New York Islanders stun the Minnesota Wild with a gritty 4-3 overtime victory. Can Simon Holmstrom’s breakout performance and Ilya Sorokin’s elite goaltending propel the Islanders into true contender status this season?
Gil Martin breaks down the dramatic win, spotlighting Holmstrom’s three-point night—including the dazzling OT winner—and Sorokin’s case for the Vezina Trophy. Key segments cover the Islanders’ resilience against top NHL teams, recent struggles with consistency, and insights on Mathgieu Darche’s comments about Maxim Tsyplakov’s future role. Plus, find out why Sorokin’s heroics and the evolving defense could reshape the playoff outlook. Upcoming games, trade possibilities, and crucial injury updates round out this must-listen analysis for Islanders fans.
Will the Islanders finally reach that next level, or is inconsistency still their biggest obstacle?
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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29 Comments
Gil, one of my favorite things about you is your balanced approach towards this team. It helps fans from getting too carried away one way or the other.
Now, I pay alot of attention to the Islanders.. Prospects, Ahl,NHL but I've never understood the vezina and calder… Now, does it go by points for the calder and sv% for goalies? Or is there more to it?
It seems odd to compare Sorokin to Bobrovsky/Vasilevsky prime but we just might have to….
Wonder if the great Patrick Roy's input contributes to that output. Cuz while he was always good, he had a bit of a dip and now he is on a different level altogether.
Islanders are a solid all hands on deck team.
Reminds me of '97 Yankees.
Not dominating, not flashy but everybody contributes and each game has a different hero.
Like you said, gil, mn was the better team a full 60 minutes but isles were just pesky and couldnt be put away.
If i was an mn fan id be hating the isles now.
Sorokin alone cant win games but that level of gt gives u a shot at every game, even when you are outplayed.
And Schaeffer could break out and if he does…
They have a good shot of overcoming the tuff playoff humps
Greetings from Norway Gil. Listen to your show every morning.
Keep up the good work.
GIl, i thought the same thing after last night's win — it was an inflection point — that the Islanders might be a legitimately good (not great, but not just above average) team. I can only imagine what the possibilities would be with a healthy Horvat, another 40-goal sniper, and an enforcer.
A lot of wins this year in OT and shootouts
They've been able to hang with the elites. But in a short series, they'd have problems. I don't count Tampa as an elite team. The Isles are only three points behind Tampa. No one is dominant in the Eastern Conference.
The Islanders need to bring up Isaiah George eventually. They also need to add a defenseman, and it doesn't have to be a star, to the team.
Sorokin is Our Elite Player statistically and buy the numbers he is by far our best player on the team and is my pick for MVP 🧡LGI💙thanks Gil👍🏼
Very good team effort in the win against the Wild. Considering with Horvat still out. GO Isles!
Every game is super exciting this is by far the most exciting group ive seen in a while
Good morning, Gil.
Yes, I believe Holmstrom can be a second line player, but in terms of the other team matching up against the Islanders, he is better served on the third line with Pageau.
Horvat – Heineman – Drouin
Barzal – Ritchie – Shabanov
Pageau – Lee – Holmstrom
Cizikas – Duclair – Tsyplakov (MacLean – Gatcomb)
It would be nice to have Palmieri in there, but the Isles are still getting it done.
Holmstrom is really good. Great sleeper pick by old man Lou.
Huge Win! SoroKing and Holmstrom clearly upping their game when the team needs it. Any given day we have a different player standing up and raising their game. I do feel the Love of the game has come back to this team due to the Schaefer factor! Schaefer has made the whole team fall in love 😍 With the game again! Schaefer’s enthusiasm is contagious and has brought a relaxed, joyful spirit to the team. When you are loose and have enthusiasm you simply play better. We certainly have more confidence. Darche not to deflate the spirit of this team is making me feel that own rentals might possibly be on the board come trade deadline. Trading Lee or JGP might have a negative effect on the team as the bond possibility could be broken if these players were traded. Certainly need a permanent upgrade on that 3 rd D pair! I would prefer a player who is big, nasty, and give a solid defensive performance. Sippy has just been beaten out of a job. I still think he has talent and value but is likely the guy who could bring you a 4 th line banger! Adam Kalapka of the flames is certainly a player Darche should look into if available. Gooooo Islanders
Darche needs to get steady 6th dman it’s really hurting team and causing other dmen to play more minutes
Agree 100 percent with you Gil about this team. They seem to have a great chemistry. Holmstrom & Sorokin were fabulous. LGI
Scrappy
All props to Riddich!
