25-26 Season Schedule

[Chris18]

Mo is -7 in past 7 days, -13 last 30 days, rough is an understatement.

Okay, yeah, that sucks.

[Chris18]

Schaefer out with the flu. So he pulled off those 2 goals the other night while coming down with the flu. He said he'd skipped the morning skate and felt crappy. Said his mom gave him the strength to get through the game. Dude is always crediting everyone around him and his late mother. My assumption is that the C will go from Lee to Horvat to Schaefer. And I like that.

[Chris18]

Isles hang on to a nail biter, 9-0 over the Devils. No clue what Markstrom did to piss if the coach enough to keep him in for all 9. Sorokin with 45 saves. Duclair with the hat trick and two assists after being a healthy scratch for a few games. Cizikas with 2 goals. Sorokin’s 26th career shut out, moving him ahead of Chico Resch for the all time Isles lead.

Devils fan threw a jersey into the ice and it was awesome- was a 76 Subban jersey while PK was on the broadcast.

Now for another 7 game road trip. Need to keep the momentum going. 24-15-4, metro 2.

[Pokecheque]

Isles hang on to a nail biter, 9-0 over the Devils. No clue what Markstrom did to piss if the coach enough to keep him in for all 9. Sorokin with 45 saves. Duclair with the hat trick and two assists after being a healthy scratch for a few games. Cizikas with 2 goals. Sorokin’s 26th career shut out, moving him ahead of Chico Resch for the all time Isles lead.

Devils fan threw a jersey into the ice and it was awesome- was a 76 Subban jersey while PK was on the broadcast.

Now for another 7 game road trip. Need to keep the momentum going. 24-15-4, metro 2.

They’re saying that was the single worst goalie performance of the modern era.

When Tony effin’ DeAngelo has a Game Score rating above SIX you know your goalie wasn’t stopping anything.

[Chris18]

Quite the tale of goalies playing in opposite directions. One was unreal, stopping tons of shots. The other was awful, letting in beachballs thrown at him by toddlers.

Isles needed a laugher to go in their direction before this road trip. Although I really didn't think they needed the 8th or 9th goals. 8th was Ritchie and he was gifted a breakaway pass. Can't really fault a rookie for going for it. 9th was Cizikas' second. That one really didn't need to happen, but he had been pushed into Markstrom a little earlier, so maybe he was mad at them for pushing him in or something Markstrom said? Either way, next game will be circled on NJ's calendar. Isles had better be ready.

Odd note- the Devils didn't get called for any penalties in this one. So it's not like the refs killed them. 9 seven strength goals allowed. Checked the standings and saw that the Isles now have a +9 goal diff for the season. I was expecting to see them up around +15 after that game. Guess that 7-2 loss last week kicked them in the balls pretty hard. Isles don't have room to falter. Philly, Washington and even Pitt are hot on their heels.

7 game road trip. Hopefully they can at least come close to duplicating that early season 6-1 road trip. I seriously doubt it, but I can hope.

Nashville, Minnesota, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle. The schedule is almost kind for a west coast road trip. They play every other day, except having 2 days off between MN and Winnipeg. Then they have 2 days between Seattle and their home return vs Buffalo. So they can't complain too much, if at all.

[harmfuljays]

I am not one to prioritize watching the Isles unless they are playing one of my teams. However, I have tuned in to a few additional games this year just to see Schaefer, who is an absolute stud. I also like Barzal. I was rooting for him to return to the form I think he is capable of this year. I also occasionally check in on this Emil Heineman fellow.

[BLUE]

I would say Schaefer has made them relevant again amongst other fans. I agree last season no way would I consider watching one of their games but this season the kid is fun to watch.

[Chris18]

I would say Schaefer has made them relevant again amongst other fans. I agree last season no way would I consider watching one of their games but this season the kid is fun to watch.

100% true. Even Biz & PK Subban have both said they're really fun to watch now, and they both shredded the Isles the last few years.

Tom Brady was asked what NHLer he'd take to start a franchise and he said Schaefer, then went douchey and said it's because Schaefer "has that eye of the tiger, like I had". If anything, Schaefer's facial expression probably disarms opposing players because he looks like a kid about to offer to help you carry your groceries in. So I found that really funny.


Duclair's mother was at the game last night, which may further explain him going from healthy scratch to 3G & 2A. Isles fans are asking for her to get permanent tix.

