New York Islanders shock the Colorado Avalanche with a commanding 6-3 victory, spoiling Brock Nelson’s return and achieving a feat matched by only one other NHL team all season. Can the Islanders transform this statement win into real consistency as the playoff race heats up?
Gil Martin breaks down the Islanders’ inspired performance, highlighting Matthew Barzal’s dazzling three-point night and Bo Horvat’s relentless two-way play. The podcast covers key roster challenges, the fourth line’s resurgence, and Ilya Sorokin’s clutch goaltending against a high-powered Avalanche attack. Plus, reactions to the emotional tribute for Brock Nelson, upcoming showdowns against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers, and which young prospects could shape the Islanders’ future. Don’t miss this high-energy analysis of the Islanders’ playoff hopes and what it will take to sustain their momentum.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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32 Comments
Just think if they hadn’t been flat for the Blues game. 16-9-3 looks a whole lot better than 15-10-3. One thing this team will have to overcome is not showing up vs. inferior teams, something they’ve done since the Lambert era. That 2 points could have made a big difference. I know it was the first game back after a long road trip, but this season particularly you have to show up and finish vs the bad teams too. But this was nice, playing with so many key guys missing. They will have to play as a team like this the rest of the way
PS-You said the same thing as I listened in-great minds think alike! And I agree about Mayfield. I am not a fan of his, and if there is one guy I’d like to see replaced it’s him. He looks like he is moving and thinking in slow motion in comparison to others on the ice a lot of the time. He also got beat for the second goal.
Gil. Just got done watching the Isles presser…. The buzz was palpable. You and I are of a certain age. Took me back in time. Beating the 2 best teams in the NHL back to back… who knows what the rest of the season will bring BUT… teams out there MUST take these guys seriously going forward. We even got a powerplay goal 😀 I am going to have to watch this game a second time! Sorokin is not far from Vezna consideration. They have Edmonton on the horizon. They've had regular success against them. That, I hope, is going to be must see hockey. I loved the 2 interviews Shannon Hogan did with Matt Barzal. LGI
49 (pp a) in the top 6 where he belongs as isles offense wakes up and adds pp g. now see which isles team shows up for tb rematch, fla. on fla. trip.
What a difference a year makes. Great scrappy team win!
I don’t see the naysayers. 😊where did you go? All your whipping boys are playing well.
Avalanche got dominated for the first time this season. Their previous regulation loss this season was by a 3-2 score at the Bruins!
What a win!!!! Great work as always, Gil
Toy department Gil? Hahaha Keep those Goring gems alive, LGI!!!
Horvat is like a poor man's Bryan Trottier with his face offs, his checking, and his offense.
Definitely a new attitude on this team. To beat the two best teams in the league back to back.That's definitely something special.Can't take it away from these guys.Good job by everyone on the ice.
Roy has the boys playing hard
It's a long season and every game is different but have to wonder why they can't play like this more often. That 5th goal Barzal scored was huge.
Not sure what kind of epiphany Pelech had, but he is playing as well if not better than he ever has.
The Isles are already 6 points better than last year at this time. Effort is contagious and with the injuries they will need it every game.
The dirty goals matter.
The overall team concept/flow seems to be so much better. They have confidence where each other will be on the ice which is leading to better decision making and quicker passes. It’s also helping how they exit the zone. Very fun to watch.
I'm glad Brock has a chance to win a cup with the Avs. If it isn't the Isles, why not the Avs? Great win for the boys, but also confirms my theory that they play to the competition's level as a truth.
Gatcomb Baby! Whooooooooo Baby! Huge win and a must needed win! Without Drouin, Romy, Palms, JGP!!!!! Great effort! Big Win
I liked Brock but I thnk if he was more of a physical player he would have been a dynamic player
so where are the fans who were crying to sell assets! we got the assets baby!!!
Man I love watching this team! After 4 years of stale bread, new life has been injected into the locker room. Idc if the make playoffs or not (hopefully they do), its exciting to watch!
