The guys covered the end of the Islanders season, breakup day, and were joined by Jonny Lazarus of Daily Faceoff to talk NHL playoffs!
2:24 – Experience Points! presented by Main Street Board Game Café
Sean starts off by talking about the Islanders’ concluding their season and missing the playoffs for only the second time in 7 years under general manager Lou Lamoriello but clinching a top-10 draft pick in this year’s draft, lottery draft pending.
3:09 – Stefen comments on the Islanders being eliminated and how they lacked effort during the final stretch. He adds how the Islanders, while it helped their case for a top-10 draft pick, ended the season on a very low note in a 6-1 defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
4:11 – Sean concurs and talks about how this lackluster final stretch started from the Islanders getting pummeled 9-2 on home ice by the New York Rangers and then going on a downward spiral to end the season.
6:04 – Stefen elaborates on his previous point and explains how the Islanders’ losses to end the season highlighted the consistent issues plaguing the team all season and how the Islanders need to make changes during the offseason. He also provides the insight he gathered from cleanout day.
12:16 – The guys discuss how big changes could be coming to the Island as Lou Lamoriello’s comments at the trade deadline insinuated that he does not believe that this current roster is good enough to compete.
13:14 – The segment ends with the guys commenting on how recurring injuries, such as Ryan Pulock’s injury history, are hindering the team and holding it back from competing.
Stefen talks about the Islanders tough end to the season and how it may affect summer change
16:37 – On The Line: Jonny Lazarus, Daily Faceoff presented by Tovi Hockey
Sean starts by asking Jonny Lazarus about the New York Rangers firing head coach Peter Laviolette after missing the playoffs at the end of his second year.
22:45 –Stefen asks Jonny what team he is picking to have a magical run to the Stanley Cup finals.
23:50 – Sean asks Jonny which playoff series he is most intrigued by.
25:06 – Stefen asks Jonny about the St. Louis/Winnipeg series and what the reason could be for the Jets to get upset by the Blues.
26:14 – Sean asks Jonny how much faith he has in the Washington Capitals to go all the way and contend for the Stanley Cup.
28:00 – Stefen asks Jonny how much pressure is on the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid to contend for the Stanley Cup, as they have looked vulnerable during the final stretch of the regular season.
29:26 – Sean adds by asking Jonny who he thinks is the sneakiest player to have an outstanding playoff performance.
31:06 – Sean concludes by requesting Jonny’s assessment of the Islanders’ disappointing season and what they should do over the offseason.
33:18 – Sean and Stefen circle back to Experience Points: Stefen gives 1000 XP to Sean for his ad reads and Sean subtracts 1462 XP from the New York Islanders for ending the season in such brutal fashion. Stefen gives the Engvall’s 5XP for welcoming their new child to the world!
Jonny Lazarus talks about avoiding getting an Islanders tattoo
“I don’t understand how they could just keep going summer after summer and thinking like what they have is ever going to do it?”
–Jonny Lazarus on the Islanders off-season
36:08 – What’s on Tap? presented by Centre Station Bar & Grill
With the season being over for the Islanders, the postseason has begun as the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway!
37:04 – Sean and Stefen talk about the excitement of the playoffs as many teams will be under the microscope, such as the Washington Capitals, the Edmonton Oilers, the Winnipeg Jets, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
41:02 – The guys discuss some first-round upsets, mainly the Kings finally defeating the Oilers, and who they have as their dark horses to make a deep playoff run.
40:19 – Hero of the Week
Stefen’s Pick: Alexander Romanov
Stefen chose Romanov for his tenacity for continuing to play despite a torn rib cartilage. Both Stefen and Sean agree that Romanov played with a “warrior mentality” and had a breakout year in regard to his defensive play and offensive contribution.
Sean’s Pick: Semyon Varlamov
Sean joked and selected Varlamov for not giving up any goals or losses in that rough final week. Sean also noted his locker room cleanout availability where he stated that he will be ready for the start of the 2025-2026 season. Sean and Stefen discussed how Varlamov returning will be crucial for the Islanders, as this past season indicated that they may have some issues between the pipes because they will need a serviceable “1B option” for Ilya Sorokin.
56:18 – Questions Brewin’
56:40 – This team has never landed the big offseason UFA, do you think this summer will be different?
1:00:50 – Do you think that Malkin and Ledecky will fire Lou, promote Roy to GM, and hire Laviolette?
1:06:19 – There’s a post out there mentioning deals with Palmieri and Boqvist are either done or close to being done, does that indicate that Lou is back for sure as owners are letting him to continue working on things like that?
1:08:08 – Why did the team announce that Reilly had a heart procedure but couldn’t announce that Varly had a knee procedure?
1:09:55 – Does “parting ways” mean buyouts are coming or is that not something Lou does?
1:12:48 – Ownership has zero logical reasoning to retain Lou unless they want a #1 in 2026, can you justify keeping Lou? I doubt it!
1:17:07 – Which series are you the most excited to watch in the first round?
Catch the latest episode of HNiNY featuring Jonny Lazarus of Daily Faceoff
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