[Chris18]

I am not one to prioritize watching the Isles unless they are playing one of my teams. However, I have tuned in to a few additional games this year just to see Schaefer, who is an absolute stud. I also like Barzal. I was rooting for him to return to the form I think he is capable of this year. I also occasionally check in on this Emil Heineman fellow.

Heineman, aka Heiney or Ass Man, has cooled off a lot lately. But he's still playing well. Just not producing as much. I assume that has to do with Horvat being out a lot lately.
I feel like Schaefer's arrival gave Barzal a boost. There's finally someone who can keep up with him and is just as creative. Barzal often passes to linemates who seem totally surprised by the pass. Schaefer did it to him earlier this year and Barzal had this "whoa, shit, this is what it feels like, huh?" moment and has since been better with his passes. Still quick, and deceptive, but more attentive if that makes any sense.

[Chris18]

2-1 SO loss to the Preds to start the road trip. I told my wife they'd get shutout the game after putting in 9. I was off by 1. Philly lost in OT so they kept pace there. Canes won, not that I think the Isles will take over 1st place. Philly actually has a slightly higher winning % than the Isles. Just realized Pitt does too.

Wild on Saturday. Minnesota will be an interesting place to be this weekend.

[Chris18]

4-3 OT win over the Wild. All game long it was Minn scored, Isles scored, until OT when the Isles got their first lead. That's the important time though, so I'll certainly take it. 3/4 points to start the long road trip. Holmstrom with the OT winner, his 2nd of the game and he had an assist.

25-15-5 for 55 points after 45 games. 4 points behind Canes and 3 ahead of Philly (2 games in hand though).

[Chris18]

Isles had an off day in MN so they went to Anders Lee's family compound. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/multimedi ... -minnesota

Looks like a fun day. Good for them.

[Chris18]

Isles lose 5-4 to the Jets in regulation. They were down 3-0 after allowing 2 goals in 42 seconds. They suddenly started playing and tied it quickly. Then they forgot to play D again, leaving Jets wide open in front, as they did all night, and were down 5-3. Scored with 44 seconds left to make it interesting but no points.

Schaefer got beaten up in this one. One the Jets' first goal, Morrissey came across the slot and hit Schaefer from the side. Looked accidental and Morrissey is a stand up guy, but it could have been an interference call. But it wasn't, and the Jets celebrated while Schaefer was hunched over on the ice for 2 minutes or so. Finally got up with help, but it looked to me like the hit was mainly to his core. I think he injured his ribs a few weeks ago hitting the post at full speed. This is the second time he's looked really hurt after a pretty normal looking play (last time was a routine crosscheck that crumpled him to the ice). He was pulled for concussion protocol and returned a few minutes later. Morrissey skated over to apologize. Butch Goring told of speaking to Morrissey earlier in the day and Morrissey is convinced Schaefer will win several Norris trophies. Several? I sure hope so.
Later on, Schaefer took a clapper to the top/side of his knee and couldn't skate for almost two minutes. Isles were hemmed in their own zone and he was standing on one leg, falling a few times while trying to keep playing. The ref eventually blew the whistle while the Jets held possession. As you can imagine, the Jets lost their shit over that. I don't blame them.

Roy tried to challenge one of the Jets' goals for goalie interference. Neidereiter had backed into Sorokin's crease by like 2-3 inches and did bump Sorokin's blocker a little but the original call was good goal, and so was the review. I didn't think it would be overturned.

Isles third goal was a penalty shot. Heineman was on a partial breakaway and the Jet kept tugging at his glove. He rang the shot off the crossbar. Buried the penalty shot by invoking the power of the Isles #51 jersey, pulling out ye old Backhand of Judgement move a la Franz Nielsen.

Schaefer got his 13th goal with 46 seconds to play on a seeing eye shot from the point, but the Isles ran out of time. Try covering guys in front of your net and you wouldn't have been down to begin with. I think 4 Jets goals were rebounds.

And I'll give big credit to one of the Jets forwards. Late in the game Schaefer was going through the neutral zone with a bouncing puck so he looked down. The Jet could have knocked him into next week easily but held up big time, barely hitting him. Thomas Hickey said "oh thank god". Goring said something about it being really nice of the Jet player.

Edmonton on Thursday. I sure hope Schaefer's knee is okay considering everyone will be looking at him to cover McDavid all night.

