As the Islanders’ struggles continue into the new year, David Alter of The Hockey News joins Sean and Stefen to discuss the team’s play as of late.
2:25 – Experience Points! presented by Main Street Board Game Café
2:45 – Sean and Stefen analyze the second half of the Islanders’ home-and-home series against Pittsburgh. The Isles scored two goals six-on-five but dropped the game 3-2 to the Penguins.
8:05 – The team’s woes on special teams continue from last season, as both the powerplay and penalty kill rank last in the league. Sean and Stefen discuss the on-ice issues.
11:01 – Stefen goes over the team’s turnover behind the bench over the past few years, as several coaches have come and gone.
13:49 – Stefen awards the fanbase general experience points for the energy brought to UBS Arena during the game against Pittsburgh on December 28. Marcus Hogberg is also given general experience points for his performance during his first start of the season on December 29. Stefen also grants 1,000 experience points to Anthony Duclair for his play since returning from injury. Sean deducts 846 points from the team for how they played in front of Hogberg.
Stefen explains why the Islanders are not a playoff team
17:25 – On the Line: David Alter, The Hockey News presented by tovihockey.com
17:41 – David Alter discusses the Toronto Maple Leafs’ approach to the upcoming game against the Isles (January 2) after coming out flat during their most recent matchup.
19:32 – Sean asks David about the Maple Leafs’ season expectations in regard to on-ice play and culture changes.
21:20 – Stefen brings up the change in attitude surrounding the Leafs and asks David if that is how they are finding success with Auston Matthews out.
David alter of thn.com discusses former Islanders head coach Lane Lambert’s new role with Toronto
23:05 – David examines the end of Lou Lamoriello’s tenure with Toronto and how it compares to his role with the Islanders. Lamoriello implemented a lot of behind-the-scenes changes in Toronto to improve the organization and its culture.
26:18 – With John Tavares’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Sean asks David about his role with the Maple Leafs. Mitch Marner is also a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, so David posits that his contract extension will most likely happen after the playoffs and before July 1 (whether it be with Toronto or a different team).
28:42 – The boys discuss Pierre Engvall’s time in Toronto. The Leafs invested time to develop him into a top power forward, and he had some success down the line. However, his play has yet to translate to the Islanders’ style of play.
30:49 – Sean brings up the Isles / Maple Leafs rivalry, which has seen New York take Toronto’s number as of late.
“It goes beyond just talent…it’s obviously a mix between the players, their mentality, the strategies that they’re putting out there.”
-Sean on the Islanders’ poor special teams
34:37 – What’s on Tap? presented by Centre Station Bar & Grill
Tuesday (12/31) @ Toronto, 1:00pm – In a home and home series against the Maple Leafs, the Isles will have to be wary of Toronto’s energy. The Maple Leafs are heading into this series well-rested, while New York just wrapped up a back-to-back against Pittsburgh.
Thursday (1/2) vs Toronto, 7:30pm – Round Two of the home-and-home
Sunday (1/5) at Boston, 6:00pm – In one of the few road games of the month, the Islanders will be looking to create some momentum before a seven-game homestand.
Sean points out there is nothing predictable about the Islanders game that is positive
43:38– Hero of the Week
Stefen’s Pick: Marcus Hogberg
Hogberg played brilliantly in his first start of the season. He kept the team in the game despite the loss.
Sean’s Pick: Marcus Hogberg
In a unanimous decision, Hogberg is the definitive Hero of the Week. He can hopefully continue his steady play and lighten Ilya Sorokin’s workload throughout the season.
Catch the latest episode of HNiNY featuring David Alter of thn.com
47:31 – Welcome to the Snake Den! With Jake “The Snake” Radonis
48:23 – Jake discusses the Isles prospects playing in the World Junior Championships. Danny Nelson and Cole Eiserman have been exceptional for Team USA, while Marcus Gidlöf has provided a steady presence in net for Sweden. Forward Jesse Nurmi is also skating for Finland. The boys also talk about Quinn Finley’s play for the University of Wisconsin and Matthew Maggio of the Bridgeport Islanders.
Catch highlights of Islanders’ prospects Cole Eiserman & Danny Nelson in their WJC Team USA tilt vs Team Canada
52:26 – Questions Brewin’
53:12 – Cole Eiserman tracking better thus far than [Oliver] Wahlstrom was? My biggest concerns for Eiserman.
55:13 – How many times have the Islanders won two games in a row?
55:37 – Will a New York hockey team ever win another game?
55:49 – Could Hogberg be a potential trade deadline trade bait?
56:37 – Is now the time to ship out [Noah] Dobson? Has zero physicality to his game. If no trade, then get [Eric] Cairns on the ice to toughen up his game.
Sean discusses the possibility of the Islanders dealing captain Anders Lee
1:00:28 – Is there any truth to the rumor Lou “fired” Trotz due to fears Lane Lambert was going to be the head coach of the Red Wings?
1:01:28 – Which of the following P’s are Islanders next season, and do any move this season? Pelech, Pulock, Pageau, Pierre.
1:03:13 – Barzal hasn’t scored much at all this year…is that a factor that might endanger his security with the team?
1:04:47 – Has anyone seen Nelson and Palmieri?
1:05:08 – Is Dobson playing hurt?
1:05:46 – How are we getting this team to become a super team?
1:12:08 – Would they consider trading Lee? His value is real high.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Hockey Night in New York!
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Hockey Night in New York has returned to cover the New York Islanders all season long! Join hosts Sean Cuthbert and Stefen Rosner live from Floored Media in Rockville Centre Sundays at 8PM ET at your favorite streaming platforms! (available at YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and Facebook)