Islanders Anxiety: A New York Islanders podcast

So far in this series, we’ve seen Denis Potvin win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie after helping transform a hapless team into something resembling a professional one. We’ve seen him rocket up the charts of the league’s best defensemen, capturing his first Norris Trophy at just 22-years-old. We’ve seen him win a second Norris after pissing off the entire hockey world, learning to open up emotionally, and climbing back to the mountaintop after a inconsistent follow-up season. Today we finally reach his final Norris Trophy year, in which the Islanders win their first regular season championship and Potvin has, to this day, the best single season a defensemen has ever had for this franchise. Potvin’s 101 points on 31 goals and 70 assists in 1978-89 was by all accounts a spectacular campaign, highlighted by hat tricks, long point streaks, torrid periods of dominance and one hit that would result in an unfortunate injury and even more unfortunate chant that has gone on for far too long. With Potvin leading the way on defense, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy and Clark Gillies pushing the offense and Smith/Resch duo on top of their games, the Islanders seemed primed to win their first Stanley Cup. But their closest rivals made sure they had one last hard lesson to learn. This is, thankfully, the final time we’ll see the 1979 playoffs in this series. As painful as that loss was to the players and the fans, that whole season stands as one of the most fascinating in franchise history. It is still the second best season in team history by wins and points and is the only one in which the team won four major awards. That roster had everything going for it. Until it didn’t... at the worst possible time to the worst possible opponent. Denis Potvin’s Islanders story doesn’t end here but his offensive and statistical dominance does. He would captain four straight Stanley Cup winners and make the Hall of Fame by letting others in on the action and becoming a key player, rather than the focal point. He’s still one of the three best players in Islanders history and I hope this episode makes that case as clearly as it can. Research and other assistance was provided by Kevin Schultz. Visit VintageIceHockey.com, where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies and mugs featuring the logos over over 100 classic hockey teams from all across North America, as well as our own Al Arbour tribute shirt. Use the code ANXIETY20 to get 20 percent off an order of two items. Our portion of the sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research. This episode of Islanders Award Winners was written using Wikipedia, archival material from Newsday, MacLean’s, The Montreal Gazette, The New York Times and Sports Illustrated, as well as the books Power on Ice by Denis Potvin and Stan Fischler, Boss: The Mike Bossy Story, New York Islanders: Countdown to A Dynasty by Barry Wilner, Pride and Passion: 25 Years of the New York Islanders by Stan Fischler and Chris Botta and Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders 1972-1984 by Greg Prato. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap (and differ) on the Islanders last week, which saw them pick up five of six points, play a game with just four defensemen and acquire a player they advocated for years ago. Wins against the Flyers and Senators weren't perfect, but were huge nonetheless, especially considering the losses of Adam Pelech (now on long term injured reserve) and Sebastian Aho. Getting a point on a back-to-back also against Philadelphia, mainly courtesy of Ilya Sorokin, was also enormous and kept them in the playoff mix. But their tendency to play poorly in third periods continues. Perhaps new waiver pick up Mike Reilly, who we wanted the Islanders to sign three years ago after his playoff series with the Bruins against the Isles, can help on the backend. In the second half, we look forward to a much tougher week, celebrate Cal Clutterbuck's 1,000th game and dive into a double blowhard edition of Master Leaf Theatre. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Bandcamp and on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Gotham Sports Network founder and Giants podcaster Ethan, Mike and Dan remember Mike Comrie, who brought a lot of skill and a very famous significant other to a downtrodden Islanders club. After 30-goal seasons in Edmonton and Phoenix and a run to the Stanley Cup final with Ottawa, Comrie signed with a mercenary Islanders team looking for all the skill it could find. The forward added just that in his first season, but an injury-plagued second year spelled the end of his time on Long Island. More importantly, Comrie's fiancée at the time was Disney Channel star Hilary Duff, who brought a strange and undeserved amount of celebrity to a team and an arena devoid of glitz or glamour. Mike, Dan and Ethan talk about how odd it was seeing a super famous actress/singer/crush at random empty Islanders games and how that short episode presaged the public's current obsession with the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce relationship. Yes, the episode is "about" Mike Comrie but trust us, it's really about Hilary Duff. Thanks again to Ethan for coming on. Check out his work at Gotham Sports Network if you're a Giants fan. And he's a must-follow on Twitter at @EthanGSN. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Our theme is "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By winning the Calder Trophy in 1974 and the Norris in 1976, Denis Potvin had already established himself as one of the best defensemen in the NHL. That was the good news. The bad news was that his mouth and idiosyncratic disposition separated him from many of his peers and even his own teammates. An inflammatory series of diaries written during the 1976 Canada Cup tournament made many in and out of the game think of him as a petulant grouch or an outright villain. But by beginning his journey as a businessman, taking a more team-oriented approach to hockey and opening himself up emotionally to his teammates, Potvin - still just 24-years-old - was able to unburden himself from pressure and expectations. In a season in which the Islanders started out sloppy and ended up with their first division championship, Potvin was a rock of consistency. After watching his brother Jean get traded away from Long Island, Denis went on a second half scoring rampage, blowing past his defensive competition to reclaim the Norris Trophy crown and prove once and for all that he was the premier blueliner of the era. But in the playoffs, the once scrappy underdogs learned a hard lesson about being the favorite and having a target on your back. Denis Potvin remains one of the more fascinating figures in Islanders history. He was so good on the ice that any perceived cold streak or bad play seemed like the end of the world. He wasn’t into the usual hockey guy things (aka just “hockey”) and had a million interests away from the ice. Had social media existed in the mid-to-late 70’s, I’m not sure he would have particularly cared for it. There’s an argument that even with a Calder and three Norris Trophies (the last of which we’ll examine in our next episode) that he might have still been underrated then and now. So let’s go back and see what made Denis Potvin so special. Research and other assistance was provided by Kevin Schultz. Visit VintageIceHockey.com, where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies and mugs featuring the logos over over 100 classic hockey teams from all across North America, as well as our own Al Arbour tribute shirt. Use the code ANXIETY20 to get 20 percent off an order of two items. Our portion of the sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research. This episode of Islanders Award Winners was written using Wikipedia, archival material from Newsday, MacLean’s, The Montreal Gazette, The New York Times and Sports Illustrated, as well as the books Power on Ice by Denis Potvin and Stan Fischler, Boss: The Mike Bossy Story by Mike Bossy with Barry Meisel, New York Islanders: Countdown to A Dynasty by Barry Wilner, Pride and Passion: 25 Years of the New York Islanders by Stan Fischler and Chris Botta and Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders 1972-1984 by Greg Prato. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan try to make sense of the Islanders' bizarre road trip through Western Canada and discuss a possible change behind the bench. In eventful losses to the Oilers, Canucks and Kraken and a shootout win in Calgary, the Islanders followed similar scripts: play okay, take a lead, then disintegrate in the third period with careless penalties and all around unstructured play. While gaining four out of eight points is better than none, this team's established "insanely psychotic" way of playing isn't going to help them win many games. And many of the problems fall on head coach Lane Lambert, who may be out of time and out of a job by the time you hear this. We also discuss the upcoming Thanksgiving week schedule and a column from The Twilight Zone (aka Larry Brooks's column in the New York Post). Not a lot makes sense right now. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Bandcamp and on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attention: This episode immediately follows the Billy Smith/Roland Melanson Jennings Trophy episode posted last week. If you have not yet, please stop this episode and listen to that one. For much of the 1982-83 regular season, the Islanders did not look like three-time defending Stanley Cup champions, let alone a team that could win the Cup again. They were old and occasionally leaky, and sometimes they seemed downright disinterested. But once the playoffs started, the “real” Islanders showed up again, led by the man they called “The Money Goalie.” Billy Smith didn’t take losing lightly. And he didn’t like being the weak link or the feeling of letting his friends down. After a series against a pesky playoff-debuting Washington team that required the aid of creasemate Roland Melanson to win, Smith became a man on a mission. He battled and scrambled and pushed and parried his way through series victories against the Rangers and Bruins before eventually dismantling the cocky, high-flying Edmonton Oilers and angering all of Canada in the process. No matter what the Oilers did on the ice or what their coach/GM said or what the media printed, Smith gave it back in spades, refusing to concede even an inch. When the Cup final was over, and Smith was rightfully awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, he continued to vocally lay waste to the people that had made him Public Enemy No. 1 in his home country. Perhaps more than anyone, Smith felt the condescension or dismissiveness people had for the Islanders despite their success. And he was determined to make them pay for their insolence. Hooo, boy. This is a fun one. We also touch on the Islanders’ other three Conn Smythe winners and a few that missed out despite some outstanding postseason performances. Guess that’s the price you pay for playing on one of the greatest teams ever assembled. Research and other assistance was provided by Kevin Schultz. Visit VintageIceHockey.com, where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies and mugs featuring the logos over over 100 classic hockey teams from all across North America, as well as our own Al Arbour tribute shirt. Use the code ANXIETY20 to get 20 percent off an order of two items. Our portion of the sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research. This episode of Islanders Award Winners was written using archival material from Newsday, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, “Maven’s Memories: Rollie Melanson, The Forgotten Hero” from newyorkislanders.com and the books New York Islanders: Countdown to A Dynasty by Barry Wilner, Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders 1972-1984 by Greg Prato and Pride and Passion: 25 Years of the New York Islanders by Stan Fischler and Chris Botta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan lament a fruitless, frustrating week for the Islanders that left fans, coaches and players pissed off in equal measure. In losses to the Wild, Bruins and Capitals, the Islanders didn't play that poorly and had chances to win. But blown third periods, costly mistakes and ineffective play from key players left them with a four game losing streak and a road trip to Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest looming. Fans want coach Lane Lambert fired, which irrigated fiery forward Casey Cizikas and left everyone feeling that the circus was back in town. It's a tough spot with a lot of questions and few answers. In the second half, we look at what could be a truly disastrous trip and get to another (non-Toronto) edition of Master Leaf Theatre. Also, Mike tells us about running into several members of the Capitals at the Garden City Hotel and making them feel properly “welcomed” to Long Island. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Bandcamp and on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by their friend Arthur Staple of The Athletic, Mike and Dan remember a rare NHL five-for-one trade that didn't really work out for either the Islanders or Maple Leafs. Just before training camp 2015, the Islanders sent winger Michael Grabner, an impending free agent coming off a couple of down years, to Toronto for five prospects: forwards Taylor Beck and Carter Verhaeghe, defenders Matt Finn and Tom Nilsson and goalie Christopher Gibson. In a very buttoned-up sport, trading one player for almost an entire starting lineup should be notable. But in this case, the results were mixed at best. Staple, who covered the Islanders at the time and is back on the beat now, tells us about Gibson's intelligence and intermittent excellence, Beck's missed potential, Grabner's short stay with the Leafs (and why he gave Staple the cold shoulder for a while), and how everyone missed on Verhaeghe before his recent breakout seasons. Time to look back on what seemed like a wild trade that just got sucked into the ether. Thanks again to Art for coming on. It's always great catching up with him and we're thankful to have him back covering the Islanders again. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Our theme is "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before 1982, the Vezina Trophy was a team award, going to the NHL goaltending tandem that gave up the least goals against during the season. When the criteria was changed to voting by the league’s general managers, the first winner was 31-year-old Billy Smith, who finally reached the pinnacle of his career after a decade in the league. A year later, Smith and his creasemate, 22-year-old Rollie “The Goalie” Melanson, turned in a masterful duet, consistently bailing the three-time champs out of trouble during a tumultuous season to take home the Islanders’ first Jennings Trophy. Regardless of who was hot and who was cold, Smith and Melanson each gave the Islanders a goalie they could rely on. While the defending Stanley Cup champs battled fatigue, injuries, complacency, and challenges from all comers, the two goalies emerged as the team’s true strength. And when it became clear they had a shot to reward their goalies with the Jennings late in the season, the trophy gave their teammates the motivation they needed to finish strong and defend the Cup again. Despite their age difference, Smith and Melanson shared similar qualities of a fiery combativeness and a bitter hatred of losing (not to mention each being a good quote). They supported and celebrated each other as the season went on, knowing everyone was counting on them. But when it got to playoff time, one of them took the puck and ran with it... which we’ll cover in the follow-up episode next week. Research and other assistance was provided by Kevin Schultz. Visit VintageIceHockey.com, where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies and mugs featuring the logos over over 100 classic hockey teams from all across North America, as well as our own Al Arbour tribute shirt. Use the code ANXIETY20 to get 20 percent off an order of two items. Our portion of the sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research. This episode of Islanders Award Winners was written using archival material from Newsday, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, “Maven’s Memories: Rollie Melanson, The Forgotten Hero” from newyorkislanders.com and the books New York Islanders: Countdown to A Dynasty by Barry Wilner, Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders 1972-1984 by Greg Prato and Pride and Passion: 25 Years of the New York Islanders by Stan Fischler and Chris Botta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap a week in which the Islander picked up a lot of points while blowing leads and generally not playing their best. In games against Detroit and Carolina, the Islanders had multi-goal leads and had things under control... until they didn't, losing both in overtime in very frustrating ways and throwing away valuable points. In Washington, a heroic effort from goalie Semyon Varlamov masked what had been a lackluster game controlled mostly by the Capitals. While picking up points is good, playing inconsistently, blowing leads and tasking defensemen with playing massive minutes to hide the deficiencies of others is not. In the second half, they look at a potentially difficult week ahead, the early evolution of forward Simon Holmstrom and another existential crisis up north. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Bandcamp and on Spotify. Also featured is "Hold Music" by Steve Combs from the album "The Sun is Rising." