The New York Islanders stare down a make-or-break playoff stretch as recurring defensive lapses and leadership questions threaten their postseason hopes. Can Anders Lee, Patrick Roy, and Mathew Barzal rally the team to overcome the same costly mistakes that have plagued them all year?
Gil Martin tackles the Islanders’ inability to clear the puck and inconsistent physicality, weighing Ken from Minnesota’s suggestions for strategic improvements. The podcast covers Tony D’Angelo’s injury, accountability issues in NHL officiating, and how the team must deliver a full 60-minute effort to stay alive. With eight of their final ten games at home and playoff spots on the line, the analysis explores whether this squad can find urgency and consistency, and what changes are needed behind the scenes. Will the Islanders fix their season in time—and can fans trust the integrity of NHL calls moving forward?
All this and more on today’s bonus episode of the Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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9 Comments
Is Anders Lee going to make another guarantee? Worst Captain ever!!! No guts, no passion whatsoever!! As usual this team plays for a point, not a win!! No killer instincts, no passion, no anger, no playing on the edge. Same playing mentality every game. Wasting a fine season by Scheafer. Same thing every year play the first half then the second half of the season the true teams start to show their game and we can't keep up with them and we struggle to get to the playoffs.Gil its the same thing every year they get you hooked then pull the rug right from under us. Even if they make it they can't contend the bigger teams will obliterate us physically.
Anders, Bo, Brayden, whoever else: whatever leaders you pretend to be, skill and defense win you games, not imaginary leadership nonsense. Youre professionals, paid millions, figure it out. Just garbage.
I lost faith in Lee after hearing his comments after losing to Tampa in O.T in Game 7 when Tampa had too many men on the Ice… He said "Losing is all part of the Journey". This to me is such a loser mentality. Lee is a Country Clubber and I wish him well in on his new team come July. I have seen way too many flat performances and him not standing up for his team mates.
Barzal skate's with puck and does his twirl and coughs up the puck. I don't understand why coaches don't tell him to just skate into the zone, then distribute the uck
I threw in the towel on this team after the sub par performances in OTT and MTL. As other teams have amped up focus as playoffs approach, they haven't responded. In fact, other than Columbus, they've gone backwards.
When an 18yr old rookie has to take the team on his back because the veterans aren’t performing, it tells you all you need to know about the culture of the franchise. I would have sat Barzal for the rest of the period, not for the turnover. For the lack of effort getting back to help.
I cant point at Lee really here today as he has stepped up a no goal and then ahe scores yesterday… So he is chipping in; bending but not breaking, as for the others;what are they waiting for? Three periods to decide to show up to a games is frustrating… Holcomb, Heineman Sheafer show up… but where are the Gatsbys? Might be best the pony ends up on Sable Island for fear of becoming a Gatsby Mansion regular…
Back checking is important
No $hit Roy it’s been happening all year when you going to fix it ? Now with 10 games left
Need two years of Torts
Gotta get structure
The Islanders are simply too old and too slow, and the Schenn deal only underscores that issue. Instead of doubling down on an aging roster that’s already struggling to keep up with the pace of today’s NHL, they should have held onto that first‑round pick and used it to draft a young prospect who could develop alongside Schaefer. LGI