Good morning team! Gil, you're so right. When the team plays well, I believe they can get a win against everyone. It also seems like there is a new star of the game each game, and I'm glad to see that. Will we be able to take four in a seven game series? That remains to be seen. I just know I'm enjoying watching this team play. I haven't been able to say that, and mean it, for quite some time. Holmstrom is the hero in this one. Next game, who knows? I really can't wait to find out, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Thanks again, Gil. It's always a pleasure. Everyone, have a great day! See you all again tomorrow. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Lucky win is great but they were badly outplayed. They need Horvat back ASAP.
Once again, great analysis! Just when I think I have a point you missed that is important, or I think I disagree with where you're going, you bring it back around and have me nodding my head in agreement.
I think Holmstrom is easily a 20 goal scorer in this league if he would shoot more. I think you're right about the confidence factor.
And let me join in on the Happy Birthdays for Wade Flaherty!
I couldn’t be happier with how this season has gone. We have a fantastic future which will only get better as the years go by. The icing on the cake is how good we are this season. Beyond what I even hoped for❤
You make great points about the third D pair. It really drives home how impactful the Romanov injury was. The one real problem spot (excluding the power play which I would rather not talk about) is that 6th D-man spot. With Romanov in the lineup it's not an issue. Makes me wonder how much better they would be had Rantanen not given that cheap shot.
Good afternoon, Gil. How are you? The Islanders had some resilience. Every time the 😜 took the lead, THE ISLANDERS CAME BACK. The Islanders did everything right in this game. They beat the 😜 on their rink. That's the one thing I don't like about them. They can beat the quality teams, but when it comes to teams that are at the bottom of their divisions, they don't look so good. Ilya Sorokin stepped up. Simon Hohlstrom can be a 2nd line center he just has to have more confidence in himself. Hero, Hohlstrom for scoring the GW GOAL in OT. Sorokin for keeping the Islanders in the game. 🐐 the identity line. Ilya Sorokin's up there for the Vezina 🏆. Matheiu Darche said that he still believes in Maxim Tsyplakov. If Tsippy wants back in the lineup, HE HAD TO EARN IT, or make him trade 🪤. HAPPY 🎂, WADE FLAHERTY. He made 25 saves in a shut out win over the ⚡. Hear from you later, Gil, but before I go, I compared Bob Bourne to Tom Hagen from the Godfather for his loyalty and his 🏒, and Rip from Yellowstone for his grit and his loyalty; however NO BEARD OR ARSENAL. BOTH HAVE THE SPEED. Now, LET'S GO ISLANDERS
much better in OT and shootouts. used to be a list cause. hope they keep it up.
Love Holmstrom, and Tony D. Holmstrom is playing the same as he did at the start of the season except the puck wasn't going in for him, and if I recall same people who are cheering him him now were poo pooing on him then. Same , but a little different scenario goes for Tony D except fans will not stop scapegoating DeAngelo no matter what he does. DeAngelo is pretty much a steal for the Isles when comparing his production to Dobson's, who plays for a much better offensive team. Dobson 8G 20A 28pt +/- even
DeAngelo 2G 17A 19pt +/- even
Both players have short comings on defense, but when you factor in the discrepancy in contracts the Isles and the fans could have gotten a lot worse. A more than capable puck moving D man on a 40 point pace at 1.75m is nothing to snub your noses at
Gm Gil. Sorokin's performance against the Wild was truly incredible. He is incredible. He is certainly the team's MVP. The Wild should likely have beaten them by several goals. Though as you've said, they find a way to win or get at point. If as GM I could only keep Simon H or Barzal, I would keep the former because you don't worry about him turning over the puck and his play on the PK is fantastic. I look forward to sharing my observations from Edmonton and Calgary.
Gil, thanks for the podcast and all your insight! My question is, what do you mean when you say Tsyplakov may be better in a different system? Why would anyone want a player that cannot perform in a system that’s trying to play “fast”, if that’s what it takes to win in this league? Thank you!!
Max T needs to go down to Bridgeport play a lot of minutes and see if he can rebound. Bring up someone and put him on the 4th line.Maybe a change of scenery will do him good.