The New York Islanders grind out a crucial 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils, sweeping their season series against local rivals and staying alive in the playoff hunt. Facing offensive struggles—just 14 shots on goal—Gil Martin explores how stellar goaltending from Ilya Sorokin and big moments from Bo Horvat and the revitalized fourth line powered the team to victory. Could this “winning ugly” formula spark a late-season surge?
Key subjects include Cal Ritchie’s unexpected return, the controversial benching of Anthony Duclair, and ongoing frustrations with Jonathan Drouin’s ice time despite his scoring slump. Gil Martin breaks down the tightening Metro Division race, Horvat and Palat’s Olympic selections, and the pressing need for more offensive urgency. Stay for insights on trade deadline possibilities and a nod to Islanders Birthday of the Day, Mike Hough. Islanders fans, is this resilience a sign of things to come?
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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23 Comments
It was the 6th game in 9 nights that’s why it resembled the dead puck era-plus last game before break of course. 25 hits though!!
HERO-30 again. just win ugly baby!!! and now off to the olympic break where 29 and 11 can continue to hibernate for 3 more weeks. $8 mil. gone to waste. offense useless. roy, put 49 back in. take 29 or 11 out. at least 49 is trying out there.
y'all should thank your lucky stars everyday that 30 is an isle. 7 s o's 14 pts thanks to 30. isles would be 10 pts. out of playoffs without 30. too bad an mvp to their team award isn't given out at end of season.
just hope 14 doesn't get injured again at bettman's useless olympic$ and be glad team russia is banned sparing 30 from participating in bettman's useless exhibition tournament cause i never heard any n. american player ever say they would take an olympic gold medal over a stanley cup ring. leave that shit for college guys and minor leaguers. imagine being tb gm jb with legit cup hopes having 10 guys at olympic$ and having a few of his key guys go down?
Any good coach knows that each player responds differently. Some players need a kick in the tuchus; others, a pat on the back. The weakness I see in Roy is that he doesn't know this. Especially regarding Duclair.
This is not getting the results you want out of Duclair if he's picking on him.
Well now we wait and see what Darche comes up with in terms of a deadline game plan. He has already said he will trade a first rounder if it improves the team, and he has intimated that he is not going to subtract, so Pageau and Lee can enjoy their vacations, they are not going anywhere. Since professional hockey is on hiatus for a few weeks all I have left to say is: Låt oss åka Sverige.. Vinn guldet!😊
Another game where isles are totally, even jokingly, outplayed and won nontheless.
This recipe has had limited but surprising success to date,
But,
Not a recipe for getting past round 1 if they even make it that far.
Do they just not have it in them to be agreesive and dominate?
The Isles are 8-0 against the Rangers and Devils! Fair to say they are the Ice Kings of NY area! Last season I think they were swept by the Rangers and lost the season series to the Devils too.
We need Pittsburgh and Carolina to lose; otherwise we won’t be able to take the division.
You gotta trade Duclair & Lee. Offer JGP a team friendly deal. If he doesn’t sign the extension you have to trade him. Lee needs to go. He sucks. He isn’t a C. Slap the C on scoreVat.
I thought with Drouin, it was his defensive game that was keeping him in the lineup … Roy trying to send a message that offense is fine, but lack of defense means you sit. That was using the "eye test". But, when you start looking at the numbers, specifically plus/minus, to starts making less sense, and shoots a hole in my theory.
Sorokin is my hero, that second period was brutal
I think it is shame to celebrate last night win…..2 shots in first period including power play,that mast by new low record……take points BUT….😢
dominate rivals ?!!!!! we had eight shots on goal….2 through second period…turned off and watched tampa /florida…a real hockey rivalry where players who have cups are actually still hungrier than we are and willing to do what it takes
Definitely take the win and the sweep. I really have high hopes for Cal Ritchie. I hope he develops into a great player for us. Have a great weekend Gil. LGI
The 4th line deserves to stay together for the rest of the season. DONT MESS WITH IT! No questions asked…
Gm Gil. For two periods the Isles made every effort to self destruct and hand the game to the Devils. Defense was absolutely atrocious. Sorokin kept them in it. The 3rd period was the best period I've seen since Edmonton. I'll take the win! The shots on the goals was terrible through 2 periods. Once again the coach was sending a message to the wrong player, Duclair.
