Still Paddling! Guest: Peter Baugh, The Athletic

December 16, 2024
Posted in Show Recaps
December 16, 2024 Dylan Burhans

With the return of several key players, Peter Baugh of The Athletic joins Sean and Stefen to discuss recent Islanders news.

2:33 — Experience Points! presented by Main Street Board Game Café

3:17 – Sean and Stefen review the latest Islanders roster moves, which see Oliver Wahlstrom and Pierre Engvall sent through waivers. Mat Barzal, Anthony Duclair, and Adam Pelech are all set to return shortly, as the three participated in practice wearing regular contact jerseys. 

10:23 – The boys predict lineup changes once the team is fully healthy. The team now has options, especially with the forward corps.

12:54 – Stefen awards Ilya Sorokin with 7,000 experience points, while docking 2,600 from Wahlstrom and 1,800 from Engvall. Sean deducts 5,000 points from the entire team based on their third-period play against the Los Angeles Kings.

Stefen talks about the Islanders demoting Engvall & Wahlstrom

15:50 – On the Line: Peter Baugh, The Athletic presented by tovihockey.com

16:05 – Peter first discusses the New York Rangers’ shortcomings, as both sides fight for a playoff spot. Sean asks Peter about Head Coach Laviolette, whose seat isn’t super hot yet. Peter also mentions the Jacob Trouba trade.

21:12 – Peter Baugh gives his view on the Isles.

25:21 – Sean asks Peter about the top teams in the Metro Division (Washington, New Jersey, and Carolina).

28:33 – Stefen asks Peter about whether the Isles are playing “playoff hockey.”

Peter Baugh of The Athletic talks Islanders playoff chances

“If they [the Islanders] stick around and then eventually go on a little bit of a hot streak, they’re going to be right in the playoff mix.”

-Peter Baugh, on the Islanders’ playoff hopes.

33:12 – What’s on Tap? presented by Centre Station Bar & Grill

Sunday (12/15) at Chicago, 3:00pm – With Mat Barzal and Adam Pelech drawing back into the lineup after returning for injury, the Isles will have to hold back a Blackhawks team looking for payback from last Thursday’s (12/12) game.

Tuesday (12/17) at Carolina, 7:30pm – This will be a chance for the Islanders to return to Raleigh since being eliminated from the playoffs last season and make a statement win.

Saturday (12/21) at Toronto, 7:00pm – Since the Maple Leafs are among the top offensive teams in the league, Barzal and the other Islanders’ star players will need a big game. Expect a physical, grinding game from start to finish.

42:16– Hero of the Week

Stefen’s Pick: Patrick Roy

Roy had Ilya Sorokin’s back after Tuesday’s game against the Kings. The Islanders had a great second period and started off strong in the third, before failing to battle hard in front of Sorokin in the last eight minutes.

Sean’s Pick: J.G. Pageau

Pageau has excelled as the top line right wing in Barzal’s absence. He ranks sixth on the team in points (six goals, ten assists for 16 points), and he is already halfway to his point total from last season. He is also locking things down defensively for the Isles, as he has won 58.8% of his faceoffs.

Catch the latest episode of HNiNY featuring Peter Baugh of The Athletic

48:25 – Questions Brewin’ 

49:34 – Which Islander has the best 80’s movie bully name and why is it Dennis Cholowksi?

50:05 – Is it me or does Pulock look like he is playing tired?

50:43 – Tsyplakov is our best player…he brings it every night. What’s his next contract look like? Does he walk?

53:41 – Seeing more and more mock trades featuring Brock Nelson. Does he end this year with the Isles?

55:30 – If all injured players return and the Islanders are still playing win one, lose one, will the powers that be fire Roy or Lou or both?

58:02 – It’s obvious that it’s a groin injury with Varly [Varlamov]. Do you see Hogberg playing at all?

59:40 – How do you see the role of analytics evolving in hockey and how well do you think the Islanders are integrating these insights into their game plan?

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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 YouTubeTwitchTwitter, and Facebook)

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