The New York Islanders face the New York Rangers tonight in a critical game for the Isles. Head coach Patrick Roy has made a change to the second and third line combinations ahead of the game. We’ll discuss the change and the player with a chance to make a real impression as a result of it. Plus we’ll discuss who will start in goal for the Isles, Ilya Sorokin or Semyon Varlamov.
Plus, we break down the race for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference as we head down the stretch to the final five games of the season.
And we have a full preview of tonight’s game against the Rangers.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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16 Comments
Just go with varly. Not much line juggling can do at this point. Just keep 18 off of top two lines. Pens lost but got the always welcome bettman loser pt. to move into tie with wings for 8th and within a pt. of isles. 41 wins 90 pts. should do it. Isles have two nyr games plus finish with pens. Wings have caps, pens next finish with h and h with habs. Caps, flyers are floundering- caps are a horrible -41 gf ga. isles, flyers -23. pens +4 wings +3. Pens and isles are hot right now and probably get in. If one slips up wings get in. Isles, pens have advantage as they can get third automatic spot or w c 2. Wings can only be w c 2.
We will not win another Stanley Cup until we get another Mike Bossy
Isles are just over-matched when facing the rangers…stay out of the penalty box and maybe they can scratch a win out
Whoever made this schedule for the islanders must be a prophet lol this is gonna be a crazy stretch
Engvall. That’s a player that frustrates me. He’s like 6’4” 205 pounds and plays like he’s 4’7” and made of balsa wood. He has so many tools to be an awesome player but plays like he cries putting his skates on and his parents are forcing him to play lol. But at least he’s only signed for 7 years.
Makes sense being as you said there aren’t 6 top 6 players and Roy is still learning the players. But I will say I do like the cizikas on the first line. 53 is my favorite forward. That new Engval Lee centered by Pageau is intriguing. I haven’t slept waiting for this game!!!!
Gil you realize winning the president's trophy and home ice advantage DOESN'T GUARANTEE winning the cup, right? Rangers are making a huge mistake. Plus the Canucks have the. most points in the league.
I haven't been watching the Islander games live because they do better when I don't. These last 2 months have been baffling.
Not a big game for the Strangers. No one cares about the Presidential trophy! Only one grail matters and neither of these two teams will sniff it in June. Changing lines is like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. One last thing, a hot dog at UBS arena should Not Be $20!
With no Scott Mayfield taking 17 penalties a game we should beat the Rags
This is gonna be the game of the year for them. Hope they have something left after Preds game…Isles fans don’t sell tkts to Ranger fans…we all know they are unbearable…Warned all looking ahead of this basic back to back with Montreal between. Last year Pens blew it and Isles got in, now it could be the opposite. Need a good game from Dobber. Almost no travel for rest of season so that helps. Also watch out for Trouba’s head hunting. Must be good on the faceoffs.
Good 🌄, Gil, how are you? Big game tonight Isles and The
Rangers at UBS Arena. Varly's getting the start tonight, I hope he's not wiped out from Saturday. Patrick Roy's made some monster line changes for tonight's game. Pierre Engvall's a good player, but can he get greasy and grimy? WE WILL SEE.
IT'S NOW CRUNCH TIME FOR THE PLAYOFFS. The Islanders should go back to basics. Patrick Roy knows Varly from when he was in CO. The Islanders better not give The Rangers the satisfaction of treating them like the illegitimate child at a family reunion, especially since they're in first place. I HOPE THEY RUIN IT FOR THEM. THEY SHOULD STAY OUT OF JOINT ASAP. HAPPY 🎂, Scott Howson. Funny how his big night was on Mike Bossy's 🎂. Thursday marks an happier anniversary. On April 11, 1975, JP PARISE RIP, scored 11 seconds INTO OT to beat The Rangers at The Garden 2 games to 1. From that night on, The Islanders made the rest of the league stand 👆 and take notice, especially after they took out Pittsburgh, and gave Philadelphia quite a scare. Hear from you tomorrow, Gil, and LET'S GO ISLANDERS.
Good morning team. I was happy to see the Pens lose to the Leafs last night. I was hoping on a regulation loss, but I'll take it. Beggers can't be choosers. Every point is so valuable all season long, but when we get to the end of the season, each point's value seems to grow in importance. I think we desperately need to take 3 from the Rangers. Montreal "should be" a gimme, I'm hoping. The Devils and Penguins might be close games. I want to get at least 3 points out of those two games, of course hoping for 4. Not going to lie, I'll be on the edge of my seat for each and every remaining game. Everyone have a wonderful day! Enjoy the game tonight. Rangers must fall. See you again soon. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Control our own destiny (AGAIN), no excuses. Lou has showed faith to this group, its time to gut check and get her done.
I like the idea of trying Holmstrom on the 2nd line. He’s been playing better. This could motivate him to work even harder and maybe teach him how to think differently. A lot of pressure on Holmstrom. It his time to shine: If he does well it could open more opportunities for his future. Good luck Simon – I’m rooting for you.
Here’s another thought of something to try….probably not until training camp, certainly wouldn’t do this in these vital final games…. I wonder how Dobson would do as a forward?
Hi Gil, tonight is a more important game for us than the rangers. I think 🤔 the islanders will beat them tonight 🎉 islanders are on a little roll and varly is playing lights out. Last night after the met win lol I put on the UConn men for the first time this year. Wow !!! UConn men are really good 👍🏾 they might win again next year 😊UConn has some program in basketball 🏀 enjoy your day 😮today going to be another beautiful day 🎉