[Chris18]

Isles sign former Habs prospect Pierrick Dube to an AHL contract. He just left his KHL team. Dude is 5'9", 185 lbs. Averages around 0.75 ppg in the AHL. Bridgeport could use any help they can get. 29th place in a 32 team league. My apologies to the former coaches that I blamed. Or maybe the current coach just sucks too?

[Chris18]

Isles with a 1-0 win over the Oilers. Sorokin was unbelievable but got help from the iron. Bouchard had a shot off the post and then crossbar that rolled on the line but not over it. Called a goal originally, then no goal. Draisatl hit the far post in the last minute. But Barzal hit the crossbar at the other end too.
Pp goal by Duclair was the difference. Nice play by Ritchie to get it to him.
Shots were 36-18 in favor of Edmonton.

Calgary on Saturday.

26-16-5 after 47. 55 points, Metro 2. Good thing too because the Atlantic teams are surging and have the WC spots now. Buffalo are on fire and the bruins have awoken from hibernation.

[Chris18]

4-2 loss to the Flames. Rittich with only 15 saves on 19 shots. Not great.

4-3 win vs Canucks. Duclair with 2 G, Q'Anongelo with 1G 1A, Barzal and Schaefer with 2A. Pulock scored his whopping 2nd of the year. I'll never understand a guy with a cannon of a shot like him barely ever scoring.
After the game, Duclair told reporters he's been using Cizikas' stick since just before the 5 point game vs the Devils. Totally different model than he'd used for years.

27-17-5, Metro 2. Though as always, by a hair.

Kraken on Wed to end the road trip. 3-2-1 on the trip so far. Not terrible. Not great.

Fun note. I was in the Philly area on Saturday when the Rangers trounced the Flyers. That's about the only time I'll be happy about a Ranger win. Sitting in a sports bar with our team, and seeing locals get really pissed at all the Ranger fans with our team cheering... Surprised nobody whipped a hot cheese steak at our table.

[Chris18]

Isles finish their second 7 game road trip 3-3-1 after a 4-1 loss (en) to the Kraken. Isles certainly couldn't blame the refs. They had SEVEN powerplays, scoring on one. 1/7 is not the way to win games. I didn't see the game, fortunately for me. They also started with a lead, Duclair scoring on the PP just 2:38 into the game. Sounded like it would go well! It did not.

Going 3-3-1 on a seven game west coast road trip isn't bad. It's kind of what you hope for. But the 6-1 west coast road trip earlier in the year gave false hope. Isles should get Horvat back soon, which should help a bit. Still trying to figure anything out to replace Palmieri and/or Romanov. That 6D spot has been a rotating cast of Teflon D-men.

Two days to wash their dirty drawers and get back into home life before taking on the red hot Sabres on Saturday. Isles are 27-18-5 for 59 points in 50 games. Buffalo now have 59 points in 49 games! Isles sit in Metro 3 after the Pens' win. Pens also have 59 in 49. Isles have Philly nipping at their heels so they'd better get back on the winning track. They play in Philly after the single home game vs Buffalo. Then it's the Rangers back to back, and finally the Predators to close out January.

[Chris18]

Isles at Flyers tonight. Flyers trail the Isles by just 2 points, and have a game in hand, so tonight is pretty big. I missed it but apparently Pulock was hurt in the last game. Rumor is the Isles are working a trade with the Rangers for Carson Soucy. Isles and Rangers trading is like asking your sister for sex advice. Just wrong.

[Chris18]

4-0 win. Pageau with a shorty and an even strength goal. Sorokin's 7th shutout of the year.

Always good to beat Philly, but shutting them out is even better.
28-19-5, 61 points after 52 games. Sitting in Metro 3, although not comfortably. On pace for 96 points.

Rangers back to back Wed & Thur. Rumor about the Isles trading a 3rd for Soucy, which would make that set of games very interesting. Not familiar with Soucy, so no clue if it would be a good trade or not. Just know trades between the Rangers and Isles don't happen very often. Heard there was 3 trades between them. Last one was in 2010. Nobody I remembered involved.

Here's hoping the Isles can whoop the Rangers in both games.

[Chris18]

And it happens after the game- Isles and Rangers trade. Soucy to the Isles, 3rd round pick to the Rangers. Soucy only went to the Rangers last year so at least the stink shouldn't be too deep in him.