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part Two of our look at Mike Bossy’s sensational rookie season begins at a low point, a fight-filled game in Detroit that Bossy later said embarrassed him. He thought he had put all of his old junior fears to rest once he joined the NHL and a line with Bryan Trottier and Clark Gillies. But a stumble at The Olympia was a wake up call. Over the next several months, Bossy resumed his scoring pace and eventually matched - then obliterated - Rick Martin’s record for goals in a season scored by a rookie. The Islanders won their division for the first time and looked to be a serious contender heading into the playoffs. But Roger Nielsen, Tiger Williams and the rest of the Toronto Maple Leafs had other ideas... The decision to make this a two-part episode was a late one, but I think it makes sense. There’s so much to unpack from Bossy’s first season in the NHL, even almost 50 years later, that doing it in one episode would have meant either cutting content, or making the narrative too dense to fully comprehend. This way, we can sit back and really marvel at his immediate impact on the Islanders and on Long Island. It’s not every day that a 21-year old player can be thought of as “legendary.” Mike Bossy wasn’t an ordinary player. Mike Bossy’s autobiography Boss: The Mike Bossy Story, co-written by Barry Meisel, was used extensively, with excerpts read by Michael Paul Smith. Listen to Michael’s podcast “Ted and Michael Read Sketches into Microphones” wherever you find your podcasts, or directly from their website at TedandMichael.com. And follow Michael on Twitter and Instagram @mpsmithnyc. Research and other assistance was provided by Kevin Schultz. Visit VintageIceHockey.com, where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies and mugs featuring the logos over over 100 classic hockey teams from all across North America, as well as our own Al Arbour tribute shirt. Use the code ANXIETY20 to get 20 percent off an order of two items. Our portion of the sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research. This episode of Islanders Award Winners was written using archival material from Newsday, The New York Times and Sports Illustrated, and the books New York Islanders: Countdown to A Dynasty by Barry Wilner, Pride and Passion: 25 Years of the New York Islanders by Stan Fischler and Chris Botta and Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders 1972-1984 by Greg Prato. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders' 2-1-0 week that banked them four big points and kept them in the thick of the Metro Division. In games against the Avalanche and Senators, the Islanders played sloppy and undisciplined, resulting in a loss to one of the best teams in the NHL and a win against a young team with a bunch of distractions. They saw blown leads, costly turnovers, one terrible injury and a slew of careless penalties that made us wonder what anyone (other than Ilya Sorokin, who was brilliant in both) was thinking. Thankfully, they cleaned many of the problems up and had a quality game in Columbus that ended in a 2-0 shutout for a resurgent Semyon Varlamov, and left us in a better mood to end the weekend. In the second half, we look forward to three upcoming games against beatable opponents that give the Islanders a chance to make some real strides early in the season. The finish by looking at the Bo-for-Beau trade a few months later, and at ESPN's Frozen Frenzy, a good idea marred by the ESPNness of it all. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Bandcamp and on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan kick off another season celebrating short-time Isles with ESPN's Greg Wyshynski discussing Alexander Semak, a notable Devil and forgotten Islander. From his inclusion as part of the Devils' wave of Russian imports to his career high 37-goal season, Semak was an important player in that team's evolution from pretty good to Cup contender. But he was traded to Tampa Bay just before New Jersey won its first championship, then was traded again to a fisherman-clad Islanders team in abject disarray and going nowhere. Despite a GM firing, a skeptical, temperamental coach and a woefully deficient lineup that piled up losses, Semak somehow had a decent season of 20 goals. Then just as quickly as he arrived, he was gone, with a snarky soundbite from his coach an another (bonus) ex-Devil in his place. Greg tells us how Semak helped the Devils during a formative time, and how fans lost track of him as they tasted Cup glory without him. The three then dissect Semak's lone Islanders season including his varied linemates, some of his more notable goals and the dreadful campaign the franchise experienced. Along the way, they cover the evolution of Lou Lamoriello, White Castles of New Jersey, the sick joys of dangerous arena parking and, somehow, Jean-Claude Van Damme. It's a headfirst dive into a brand new season of Weird Islanders so let's get deep. Thanks again to Greg for coming on and giving us a ton of his time. You know where to find him. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Our theme is "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Bossy’s rookie season in the NHL has been the stuff of legend since it happened. But breaking league records and bringing fans out of their seats as a young phenom hid what was really going on in Bossy’s mind. While projecting preternatural confidence, the winger worried about going to the minors, being attacked by goons roaming the ice and of generally not meeting his own hype. Using Bossy’s own quotes from his 1987 book, Boss, we can dive deep into what he was feeling and thinking during his time in junior, when he was deciding whether to sign with the Islanders or the WHA’s Quebec Nordiques and during his first days on Long Island. Early in his first camp, Bossy was placed on a line with skilled center Bryan Trottier and burly left winger Clark Gillies, and immediately found his footing among the pros. But that didn’t stop the old junior fears from coming true. This is Part One of a supersized two-part episode. In Part Two, we’ll examine the rest of Bossy’s rookie season, his friendship with Trottier, and a crushing playoff defeat that included a scary injury for the kid. Mike Bossy’s autobiography Boss: The Mike Bossy Story, co-written by Barry Meisel, was used extensively, with excerpts read by Michael Paul Smith. Listen to Michael’s podcast “Ted and Michael Read Sketches into Microphones” wherever you find your podcasts, or directly from their website at TedandMichael.com. And follow Michael on Twitter and Instagram @mpsmithnyc. Research and other assistance was provided by Kevin Schultz. Visit VintageIceHockey.com, where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies and mugs featuring the logos over over 100 classic hockey teams from all across North America, as well as our own Al Arbour tribute shirt. Use the code ANXIETY20 to get 20 percent off an order of two items. Our portion of the sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research. This episode of Islanders Award Winners was written using archival material from Newsday, The New York Times and Sports Illustrated, and the books New York Islanders: Countdown to A Dynasty by Barry Wilner, Pride and Passion: 25 Years of the New York Islanders by Stan Fischler and Chris Botta and Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders 1972-1984 by Greg Prato. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOTE (THAT WE FORGOT TO MENTION): Weird Islanders: The Podcast! returns for its third season this Friday! We’ve recorded some bangers already so it’s going to be a great slate of episodes featuring some real blasts from the past (and a lotta goalies for some reason). Mike and Dan recap the Islanders first full week of the season, one that saw some great performances and some bewildering ones. After dominating the Arizona Coyotes to a deceptive 1-0 win, the Islanders showed a lot of fight against the speedy New Jersey Devils (before a Jack Hughes overtime goal went and ruined everything). A night later in Buffalo, the Islanders were no-shows against a Sabres team they had beaten just a week earlier. While skaters playing on a back-to-back might have had an excuse, the fresh players inserted into the lineup were all but invisible, raising serious questions about how they will fit in going forward. In the second half, they look ahead to the Islanders upcoming schedule against a recent champion, a young darling and in a house of horrors for them. They also discuss ESPN's upcoming "Frozen Frenzy" of wall-to-wall hockey coverage (for one night, anyway) and set the stage for another installment of Master Leaf Theatre. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Bandcamp and on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Fitzpatrick came to the Islanders as a highly-touted goalie prospect and quicky established himself as a fiery NHL-caliber netminder. But right before the 1990-91 season, the 21-year-old found himself in a Los Angeles hospital with swollen hands and arms, and feet the size of footballs. Even when doctors were able to name his ailment as a rare blood disease called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome or EMS, Fitzpatrick’s frightening and frustrating ordeal to reclaim his playing career was just beginning. After treatments and stops and starts on the ice, Fitzpatrick was able to play 30 games for an Islanders team with slim playoff hopes in 1992. He became the Islanders’ second ever recipient of the Masterton Trophy for dedication to hockey, but more importantly, became a beacon of hope to others suffering from EMS all across the world. While Fitzpatrick was battling for his life and career, the Islanders of this time were an absolute trainwreck. Their scorers couldn’t score, their defense wasn’t consistent, their owner was an absentee cheapskate and their best player and only star wanted to be traded. Other than that, everything was great! It was all a far cry from where the team had been a decade earlier and a small taste of where things would go. And, yes, the use of Georges Bizet’s “Habanera” aria as background music at times is an homage to Michael Richie’s 1976 classic The Bad News Bears and a way to lighten the mood a little. Hearing it still makes me chuckle and picture a field of foul-mouthed kids who can’t play baseball. That seems like an apt comparison to the early 1990’s Islanders. Research and other assistance was provided by Kevin Schultz. Visit VintageIceHockey.com, where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies and mugs featuring the logos over over 100 classic hockey teams from all across North America, as well as our own Al Arbour tribute shirt. Use the code ANXIETY20 to get 20 percent off an order of two items. Our portion of the sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research. This episode of Islanders Award Winners was written using archival material from Newsday, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, 100 Things Islanders Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die by Arthur Staple and Pride and Passion: 25 Years of the New York Islanders by Stan Fischler and Chris Botta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders opening night win over Buffalo and the loss of Ross Johnston, and debut a new bit, "Master Leaf Theatre." The victory over the Sabres, the Islanders' first win in an at-home opener in almost 30 years, had some great performances and some spotty ones, but as far as season opening games go, was very satisfying. Bo Horvat didn't get on the scoresheet, but his game and acclimation to Long Island over the summer bodes well for the future. In the second half, the hosts discuss the loss of Ross Johnston on waivers to the Anaheim Ducks and how he was an Islanders Legend in his way. Then they formalize a new and occasionally recurring segment called, "Master Leaf Theatre," in which they perform dramatic readings of reports/fan fic from the Leafs Land. "Master Leaf Theatre" might not always be about Toronto in the future but its spirit certainly runs through it. Other topics include Buffalo watcher melting down (again) about a loss to the Islanders, "culture changes" and a "tidy piece of business" for The Athletic's hockey side. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Bandcamp and on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season Two of Islanders Awards Winners is finally here. It’s taken far too long to get to this point, but I’m proud of how these episodes turned out and I’m excited to finally release them to the world. Thank you all in advance for listening. The story of Al Arbour’s one NHL Coach of the Year season begins and ends with devastating losses. In between was a franchise-record winning streak, several of the best individual seasons in team history, and the often ruthless pursuit of perfection. Arbour was a complex man - a hockey innovator who wore “dark suits and white shirts and ties that look like they were given as Christmas presents” and a father figure who pushed his players relentlessly, sometimes to the point of exasperation. But his drive was to win the Stanley Cup under any circumstance. And any stumble, no matter how minor, was unacceptable. Arbour was not afraid to butt heads with his best and most loyal players and they all understood it was all done in service of making them the best the could be. Arbour’s use of video review, notes on opposing teams’ tactics and installation of assistant coaches were all ahead of their time. The leaning on his wife Claire to not only record out-of-town games but to find out more about players’ family lives in order to better understand and help them when he could, was critical and should not be overlooked. Man, what I would give to read those notebooks he kept on other teams. I can’t even imagine the sheer amount of hockey knowledge they contained. Maybe they’ll be released some day... Research and other assistance was provided by Kevin Schultz. Visit VintageIceHockey.com, where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies and mugs featuring the logos over over 100 classic hockey teams from all across North America, as well as our own Al Arbour tribute shirt. Use the code ANXIETY20 to get 20 percent off an order of two items. Our portion of the sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research. This episode of Islanders Award Winners was written using archival material from Newsday, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and the books New York Islanders: Countdown to A Dynasty by Barry Wilner, and Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders 1972-1984 by Greg Prato. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan begin their eighth season of Islanders coverage by looking at the preseason and ahead to changes in the team's media coverage, and making oddly specific predictions. While Mat Barzal looked like a man on a mission during the exhibition season, his teammates mainly went through the motions. Most importantly, no one was hurt and Kyle Palmieri did eventually return from his still-undisclosed injury. Contrary to popular belief, there were some new faces in camp. Although most of them ended up in Bridgeport this past weekend, they could still play a part in the upcoming season. In the second half, the hosts examine the home/season opener against Buffalo on Oct. 14 and the many storylines that can be ignited with either a win or a loss. They discuss the terrifying opening month and spending yet another season on the margins. They also cover a shift in the Islanders' media coverage at The Athletic and the wrong guy at the wrong time who as since moved on. Finally, we get to some very specific predictions for who could score certain goals, who might be traded, who might come back and just how often some players will see the ice over the next 82 games. No matter what happens, we'll be right alongside you the entire time. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Bandcamp and on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap some notable events of the last week including some Islanders press junkets, rookie camp and Josh Bailey's goodbye and PTO with Ottawa. We start with Lou Lamoriello's preseason press conference where he gave updates on Alex Romanov, Zach Parise and the coaching staff, as well as reminding everyone how schedules work. Rookie camp got underway with a few guys, such as 2022 pick and recent ELC-signer Isaiah George, turning heads. But it was Josh Bailey, the forever Islander, stealing some of the spotlight by penning a goodbye letter to Long Island in The Players' Tribune, then signing a try-out with the Ottawa Senators, leading to all kinds of mixed emotions. Finally, they discuss the Mike Babcock fiasco in Columbus, some kind words for Islanders fans from an unlikely source and Mike's brother's upcoming wedding. Compared to the rest of the Islanders' summer, it's been a lot to take in. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a special bonus, subscribers to the main Islanders Anxiety feed can enjoy this month's Patreon-only Monthly Mail Bag podcast. If you like what you hear, please consider subscribing at Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety to receive more exclusive podcasts, written posts, ad-free episodes of Islanders Anxiety and Weird Islanders: The Podcast!, early access to Islanders Award Winners and more. What a collection of questions! From a sincere wondering if we're ready for this shit, to a philosophical question about Adventureland, this Mail Bag podcast has it all. We answer inquires about the Islanders current roster, the state of their organizational goaltending "depth," historical What Ifs, the NHL media landscape and why exactly are Islanders fans like this? We also ask how Leafs writers and Penguins fanboy writers can coexist at The Athletic, what the best seat to watch an an NHL game from and where the weirdest place we spotted a fellow Islanders fan. It's an answer and laughs packed show so sit back and enjoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan get together in the middle of a quiet summer to discuss an interview with former Islanders GM Garth Snow that tries (and fails) to change people's opinions about the events of July 1, 2018. With his Islanders contract done and with an eye towards getting back into an NHL front office, Snow decided to tell Islanders fans, through the New York Post's Ethan Sears, that they are wrong to boo former captain John Tavares whenever he returns to Long Island as a Maple Leaf. In Snow's eyes, the decision to not trade Tavares before he hit free agency came from owner Scott Malkin, not the player or the general manager. While that might be true, Snow's misunderstanding of why fans still hate Tavares, not to mention the out-of-left-field timing and other petty-sounding quotes, come as a disappointment to many who viewed his work with the team in a positive light. It’s the first real noteworthy Islanders thing that we've seen in months, so the guys have a lot to say. To get Islanders content all summer long Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network. Learn more at Fansfirstsports.