Sean and Stefen welcome Pete Blackburn of Bally Sports to the show to discuss early takeaways from this NHL season.
2:00 – Stefen and Sean talk about the Islanders last few games, especially after blowing multiple-goal leads on home ice. They’ve seemed to sit back and give up more scoring chances in the third period, instead of staying on the attack to extend leads.
5:48- Stefen and Sean discuss Sorokin’s early-season level of play. The Islanders have been a team that gives up more shots than it takes, but giving up 47 shots and 101 shot attempts to Carolina and expecting Sorokin to stop everything seems a little bit outrageous. Sorokin has been making a highlight reel level save on a nightly basis, and he’s still a top two goalie in the league.
8:00- Sean mentions that it is still pretty good that the Islanders are finding ways to salvage points, and not losing them entirely. After last season’s playoff series loss, Mat Barzal talked about the importance of winning games early in the season so each game at the end of the year isn’t so taxing. The Islanders could have more wins under their belt, but they’ve also still managed to get points.
“[The Islanders] are a team that always hangs around. They’re always kind of a problem; an annoyance… They’re a boring, middle-of-the-pack team in terms of what we’ve seen this year. It would be a lot more interesting if they could hold a lead.”
-Pete Blackburn on the Islanders this season
13:18- Pete Blackburn joins the show! For someone who has mostly covered the Bruins, the boys ask Pete what his view on the Islanders is as an outsider. He doesn’t think they’re a contender, but he doesn’t think they’re garbage.
16:33- Pete also discusses the Bruins current state, especially coming off a historically-great season.
22:04- Pete talks about his experience at Nassau Coliseum for the Islanders-Bruins 2021 Playoff Series. Following that, the guys discuss the Islanders’ legitimacy and fandom change since UBS Arena opened as the Islanders home.
27:09- Pete discusses Brad Marchand’s new role as captain of the Bruins.
31:36- Sean and Stefen talk about Lane Lambert’s role in the early season. With injuries to Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech, there’s more wear and tear on the top four defenseman. Lambert refuses to give Samuel Bolduc over 10 minutes of ice time a game, which means everyone else has to take on a heavier load. Stefen considers going with 13F/5D to be a viable options to allow the depth of the forwards to shine through as needed.
40:20- Sean asks Stefen if Lane Lambert has the Islanders playing a structure that relies too heavily on their goaltending.
46:52- Hero of the Week!
Sean’s pick: Simon Holmstrom
Stefen’s pick: Simon Holmstrom
53:03- Questions Brewin’!
Catch Hockey Night in New York with hosts Sean Cuthbert and Stefen Rosner live from Floored Media in Rockville Centre Sunday nights at 8PM ET throughout the season.