Our locker room reporters are GOD AWFUL. They ask the worst, most boring, mundane questions day after day, 99% being about line changes "Whats it like to play with so and so?"
Why not ask Patty "The fan base is really questioning why Drouin hasnt been benched due to a lack of production, can you shed some light on your thought process?"
Good morning team! Gil, so happy to get this win and to start the break on the high note. A win, is a win, is a win. Yes, it was ugly, and I'm very glad we were on the winning side of this ugly game. I can't say enough about our 4th line, and when this line is contributing, and the PK does it's job, the wins should come easier. Thankfully the Devils weren't able to capitalize on their chances, and I'm going to give Sorokin a lot of credit here. He made the saves he needed to make. The game winner by Bovat, a little lucky, but I'll take it. That's enough for winning hockey. I hope we can pick up where we left off once back from the break. Everyone, have a great day and wonderful weekend! See you all again Monday. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Good 🌅, Gil. How are you? The Islanders took a piece of the 🪨 when they swept the 😈. It's not a nice win, but a win sweeping the NY METROPOLITAN AREA. The identity line was very good. As of right now, the Islanders are in a comfortable position. I hope they don't fall apart after the Olympics. I'm glad Cal Ritchie is back. Patrick Roy benched Anthony DuClair. He said there's nothing to worry about, Jonathan Drouin, who hasn't scored a goal since 2025. I think Drouin should've been up in the press box, or what Drouin should do is work hard to get out of his slump, especially since there's no 🏒 for the next 2 weeks. Hero, Bo Horvat for coming thru when it counted on his last game. BON VOYAGE, BO. 🐐, COMMUNITY EFFORT ON OFFENSE. BON VOYAGE PALAT. Hear from you later, Gil, but before I go, I made a comparison to Ed Westfall , the wise 🦉, to Tom Hagen from The Godfather for his wise ways he was there when the grew up. A good example of his wise 🦉 way was during the bench clearing brawl against the Flyers, he was going after Dave Hoyda with his stick in his hand, but Westfall grabbed his arm and told him THAT WOULD NOT BE A GOOD IDEA. As for his comparison to Lloyd Pierce from, when Yellowstone, it was a case of BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, AND HE TAUGHT THE KIDS WELL. I compared The Dynamic Duo from the Dynasty Era to the Islanders current Dynamic Duo. Barzy is Trots, the playmaker, and Bo is the sniper. Now, LGI🏒🔵🍊.
I’m taking credit for Maclean’s recent performance. I ripped him before the first Rangers game, labeling him the worst player on the team. Since then he’s played very well. I think he read my comment and took it personally. Way to go Kyle. All seriousness, I’m happy to see him pick up his play and the 4th line as a whole is starting to gel, which is a huge plus. Also, numbers aside, I think Ritchie is already a 2C. Kid has all the skill and ability and is getting better and better each and every night. He has a very bright future on this team and I’m all for it. Now let’s trade Lee and Pageau before they get hurt.
We need Drouin off the lineup – and having Horvat back is HUGE
Hi Gil, hope you’re feeling better! Man I love Ritchie—-he is cool as a cucumber with the puck. Just tired teams—-too many games. To be honest I’m grateful for the last two games. We have a chance at playoff hockey and there is nothing like it. TDL——Gil—real tough call. Darche owes Lee and JG nothing, except the proper courtesy, respect and professionalism if he trades them. Lee is doing absolutely nothing. Want to bring him back in the off-season for a 1 year goodbye at a fair tag—-I don’t have a problem with that. JG? Man he’s a spitfire and I wish he was younger but we can get a number 1 for him—-3 of those this Summer will be exciting! I’ve said it many times Gil—-if our beloved Dynasry guys can get traded—-so can they and it’s for the betterment of the future. Me? I’d like to acquire badly needed sandpaper for a run. May—geez he chased and chased and chased. Barzie/Bo and Schaff are dynamic—-Sorro is definitely back but he has to be aware of his weakness—-high blocker. Take care Gil—-Metro Cup is very nice but not the Silverware we want.
I was thinking the same thing. How is Drouin still playing night after night with poor results for months and then Roy sits Duclair after he scores at least seven goals in the last month or so. Doesn't make any sense. Thanks Gil!