The New York Islanders played a fast and competitive game but the same old problems caused them to fall short in a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Once again, the team had chances but couldn’t finish. Special teams were anything but special and hurt the Isles and they took an untimely penalty late in the game that led directly to the game-winner.
We have our key takeaways from the game including our hero and goat and we discuss the potential injury to Isaiah George and why the Isles failed to stand up for their teammate.
Plus we preview Sunday’s game against the Boston Bruins.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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24 Comments
we go from winning 4 STANLEY CUPS IN A ROW AND NOW WE CANT EVEN WIN 3 GAMES IN A ROW.I am totally done with this team. Post dynasty i have put up with a lot of nonsense from absentee ownership over the years. I want to sincerely thank our coach the late Al Arbour and our gm the late Bill Torrey for everything they did for the islanders and long island. Lets forget about all the talent on our team back then for a second. You would not fine two men from any walk of life with more character and integrity than Al Arbour and Bill Torrey. These two men did not have a bad bone in their body they were two incredible and exceptional human beings.. You better believe that right there was a big reason we are the greatest dynasty in the history of professional sports. Exceptional people = Exceptional results.
The First goal was solely on the turnover by Cizikas and then him tripping over Mayfield to get into a better defensive position. The biggest mistake of the game was made by the Islanders once again. Leading to the best chance by either team in the game.
Hi Gil, just came back from the game. Had a great time on The Island with family! We took my aging dad, brother in law, my nephew and my daughter. The grade A parking sold out, so we got stuck waking 15m in wind blistering cold to the arena. My brother in law chose to miss the 3rd to get his car and meet us much closer. The walk was absolutely brutal!! The arena is gorgeous!! We had the best seats near center ice—a prefect view. My nephew wanted a water and soda—-$18. I kid you not. I spent a small fortune on food and drinks as a ty to my brother in law. Had a great time—-I noticed a major turn out of enthusiastic High school age kids, great for the future but these kids grow up, go away to school, raise families etc. IMO—better start putting out a good product soon. The moronic Pellech penalty (How many offensive dumb ass penalties Can ya keep taking) I saw plenty folks heading for the exits. I saw and heard major enthusiasm during the game but the doom and gloom feeling is there. I knew we lost right then and there. The culture around this team had better change. Our coach is a little resigned, our players play hard when they feel like it and that’s just unacceptable! Effort was good today but it wanes so often. Make Roy Gm, let contracts expire,acquire sandpaper in your face guys and with the freed up $$$ and a Danny Nelson, Cole, Dufor and Maggio we can make it back. We had a great time with a predictable ending. I really wanted this win for memories but they were created regardless. This season is about to go down the drain. Take care Gil!!
NOTHING NEW. Isles give up winning late of course on the pp. L W L L L. Isles outside of the 6 g explosion vs. pens have scored 1, 2, 1, 1 in last 4 L's. Isles can't even gain anymore bettman loser pts. (tied with preds nhl lead-7). Isles slowly falling in east as only sabres are below isles in east (tied with rags who have 2 games in hand) and only pens -25 gf ga is worse than isles -21. And b's toasted isles last game 6-2. Injuries or not are things getting any better louzer? pp/pk still ranked 32nd. gf-27th. Louzer better start getting those signs out and ready to go.
Teams know they can go.after Islanders, including the goalies and Thai team lacks the heart, spine, courage, & muscle to respond. Lou decided to dump Johnaton over politics of keeping Martin. He then resigned Martin, who has been DONE for years. Sell & let's draft high!
Even when we play at our best, we can't win. The simplest explanation is that we are just a bad team. There is no question we are headed for a lottery pick this year.
If I don't do my job I get fired. Why isn't anyone held accountable? Especially on special teams. Happy New Year… Thanks Gil!
With Nelson saying he isnt going to resign. What are the odds that we move him prior to the D.Line? AND…..with his productivity in the toilet as it is……do you think we could still get something decent for him?
I refuse to pay for Hulu or ESPN so I didn't see the game. I decided to watch the Ranger game on MSG instead only to find out my cable company will no longer be carrying MSG network. Gotham wants $359 a year to have MSG and Yes Network which I'm not paying either. At least the Islanders are in last place so I won't miss them that much. Maybe I'll look into NHL Center Ice for the rest of this season. Glad Shesterkin, Sorokin, and the rest of the players all got the money they wanted because now we need to pay extra if we want to watch them.
Nobody is talking about the fact that they went after your rookie. Defenseman, with an elbow, and nobody on this gutless team did anything. Nothing! A punk like Domi takes a cheapshot and they just watch. Pathetic. Maybe they should join the womens league. The game means nothing to anybody. They're going nowhere. You stick up for your team mates. No matter what. Disgusting.
No moral victories after all of the losses against bad teams.