Good morning team! Gil, I love games like this, and before the season start, I had my doubts if this team could play like this. I'm pleasantly surprised to say I was wrong about them. Except for the physical game, I think they can hang with some of the better teams in the league. I truly enjoy watching this team. They seem lighter on their skates, and skating faster. They are all learning to go to the net, and hopefully that kind of play will help with the lack of scoring we've seen this season. I also look at it this way, I believe we're at the bottom of our rebuild/retool, and we're only going to get better. Soon we'll be the team that will be taken seriously. It's a great time to be an Islander fan! Everyone, have a great day and wonderful weekend! We go back to back with Tampa & Florida. Should be fun. Enjoy the games. See you all again Monday. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
great game …only critique is toughness, shaefer sent into the board head first on a very dangerous and dirty (not sure of intention ) hit from lechonen and zero response from islanders. this kid needs real protection
Mayfield has assumed a role of stepping up to defend his teammates. I give him credit for that. He has good size but realized he needed to step up in this area since Matt Martin retired and Ross was let go. I wish we kept Ross Johnston. If we make the playoffs this could be a problem for us.Someone will intentionally square up with Matthew S., while his teammates are tied up
So much to like. Wonderful surprise.
Another boneheaded move by Mike Dinglebury
Massive Win tonight. Full 60 minute effort. Goat of the game has to be Mayfield. He was terrible tonight. Got burnt by Necas and that terrible trip in the closing minutes of the 3rd. I thought everyone else played great.shout out to Simon, shabby and Duke.
Did Nellie seem a little stern or unemotional during the tribute?
Hi Gil! What a difference young Gatcomb made! Physical, hungry and tenacious! Bring up Veremev and sit Baby Mac—-get a fighter and they just make some playoff noise. Regardless—-what a difference and what a total team effort. We’re not allowed to play this way against the Flyers, Bruins and Caps and that’s a major problem. Yet against teams that don’t play that way, we can excel. We need protection and grit. That should not cost top end picks. Regardless a great win! Take care Gil!
Hi, Gil. How are you? The Islanders beat the Avs 6-3 they started fast and never let up, and they did it without Palms, Romanov, and Pageou. They played inspired and smart 🏒 The Duke may not have been on the scoreboard, but he did have 8 shots on goal. Adam Pellach needs to get off the, and the schnied, and THEY STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH CONSISTENCY. WELCOME 🏠 BROCK NELSON. A great win for the Islanders. The Islanders passing was the spot on. Hero, Barzy for the 3 points. 🐐, Scott Mayfield for taking a stupid penalty in the closing minutes. The Islanders can beat anybody. Matheiu Darche will continue to bring in hot young prospects; however, they have to set just like JELLO. The Islanders are in TB up take on the ⚡ tomorrow, they better be prepared because they're going to want THE BIG PAYBACK. Then they have the reigning Stanley 🏆 Champions. It will be Matthew Schafer'd first time in the 🌞 shine State. HAPPY 🧁, OLIE JOKINNEN. He scored the GW Goal and a helper in the win over Dallas. Hear from you later, Gil, but before I go one listener said that Bo Horvat was a poor man's Bryan Trottier with face offs, his offense, and his checking, Also, I compared Ilya Sorokin to Michael Corleone. Both were forced into business, and are smart, and strategic, and 😎 at what they do. Now ,LET'S GO ISLANDERS.
What a great team effort. Hoprfully they will continue this through the weekend. Have a great weekend Gil. LGI
Thank you, Gil, for these Islanders updates. I appreciate your reporting and your commentary. Have a great weekend.
The big question is: Why do so many people think the Avalanche are going to win the Stanley Cup? They're relying on two journeyman goaltenders in Wedgewood and Blackwood. I don't see those two taking them to the promise land. Nice win last night. Horvat is on fire. We won without Pageau and Drouin.