The New York Islanders reclaim the final playoff spot with a gritty 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars. Can Ilya Sorokin’s heroics in net carry this team through the final playoff push?
Gil Martin dissects the Islanders’ defensive-first formula, driven by Sorokin’s stellar performance and timely goals from Bo Horvat and Cal Ritchie. Updates on Ryan Pulock’s injury return and Tony D’Angelo’s absence shake up the blue line, while lineup changes—like the Soucy-Pelech pairing—offer hope for stronger defensive execution. Plus, insights on Patrick Roy’s evolving strategy, power play concerns, and how recent trades impact New York’s style of play.
Looking ahead, Saturday’s matinee against the Florida Panthers comes into focus as Gil Martin previews key matchups and playoff implications. Don’t miss analysis, faceoff stats, and the Islanders Birthday of the Day—celebrating Alan Kerr’s legacy on Long Island.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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19 Comments
The Stars are not playing well right now.
O is not clicking & Thier blue line has been really sloppy in transition giving up a ton of odd man chances
If the NHL didn’t reward teams with a point for losing in OT, which is absolutely ridiculous, penguins are a .500 team 36-36. 16 OT losses! Isles are 41-32. It would be a joke if Penguins get in the playoffs with a .500 or under .500 actual record. Loss is a loss NHL needs to stop this nonsense, or just go back to ties
holy F 30 again. maybe 30 can throw 10 more shut outs the rest of the way to get isles into playoffs.
next up cats. watch out for cheap shot cats. with no playoffs for cats cheap shotting opposing players is all they have to play for. just ask tb about cats. cats may target 48 or run 30 just for good measure. will someone please step up if that shit happens?
Gil? What is yoir best plan for cutting ties with Mayfield this summer? Great team guy who helped Isles with cap for years but he is done.
Play like every game is a playoff game here on out.
Heart attack time watching Pulock not clearing the zone with the goalie pulled. Take the 2 points and run. 48 and 30 mvp's again. 13 still a turnover machine.
This team needs lessons on clearing the damn zone. Just flip it out. It doesn’t always have to be a pass. Icing is better than not clearing. And the odd man rushes! Same thing the Blackhawks did. They bring a forward up high, break up the cross ice pass and away they go. This is happening several times every freaking game. If not for Sorokin bailing them out again last night, likely a different result. If they bring a 3rd man high you should be sending the puck down deep, not trying to thread it through 2 defenders. Its such a basic thing to clean up but it just keeps happening again and again. Roy?
Big win against a very good team. Time to show some consistency! LGI
Miracle they won that game. They couldn’t clear the puck from their zone all game. Thankfully that was the strongest team they’ll play before the end of the season
Will the real New York Islanders please stand up?!
Hopefully they just did.
Good morning team! Gil, I enjoyed this win and I'm glad the Stars special PP wasn't a factor. I know they didn't, but it seemed like they were on a PP for a good part of the game. I also hate to say this. I think Sorokin may have to play 7 of the last 9 games. I certainly don't want to see him burn out, but at this point, we may not have a choice. Rittich is a pretty decent goalie, but we need to have confident wins at this point. I'm not saying Sorokin will win any game he starts, but I would feel much better seeing him between the pipes for sure. We can feel proud getting this win. The Stars are one of the better teams. We need that same performance going forward. On a completely different subject.. those 16 loser points the Pens have are certainly helping their playoff push, just as it did for us 2 years ago. I'm not afraid to play them Monday. The kids are on spring break so I might ask my grandson if he'd like to spend the night and watch that game with me. Everyone, have a great day and weekend! See you all again Monday. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Let's hope they come out vs. Florida and play desperately and not the usual mail it in effort they have given in the past in home matinees.
You are right. Time to focus on D and lock it down Trotz style. Team doesnt score enough gives them best chance to win. Darche wants to play an up tempo style but realizes doesnt have the horses why he went out and got oalat and schenn. Slower but more defensive responsible and playoff hardened.
4th line absolutely put in work
Good 🌄, Gil. How are you? The Islanders beat the ⭐ last 🌙. They scored early and this time they held it. Ilya Sorokin put on a show in goal. Ilya Sorokin can't do it all. 🐐, the PP. Hero Ilya Sorokin for making the big saves. The Islanders are playing the 😺 at UBS Arena tomorrow 🌄 I hope the Islanders don't make the 😺 look like reigning Stanley 🏆 Champions. HAPPY 🎂, ALAN KERR. He scored 2 goals and an assist in a win over the Bruins. Hear from you later, Gil but before I go, I compared Duane Sutter to Rocco Lampone from The Godfather. He was loyal, and will do whatever Michael wants him to. As for Rip Wheeler from Yellowstone, He is loyal and does whatever he is told. Now, LGI 🏒 🔵 🟠
Good win. I just dont think there is enough offense to maintain wins. Cant hold everyone to 0-1 goals every night. Maybe more pucks on the net like tonight will help. More physical upfront too. Schenn ritchie barzal, do they fit?
Gil. This team isn't capable of much more than scraping into the playoffs and losing in the first round. Deja vu all over again. Without major changes that will be a stretch given the players we repeatedly talk about will be a year older. There are just too few players on this roster worth keeping… Too often last night the Stars looked a cat playing with its next meal. Sorokin is indeed the difference. I can't imagine if they had one of the average goaltenders in net. They are a Rangers level team without him.
Hopefully they will be ready to play Saturday can't lay back the Panthers have talent and would like to play spoiler.
Hi Gil! Nail biting win. Can’t have those two playing together. I mean if Roy puts them back, ya gotta wonder about him—I’m wondering about him as it is—-he has no business playing Schenn with Barzie. Head scratcher to me! Can we get it done? Why not—-game in hand worries me. That Monday game will be bigger than the Columbus game. Hold serve until Monday——then make your final push. Happy 🎂to Kerr. A very hard nosed aggressive player who didn’t take crap from anyone and could hold his own against anyone. Wish we had a Bassen and Kerr today! I feel Drew Hunter will be our future enforcer. He reminds me of Goddard in every way. If we make it and we are in a major pickle—-I’d bring him up even if it’s just “That one game”. Teams will do anything to win come playoff time——anything! The lack of pure physicality worries me and I worry about the young man all the same. Take care Gil——let’s turn the panthers into little kittens. Let’s go Islanders!