The Isles had one of their first rough weeks in a while, only collecting 3 of 8 points on their 4-game road trip against the Penguins, Avalanche, Coyotes and Golden Knights. Sean and Stefen discussed how the Isles keep making the same mistakes and whether they can eventually find a solution. David Alter of The Hockey News joined to chime in on the upcoming Leafs contracts, the Leafs play, Isles play, and of course, John Tavares.
2:00 – Stefen and Sean talk about the Islanders 1-2-1 road trip over the past week. Against the Penguins in Pittsburgh, the Islanders hung around but never seemed to find their game. In Colorado, the Islanders got a point after going goal-for-goal with a potent Avalanche offensive unit. They had a 2-1 lead, a 3-1 lead, and a 4-3 lead, but their defense and penalties hurt them yet again. After Cal Clutterbuck failed to get the puck in deep in the final 30 seconds, Scott Mayfield took a hold that proved to be the nail in the coffin. Over this road trip, Ilya Sorokin would likely want some goals back, but he is not superhuman like he was last year. He has faced the most shots in the entire NHL, which does not help lighten his workload.
12:00 – Against the Coyotes, the Islanders leveled up and buried them in the third period. Julien Gauthier’s finishing has come along nicely, which was the biggest gripe against him up until this point in his career. Mat Barzal, who was selected to his second career All-Star game, looked fantastic, picking up points 400 and 401. In Vegas, defensive breakdowns took away all the Islanders’ momentum, as Vegas buried every Islanders mistake.
17:00 – David Alter of The Hockey News discusses all things Leafs ahead of their upcoming matchup against the Islanders this week.
“Everything Bo Horvat’s done, everything he’s said with Shannon or with the media – he got on the fans’ good side immediately, and he’s shown the passion. Even the fans [and the way they packed the arena] in Arizona, he said he’s so proud to just be a part of a franchise that has this passion. It’s crazy to him.”
– Stefen Rosner on Bo Horvat’s leadership and belonging on the Island
37:00 – Sean and Stefen finish discussing John Tavares and all the discourse that surrounds his legacy on Long Island. The fans may never get over what Tavares did and how he left, but the organization is always going to do the classy thing, when they put his 1000 points graphic on the big screen.
42:00 – Stefen discusses player safety and a hit that Martin took late in the game in Vegas. The penalty looked like it should have been a 5-minute boarding major, and Lane Lambert was furious about the lack of the major. They also discuss the goalie interference challenge that failed, and the lack of consistency from the NHL.
46:00 – Stefen and Sean talk about the Palmieri – Nelson – Engvall line and how they have struggled as of late. Over the last 13 games, it has really only been Nelson who has produced. Engvall and Palmieri’s games seem like they should compliment each other and Nelson well, but they’ve seemed to struggle to gel as of late.
50:45 – What’s on Tap!
The Islanders host the Canucks on Tuesday, the Leafs on Thursday, and then head to Nashville to take on the Predators on Saturday.
56:00 – Hero of the Week!
Sean’s pick: Bo Horvat
Stefen’s pick: Mat Barzal
60:00 – 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.