The Islanders are right back in the mix for a playoff spot after a successful seven-game homestand. Evan Rawal hops on the show to discuss the latest with the Colorado Avalanche.
2:18 – Experience Points! presented by Main Street Board Game Café
2:50 – To kick things off, the boys discuss the latest game against the Philadelphia Flyers (Friday, 1/24). The Islanders won 3-1, taking the fight to them. Alexander Romanov was a force for the blueline, while the group as a whole dominated physically.
4:12 – Sean and Stefen mention AHL call-up Marc Gatcomb, whose play has sparked the bottom six (à la Hudson Fasching and Kyle MacLean). Patrick Roy now has the ability to roll all four lines, which was an issue early on in the season.
Stefen talks about the Islanders team effort leading to success
5:13 – Moving on to the game against the Carolina Hurricanes (Saturday, 1/25), the Islanders managed to pull off a dramatic comeback! After falling down 2-0, they rallied to win 3-2 in overtime. Sean and Stefen talk about the strong effort by the Isles.
6:53 – The boys talk about the Islanders’ success as of late, including a four-game win streak and seven wins in the last 10.
7:22 – Stefen provides injury updates: due to Noah Dobson’s long-term injury, the Islanders signed Tony DeAngelo to fill in as power play quarterback. Ryan Pulock also suffered an injury after falling awkwardly during an apparent slew foot in the Carolina game. Marcus Hogberg also suffered an injury against Carolina, as Ilya Sorokin came in during overtime.
9:30 – Sean and Stefen discuss the Tony DeAngelo signing.
16:20 – Sean awards 10,000 experience points to Romanov for his crushing hit on Cam York in the Philadelphia matchup, while Stefen gives 2,700 points to Anders Lee. After scoring 20 goals in 81 games last season, Anders Lee has been a man on a mission this year.
17:58 – On the Line: Evan Rawal, Denver Gazette, presented by tovihockey.com
18:20 – Sean kicks off the interview by asking Evan Rawal his thoughts on the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen trade.
19:50 – Stefen asks about Martin Necas’s fit in Colorado. Necas came over from Carolina in the deal.
21:16 – Sean inquires about the mood in Denver in terms of fan excitement.
22:14 – Evan Rawal elaborates more on the trade in-depth, diving into Rantanen’s value and the trade return.
Evan Rawal talks about the Avalanche dealing Mikko Rantanen to Carolina
22:58 – The boys bring up two former Islanders defensemen: Devon Toews and Calvin de Haan. Evan explains the importance of Toews in the locker room, as he was given the A in light of Rantanen’s departure.
24:51 – Stefen asks Evan Rawal about Mackenzie Blackwood’s performance since joining the Avs from San Jose.
25:58 – Evan suspects Colorado is not done making moves and discusses the potential trades they could make before the deadline. Sean asks about the holes in their lineup that need to be addressed.
27:18 – Evan talks about the elite play of Cale Makar, who has quickly become one of the best defensemen in the NHL.
28:34 – To end the discussion, Sean asks about Colorado’s season so far.
“It goes from a win streak to maybe the Islanders have found their identity.”
-Stefen on the importance of bringing momentum into the back-to-back in Florida.
33:21 – What’s on Tap? presented by Centre Station Bar & Grill
Tuesday (1/28) vs Colorado, 7:30pm – The Avalanche, emotionally driven by the latest trade, are looking to prove themselves against the hot Islanders. In order to combat Colorado’s speed and scoring ability, the Isles will have to continue the aggressive forecheck to stifle their offense.
Thursday (1/25) vs Philadelphia, 7:30pm – The Islanders head to Wells Fargo Center for yet another game against the Flyers. In order to beat their division rival, the Isles need to continue their physicality and establish their game before the Flyers can establish theirs.
