lead, and in fact they lost a one-goal lead twice in the third period.

Ivan Barbashev tied it at 3-3 early in the third, but Bo Horvat put them on top again — on the high-slot one-timer of course — on a nicely worked power play at 10:15.

Horvat on the PP and the Isles go up, what a game! pic.twitter.com/pFLnfcjogK

— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) December 10, 2025

The next five minutes or so were played carefully but well, with the Islanders disrupting Vegas in the neutral zone often enough to avoid the hair-raising shell till time wound down.

But an Adam Pelech puck-over-the-glass penalty with 2:21 left created the painful drip to a hearbreaking equalizer. The Isles penalty kill hung in there for a long, long time — largely thanks to Sorokin — but Pavel Dorofeyev finally cashed in on his umpteenth chance. Sorokin had robbed him on several golden chances and the Isles actually killed off that penalty, but Mitch Marner made a great stop along the boards to prevent the clear, and when a Pelech shot block caromed just so to Dorofeyev, it was an easy lift to tie it with 14 seconds left.

Worse, with overtime inevitable, MacLean swung high at a puck and hit Bret Howden in the side of the helmet instead; Howden made the most of it, the refs convened to see if anyone saw it, and the Isles were going to be shorthanded for nearly two minutes of OT. Patrick Roy was livid on the bench because the refs overlooked Zach Whitecloud pulling Cizikas down on a mutually assured collision in the corner a half second before that.

Could’ve let it all go but “I’ve seen it given,” as the Brits say.

Anyway, the Isles were disciplined on the 4-on-3 OT PK, Vegas was curiously overly patient, and the Isles made it to the 3-on-3 stretch, though no one scored.

In the shootout, no one converted until Emil Heineman in extra-extra time for the clincher.

Errata​

• Mitch Marner’s shootout try was all razzle dazzle, and it looked like it tested Sorokin’s groin uncomfortably, even though the puck just rolled away. Sorokin stayed prone for a bit, not sure if in discomfort or just resting.
• With J-G Pageau back — and taking up key PK and faceoff roles like he never left — Max Tsyplakov became the odd man out. Tonight at least, the fourth-line combo with MacLean was in sync. Barring injuries, my money’s on Anthony Duclair being the next one to come out for Max the Elder.
• With the OT and then some, Pulock logged 29:12, including 4:55 of PK.
• The Isles don’t win this one without some outstanding stops from Sorokin (even in giving up four), but their approach was exciting. They kept the pace up and were assertive in disrupting Vegas’ attack. It’s a helluva lot more fun than sitting in a shell and waiting for the Eichel-Marner barrage.

Up Next​

The surprising Ducks visit Thursday — count on lots of goals — followed by the final meeting with the Lightning on Saturday.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ga...-vs-golden-knights-bo-horvat-sorokin-heineman

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday News: Here come the Ducks

They’re not your father’s Ducks! Or at least not your older brother’s Ducks, or something.

Tonight the Islanders host a Fairly Strong Ducks of Anaheim team that is first in its division at a very respectable 19-10-1. After years of “very tough negotiator” Pat Verbeek at the helm, it seems he just needed to hire a Hall of Fame coach — like Lou bringing in Barry Trotz — to put things right in the orange half of SoCal.

Anaheim has a league-best 11 comeback wins following their latest, featuring an equalizer with .01 seconds left in Pittsburgh (teehee). They’re doing it while still dressing ol’ friend Ross “the Boss” Johnston for 29 games — three off his single-season high in six full years with the Isles — as well as revived former Smurfs Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider. (In fact, in 2+ seasons with the Ducks, Johnston has already surpassed his GP total across seven seasons on Long Island.)

They also have a bunch of young punks doing sterling things, none of whom is Trever Zegras.

The Isles, of course, are in the tightly condensed East, where their 37 points would be enough for first in the Atlantic and put them two points off the conference lead, alas only third in the Metro.

First Islanders Goal picks for tonight go here.

Islanders News​

• Predicting the Islanders could be buyers if they keep this up. [NHL]
• Island Ice podcast: On shootouts, Simon Holmstrom and J-G Pageau. [Newsday]
• With Pageau back, Max Tsyplakov stepped out, but Patrick Roy had encouraging words. [Post]
• Kudos to Bruce Bennett, longtime photographer who should’ve gotten more credit. [THN]

Elsewhere​

Only four games in the NHL last night, with the Rangers somehow being shut out in Chicago, and the Wings winning to move to first in the Atlantic.

