Good Morning, Islanders Country.
Through 17 games, you may feel the same way about the Islanders as you do the Fisherman retro jerseys (now available at Isles Lab!). Let me explain.
You really want to like them*; actually, you do like them but haven’t completely bought in just yet; there’s something holding you back.
You see it on the rack, take a peek at the price tag, and take a look at yourself with it on in the mirror. It looks good; you look good. So what’s the problem? Are you ready to make the purchase? Eh. Maybe.
*We know that some of you absolutely loathe everything to do with that logo
Winning without playing your best game is what really good teams do.
The Islanders have done that, fashioning themselves as a team capable of coming back in games with an improved offense and as solid as ever-goaltending.
They’re second in the Metro, behind only the red-hot New Jersey Devils, and have won 9 of 11 games. So what’s the problem?
Despite banking points, on most nights, the Isles haven’t asserted themselves as the better team. Their best hockey may be ahead of them, and if it is, this stretch of resilient hockey will have been key to securing a playoff position.
So far, the Islanders have shown enough to call last year’s disappointment a blip for the veteran group. They’re a good hockey team. But you still need to see a bit more before you are bought into the idea that this team is more than a playoff contender this season.
Coming up, another extra forward ends up on waivers, and UBS Arena is about to turn one. Plus, Johnny doesn’t know why he was booed on Long Island; Gary Nylund (Yes, Gary Nylund) owns an Isles record, a 2019 comeback, and a Mike Milbury draft pick enters the Hall of Fame.
Let’s dive in.
📰 NEWS: A week ago, Nikita Soshnikov was provided an opportunity on the top line against the New York Rangers. On Tuesday, the 28-year-old Russian was placed on waivers, having not registered a point in his three games with the Isles.
We’ll find out at 2 PM if Soshnikov cleared waivers. If so, it’s questionable whether he would accept going to Bridgeport over playing elsewhere. The move creates a roster spot, with speculation that 2019 first-round pick Simon Holmstrom getting an opportunity. Through 12 games, the Swede has three goals and two assists for Bridgeport.
The Islanders started the season with Soshnikov (waivers), Kieffer Bellows (waivers, claimed by Flyers), and Ross Johnston as the extra forwards. As of now, only Johnston remains as a plug-and-play forward that can add size and physical toughness in select matchups.
◾️Senators forward Mathieu Joseph was fined $5,000, the maximum allowable, for his high stick on Sebastion Aho in the third period of last night's game. The penalty led to JG Pageau’s PP goal that made it a 3-1 game. Meanwhile, Scott Mayfield, who received a double minor for high-sticking Brady Tkachuk, was not fined. Surely, to the confusion of Senators fans.
UBS Arena turns one later this week, and to mark the occasion, amNewYork’s Joe Pantorno sat down with UBS Arena president Kim Stone to discuss what the arena has accomplished and is planning to do in year two and beyond.
“Those two things have been transformational,” Stone said. “The train service, the opening of the Elmont-UBS Arena train station with two-way service is a total game-changer. Ridership is already high, and it’s been less than a month that it’s been open and running. In December, it becomes a full commuter line, so it’s really going to evolve.”
The article covers a lot more than the Islanders, from concerts to climate change; it’s worth a read.
⏭ NEXT UP: The Islanders visit the Nashville Predators tomorrow night for the first matchup of the season between the two teams. Face-off is set for 8:00 PM ET.
📊 STANDINGS:
From ESPN.com, Emily Kaplan caught up with Johnny Gaudreau who is happy with his decision to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets despite the rough start.
Last week, on the Blue Jackets’ east coast road trip, Gaudreau was booed in New Jersey and on Long Island, which came as a surprise to his teammates “Apparently, he was supposed to sign with every New York team, said Brad Larsen. I’ve never seen a guy get booed more … and I don’t even know why.”
In the article, Gaudreau says that he was confused by the boos received at UBS Arena because he didn’t talk to the Islanders during free agency.
Does this mean Gaudreau personally didn’t talk with the Islanders or that the Isles didn’t even have contact with his camp despite widespread speculation? 🤷♂️
📚 SOUND SMART: According to NHL PR, only one player in Islanders history has recorded more assists than Mathew Barzal's 18 prior to their first goal of a season. It was defenseman Gary Nylund, who had 21 assists before a goal in 1989-90. Nylund finished the season with those 21 assists, scoring four goals in the team’s last seven games before the end of the season.
🗓 THIS DATE IN ISLANDERS HISTORY: On November 16, 2019, the Islanders extended their point streak to 14 games (13-0-1) with a dramatic come-from-behind 4-3 shoot-out win against the Flyers in Philadelphia. Trailing 3-0 entering the final 20 minutes, Anthony Beauvillier scored twice, and Mathew Barzal also scored to erase a 3-0 deficit in the final 13 minutes of regulation, and Jordan Eberle and Barzal scored in the shootout.
"I don't know what it is with this group, but we just knew we were going to be in the fight till the end," Barzal said. "That is what we did tonight."
🎧 Nassaumen Hockey Podcast - Third Period Heroics and Goaltending Covering up the New York Islanders' Issues: James and Jon break down the last week in New York Islanders hockey, including a loss to the Arizona Coyotes, yet another comeback win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and a so-so game against the Ottawa Senators. The guys buy or sell on three topics and discuss how Mathew Barzal has yet to score a goal this season in addition to the Islanders waiving Nikita Soshnikov.
🔗 Islanders feeling good after winning start to road trip by Andrew Gross, Newsday “The first game of the road trip went well for Oliver Wahlstrom, Mathew Barzal and the Islanders. The hope is any momentum gained from Monday’s 4-2 win in Ottawa can carry through the next three games of this swing.”
🔗 NY Islanders place Nikita Soshnikov on waivers, recall coming? Eyes on Isles “About three weeks ago, the NY Islanders placed Kieffer Bellows on waivers to reassign him to the AHL Bridgeport Islanders. However, he didn't make it through waivers as he was plucked off waivers by the Philadelphia Flyers who have dealt with many injuries to their forward group. On Tuesday afternoon, the Islanders placed another forward on waivers, this time it's Nikita Soshnikov.”
And we leave you with this…It’s official; Mike Milbury drafted a Hall of Game goaltender 4th overall in 1997 as Roberto Luongo was inducted last night.
“I just want to thank them [the Islanders] at the time for believing in me. Even though my stint there was very short, it was still memorable because that’s where I first started and played my first ever game.” He also talks about his friendship with Kevin Weekes, Jamie McLellan, and Cory Schneider.
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Let's see - HOW do I put this.....OK; 'retro' jersey is just WEAK (alternative logo ESPECIALLY, incongruous striping pattern) team's NOT - already pointed out WHY where BOTH are concerned so, BAD analogy (NO offense to YOU though, Joe.....LOL)