Good 🌄, Gil, how are you? Good news, they went toe to toe with the Maple 🍁 , and held their own. Bad news, they lost again because of the usual ugliness. They made their goalie look like Patrick Roy in his hey day. It's one thing for Barzy to be unselfish, but there are times when he needs to be selfish. They got cheated out of a goal. I hope they didn't let John Tavares shake his tail and bite them. Isiah George got injured. If it's one thing the Islanders don't need, it's another injury, especially one like that. Max Domi is just like his old man, Ti. The Islanders should've opened come to George's rescue, whether it's opening a can of whip a**, or a borderline hit. He may end up on concussion protocol. You're right. Gil, if it were someone like Jethro, Nystrom, the toy 🐅, Gordie Lane, or the Captain himself, Domi would've been hurt. Hero, Ilya Sorokin for keeping them in the game and Scott Mayfield for scoring the only goal. 🐐, Adam Pellach for taking the penalty that cost them the game, and the PP. The next ⏲️ the Islanders play, they'll be in Boston on Sunday. Let's hope they don't make them look like Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr are still playing. The Bruins still look like the very bad Bruins of the 60's. I also hope they finish what they started this ⏲️. HAPPY 🎂, FREDDY MEYER. HE had 2 goals and 1 assists against Ottawa. Hear from you later, Gil, but before I go, I was 👀 Game 6 of the Semifinals between the Isles and Buffalo. Not only did Mike Bossy have bionic hearing, but when Bob Bourne scored the empty net goal, I just said 8 words PACK YOUR BAGS, BOYS, YOU'RE GOING TO PHILLY. Now, LET'S GO ISLANDERS.
Barzy has been in the league how long? We're still telling him to shoot the damn puck?
one goal…..i think we don't bash on horvat and his 9 million enough…was supposed to be the guy to come in and compliment barzal and yet he's never in front of net anymore for rebounds or tip ins…no goals…gil we have ONE player on a 30+ goal pace one!!! anders lee…we just have no offensive fire power it's insane …never mind a 40 goal player or a 50 goal plus player….the top defenseman is on an 8 goal pace i think…come on gil don't mention auston matthews and simon holmstrom in the same breath 😂
Isles Done 2025
Isles done, Gil I give up. Buffalo now tied with Isles, Ottawa with 2 games in hand…will prob make move at trading deadline as they are hot…Montreal playing better 7-3-0 in last 10..TB has 5 games in hand…5! and not missing Stamkos! Pens playing well. Rangers finally won “simplifying” their game…I guess all teams have to do that when they struggle. Ovie is back and scoring, Washington bet on their youth and it payed off. Even Columbus playing without their star after that tragic event, is ahead of the Isles. Isles last 10 – 3-7-0 I’m done, except for the prospects and trades, I’m not going to say much Gil. Keep up the great work.
No homstrom compared to no Austin marthews is a bit different lol if you were gm would you trade now or closer to deadline when do u think would get more compensation?
the way I see it is that if the Islanders continue to under achieve they can get a high draft pick, dare i say Porter Martone or James Hagens or Michael Misa. Getting these players will be impossible as long as Lou is still here. We need to take advantage of this miserable season by getting a top three pick, otherwise we will get a mid first rounder where the players are not as good as the top 5. We might be alright if we gat Justin Carbonneau or even Malcolm Spence, the key is getting one of these players.
Good morning team! Gil, I'm going to sound like a broken record, but I have to do it. The PK let us down again. Also, I don't know too many hockey teams that can win games by scoring only one goal a game. How many games have there been when we only score just one goal? In this game we had our chances. On Mayfield's goal, it took so long to get the shot off, that open net he shot into looked like it was closing quickly. On the elbow to George's jaw, how was there not a penalty called on the play. Not only that, it manifested as a Leaf's goal. While we're struggling for goals, plays like the missed call sets me off so easily. Bottom line is, I still want to the team to play well and to win. In some deep, dark section of my mind, I would still like to see them play well and make the playoffs. They do have moments of brilliance and they look pretty good, but then they take what is sometimes called a dumb penalty, and you know the rest. Thank you for listening, Sir.
Everyone, have a wonderful day and weekend! Boston on Sunday! Looking forward to seeing everyone Monday. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Playing one good game out of every ten or so is not good enough. The effort, energy and hustle needs to be there every night. There are just so many things wrong with this team. Barzal has been in this league for a long time now and still plays the same way of over stick handling the puck. 9 times out of 10 he loses it and nothing comes of his effort except an odd man rush the other way. Like Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” At the end of the day putting on a stick handling clinic on the wall or along the blue line does nothing. This team lacks heart, grit, toughness, offensive firepower and defense. The special teams are nonexistent and the ownership and GM are clueless. Roy is taking shots at Lou with some of his actions/decisions on the ice and comments off the ice. This franchise has become a clown show. No wonder top end talented FAs don’t want to sign here. There’s a lot of work to do.
Trade everyone and I mean no one is untouchable Sorkin not as great as we think I'm sorry he can't steal games for us
The team hardly has anyone who hits, let alone fights. They are weak as water.
Man I would kill for a loser point these days! I know we've blown a bunch of leads this year. But how many potential loser points have they left off the board even? I didn't mind the no call on Domi. I like physical play and he disguised it well. And I think Pelech did try to stand up for George. But he's wearing the bubble right now so it didn't mean much. That's the nights you wish Martin was in the lineup!! Good show as always Gil..
Gm Gil. There isn't a player on this team old enough to remember this team from their competitive years. They see the banners but have no connection to them. This team has been an embarrassment for decades … Competency is not a criteria for ownership and that has been clear for decades in the case of the Isles. I appreciate the Isles don't step out of their lane as one of the worst teams in the league. We knew if they took more than 1 penalty the Leafs would score. If you add up the salaries of the players who are paid to score, Nelson/Barzal/Lee/Horvat/Duclair/Palmeri, then fans should be suing this club for fraud. Mayfield getting their one and only goal is emblematic of the fact that the afore mentioned players who are supposed to score need to find new teams, get released, or sent down to Bridgeport
Hung in there tough Gil. Hope Geoege will be OK, Speedy recovery. LGI