• Meanwhile, in Toronto, apparently a demotion to third line for William Nylander is. a big deal. [TSN]
• Alert your fantasy managers: Connor Hellebuyck is skating again. [NHL]
• Winter Classic participants are excited for warm-ish weather in South Florida. [NHL]
• The Canadiens are struggling and recalled three plays, including a goalie. [TSN]
• Bourne: What will the U.S. Olympic roster look like? [Sportsnet]
• Kyper: Trade rumors and speculation. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/islanders-news-headlines/43498/islanders-ducks-news-pageau-darche

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders 5, Ducks 2: Two points, two PPG, but Horvat hurt

The Islanders kept rolling and kept pace in the East with a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, buoyed by a 3-0 first period including two Anders Lee power play goals that sent him ahead of Brock Nelson in the all-time franchise rankings.

The win was tempered by the sight of Bo Horvat going down, quite uncomfortably and splits-like, in the second period and leaving the game for good. Patrick Roy said afterward that Horvat is “day to day,” so hopefully they’ve got a strong indication of no structural damage to the Isles’ leading scorer.

David Rittich made 31 saves and had one attempt at an empty net goal (clairvoyantly predicted by Thomas Hickey on another night of great color commentary), and Travis Mitchell opened scoring with his first NHL goal.

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

Errata​

• Tony DeAngelo had two good assists on Lee’s goals, simply sending tippable pucks toward the net for Lee to do as he does in his office. One was a tip-in, the other one was deflected on its way to Lee’s body, allowing the captain to retrieve it and slip it around Ville Husso.
• Speaking of slipping around Husso: the pivotal goal came with the Islanders leading only 3-2 after giving up an early shorthander in the third. Simon Holmstrom took a neutral zone outlet, spun without breaking stride, then burst around Olen “don’t call me Rene” Zellweger before using his long reach to get around Husso. Both Ducks probably should’ve handled it better, but nobody expects the Simon stick extension.
• Up 3-0, possibly a little unfair to the Ducks based on play and the fact that the Isles were getting all the power plays, the Isles had a couple golden chances to bust the game open. But Adam Pelech’s point shot rang the post shortly after a great combo with Max Shabanov and Emil Heineman sent the Isles winger through the slot before he lost the handle. It felt like missing those might haunt them, and they almost did as the Ducks got one back in the second and another early in the third.
• Fun to hear Cal Clutterbuck talk about battling Radko Gudas (after replays of Marc Gatcomb stapling him to the boards) and his own approach to empty net goals — shooting hard from distance rather than trying to place them — after Lee’s attempt at a hat trick from center ice went just wide.
• So Lee had to settle for a four-point night; Holmstrom had three.
• This was or very well could’ve been a close game. The Ducks missed some golden chances early and Rittich also pulled out some saves to keep it 0-0 and later to keep it 3-0 for a while. Overall, well played game by the Isles though.

The Holmstrom goal, simply a beauty and at a perfect time:

Simon Holmstrom's 3rd point of the game is a beaut!@brendanmburke | @Thomas_Hickey14 | #Isles pic.twitter.com/w9qBIhPyiJ

— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) December 12, 2025

The Horvat injury (trigger warning for those with groins or ankles):

Bo Horvat was hurt on this play pic.twitter.com/iV0niJna9s

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) December 12, 2025

Up Next​

It’s Pat LaFontaine Night on Saturday, and even Billy Smith (who was in attendance tonight, next to Bryan Trottier) will be there. It will be the third meeting in two weeks with the Lightning, who are suddenly stumbling and will want revenge to avoid the season sweep.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/game-recaps/43501/islanders-vs-ducks-horvat-injury-lee-mitchell

 

[New York Islanders]

Weird Islanders: The Podcast! – Episode 76 – Mathieu Schneider (with guest Joe Buono)

We welcome back our friend Joe Buono of IslesFix to rediscover Mathieu Schneider, an excellent defenseman who made a big impact on the Islanders in a surprisingly short period of time.

The “other” piece of the disastrous Kirk Muller trade, Schneider was a born-and-bred New Yorker and the rare player who actually looked forward to coming to Long Island in the mid-1990’s. After winning a Stanley Cup with the Canadiens and gaining headlines for calling out NHL commissioner Gary Bettman before the 1995 lockout, Schneider seemed like a big get for the Islanders and was a popular player among fans, many of whom were also members of the Jewish faith. He was their All Star Game representative in 1996 and an alternate (and sometimes temporary) captain. Then, just like that, he was gone in another big trade that sent yet another All Star away (but at least brought back a couple of future ones).

Along with Joe, we discuss Schneider’s high standing among fans of this time, some of his standout moments on the ice and the quietly impactful NHL career he had a for a long list of teams and even after retirement. We also run down some other Islanders All Stars who were weird for various reasons.

Thanks again to Joe for coming on, it’s always a pleasure talking to him. If you’re not already signed up for the IslesFix newsletter for some reason, fix that immediately.

WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL

• Matheiu Schneider was a rare prospect in his time because as an American (and a New Yorker!), he opted to play Junior hockey in Canada. Here’s an interview from Sportsnet – nearly ruined by Ron McLean’s cringiness – where he talks about his earliest days in the game and winning the Stanley Cup as a Canadien.
• Here’s a short article from Schneider’s trade to the Island.
• Unlike the guy he was traded with, Schneider was happy to be an Islander and received a warm welcome from the fanbase. It was a far cry from how things ended in Montreal, with language tensions and a fight in practice with the Habs’ starting goalie, Patrick Roy!
• He also reveals in the article that he apologized to Gary Bettman for this, sported during the 1995 lockout. That gag is even funnier when you find out that Schneider spent 12 years with the NHLPA and left the organization months after Marty Walsh took over as director.
• Here’s a goal you don’t see anymore: a defenseman scoring from center ice.

• Maybe Schneider’s most memorable goal as an Islander was this OT game-winner over Buffalo. Check out the ultra-rare “C” on his jersey.

• He played less than a season in the Fisherman jersey but Schneider did represent the team in the 1996 NHL All Star Game in Boston. Who the hell boos an Islander at the All Star Game?
• When he was traded away from the Islanders, Schneider was barely mentioned. Wendel Clark and Kenny Jonsson were the headliners for their respective sides.
• It took a while but Schneider has received accolades for his career post-retirement. He was named to the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 and to the The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.

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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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Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ny...t-joe-buono-kirk-muller-weird-isles-all-stars

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders Gameday: One more with the Lightning amid NHL trade frenzy

The Islanders franchise finally gives Pat LaFontaine his due this afternoon (3:3o start) with induction into their Hall of Fame if not a number retirement — never mind your Sims, Ladds and Berubes who’ve worn #16 since — and they face the Lightning for the third time in two weeks. But across the NHL, league news is dominated by a couple of big trades that broke on Friday.

More on those further down the page, but first we’ve got a chance to celebrate a great and (hopefully) sweep the Bolts.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

Our Islanders Anxiety lead Dan is a classic, #1 LaFontaine fan, and he’ll be there today. For me, my experience was a little more conflicted: I loved LaFontaine, but at the time of LaFontaine’s (completely understandable in retrospect) walkout and trade demand, I felt betrayed. (Brent Sutter’s concurrent trade also hit me in the gut, but somehow I cut all Sutters except Darryl more slack.) Anyway, to have Pierre Turgeon come back in return — back when blockbuster like-for-like trades like that were more common — and for Turgeon to be such a key part of the breakout 1993 team, that really helped heal the wound.

Anyway, relive, bask in the nostalgia: “Now you know why they win,” said LaFontaine’s dad after his first game, when Bob Nystrom stood up for him against the Leafs. A nice, lengthy feature on LaFontaine:

• LaFontaine’s Isles mentor Bryan Trottier (great photo of the two of them here) and rookie peer Patrick Flatley reflect on his impact. [Isles]
• For today (and then some) Bo Horvat is out, but Jonathan Drouin should be back in. [Newsday | Isles | Post]
• Previewing tonight: Special teams have sure helped December get off on the right foot. [Isles]
• Semi-updates on Ethan Bear and Isaiah George, each out with injuries for quite a while in Bridgeport. [THN]
• Weird Islanders: Talking about Mathieu Schneider, who had a storied career with 10 teams. (It’s weird, no pun intended, to think his Isles tenure was so short.) [LHH]

Elsewhere​

There were only two games yesterday, neither of which affect the Isles, but it was a blockbuster news day thanks to two massive trades — one of, um, er, inconsistent goalies that absolutely no one fears, the other of the top trade name on the market.

• The Oilers (or at least Stan Bowman) believe the long-awaited answer to their goalie issues is…Tristan Jarry? I am here for it. [NHL]
• Why the Oilers did this. (Or should be: “Why did the Oilers do this???“) [Sportsnet]
• The Penguins upgraded their D in the deal, so they can waive Matt Dumba. [TSN]
• Bill Guerin swung big for Quinn Hughes, giving up a first-rounder and three recent first-round picks. [Athletic]
• It’s a terrible day for the Canucks franchise, but they realized Hughes was never going to sign another extension, and they acted swiftly. [Athletic]
• The Sabres are reportedly discussing replacing Kevyn Adams as GM. Finally. [Sportsnet]
• Victor Hedman will have elbow surgery but should be healthy for the Olympics. [TSN]
• Working on a comeback via the AHL, goalie Laurent Brossoit makes empty net goals look easy. [Sportsnet]
• “It’s just hard,” says Steve Yzerman — refering to picking an Olympic roster, not to getting his team into the playoffs at least once this decade. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is.../43508/islanders-gameday-lafontaine-lightning