Sean says it’s pretty clear the Isles are intent on making the playoffs
Saturday (2/1) at Tampa, 7:00 pm – The Islanders travel to Amalie Arena, a venue which has not been kind to them in recent memory. Against a talented and fast Lightning team, the Isles need to stay disciplined to dominate the game 5-on-5. However, they must also capitalize on their special teams as the difference-maker.
Sunday (2/2) at Florida, 6:00 pm – In the final game in the back-to-back, the team needs to carry their momentum from the homestand into Sunrise. The Panthers, who implement a skilled yet gritty style of play, are a top Cup contender. A victory against either Philadelphia or Tampa could catapult the Isles to a win here.
42:09 – Stefen provides stats during the four-game win streak.
45:20 – The boys debate whether Ilya Sorokin will see both games in Florida, or if rookie goalie Jakub Skarek will finally make his Islanders debut. (Or, could Stefen crack the NHL?)
47:08 – Hero of the Week
Stefen’s Pick: Brock Nelson
With ten points in his last eight games, including the OT winner against Carolina, Nelson has been on fire for the Islanders. Over the point streak, Nelson has five goals and five assists, including three multi-point games.
Sean’s Pick: Marcus Hogberg
The Swedish Sensation has been stellar for the Isles–during the game against Carolina, he put up a .923 SV% and two goals against (24 saves on 26 shots). Hogberg’s size and poise has led to greater angles and better rebound control for the netminder.
Catch the latest episode of HNiNY featuring Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette
52:01 – Welcome to the Snake Den! With Jake “The Snake” Radonis
The Islanders penalty kill has dominated the league lately, only allowing two goals on 18 attempts. The 89% success rate leads the NHL for the month of January.
Jake predicts that the Islanders will go 2-1-1 over the next four games, with a win to close out the homestand. However, he predicts the team will lose in regulation to Tampa before earning a point against the Panthers.
Jake also predicts that rookie Marc Gatcomb will score his first NHL goal during this stretch.
58:41 – Questions Brewin’
59:10 – In-studio Patreaon guest Jack asks the following: How does the room keep a guy like that [Tony DeAngelo] in line, do they need to?
Obviously with the injury to Hogberg now, it’s going to be a little skewed, but with his play do the Islanders decide to keep three consistent goaltenders? Does management decide to keep three consistent goaltenders that they can rely on because of the injuries that are happening every season with our goaltenders? Or, is there going to be a fight for that 1B spot between Varly and Hogberg, seeing as Hogberg is on a much cheaper deal?
1:04:27 – Can someone explain why the outcry when the Isles signed DeAngelo? All I read or was told was that he punched his goalie and maybe said some crazy things, nothing concrete on either.
Stefen talks about Dobson & Romanov and their future with the Islanders
1:08:20 – I understand Roy doesn’t want to change the current winning formula, but wouldn’t Sippy [Tsyplakov] coming in for Zeeker [Cizikas] or MacLean be the next logical move? 7 – 44 – 10 would be interesting.
1:10:10 – Do the Islanders have an enforcer in Bridgeport who can get called up? Teams are taking liberties at will.
1:12:43 – Dobson is an RFA. If someone gave an offer sheet, do the Isles match? Or, is the haul they can get from letting him go make that more worthwhile?
1:14:57 – Given Dobson’s play, and now injury, does it make a short term contract more likely? Will Romanov end up getting the bigger contract this summer?
1:15:18 – Is there a Bridgeport jinx? They can’t win, player numbers are terrible. However, it seems like call-ups for the most part fill in pretty well (Hogberg, George, etc.).
1:16:29 – Are the Islanders the only team without a third jersey? Is this a Lou thing or a poor marketing team?
1:17:22 – Could Lou sell Brock but have a contract in the bottom drawer waiting for him when he hits free agency?
1:20:43 – What did the team do with the kid-made banners that hung on the 300’s that have been replaced by the new ring of honor?
1:21:14 – Is there a guy like Matt Martin on other teams–a guy who the community just loves and brings back that we just don’t hear about?
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Hockey Night in New York is here 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)