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special free episode of our Patreon exclusive non-hockey podcast, Mike gets a lesson from Dan on Bravo's Vanderpump Rules and the drama known as the "Scandoval." From a spin-off of a spin-off to a surprise hit to a dire, unwatchable mess, Vanderpump Rules has been a wild ride. But when star Tom Sandoval cheated on his girlfriend of nine years, Ariana Madix, with her friend (and a former fiancé of a mutual friend) Raquel Leviss, it upended what everyone knew about the show and its stars, and re-contextualized everything viewers saw happen on screen. This revelation, coming a few episodes into the season, meant there were effectively two concurrent stories happening simultaneously: one that was filmed and one that was happening off camera. It made for fascinating viewing for fans but confusing times for non-fans like Mike. Dan tries to get Mike to understand all of this and the history of the show, despite his natural antipathy towards it and its cast. Some headway was made but it's safe to say that Vanderpump Rules won't replace darts or cricket on Mike's watching schedule. If you like what you hear, consider subscribing to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of Islanders Anxiety and Weird Islanders: The Podcast!, bonus shows like Country Club Atmosphere and the Monthly Mailbag, early access podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Here is some further reading and listening if you are interested in more about Scandoval! Vulture.com, led by Dame Bryan Moylan, the founder of the Real Housewives Institute for the Reality Television Arts, is the go-to place to read all about this nonsense by people that take it seriously but also, thankfully, not seriously at all. This article by Roxana Hadidi from Vulture got to the heart of why Tom Sandoval's defense of his actions fell on deaf ears (and blind eyes). There are many Bravo-focused podcasts (much like sports teams have) but the best of them is Watch What Crappens, by Ronnie Karam and Ben Mandelker. The guys are hilarious, knowledgeable and prolific, covering just about every show Bravo produces. Check them out wherever you get your podcasts, on video or at their own Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their (probable) season finale, Mike and Dan react to the Islanders' four long contract extensions from Free Agency Day and the over-the-top national grades the team received. The new contracts for Scott Mayfield, Pierre Engvall and Semyon Varlamov are mostly cheap but very long, but the new contract for Ilya Sorokin keeps the Vezina Trophy runner up on Long Island for the next decade so, frankly, who cares about the other ones? The hosts are fine with the deals but look at some rumored trades the club could make. Meanwhile, hack NHL writers everywhere will tell you that Lou Lamoriello is a war criminal and we've had it with them. Islanders fans deserve better than the coverage we get, but sadly the landscape isn't changing anytime soon. Either way, we'll still be here. Thanks for listening and enjoy the offseason. We'll be back in October. To get Islanders content all summer long Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recording of Mike and Dan's livestream during the first round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. With the draft broadcast streaming in the background, the hosts talk about, joke, analyze (in our way...) and generally experience the event together in real time, chatting with guests along the way. Somehow they managed to talk for three hours about the Islanders during a broadcast in which they were barely mentioned at all. This was an experimental project and we're happy to say everyone had a great time. We'll do more livestreams via Playback.tv in the future. Please note that the audio is unedited so there are long gaps in the recording while we were watching the draft broadcast. To see the full video version, subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/islandersanxiety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Along with Islanders radio color commentator Greg Picker, Mike and Dan celebrate Kip Miller, who had three stints with the team including one spectacular but short playoff run. Miller was a Hobey Baker winner at Michigan State and is a member of a longstanding hockey family, but it took him a while to find his footing in the NHL. By the time he came to Long Island for the third time (after two short, unmemorable trips), he was the AHL’s leading scorer and immediately jolted a team that was already good but had fallen off the track. And during their brutal playoff series with the Maple Leafs, Miller was an absolute machine, scoring goals in four straight games and giving fans a dose of hope that led to devastation when the series ended. Greg talks about how crucial Miller and that series was to his Islanders connection, the instantaneous impact he had on the roster seemingly out of nowhere, and how the player’s exploits should be better remembered today (and might be had the Islanders beaten Toronto). A million thanks to Greg for coming on. You should be listening to his Talkin’ Isles podcast with Cory Wright. It’s a feel good, fun show full of love for The Island and the Islanders, and it makes a great compliment to the silliness of Weird Islanders: The Podcast! And a belated thanks again to Björn Falk, who provided our theme song, “Knuckles.” You can hear more of his music anytime on Spotify and at Bandcamp. This is our season finale for this year. Thanks to all of our great guests and for all of your listens. We’ll be back next season with a whole new slate of Weird Islanders and guests. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about Lou Lamoriello's press conference, trades they'd like to see, the Stanley Cup final and a potpourri of topics. After taking a quick look at the Golden Knights championship (and a cynical look at the coverage surrounding it), the hosts discuss some of the more notable quotes from the presser that touched on Josh Bailey's future, the Islanders' unrestricted free agents and how the season ended. Lamoriello was slightly less cryptic than usual but that doesn't mean we have any idea what's going to happen this offseason. They also mention the addition of former NHL exec John Collins to the front office. In the second half, they talk about how the Islanders can acquire a couple of pricy stars, what the perfect Long Island sendoff for Bailey would be, and the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, Stay tuned for info about a possible live stream we'll try to host for the first round. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With returning guest Desmond Zantua of the Through the Island podcast, Mike and Dan remember winger Shane Prince, who counted as a big trade deadline acquisition during a dark time and had one very memorable playoff game. An analytic darling at the time, Prince was seen as a possible steal by GM Garth Snow and a player that just needed more of an opportunity. He got it, but it didn't translate into a lot of production... until one afternoon in Tampa as the Islanders shocked the Lightning in the first game of their second round playoff series. Sadly, that would be the high point of Prince's two-plus seasons on Long Island. Desmond tells us how Prince fit into that flawed but oddly successful 2015-16 Islanders team, how Prince is like a band you were really into in high school and how the now well-traveled winger came to block him on Twitter. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the announcement of an Islanders-Rangers Stadium Series game at Met Life Stadium next season, and their tempered reactions to it. Although the game is a big deal for the team, its hard to shake the feeling that outdoor NHL games have "jumped the shark" and become homogenized by oversaturation and stale marketing. The remote location of Met Life Stadium plus the continued involvement of the Rangers raises more questions. They also finally laugh at their rivals' big acquisitions going bust in the playoffs. In the second half, a discussion about the Stanley Cup final leads to the third and (we hope) final installment of the Dubas Diaries, as the former Toronto GM arrives in Pittsburgh to start a new strain of fanfic from both Leafs and Penguins writers. We read some selections aloud for a treat you won't want to miss. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Broad Street Hockey Radio's Master of Fun & Games Bill Matz, Mike and Dan relive the short, strange and unsatisfying Islanders run of goalie and Flyers legend Ron Hextall. On paper a player Islanders fans should have loved for his fiery temper, Hextall never had a chance with them thanks to his ties to Philly and an awful start on Long Island. Hextall and the Islanders righted themselves enough to make the playoffs, but a horrendous playoff performance hastened his trip outta town and back to the Flyers, where he had a resurgence before going into management. Bill tells us what Hextall still means to the Flyers Faithful, how badly things went when he finally took over as the team's GM and how much fun it was to watch him destroy our mutual enemy - the Pittsburgh Penguins - from the inside as their GM. It's a wild ride with one of the wildest netminders of all time. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the status of hard-to-analyze Islanders coach Lane Lambert before wading back into the continued upheaval in Toronto. In their last episode, they neglected to bring up the news that Lambert will also most likely return to the bench next season, which is par for the course with the coach. For everything his players did right last season, there was something that simply wasn't good enough, which makes a report card difficult to fill out accurately. They also throw in some sympathy for Coyotes and a bizarre photo op that will only rankle Islanders fans. In the second half, they look at the reaction of the Maple Leafs walking away from GM Kyle Dubas and the collective insanity that seems to have taken over many of the team's observers. With help from podcast clips, they discuss how some have lost the plot while sticking up for the guy they feel was one of them, while others have legitimate doubts that seem to get minimized. It's a lot to take in, but we think you're all up for it. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Pre-order your Bryan Trottier-Mat Barzal "Then & Now" bobblehead from the fine folks at Foco today. These pieces are limited to just 72, so don't wait. Pre-order today. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Nassaumen Hockey podcast co-host Jon Zella, Mike and Dan remember when the Islanders acquired Trevor Linden, an actual NHL star, during a tumultuous time on an off the ice. Linden was just 27 at the time, a multiple time 30-goal scorer and All Star, and a longtime captain of a recent Stanley Cup finalist. He should have been the cornerstone piece for a "word salad of a team" that needed all the help it could get. But he ended up just passing through this very foggy era, and his acquisition left the Islanders "Generation Next" as more of a "Generation Left." Jon talks about his fuzzy memories of Linden as a player and about this very strange time in Islanders history; when the overmatched players, cheapskate owners and psychotic general manager made rooting for them impossible (unless you were a little kid and were just happy to be there). Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Pre-order your Bryan Trottier-Mat Barzal "Then & Now" bobblehead from the fine folks at Foco today. These pieces are limited to just 72, so don't wait. Pre-order today. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an impromptu milestone episode, Mike and Dan discuss the possible contract extension for GM Lou Lamoriello before diving into an extensive vivisection of the now-eliminated Maple Leafs. Newsday reports that Lamoriello is expected to get a three-year extension, which is both good and disappointing for a team that's stable but needs changes. They also discuss goalie Ilya Sorokin's deserved spot as a finalist (and maybe dark horse winner) of the Vezina Trophy and pay their respects to defenseman Gerry Hart, an integral early Islander, who passed away this week. But the bulk of the show is about enjoying the end of another Leafs season and the bizarre stalker behavior exhibited by many in the Toronto hockey media. The coverage of the Leafs is a big reason why they generate so much hatred from other fanbases, and nothing brings out the feelings on both sides like their annual playoff flameout. This year's took a little longer but that just means more angst, more uncertainly for the offseason, more worries for next season, more knives out for the captain and more laughs from us. All that and it's episode No. 250. Where else would you be on a Saturday night? Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Pre-order your Bryan Trottier-Mat Barzal "Then & Now" bobblehead from the fine folks at Foco today. These pieces are limited to just 72, so don't wait. Pre-order today. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While still waiting for the GM and coach to speak, Mike & Dan analyze the Islanders players' post-season pressers, and who said what in words and body language. Some players were more animated or unsettled in their answers, while others held court and made us emotional. They're all we have right now while both Lou Lamoriello and Lane Lambert take their time in making their final addresses to the press. In the second half, they shake their heads at the NHL and ESPN's handling of the draft lottery and laugh at the Rangers' post-season implosion, while Mike tells us how he ended up on an NHL video presentation with the one and only Pierre McGuire. Stay tuned to also hear about our release plans for the summer for both free and paid subscribers. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Pre-order your Bryan Trottier-Mat Barzal "Then & Now" bobblehead from the fine folks at Foco today. These pieces are limited to just 72, so don't wait. Pre-order today. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by comic book writer and historian Keith Dallas, Mike and Dan remember Oklahoma-born defenseman Matt Donovan, who endured many high hopes and trade proposals during his short time with the Islanders. Seen as a possible replacement to talented captain Mark Streit, Donovan showed signs of stability and flashes of greatness at both the AHL and NHL levels. But his stunted development during a chaotic time in Islanders history meant he never quite got off the ground the way many hoped. But he was good enough to sit in the press box just in case for a full season and be included in a thousand fan trade proposals, none of which actually came to fruition. Keith tells us about his unique interactions with Donovan as an Islanders season ticket holder, as well as the story of how the hell he came to own a Matt Donovan jersey. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Pre-order your Bryan Trottier-Mat Barzal "Then & Now" bobblehead from the fine folks at Foco today. These pieces are limited to just 72, so don't wait. Pre-order today. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' stunning loss in overtime of Game 6 against Carolina, and the many factors that doomed them (and might continue to doom them in the future). After two periods as the better team, albeit with only one goal to show for it, the Islanders decided to not play the third period, which led to a game-tying goal and a hostile, tense UBS Arena. After a few chances early in OT, it was two bad plays by two usually reliable performers that brought the series to a close. While the loss still stings - and will for some time - there are some for whom it might be their last game in an Islanders uniform, which just adds to the layers of sadness. In the second half, they discuss how fu... er, challenged the Islanders will be to improve over the offseason, and who might and might not be around to see it. Finally, they look around the NHL at playoff series results that have made the weekend just a little bit worse than it already was. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Pre-order your Bryan Trottier-Mat Barzal "Then & Now" bobblehead from the fine folks at Foco today. These pieces are limited to just 72, so don't wait. Pre-order today. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap a literally unbelievable Islanders win in Game 5 against the Hurricanes, and look ahead to Game 6 at UBA Arena. Facing elimination, the Islanders managed to stay alive in the series thanks to some timely goals, a vintage performance by Ilya Sorokin and sheer butt-clenching luck, leading to feelings of relief, excitement, happiness and befuddlement. It wasn't a perfect performance, but it was enough to get back home with a chance to extend the series to a Game 7. All it's going to take is for the Islanders to find the form they had showed in Games 2 and 3. Stay zen (but don't expect any national NHL media people to talk about this series). Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan hash out the Islanders' Game 4 loss to the Hurricanes and the bizarre, inexplicable decisions made by both the players and the officials. The follow up to Game 3's proud (and historic) euphoria was a massive letdown for a fanbase that was ready to explode from the opening faceoff. The Islanders seemed ready, too... until a curious call knocked them off the rails. They never really recovered and made the same mistakes they've been making all series enroute to a critical defeat. Heading back to Raleigh for Game 5, the team that's never just "due" just needs to earn the right to keep playing. Later, the hosts review some rare praise the Islanders received after Game 3, look at some series from around the NHL and shoutout a returning celebrity fan. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap Games 1 & 2 of the Islanders series against the Hurricanes and all of the insane things that went wrong for them. Despite being the better team in Game 2, the Islanders return to UBS Arena down 2-0 in the series thanks to some fluke plays, curious officiating and their own mistakes, a combination that can make fans sick to their stomachs. The Hurricanes are a Rorschach test for whoever watches them, but their habit of constant motion causes the puck to bounce their way, something the Islanders haven't experienced in a long time. The hosts also look ahead to Game 3 on The Island and what to expect from a team that once again, finds itself in a desperate situation. They close with a look at some series around the NHL and wonder again why national hockey broadcasts in the US remain unbearable. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by Lisa, a longtime Islanders fan and owner of the indispensable @Islandermania on Twitter, to remember Rob Schremp, whose slick moves and potential were highlight for fans during the early rebuild period. A standout in junior, Schremp was a star who never fully became a star, but who brought excitement and entertainment with him wherever he went. After a stalled start with the Oilers, he came to Long Island via the waiver wire and immediately seemed like a steal - and a possible core piece - going forward. But injuries and perceptions limited his tenure to a short but memorable one. Lisa tells us how she first heard about Schremp, how it felt having a vaunted player like him on the Islanders, and how she and a group and friends came to "Schrempify" some jerseys in tribute to the man. Be sure to follow both the @Islandermania and @IslesChick accounts on Twitter if you aren't already. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hockey podcasters from around the Fans First Sports Network discuss the first round of the 2023 NHL playoffs in a special roundtable. Voices include Jake Reiser (Bruins), Dan Saraceni (Islanders), PD (Blue Jackets), Sky (Bruins/Kraken), Wes (Stars), Stephen (Ducks) and Robyn (Kings), who all give their takes on each teams strengths and weaknesses, who the X-factors might be and what chaos may ensue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan preview the playoff series between the Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes and why the Isles are a trendy pick to upset the Metro Division winners. Both teams have flaws on offense and on special teams, but the Islanders boast the better goalie and a returning Mat Barzal, while Carolina has significant injuries but a structured and dangerous defense. Can the seventh-seeded Isles overcome the issues that made their regular season so turbulent, or will the pressuring, steady Hurricanes be too much for them? Honestly, we have no idea. But we try to figure it out anyway. In the second half, we remember some bests and worsts of the past regular season and laugh one more time at the Penguins. Over at the Patreon is our look at every first round series and Cup predictions. Sign up at Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety for that, bonus content and ad-free episodes. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their second emergency podcast of the week. Mike and Dan exhale as the Islanders finally clinch a playoff berth (and eliminate the Penguins) with a win over Montreal. At various times throughout the absolutely insane rollercoaster of stress that was the regular season, it looked like the Islanders wouldn't make the postseason. They had injuries and slumps and disastrous losses balancing big wins and unsung heroes. But in Game 82, they stepped up and won a winnable game, giving their fans a well-deserved break and giving one of their biggest rivals a delicious early summer vacation. We don't know how it will end, but at least this Islanders season will have a proper third act. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react to the Islanders' 5-2 loss in Washington on Monday night, a devastating blow to their playoff hopes. With an embarrassing performance in a must-win game, this year's team proved once again that it cannot be trusted with their hands on the wheel. And now they've put themselves and their fans in the unenviable position of rooting for teams like the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets to save their season. Watching the game was bad enough. But the next 48 hours will be even worse. Strap in. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look back at a week in which the Islanders won two crucial games, the moment that it all could have come crashing down and Bo Horvat blasting the Canucks. Not only did they beat the Lightning (!) and the Flyers handily but they kept pace with the Penguins and Panthers who also won their games. They will need to do the same this week in order to qualify for the playoffs, and for a throwback team like the Islanders, it should be no surprise that it comes down to Games 81 and 82. Ryan Pulock preventing an embarrassing own goal from happening is only the latest "Most Islanders Thing" to happen this season, which has been packed to gills with ridiculous moments. After the game, Bo Horvat decided to use an interview with Shannon Hogan to zing Vancouver, which was the talk of social media all weekend. The line was funny and cutting and shows just how much the Islanders organization has changed from what it was in its Dark Ages of two decades ago. Finally, they look at the schedules Pittsburgh and Florida have this week and all the horrifying ways this final stretch of the season could play out. If you want to ask a question for our next Patreon-exclusive Monthly Mail Bag podcast, you can do it here. You’ll need to be a Country Club tier subscriber to leave a question or hear the episode so sign up today. Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by wrestling podcaster and former sportswriter Phil Strum, Mike and Dan remember two short time Islanders who became general managers as well as the most obscure player we have ever featured. Don Maloney and Darcy Regier are mostly remembered as GMs these days, but both played for the Islanders under different circumstances. Maloney signed as a free agent after many years with the hated Rangers, and after two seasons, stepped right into the front office, eventually succeeding the legendary Bill Torrey. It started well but... didn't end there. Regier came over in an important pre-Dynasty trade, but had no place to play on a stacked Islanders roster. He would work his way up the executive ladder and forge paths using some cutting edge methods until he also reached the GM chair... for a team that wasn't the Islanders. Finally, there is Garth MacGuigan, a man who played only five career NHL games, all with the Islanders. It wasn't much, but it was long enough to have a memorable interaction with a very young and budding sportswriter, Phil Strum. Check out Phil's podcast, Under the Ring: Pro Wrestling Conversations everywhere podcasts are found. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react to another lost weekend for the Islanders, who failed to gain any points against Tampa Bay or Carolina, and find the playoff race tightening even more. In dropping back-to-back games 5-0 and 2-1, the Islanders fell into old habits like sloppy play, ice cold offense and inconsistent defense, all while Pittsburgh and Florida continue to stay alive. It makes for a very frustrating existence full of fear and kvetching, that might not even end when the team's schedule does. The road ahead is treacherous and the Islanders will need more than just wins to fully clinch a playoff berth. Somehow through all the gripes they find time to recap the two games the team won last week, praise the various saviors they've had over the course of the season (hello, Pierre Engvall) and discuss how Lane Lambert's visible anger on the bench has helped them finally forge a connection with the coach. WARNING: Contains adult language and a lot of sighing. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan reflect on a week of big wins and demoralizing losses, and how the Islanders are just barely hanging onto the wheel in their drive for the playoffs. In back-to-back losses to Columbus and Buffalo, the Isles looked unpolished and passive and instead of taking advantage of games against vulnerable opponents playing scrapheap goalies, they let valuable points slip away at a most unfortunate time of the season. Worse was that the defeats came after a rousing and raucous home win over the Maple Leafs that reminded everyone that Islanders fans are not to be trifled with. While the Toronto media did its best to shield their favored sons from the vitriol, their new-found "respect" for this often-chided fanbase isn't fooling anyone. In the second half, they look ahead at a daunting schedule against good teams that's impossible to predict and could be disastrous if the Islanders don't find their groove again. Finally, they shoutout some kind words from their Islanders podcast brethren. Note 1: This episode contains some adult language. Note 2: The first edition of Dan's Islanders Book Club will post this Tuesday at the Patreon. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code FOURCUPS when you spend $50 or more to get a free THE ISLAND coffee mug or pint glass. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Joe Buono, author of children's book New York Islanders A to Z, Mike and Dan remember Alan Quine, a player whose short time with the Islanders was defined by one monumental playoff goal. Quine came to Long Island in an unusual way - by getting re-drafted three rounds later than he was originally selected. After productive seasons in the AHL, he got a late-season call up and, a few weeks later, ended up scoring one of the biggest playoff goals in Islanders history in Game 5 against the Panthers in 2016. While the goal that won the series still stirs mixed emotions, Quine's shining moment makes him a particularly peculiar guest star in a memorable special episode of the 2015-16 season of Islanders hockey. Joe talks about his memories of Quine's time with the Islanders, all of the many threads that tied back to him that Spring, and why he didn't make it into the final version of New York Islanders A to Z. Buy Joe's book, with fantastic art by Joe Marasic, at store.bookbaby.com. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' mostly successful week in California, look ahead at three big games on the horizon and wonder what language the players are speaking to each other. With two wins in their their three games on the West Coast, the Islanders solidified their playoff position. It wasn't perfect, with some bad periods, awful power plays, unfortunate events and a few players stepping backward. But others have stepped up, even ones in scoring droughts, and pulled it together to take advantage of a few timely losses by rivals around them in the playoff chase. They also brace for an invasion of Leafs water carriers upon UBS Arena and a weird short-notice back-to-back this week. All the while, they beg for some insight into the "lingo" the Islanders players need to learn that's so different from what other teams use. Please, we need to know. This is our first episode as part of the Fans First Sports Network, a new podcast venture started by other ex-SB Nation podcasters. Very little will change from a listener perspective, but you can expect to hear ads for FFSN shows and even receive a national NHL show at some point. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code FOURCUPS when you spend $50 or more to get a free THE ISLAND coffee mug or pint glass. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look back at a week that put the Islanders in good position, and ahead towards the California trip that could ruin everything. They revel over a rare "signature win" that helped derail everyone's favorite wild card hopeful. The victory over the Sabres was the Islanders in their purest form, getting cheers for red line dump-ins from a fanbase that finds them anything but boring, despite how they're treated by the talking heads we're forced to deal with. They also look at another hilarious win over the Penguins that exposed how flawed that team is, despite its delusions about itself and its history. In the second half, they preview a swing on the West Coast that could be doom, the scheduling conspiracy theory working against the Islanders, and the hard shifts we'll have to put in just to watch them this week. Forget the coffee and take some deep breaths. Finally, they discuss the Flyers and the orange-robed council of elders that actually runs them. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code FOURCUPS when you spend $50 or more to get a free THE ISLAND coffee mug or pint glass. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Hockey Night in New York host Sean Cuthbert, Mike and Dan talk about the goalie tandem of the future that wasn’t, and the mad weekend that changed the Islanders forever. Roberto Luongo needs no preamble at this point. He was one of the most outstanding goalies of his era and a rock for two franchises - neither of which was the one that drafted him. Kevin Weekes was no slouch either, playing solid backup minutes for a number of teams. But neither could overcome the itchy trigger finger of the general manager who acquired and then traded them away in order to take the real goalie of his dreams first overall. Sean’s a pro at this whole podcasting thing and they waste no time in diving into the insanity of June 24, 2000. They run down the “terrible dominoes of decisions,” the “Sliding Doors” moments and the brain-breaking what-could-have-beens that categorized an entire era of Islanders hockey. The pace is as fast and furious as the trades were. Note: Weird Islanders: The Podcast! will return to its normal biweekly schedule next week. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look back at the NHL trade deadline and a satisfying week for the Islanders, who took home a big win over Detroit and a new large winger. First, they recap Saturday's matinee victory, which went from potentially demoralizing to jubilant in the span of a period. They talk about how "that smell" has re-emerged on the Islanders, who are looking more like the conference finals team from two seasons ago and playing meaningful games in March as they had hoped. The second half is devoted to the fallout of this year's trade deadline, from surprise winners to delicious losers and how the Islanders ended up being among the former. Many of last week's deals made the Bo Horvat trade - which was lambasted at the time - seem much more reasonable. And it's clear that some teams, including division rivals, are still searching for answers even after moving bodies around. Thanks again to everyone who made our Patreon launch so successful. Check out Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety to sign up for ad-free episodes, bonus content, discounts and more. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Ryan, aka RattMartin of the Skates at the Stakes podcast, Mike and Dan remember Derick Brassard, a recent Weird Islander who went from hated to beloved to forgotten in the span of just a few seasons. After starring on a few very good Rangers team, Brassard entered the wilderness, where he played for what seemed like a different team every six months. He landed with the Islanders as a replacement depth center and after months of searching for a role, settled into a slot on the wing where he played a key role in the team's run to the semifinals in the bubble tournament. He has gone onto play for a few other teams since leaving Long Island, and has now surpassed the 1,000 games mark in his return engagement with the Ottawa Senators. Ryan talks about his memories of Brassard's short time with the Islanders, his mythical status within his friend group and how that bubble team all had their signature moments that will live on forever. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Mike detail the rollout of their Patreon page, where listeners can subscribe to get more exclusive Islanders Anxiety podcasts and posts. Go to Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety starting at noon on February 27 to sign up for one of our tiers, starting for as low as $2 per month. Perks include ad-free episodes of the three original shows, two new monthly podcasts, a weekly newsletter from Mike, Islanders Book Club posts from Dan, discounts and much more. The first 25 subscribers to the higher tier will receive an Islanders Anxiety hockey puck. The three original shows will remain free, but if you'd like more, sign up at Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look back at a the Islanders' three big wins last week and look ahead at the NHL trade deadline while it's actively happening. With victories over the Penguins and Jets, the Islanders re-established themselves as a playoff contender and actually managed to look like their old selves for one of the few times all season. That they melted a few Pittsburgh beat writer brains made it even more fun. But their makeshift lineup won't cut it for too long, and despite already having Bo Horvat, they'll need some pickups. The second half is dedicated to this week’s trade deadline. Names like Timo Meier and Patrick Kane are either already or almost gone but there are some players out there that might help the Islanders get a little stronger for a possible playoff run. The best thing about this interminable trade deadline is that it's almost over. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by Sportsnet host, Islanders legacy and author Justin Bourne to talk about his new book and his training camp experience with the Islanders in 2007. Justin walks us through his thoughts about joining his dad Bob's old team, a funny and only slightly embarrassing story about the first person he met at camp (who's also a Weird Islanders legend) and some of the short-time players he shared the ice with for that summer and beyond. He talks glowingly about Marc-Andre Bergeron's shot, Trevor Smith's skill and Miro Satan's awesome new car, and what separates a "guy who makes it" from a "guy who doesn't." Together, they cover about a dozen of each including a few Justin is still in contact with. Justin Bourne's book is called “Down and Back: On Alcohol, Family, and a Life in Hockey" and is available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Buy it today. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react to a week of huge wins, embarrassing losses and injuries that somehow have the Islanders in a playoff berth again. Thanks to a thrilling comeback win over Pittsburgh and some timely losses to other teams, the Islanders are in the second wild card despite also predicably losing to an ECHL goalie and getting humiliated by the best team in the league. They are one of a pack of flawed teams all desperate to make the playoffs and hoping the Price Is Right wheel lands on $1.00 them. But the Islanders have bigger issues than points and games played - namely key injuries to J-G Pageau, Josh Bailey and Mathew Barzal that could push some lesser depth players into starting roles. In the second half, they look at another major matchup with Pittsburgh, a trade we've all be told is a "home run" swing and why it's pointless to argue in favor of the Islanders online. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan chart the evacuation of all of the Islanders good vibes in a week that started with a contract extension and two big wins and ended with a pair of head-scratching losses. In victories over the Flyers and Kraken with newly-signed center Bo Horvat, the Islanders looked to finally right their flagging ship. But then losses to the also-ran Canucks and Canadiens left everyone - including the head coach - feeling angry and frustrated. It's only thanks to the incompetence of the teams around them that they are still even in the playoff race. A week with key match-ups will tell us a lot about how the next two months will play out. The hosts also talk about the Rangers landing Vladimir Tarasenko, no one landing Jakob Chychrun (yet) and Lou Lamoriello landing a joke that was apparently an affront to anyone that's ever played hockey anywhere ever. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Along with their friend Travis Reilly of hardcore band This is Hell, Mike and Dan remember Micheal Haley, who made a huge impression on Islanders fans thanks mostly to one unforgettable fight night. Haley wasn't an Islander for long, but in less than 50 games he became a folk hero and legend that was missed for years. It wasn't just his fists that made him valuable, either. Haley could grind, skate and (occasionally) score while also taking a big role in the locker room. On February 11, 2011, he took it upon himself to challenge nearly an entire roster of Pittsburgh Penguins in order to avenge his fallen teammates. Travis tells us why he thinks he's the "Micheal Haley of band managers," how a bandmate got him back into hockey after a few years away and why Mario Lemieux's crying about the NHL's "garage league" is still hilarious all these years later. WARNING: CONTAINS MUCH CURSING. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan process the noise following the Bo Horvat trade and their own feelings towards it a week later, then give their thoughts on the often bizarre NHL All Star Weekend. After a week off, Horvat will finally suit up with his new team and answer some questions surrounding them while also defining how this season will be remembered. Outside voices are still skeptical but Lou Lamoriello did finally take a bold risk in an attempt to get his team back to the playoffs. We'll know if it paid off soon enough. In the second half, the hosts air their grievances about the NHL All Star Game and Skills Competition and how it was bad television regardless of who it's aimed at. The league and its broadcasters are trying different things but none of it sells hockey to new fans or makes the weekend any more enjoyable. Maybe one day, we'll even see some players smile there. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react to the Islanders' trading for Bo Horvat from Vancouver and whether or not he is the right player at the right time. In giving up winger Anthony Beauvillier, prospect Aatu Raty and a protected first round pick for the unrestricted free agent, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello is doubling down on his win-now team. Horvat is having a career year and could give the Islanders the scoring help they so desperately need. Or he could not mesh with the already center-heavy Islanders lineup. He could sign an extension or he could walk away for nothing at the end of the season. There’s a lot of factors in play and there’s no wrong or right way to feel about any of it but one thing we do urge all Islanders fans to do is to unsubscribe from The Athletic. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are fired up after back-to-back wins put the Islanders back in the playoff picture and rock legends The Hold Steady make an unexpected appearance at UBS Arena for a game. They recap two quality victories in which the Isles scored a whopping (for them) four combined goals and ponder the incredibly bad luck of Kyle Palmieri, who has played so well after coming back from injury and yet still maintains the scoring drought that's been in effect since he came over in a trade two years ago. They talk about how the preceding two losses in Toronto and Ottawa had them ready to cash out the season, but a shutout victory over an anonymous Detroit team and Saturday's challenging overtime victory over Vegas - not to mention an appearance by The Hold Steady celebrating their 20th anniversary - brought everyone right back. In the second half, they talk about the various gimmicks that will be in effect for the upcoming All Stars Skills Competition and how they won't help bring hockey any new fans. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by guest Peter Flynn - a former Islanders fan and Red Wings blogger - Mike and Dan reminisce about Zenon Konopka, one of the most popular one-and-done Islanders and more than just a fighter. Konopka came to Long Island with little fanfare but left as a favorite thanks to the incredible amount of fighting spirit and pride he brought to the franchise in a remarkably short amount of time. Whether it was intimidating evil Penguins, standing up to snarky media types or giving the Islanders an identity (and a goal song) all their own, Konopka helped give a young, rebuilding team a degree of backbone they severely lacked and made lifetime fans in Peter and the hosts. Oh, and he also had a pet bunny and started his own wine business. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders' spectacularly unsuccessful week and their continued slide, as well as the cuts made at SB Nation and the future of this podcast. Beyond the four losses (two in overtime), they feel betrayed, angry and confused by the team's reluctance to make meaningful changes while they fall further out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Although more quiet than some others around the NHL, the Islanders seem to be creeping back to the circus level they occupied for so long. Their lineup is a mess and they continue to bleed losses, all while the focus seems to be on keeping injuries a secret, promoting UBS Arena and remembering the good old days (of two years ago). The second half of the show is dedicated to talking about what happened this week to SB Nation's hockey side and its effect on Lighthouse Hockey and its podcasts. The plan is to find a new home for this show, as well as Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and Islanders Award Winners, while also setting up a new model for listeners to support them. We tell you what we know and what we don't know as of now, so stay tuned for more info. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' week of tough losses and an underwhelming win, as the team still struggles with the same issues. They look at a shootout loss to Dallas in which the Islanders played well against a good opponent and its follow-up, a depressing self-inflicted loss to Minnesota that left both hosts overcome with anger. A win against Montreal snapped the losing streak, but the Islanders hardly dominated what should have been an easy opponent. While fans watch the out-of-town scoreboard, the Islanders continue to search for an identity and a formula for winning consistently. In the second half, they look towards a daunting and important upcoming schedule, talk about what they want to see in media coverage of their team and criticize the way the Islanders have handled their 50th anniversary celebration. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by returning guest Noel Fogelman, Mike and Dan remember Justin Mapletoft, a highly-touted Islanders prospect from before the social media era. A decorated junior player and very strong two-way center in the AHL, Mapletoft's game never quite translated to the NHL. And on an Islanders team that was suddenly strong down the middle - thanks to the acquisitions of Alexei Yashin and Michael Peca - he didn't get much of a chance to show what he could do. Mapletoft was around the organization for a long time, but missed the time of podcasts, blogs, YouTube and the like, which is both good and bad for a prospect that fans had high hopes for. Noel has spoken to Justin and tells us his thoughts on his days with the Islanders, the time he considered asking for a trade and a very surprising regret he's been carrying around for years. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With half the season done, Mike and Dan discuss the many ups and downs that have left the Islanders on the playoff bubble. They recap the disappointing Western Canada trip that saw the team look generally awful picking up just two of a possible eight points. They also discuss the early season successes and the cushion the Islanders had built that's now all but used up, and how injuries to major players and extended slumps have started to cost them. They also lament the often surface-level coverage the team gets and how writers near and far often don't understand the Islanders true reality. In the second half, they praise Brock Nelson on his first All Star Game selection and explain why they don’t want Ilya Sorokin to get voted into the game. Finally, they look ahead at a schedule of daunting games against very different opponents. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their first episode of 2023, Mike and Dan look at the Islanders' embarrassing loss in Seattle that followed two feel good wins at home, and how time is running out for the team to make changes. They discuss the need for the Islanders to be proactive if they want to stay competitive in the brutal Metro Division, whether it means making meaningful additions to the entrenched roster, finding a new game plan, altering their awful powerplay or something else. While the wins over the Penguins and Blue Jackets felt good, and they have winnable games coming up on their Western Canada road trip, they can't continue to let opportunities slip by when the rest of the division continues to win. Other topics include surface-level hockey coverage, the stale script for NHL outdoor games and ESPN inventing new levels of incompetence. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Along with their friend Matty, a Nassau Coliseum usher since 2001, Mike and Dan remember eventual Stanley Cup champion defenseman Brent Sopel's brief time with the Islanders. They talk about the strange circumstances that brought Sopel to the Island and the high hopes management had for his veteran leadership and offensive skills. Sadly, the Islanders were a bit of a dumpster fire at the time, and his trade to Los Angeles just a few months later was greeted with relief and enthusiasm by the blueliner. Later, they discuss Sopel's place on the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks of 2010, the admirable charity and humanitarian endeavors of his playing and post-playing career, and how Matty once got the death stare by Jeff Tambellini, the weirdest Weird Islander to have played too many games to be an actual Weird Islander. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look back at three games leading up to the Christmas break, all of which showing off the Islanders strengths and weaknesses. In a 1-0 shootout loss in Colorado, a blown third period lead against the Rangers and a sometimes dominating win over Florida, the Jekyll-and-Hyde Islanders ran the gamut of emotions. There were great goals, missed opportunities, good luck, bad luck, injuries and one spectacular rookie score that everyone wanted to see. And while fans like us are along for the ride (occasionally unwillingly), the insane nature of the team's season has gone mostly unnoticed, making Mike and Dan feel a little bit like an X-Files duo made just for this one franchise. Later, they look ahead to two big Metro Division games before the Islanders head way west for the first week of 2023. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WARNING. CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE. Dan and pinch-hitter Carey Haber discuss the Islanders' volatile week of one big win, one infuriating loss and one resilient shootout defeat. They look back at toe-to-toe battle in Boston that ended in a coin flip, a(nother) ludicrous loss against one of the NHL's worst clubs in Arizona, and a surprising but haphazard win over in Vegas a night later. None of this makes any sense at all, and Carey shares his process-focused thoughts as to why the Islanders have returned to what he calls "Doug Weight Happenstance." The change in systems and lack of detail, not to mention some suddenly shaky goaltending, leave the Islanders and us with a case of "Shocked Pikachu face." In the second half, they look at the upcoming schedule, which is stacked with tough opponents and impossible to predict. But first, we hear from Michael Leboff, our man on the scene at the World Darts Championship at London's Alexandria Palace... Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Along with returning guest Nick Giglia, Mike and Dan talk about a pair of goalies with distinguished NHL careers who stopped by the Islanders very briefly after being traded for one another. John Vanbiesbrouck won a Vezina with the Rangers, then led the third-year Panthers on one of the most miraculous playoff runs in NHL history. But in his journeyman final seasons, he brought a touch of veteran presence to a very young Islanders team and showed he still had something left in the tank. He had enough, in fact, to convince then-New Jersey general manager Lou Lamoriello to ship stalwart Chris Terreri to those same Islanders, who were playing out the string while the Devils geared up for another Cup run. But surprisingly, Terreri taught a melancholy group the value of playing for pride. The trio also cover Vanbiesbrouck’s controversial history and Terreri’s unexpected fast food venture. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WARNING. CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE. Mike and Dan look at back-to-back games that couldn't have been more different: an exciting win over the Devils and a frustrating shutout against the Hurricanes. Against a fast team that had taken them to school earlier this season, the Islanders exerted their will against New Jersey and came out on top. One night later against a team they had previously handled, the Islanders were impotent against a rested Carolina team with a frustrating game plan. Through both games, their physicality played a big part; giving them confidence in one game and being missing in the other. Along the way, they spotlight the play of Alex Romanov, Matt Martin, Hudson Fasching and players who were touted as the next big thing only to become simply... "guys." Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look at three losses and one win that have them both encouraged and scared about the Islanders, who have some tough upcoming games. In dropping games to the beatable Flyers, Predators and Blues - after racking up 40 shots apiece in the latter two - the Isles looked better but let their early season points cushion slip, and let division rivals like the Penguins and Rangers back into the mix. A shutout against Chicago was strictly business, but with games against the Devils and Hurricanes over the weekend, they need to start stringing wins together again. They also cover the lack of coverage for Adam Pelech's injury, the overcoverage of stories no one cares about and what it means to be "comfortably" in a playoff spot (spoiler: it's not where the Islanders are). Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J-P Dumont was drafted by, but never played for the Islanders. Predators writer Alex Daugherty tells Dan and Mike all about the kind of player the third overall pick in 1996 was, and his unusual route to Nashville. Traded immediately after finally signing his entry level contract, Dumont took a few years to get going and find consistency at the NHL level. Once he did, he helped establish the first great era in Predators history by making them as dangerous offensively as they were defensively. Alex tells us what Dumont's acquisition meant to the franchise, how he has worked to grow hockey in Nashville and how he helped get everyone at Bridgestone Arena free tacos one night. As a bonus, we ask Alex about the legacy of Terry Crisp - longtime Predators broadcaster, expansion Islander and cookie connoisseur. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan reflect on the Islanders' resilient and timely four game winning streak - with a cathartic cherry on top. They look back at wins over the Maple Leafs and Oilers, and how Ilya Sorokin staked his spot at the top of the goaltending heap while large swaths of the hockey world were watching. They then turn to a win over Columbus that could have gone off the rails after some curious officiating, and how Brock Nelson once again was the hero. Finally, it's on to an eventful win over a pitiable Flyers team which featured momentum swings, sudden goals and some fighting that felt good for the soul. In the second half, they look ahead at a Western Conference heavy upcoming schedule and a rematch against Philly that might get the Boss involved. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look at the Islanders' win and two losses over the last week, none of which inspired any confidence in this still very undefinable team. They talk about the need for a change somewhere - be it on the player side or the execution side - in order to gain an identity that fans and the club can look to for the rest of the season. With high offensive capabilities and poor high danger defense, it's hard to trust the Islanders right now because you're never sure what they're going to do from game-to-game. In the second half, they address the hilariously petty booing of Johnny Gaudreau and the hockey media machine that made fans think he might be choosing the Islanders in free agency. Other topics include overdosing on the Devils, FIFA corruption and a couple of rumored Canucks who may be available for trade. Who exactly? Meh, they're all the same guy anyway. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by writer, podcaster and Leafs fan Sean McIndoe (aka @DownGoesBrown) to discuss Wendel Clark - his favorite player and a short-time Islander during a crazy era. Sean tells us how the Saskatchewan farmboy became a hero in Toronto with a mix of goals and fights before being traded to Quebec due to age, injuries and ballsy general managing. After a wild three-team transaction a year later, Clark came to the Islanders to try to lead a young, Fisherman-clad squad in need of veterans. And while he was popular and tried his best, his true home was always Toronto, where he was traded back after less than a season on Long Island. Sean tells us what Clark means to him and other Leafs fans and how his legend grew through stretches of both bad seasons and playoff battles, while joking about the longstanding animosity between the Islanders and Maple Leafs. At least, we think he was joking... Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders' wild week, which featured comeback wins, inexplicable shutout losses and unexpected heroics. With huge wins against the Flames and Rangers - coming back from down 3-1 on back-to-back nights - they continued their strong play against good teams. But with a cursed blanking against the Coyotes and a back-and-forth overtime win over the Blue Jackets, they also showed the you can't predict what the Islanders will do next. In the second half, they look at unheralded star Brock Nelson, who continues to quietly lead the Islanders in big moments, and Mat Barzal, who is having and strange but productive season so far. Along the way, they talk about Mike playing podcast hosts against each other, The Athletic being obtuse and, somehow, Muammar Gaddafi. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a supersized episode, Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' games against Blackhawks, Blues and Red Wings, and Dan speaks with former WHA & NHL linesman Ron Asselstine about his career and memories of the dynasty Isles. First, they look at big wins in Chicago and St. Louis that extended the team's winning streak to five, as well as the disappointing shutout loss in Detroit that ended the run. They talk about players that stood out in each game, how the Islanders have kept pace in their division early in the season and how very few people have noticed because of other NHL goings on (as usual). In the second half, Dan speaks with Ron Asselstine, who spent 25 years as a pro hockey linesman. Throughout those two-plus decades, he's collected a million stories, many about the great Islanders teams of the early '80s. From Bossy's 50-in-50 game to Clark Gillies rearranging Ed Hospodar's face, Ron was on the ice for many signature moments for the franchise. He also discusses the wild days of the WHA, some funny on-ice conversations and the time he had to tackle a fan who had run onto the ice. It's a great chat with a guy who's seen just about everything. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by Lighthouse Hockey legend Mike B to look at three short-time Islanders with much more famous family members. You might not remember Nick Vachon, Ted Drury or Todd Okerlund as Islanders, but you probably remember Rogie Vachon, Chris Drury and “Mean” Gene Okerlund, all of whom eclipsed the other guys in the notoriety department. But Mike, Dan and Mike give the lesser-known players the spotlight, and talk about how they got to the Islanders, recap their biggest successes, see what they did after their stints and basically examine how perfectly “Islanders” each of them was. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react to a three-game winning streak that they did not see coming and the Islanders showing resiliency in the face of some tough opponents. They recap the victories over the Rangers, Hurricanes and Avalanche that were each significant in their own way; as either a needed thievery, a statement in a tough place to play or a show of never-say-die that was as encouraging as it was entertaining. They also spotlight certain performances and things that changed since their last, mostly angry and depressed, episode. In the second half, they discuss a recent roster move (with an exclusive piece of insider material), and look ahead the team's upcoming run through Midwest teams. Finally, they shoutout heartfelt ceremonies, new faces on the job and elder statesmen that put much-needed smiles on their faces. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan celebrate Josh Bailey as he crosses the 1,000 games mark, a unique player reaching a unique place in Islanders history. They talk about his Bailey's drafting and difficult development, his beyond quiet demeanor, and his accomplishments throughout his unexpectedly long career on Long Island. Bailey's undeterred and under-the-radar personality makes him a rarity among professional athletes. And his longevity, along with his under-appreciated skills, have placed him high on the team's all time scoring lists, despite half the fanbase constantly trying to trade him every day since 2008. Congrats, Josh. It's okay to smile. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Islanders drop three games in a row and Mike and Dan aren't happy about it, or about their upcoming schedule of difficult opponents. They discuss all of the many things that went wrong against the Devils, Lightning and Panthers that have left the Islanders at 2-4 and looking very much like the disjointed, ineffective mess they were last season. After a summer of almost no changes and talking up how last year was a fluke, the players and management have done nothing to prove otherwise, leaving fans distraught and angry as another season teeters on the brink before the first month is over. In the second half, they look at upcoming games against quality competition in the Rangers, Hurricanes and Avalanche, and how they Islanders would need to win at least two in order to get back on track. Finally, they tie a bow on the return of the Fisherman logo and how fans reacted to the rollout. Remember: a logo does not define who you are as a person. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan kick off a new season of Weird Islanders: The Podcast! with both a guest and a subject they’ve been looking forward to for a long time. Felix Potvin’s time with the Islanders lasted less than one calendar year. But the circumstances of his arrival and departure, not to mention his dreadful win-loss record, are endlessly fascinating. Examining “The Cat,” is our friend John Muir, who you may have seen around Twitter under the handle of @OlegKvasha. We ask John just how he came about using that name, if he’s ever been mistaken for the man himself (Spoiler: yes, by some of Kvasha’s old Islanders teammates) and why Oleg means so much to him. Then it’s on to a deep dive into one of the most bizarre periods in Islanders history, and the star-crossed goalie that plays a starring role in it. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and THE ISLAND merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look at the Islanders first two games of the season and what's different but the same about the team this time around. They dissect the 3-1 loss to Florida on opening night and how it gave fans a "same old shit" feeling, despite the Islanders playing a brand new style of hockey. They then look at the 7-1 demolition of Anaheim two nights later and how the new philosophy seemed to gel in the (almost) ideal way. They also discuss some younger players that made a difference and some who... have not. In the second half, they preview a stretch that's crucial even this early in the year, and give their opinions on some game ops changes that either have been (thankfully) removed or should be. Finally, they give some updates on former Islanders catching on after their PTOs had expired. REMINDER THAT WEIRD ISLANDERS: THE PODCAST! IS BACK THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 21st. The first episode is an instant classic, so don't miss it! Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan wrap up the preseason and look ahead to the start of the Islanders regular season, with a mix of excitement and apprehension. They talk about the need for the team to have a hot start and not repeat the dreariness of last year's regular season. They look at a couple of injuries the Islanders are already dealing with (and the expected radio silence on details), the performances of a few prospects and how having some depth and cap space going into the season can only be seen as positives. In the second half, they make some bold predictions for the upcoming season, rant about the worthlessness of the NHL's flagship television network and make a massive announcement about new merch you can buy right now. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan celebrate Mat Barzal, who has signed an eight-year contract extension with the Islanders, before turning their attention to the rest of the NHL in their annual season preview. They talk about Barzal's connection with Islanders fans and how he represents more to the franchise than just goals and assists. They also preemptively throw water on whatever the chart merchants will say to make the deal seem like something else entirely, and contrast how these negotiations went versus previous impending free agents. In the second half, they survey the entire NHL to see who they think will be good, bad, overrated and underrated this season. From the Coyotes and their college arena, to the Jets and their boom-or-bust outlook, to the Senators who everyone seems to be rooting for, they cover every team from both a betting and casual standpoint. Visit our friends: Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan (finally) talk about the upcoming Islanders season, how their muted expectations feel normal, and the star power of Mathew Barzal. They discuss the first days of training camp and some of the reports coming out regarding new coach Lane Lambert and players putting the previous disjointed and depressing season behind them. They also tear apart some season previews that offer the same criticisms of the team that we've heard for the last five years. In the second half, they talk up Barzal's appearance on the 32 Thoughts podcast, how excited and personable he came off, and how he "gets" being an Islander like few others. Finally, they look at some already unhinged reporters, compare Islanders to rock gods, and pay a tearful tribute to former Islanders who have signed PTOs with other teams during camp. You will be missed. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the trio of signings the Islanders announced late in the summer and determine which gets the Tidy Piece of Business Seal of Approval. Noah Dobson, newcomer Alex Romanov and Kieffer Bellows all return with things to prove but with loads of potential. The hosts also talk about the man who signed the contracts - GM Lou Lamoriello - who has drawn the most fire from fans who are disappointed in his lack of offseason moves, even if he (publicly, at least) is not. Finally, they talk about a big contract looming on the horizon, some possible moves to clear up space next season and another prospect ranking that has the Islanders near the bottom of the league. All in a packed season finale, the fourth one of the summer! Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WARNING: CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE. A LOT OF IT. Mike and Dan are joined by Arthur Staple of The Athletic to talk over just what the hell happened to that whole "Nazem Kadri to the Islanders" thing. For the third time this season, the hosts wrap up the state of the Islanders after free agency and for the second time discuss how the team missed out on another free agent. While the jury was out on just how Kadri would fit into the roster and sitting out free agency once again no doubt stings, Staple walks us through how the Islanders might just be okay betting on their core players again. In the second half, Mike and Dan direct their hottest fire on the army of phony "insiders" that led fans to believe that a deal was done when it clearly was not. While being mad at the team is justifiable, being mad at the folks that made a mess and then walked away like it wasn't their fault is even more understandable. And only a scant six more weeks before the season starts! Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan tie a bow on the 2021-22 season by talking about the Islanders' lack of moves, taking stock of where the franchise is now, and answering listener questions. The super-duper-sized episode starts with a comparison of their feelings about the team from a year ago and today, and how the Isles' weird, unsuccessful season changes the perception of how they do business. They look at some unrestricted free agents that are still available and who the Islanders may have already signed without telling anyone. In the second half, they wrap up the discussion about Johnny Gaudreau from last week and wonder how the similar experience Islanders fans went through four years ago somehow isn't being used as a guide by Flames fans and media. Finally, they answer questions from listeners about a wide range of topics such as roster moves, favorite random players, goal songs, bad decisions and who to cast for a hypothetical movie about the 2007 Islanders. Thanks again to everyone who sent in a question and for listening along all season. We'll be back when the Islanders sign someone or training camp, whichever comes first. Please leave us a review at iTunes and help spread the Anxiety. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan try to understand how Johnny Gaudreau went from choosing between the Islanders and Devils to signing with Columbus. Spoiler: They don't; but they do understand the implications of the Islanders missing out on yet another prime unrestricted free agent. They talk about the pattern that goes back decades and how nothing the team does is going to change the perception that free agents don't want to come to Long Island. In the second half, they cleanse their palates by discussing the Maple Leafs' big goaltending gambles and the terrible TSN Free Agent Frenzy program that made an irritating day 100 times worse. James Duthie has made an enemy for life. Apologies for the slightly messed up audio. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders moves at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, including trading their first round pick for defenseman Alexander Romanov. They talk about the initial confusion at, then acceptance of the deal, and the potential high upside of acquiring the 22-year-old second year player. They also look at the prospects taken in Rounds 2 through 6, and how they represent a new philosophy for the team. In the second half, they look at some unrestricted free agents who could be available next week who they can and can't (or maybe don't want) to see as Islanders. We'll be back with one last episode next week before we pack up for the summer. The sooner we record our next episode, the bigger the free agent get. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lighthouse Hockey founder Dominik Jánský walks Mike and Dan through the twisty career of Craig Janney, who spent 18 forgettable games as an Islander after years of almost stardom and near-constant drama. Starting as a phenom with a contending Bruins team, Janney was traded to a swashbuckling St. Louis team for actual superstar Adam Oates. An attempt to make him compensation for yet another free agency splash resulted in more trades and worn out welcomes until he finally washed ashore on Long Island thanks to the man who remembered his potential-filled younger days. Too bad the in-over-his-head coach at the time didn't want to hear about them. How did a career that started with such promise end so disappointingly? Perhaps a famous teammate running off with his wife had something to do with it... Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan wrap up the Stanley Cup final, look ahead to the draft and talk some trash about ESPN's first season of hockey in two decades. With Islanders exhaustion causing them to fall on opposite sides of the watching line, they talk about how the championship series between the Avalanche and Lightning played out, how it made them feel and who they're happy for. They also look at what's on tap for the NHL offseason including some coach hirings and one important coach hiatus. In the second half, they wonder if the Islanders will make a move at the upcoming NHL draft and what longstanding player might end up being the most logical odd man out. They also talk about the lackluster broadcast presentation of ESPN and how more can often be less when it comes to hockey. Finally, they remember a special performance by an Islanders draft pick that gives them a little hope for the future. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by friend and longtime Islanders fan Eric Needell to talk about Chris Simon, a tough guy who packed a lot into his short time on Long Island. After a big trade, one Stanley Cup and about a million fights, Simon signed with the Islanders thanks to coach Ted Nolan, with whom he shared a special relationship. Although his big penalty minute (and outlier scoring) seasons were behind him, Simon made himself into a valuable player on a team loaded with mercenaries. But two long, shameful suspensions within a few months of each other brought his NHL career to an unceremonious close, and he faced many difficulties in his off-ice life. The guys talk about the rare highlights and sobering lowlights of a player who meant a lot to Islanders fans for a very brief period of time. Eric also tells his tale of getting to ask GM Garth Snow just how Chris Simon, of all people, ended up as a top line winger. The answer will not shock you. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan revel in the New York Rangers' demise after a terrifying playoff run, and look around the NHL at what could be a very active offseason. They talk about how the Rangers lost four straight games to the Lightning after going up two games to none and what eventually did them in, as well as the many questions they have coming up this offseason that might put Islanders fan minds at ease. Later, they look at another surprising coach firing and some possible trade targets and free agents that the Islanders could plausibly be in on (if those players are actually available). Along the way they laugh about differences in entitlement, curious lineup decisions that carry the potential for catastrophe, and how hard it is to make the NHL's third-winningest coach a finalist for your team's coaching vacancy. Oh, and the Islanders made a couple of small moves last week, too. No, for real. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by Nick Costa of the legendary Offside Tavern to talk about Raffi Torres, an infamous NHL player that most people forgot even was an Islander. Nick tells the tale of a memorable run-in he had with a young Torres that all but guaranteed he'd never forget the winger' drafting and uneventful first two seasons on The Island. They talk about his goal-free 31 games in blue-and-orange and their near universal excitement that he had been traded for defenseman Janne Niinimaa, even as Torres went on to produce for Edmonton. They marvel at two other forgotten Torres stints with other teams before diving into his tumultuous time as one of the NHL's most hated players. Along the way, Nick drops more stories about running into Islanders in various dining establishments around Long Island, including one generous prospect who spent some of his meager salary to buy a young Nick a bagel. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan ramble and rant about a range of NHL topics, from strange playoff bedfellows to prospect coverage to old guy veneration. With the Islanders' offseason in a holding pattern, the hosts are forced to face a corporate-backed rival fanbase that only emerges when certain special conditions are met, and to rely on previous enemy teams to come through for them. Making matters worse is that the solid ice the Islanders once skated on has cracked and left everyone feeling uneasy. In the second half, they discuss a few Islanders players getting a chance at the World Hockey Championships and how they might impact next season, either on the roster or as trade fodder. They also look at how their shallow prospect pool is all but ignored and how not all beloved veteran bargain free agents are created equal. Remember: some articles aren't worth getting mad about. *-note that this episode was recorded prior to Game 7 between the Rangers and Hurricanes. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They talk about the comical contract signed on a day of high tension among Islanders fans and how Filppula found instant chemistry with another newcomer, Leo Komarov, on a team that was more successful than any fan ever dreamed it would be. They also recap a couple of highlight reel goals that show that the center was more than just the bad underlying numbers he had two years prior. But then the biggest plot twist imaginable happened when Filppula left to return to his original team and the Islanders had to scramble to replace a guy who had arrived in a flash. Of course, no tribute to “Weird Frans” would be complete without a discussion of the beloved Islander he most closely resembled on the ice, and how they formed a friendship after they both left the team. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Along with Desmond Zantua of the Through the Island podcast, Mike and Dan talk about five import players who didn't want to become Islanders. Some stayed a little while, some longer and one not at all. Alexander Karpovtsev and Richard Zednik were traded to Islanders playoff teams and left almost as quickly as they arrived. But they made enough of an impression that real heads couldn't forget them. Lubomir Visnovsky and Evgeni Nabokov fought tooth and nail legally to keep from coming to Long Island, only to sign on for more and become fan favorites. Yes, we bent the podcast's rules a little but for “The Silver Fox” and “The Professor,” we’ll do just about anything. And our final subject was able to successfully dodge the Islanders' grip altogether, which worked out just fine for everyone except the Sabres. Along the way there are legendary rants, mysterious absences and an entire rock band of Weird Islanders. Check out Desmond's Through the Island podcast wherever you get your 'pods.. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan examine the Islanders naming Lane Lambert head coach and some big stories from the first round of the playoffs before answering listener questions. Over almost two full hours, they look at the pros, cons and (mostly) unknowns of elevating the long time assistant coach to the big chair and what it might mean for the players who were looking for a "new voice," according to GM Lou Lamoriello. After that, they look at the winners and losers of the first round including two very high profile teams that can't seem to win four measly games when it counts and one that apparently also plays in a different reality altogether. The second half is dedicated to many great questions sent in by listeners, covering everything from trades and free agents to tears of joy and hot dogs. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. Maybe the next one will happen before another 202 episodes. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan attempt to process the news of the Islanders firing Barry Trotz, the coach with the tightest connection to the Islanders fanbase. They talk about how they felt when the news came out, what additional information came to light later, and what it might mean for the future of the franchise. They look at some possible silver linings and potential positives, while still being sad that Trotz won't be on the Island to enjoy it. They also throw in some rants about the reactions to the firing outside of Islanders circles, and how people who complained about Trotz's tenure with the Islanders are now hoping he'll come to coach another team that's not the Islanders. Sure, guys. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their 200th episode, Mike and Dan reflect on the Islanders season, the exit interviews of the players and their unique brand of interaction with listeners. They quickly recap the last two weeks of games, which include good performances, bad performances, games with a mix of both and one memorable (and possibly final) game for a legend. They also react to the players' final interviews and the introspective things they said about their individual seasons, the team's lack of production on the ice and their futures with the team. Finally, they look back on 200 episodes and all of the ups, downs and in-betweens they've seen over that time. They also promote an idea for their next episode, recording in two weeks. Thanks to all our listeners, whether you've made it through all 200 episodes or are just experiencing true Islanders offseason anxiety for the first time. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Closing song: "You're So Cool" by Family Dinner. Listen to them on Spotify and catch them on tour soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOTE: This is the first episode of second season of Islanders Award Winners. The rest of the episodes will publish later this year. In 1975, the Islanders had made an improbable run to the NHL semifinals in just their third season. A year later, a 19-year-old kid from a farm in Saskatchewan would make sure that run was no fluke. Little about Bryan Trottier’s incredible rookie year makes sense in modern times. A unique underage draft, a boy so humble and quiet he barely said a word all season, an instant No. 1 center who started his career with a hat trick in a five point game in his first appearance at his home arena. Trottier would score throughout the season, finishing with record numbers and helping the Islanders establish themselves as one of the best NHL teams of the mid-70’s. It wasn’t long before he established himself as one of the very best players in the sport... even if you’d never, ever hear him say so. This episode will cover Trottier’s entire Rookie-of-the-Year season, from his background and drafting, to his adjustment to Long Island, to the stunning way he “controlled the puck like he owns it” from the moment he hit the NHL and finally to the adversity he experienced when his goals dried up at the worst time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One Weird Islander story wouldn't be enough for Arthur Staple of The Athletic, who saw countless players come and go in his almost 15 years of covering the team. Along with Dan and Mike, Staple takes us through an entire starting lineup of guys who spent less than 20 games in the blue-and-orange but who all took their own unique paths to and from Long Island. We cover surprise NCAA catch Kevin Czuczman, deadline acquisition Tyler Kennedy, high-draft-pick-turned-sell-high-trade-chip Griffin Reinhart and many, many more. Although they weren't Islanders for long, the players on Staple's Starting Six experienced just about everything; from massive brawls and crazed playoff games, to dramatic trades and evenings with porn stars. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about Ilya Sorokin's extraordinary week and pay tribute to the career and impact of Islanders legend Mike Bossy. Although the team was finally eliminated from playoff contention with a loss in Toronto, the Islanders' young goalie made a name for himself with three great performances including a 44-save shutout in Montreal that stole the spotlight from returning Habs hero Carey Price. They compare Sorokin to Islanders goalies of the past, and look at a few more positives fans can latch on to In a season categorized by a sick cosmic sense of humor. The second half is dedicated to the passing of Mike Bossy, whose career and unbelievable legacy make him a true superhero of the sport and for this very weird and often overlooked franchise. Despite all of his incredible skill and uniqueness, Bossy was always as approachable as other dynasty greats, and his pull was so magnetic that he was able to create an enclave of Islanders fans in a far off place all by himself. The loss of Bossy is another gut punch in a season full of them. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look at one satisfying win and two hugely disappointing losses for the Islanders, who have a zombie three weeks ahead of them for the first time in three seasons. The talk about losses to the Stars and Blues that had the hallmarks of the cursed early season Islanders and a win against the Hurricanes that not only served some karmic justice in the moment but also screwed two other teams (however temporarily) in the process. Later, they discuss how to deal with an end-of-season slog when your team isn't going to the playoffs, a once-familiar feeling they had been able to avoid for a while. Along the way they compare broadcast homers, offer solutions to help Mat Barzal find his best self and do their best to avoid some already beaten-to-death NHL storylines. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and former AHL reporter Bob Dittmeier reminisce about the Capital District Islanders, the New York Islanders’ upstate-based farm team from the early ‘90s and players like Graeme Townshend, Greg Parks, Jamie McLennan and more. Bob takes us through the Capital District Islanders' unique founding (that eerily mirrored its parent club's), and talks about some of the players he covered that would go on to be short time NHLers. From Townshend's intelligence and scary injury that inadvertently caused an entire other franchise to fold, to younger versions of Dean Chynoweth and Kevin Cheveldayoff being destined for coaching and management roles, we go around the locker room with the reporter that was there for the franchise's entire three year history. Along the way, they cover the birth of the River Rats, being locked out of an arena by burly security guards and a six-hour drive home with dedicated Dead Head and Capital District coach Butch Goring trying to get Bob to rent his house for the summer. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders four wins (!) this week and let themselves enjoy a team continuing to make games meaningful into the season’s final month. They look at some excellent individual performances in victories over the Rangers, Devils and Blue Jackets (twice) and how Islanders fans can use them to feel good about next season and beyond. They also discuss the close relationships the team has fostered, as evidenced by Cory Schneider's first win in over two years being celebrated by teammates he's primarily known off the ice for a short time. They also revel in another big win at Madison Square Garden and the joy of having a player that excels at taking it to the Rangers in The World's Most Overrated Arena. In the second half, they look ahead to a tough but short schedule, talk about the attendance and atmosphere at UBS Arena and hope that a new generation of Long Island-native NHLers will finally grow up as Islanders fans. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap a spectacularly bad weekend for the Islanders and discuss GM Lou Lamoriello's words following the trade deadline. They look back at losses to the Bruins and Lightning that prove once again that this iteration of the Islanders simply can't beat the NHL's best this season, even when they give it their all. They also recap wins against the Senators and Red Wings that that prove once again that this iteration of the Islanders is better than the rest of the NHL's non-playoff teams. In the second half, they parse Lamoriello's press availabilities after the deadline and what it might mean for the wingers who have had disappointing seasons. They ask what kind of player Oliver Wahlstrom wants to be, whether Anthony Beauvillier can make himself untradeable, why there's no help coming from the minors and how to stop Lamoriello from dressing like a funeral director. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk with Isles Fix's Joe Buono about goalie Wade Dubielewicz, a cult Islanders legend with a one-of-a-kind career arc. The diminutive goalie went from the NCAA to the AHL to the starter's net on a mercenary Islanders team needing to do the improbable in order to clinch a playoff berth. He went on to make the most famous poke check in team history and solidify his legacy as Islander hero. But that wasn't the ending of the story. Mike, Dan and Joe talk about Easter Sunday Magic, Dubielewicz's history of poke checks, waiver shenanigans that foreshadow future Islanders waiver shenanigans and much, much more as they remember the Islanders version of Yoda. Thanks again to Joe for coming on. Follow him on Twitter at @IslesFix, and sign up for the newsletter here. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the 2022 NHL Trade deadline, in which the Islanders made zero (0) trades but two (2) signings. They talk about the philosophy in bringing back Cal Clutterbuck and Zach Parise, and how the franchise is (unsurprisingly) going to ride with this group until the wheels come off. They talk about the positives of not making any drastic moves, while at the same time knowing that the team will need upgrades to get back to where it was the previous three seasons. In the second half, they cover (some of) the rest of deadline moves, many of which helped the Islanders' Metro Division rivals get better in the short term. They look at how some players can help their new teams, a few guys that didn't move and a few deals they don't quite understand. Along the way they cover GM beefs, the annual trade deadline TV extravaganzas and, oh yeah, the four entire games the Islanders played last week. Almost forgot about those. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a super-sized trade deadline spectacular, Mike and Dan recap the Islanders three-game winning streak and talk about what they think the team will (and, more importantly will not) do this week. They talk about the milestones hit by Anders Lee and Barry Trotz, and how the quiet skill of Brock Nelson hasn't been fully appreciated by people outside the Islanders' bubble. They also discuss the continued evolution of Oliver Wahlstrom and while he's not what many fans want him to be yet, he is getting there. In the second half (31:40), they have a HOT TAKE about how the Islanders' roster will look after the trade deadline and how their supposedly available pieces will be dealt with. They also look around the league at some other names that have been thrown around and who they could see landing where. Along the way they cover a big public faceplant, some cathartic booing and an entire team of old Islanders defenseman working out at Eisenhower Park because that's just what they do. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Nick Giglia of invaluable referendum blog "Let There Be Lighthouse" talk about how Sergei Nemchinov was a winner who played for the Islanders at the wrong time. The veteran forward was 34 years old when he signed as a free agent, bringing years of experience from the Soviet Union, international stage and a Stanley Cup run with the Rangers to a team that needed all the help they could get. For once, Mike Milbury opened his wallet as well as his mouth, but for Nemchinov, the chance to play near Brooklyn's Brighton Beach was enough to sign. Nick talks about rubbing elbows with both men and a certain Islanders prospect who had "the biggest wrists he had ever seen," on a booze cruise around Manhattan when he was just 12. And things just get weirder from there as we venture for the first time into the thickest, darkest part of the Islanders' Milbury era. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look at the good (some) and bad (also some) of the Islanders' last week and the promising signs that have, unfortunately, started to arrive a little too late. They recap disappointing games against the Avalanche and Canucks and the mistakes that cost the team points in each, before discussing a surprisingly spicy Saturday win over a very good Blues team. They also examine the misunderstood storylines heading into those games, the odd season of Semyon Varlamov and how the trade deadline is looming just as the team is rounding into form. They spend the second half ranting about a few recent issues within the hockey media that shows just how unnecessarily hard it is to be a hockey fan in this day and age. Along the way, they remember all of the missed calls, disallowed goals and pre-game ceremonies the Islanders have had to endure this week and throughout the season. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap a week of good Islanders performances (with one shameful loss) and wonder where the team's younger players go after this weird season. They look at wins over the Kraken and Ducks, a tough luck shootout loss to the Sharks and a loss to the Kings in which everything that could go wrong did in a microcosm of the season. Later, they discuss Zdeno Chara breaking the all time games played record for defensemen and the lasting legacy he'll leave with the Islanders no matter how long his return engagement lasts. And with one of the team's older players out for a while, how does the team view its younger guys like Keiffer Bellows, Sebastian Aho and Oliver Wahlstrom, who can continue to improve even in this lost season. Along the way they also criticize ESPN's bafflingly awful NHL coverage and wonder why the Islanders keep losing their best games. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Lighthouse Hockey's own Jenny Berman, Mike and Dan discuss how Thomas Vanek spent 47 games with the Islanders that were somehow both completely inconsequential and yet totally changed the direction of the franchise. Vanek was the dynamic winger John Tavares needed but he came at the expense of fan favorite Matt Moulson and he was notably not a goalie. So while the top line terrorized the NHL for a few dozen games, the Islanders bled goals until GM Garth Snow finally sent Vanek to Montreal for an underwhelming return. But that one short, weird period continues to affect the Islanders today in some extremely surprising ways. Also, where in the world is Michael Dal Colle? Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look again at the Islanders' maddening pattern of wins and lamentable losses, and how their trade deadline will affect their overall direction. They talk about how the Islanders looked more like the Sabres than the Sabres did in their loss in Buffalo, and how a loss to a goalie who hadn't played in the NHL in four years was all but guaranteed well before Sunday's loss to Montreal. In between was a win over Boston that reminded fans of the team they could be when it plays its game to the fullest (or close to it). Later they discuss what players could move at the trade deadline and how most national writers miss the point by looking at the Islanders' CapFriendly page and not at the infinite number of layers underneath the roster. If you want to know, talk to well-adjusted Islanders fans (like us!). Note 1: Sorry about Dan's audio. He should have checked which device Zencastr was pointing to before he started recording. Note 2: Carter Hutton got traded to the Leafs just after we finished recording. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders up and down (mostly down) trip to Western Canada and look back at a cursed first half of the season. They look at what worked and what didn't in a win in Vancouver and loses in Edmonton and Calgary, and the role that bad luck continues to play in the Islanders games. They also peek ahead at their upcoming games and how the best case scenario is a generous injection of false hope. In the second half, they look at what the first half of the season tells us about this incarnation of the Islanders, what elements are missing and how they can get back to where they were in the previous three seasons. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by actor, writer and podcaster Michael Paul Smith, Dan and Mike take it all the way back to the original Islanders villain who changed the way the team was perceived for all time. The three talk about Muller's decorated pre-Islanders career, the franchise-wrecking trade that brought him - very reluctantly - to the Islanders and the surprisingly lucrative trade that shipped him out (that was then later also ruined). They re-watch the legendary video introducing the team in their Fisherman jerseys with Muller getting booed like he owed everyone in Nassau Coliseum money, find the connections between Muller's rejection and future Islanders deserters, and discover his clout-chasing final season with the Leafs, Panthers and Stars, who were noticeably not the Islanders. Finally they cast a show about the Muller saga and choose which actors have the chops to bring the dastardly antagonist to life. Weird Islanders: The Podcast! is proud to have a new theme song this week, "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Björn is a musician and Islanders fan who generously offered us the song to use for the show. To hear more of his work, you can find him on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Thanks again, Björn! Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Theme song: "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders' embarrassing loss to expansion Seattle just before the All Star Break and the important road trips that will determine where their season goes next. They wonder if the Islanders are simply too exhausted after several mentally taxing seasons in a row and how a truly lost season could impact the franchise going forward. They talk about criticisms of the coaches, playing "the kids" and how the Islanders are a collection of three separate cores from various eras. In the second half, they look at the upcoming schedule and see games the Islanders could win if things change from how they have unfolded so far. Finally, they talk about the recent All Star Game, Adam Pelech's performance with the NHL's elite and the league's never-ending quest to be relevant outside of Canada. Sadly, we forgot to talk about the loss of Austin Czarnik on waivers. Alas. Oh, and Mike and his wife Emily had a baby. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and special guest Noel Fogelman revisit one of the most bizarre episodes in recent Islanders history, the many-layered acquisition of "Captain Canada" Ryan Smyth. They look at all of the crazy factors leading up to the 2007 trade deadline and how the Islanders came out of nowhere to grab the power forward after a stalled contract negotiation with Edmonton. They talk about his productive - if unmemorable - time on the ice, his unceremonious exit in free agency and the Islanders "legacy" Smyth left behind and probably doesn't even know he has. Along the way they laugh about emotional goodbyes, dramatic news reports and players who should never have left their original teams (and who all somehow ended up playing for the Islanders). Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and emergency recall Carey Haber look at the Islanders recent losses, their struggles against winning teams and what qualities they're still missing this season. They look at good performances against the Kings and Wild that were undone by early goals against and costly mistakes, and how the Islanders failed to capitalize on their many chances to score. They also lament having so many players providing half the production they had in previous seasons and how its throws off the entire system. In the second half, they talk about how Barry Trotz's decisions have affected his team's performance and what the team's makeup has lost in certain roster moves that were not improved or replaced. Finally they talk a little about the upcoming NHL All Star Game featuring Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (doing... something during the skills competition. We just don't know what). Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders three wins and one loss this week and examine the monumental impact of Clark Gillies, who has passed away at 67. Back-to-back wins against the Flyers and a shutout over the Coyotes boosted the team's point totals and fan morale. But the devastating news of the passing of a franchise legend immediately put everything into stark perspective. They also talk about a loss to the Maple Leafs that was both more and less demoralizing than usual. In the second half, they talk about the Islanders' woeful offense, how its gone inert in a season full of disjointed games and bad luck, and what, if anything, they can do about it in the future. Finally, they discuss what Gillies meant to the Islanders, the NHL and Long Island, and how fans' love for the type of player he was on and off the ice still casts a shadow over the team today. RIP Jethro. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss defensive forward Jay Pandolfo's short but legendary stint as an Islander with former blogger and Vintage Ice Hockey founder Kevin Schultz. The three look at how the veteran ended up with the Islanders late in his career, recap his one and only goal for a team other than the New Jersey Devils and learn about maybe the saddest Twitter parody account of all time. And, of course, no Jay Pandolfo discussion would be complete without a look at his linemate Nino Niederreiter, who endured one of the singularly awful rookie seasons in recent NHL memory and set off a butterfly effect that still affects the team to this day. Kevin also blows our mind with an unsubstantiated jersey rumor that we're choosing to 100 percent believe is real. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap a win and a loss and look into some possible trades the Islanders can make to bolster their defense in this (possibly already lost) season. They talk about an exciting but undisciplined win over the Devils and a depressing, ineffective shutout loss to the Caps at a time when any loss is a bad one. They also peek at the schedule ahead, which offers the Islanders an opportunity to pick up some points against some less-than-intimidating competition. Later, they throw around names like Jakob Chychrun, John Klingberg and Hampus Lindholm as possible trade targets this season. Who would cost the most, who would be the best fit and which Islander would have to go the other way? We don't know but we need to discuss something during this very strange season. Finally, they talk a little about their new podcast project, "Weird Islanders." Check out the first episode - about Brian Rolston - now. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First episode of a brand new LHH podcast! What is a "Weird Islander" and what makes Brian Rolston one? We ask guest Carey Haber and lay down some ground rules for the show going forward. We talk about the trade that brought Rolston to the Islanders, the team of disgruntled veterans who no doubt wondered how they all washed up at Nassau Coliseum that season, how many ways there are to skin a cat and... wait, who is skating at IceWorks? And that's barely the entrance to the rabbit hole we fall down. We cover a lot of ground in one episode so we hope you enjoy. Let us know what you think at LighthouseHockey.com and give us some suggestions for future episodes of Weird Islanders: The Podcast! Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders back-to-back wins as they stare down another long break in between games. They look at the quality play in wins over a depleted Buffalo squad and an Oilers team that's constantly searching for a solution in goal, and how like Kieffer Bellows and Noah Dobson have taken big steps forward in recent games. Later, they look at the postponement of their Western Canada trip and the 13-day break the Islanders now face. They wonder how will it affect their chances at getting back in the playoff race, all of the mental gymnastics that will be going on in fans heads and how it will mostly go unnoticed outside of Long Island. They finish by setting up an alternative programming option, the final of the World Darts Championship, which happens on Monday, January 3rd. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about a good win and two frustrating loses for the Islanders, and are joined by Arthur Staple to hear stories of his decade on the team's beat. The hosts recap a rare lazy loss in Detroit followed by a quality win over a depleted Bruins team and then a bothersome shootout loss to Robin Lehner and the Vegas Golden Knights. They look at some of the mental mistakes that have cost the Islanders points and how the starts and stops of the season have been exhausting for all involved. They also talk about Lehner's hero's welcome and its perception around the hockey world. Later, friend of the show Staple joins to give some intel on the current Islanders team and talk about some of what he's seen over the last 10 years covering the team. Which Islanders were the most fun to talk to, which player confronted him but forgot to pack an actual beef and how the team and the attention that they get (or don't get) has transformed over his time on the beat? Finally, we end on a music question that actually stumps Art, the master of game day mixes. Spoiler: Dylan Reese's name comes up twice! Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap a big win and a tough loss, and hash out the Islanders' recent play and current identity (or lack thereof). Their spirits are high after a matter-of-fact victory over New Jersey - the Islanders' first at their new home and featuring the first goal of the season for Zach Parise - which followed a last second defeat against Nashville which featured a myriad of mistakes. They also examine the growing criticisms of Barry Trotz, how the Islanders have largely been lacking the successful style that he installed years ago, and how the many unfortunate circumstances of this season have forced changes from the coach that have people scratching their heads. Later, they ramble about the remarks another NHL coach made recently and how they relate to the never-ending "Growing the Game" conversation that never seems to actually grow the game. Finally, Mike gets us all hyped for the Darts World Championship. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan breath a sigh of relief as the Islanders win an actual game and start putting points together. They just need to keep doing that. They talk about a big win in Ottawa in which they finally looked like themselves again and the three extra inning losses that preceded it that had some good signs as well. They discuss the elevated recent play of Noah Dobson and the possible return of that elusive teammate - Lady Luck. Later, they look ahead to games against the Predators and Devils, the placing of Anatolii Golyshev on unconditional waivers and the midday only fury about it, and welcome a new addition to the Islanders beat. Good luck, man. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan sift through two more Islanders losses and process their frustrations over the postponements of at least two upcoming games. They talk about how the injury and COVID situations have impacted the players on the ice, as well as the failures of execution that have led them to dropping eight straight games. They also weigh the knowledge that the team's immediate future is very much hanging by a thread with the feeling that there are lights at the end of a very long tunnel. Later, Dan recounts his first visit to UBS Arena and they look at some situations around the NHL where the light at the end of the tunnel might be raging dumpster fire on the tracks. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway is the official betting partner of the NHL. Play Big Pick for free or play for real. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Absolutely nothing is going right for the Islanders right now - losses, injuries and COVID cases are piling up. But there is a new arena to talk about... Mike and Dan look at the two losses to the Flames and Maple Leafs over the weekend and the shocking loss of players due to a rash of positive COVID tests right before game time. Already without Ryan Pulock, the Islanders have now lost Brock Nelson to injury, making the climb out of their early season hole even harder. Some of the circumstances are due to rotten luck and poor timing, but issues within the team's play are also hurting them on the ice. Once they finish grieving, they look at the opening of the spectacular UBS Arena and Mike gives a full report of his home opener experience. He talks about some of the noticeable and less noticeable features, and the overall classiness of what feels like an Islanders Theme Park. Along the way they look for a hidden speakeasy, say goodbye to relocation rumor mongers and make their case for being added to the Islanders Hall of Fame selection committee. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Dan and special guest Carey Haber process the emotions of the Islanders losing three straight games and defenseman Ryan Pulock to injury as they open UBA Arena. They talk about how badly the team has looked in losses to the Devils, Lightning and Panthers and whether there are any silver linings. Carey walks them through some underlying numbers that tell where the team is failing and how they might be able to turn things around. Later, Mike and Dan discuss the one-of-a-kind exit of Leo Komarov, a one-of-a-kind player who may be more fondly remembered after his career is over than he was during his often maddening time with the Islanders. They also (finally) talk about the paper transaction trade of Johnny Boychuk to Buffalo and how Lou Lamoriello was able to seize another opportunity. Finally, they look toward the opening of the Islanders new home and all the changes it will mean for now and the future. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains explicit language because there's a lot going on right now. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and mugs with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour shirts which benefit dementia research. Use the code LIGHTHOUSE15 to save 15%. Betway, the official betting partner of the NHL. Please play responsibly. The Pinot Project has Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Rose all under $15. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan chat about the Islanders mostly successful weekend and talk to Arthur Staple about his new book "100 Things Islanders Fans Should and Do Before They Die." The hosts recap two good periods and one bad one in Minnesota, three periods of unfiltered "Islanders Hockey" in Winnipeg and 50 minutes of "The Sorokin Show" in Montreal, that apparently still isn't enough to get anyone's attention. Later, they welcome Staple to ask about how the Islanders have fared in their first 10 games and about his book, which covers the full gamut of the franchise's ups and downs in easily digestible bites. They ask what facts surprised him, who he able to speak to and how the project came about at just the right time. Finally, Art sheds a little bit of light on what might be coming to the Islanders (and, uh, other guys) coverage at The Athletic a little later this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about the Islanders' shootout loss in Nashville, the positives they can take away from their record on the road so far and the next three games in Montreal, Winnipeg and Minnesota. They look at the play of Oliver Wahlstrom, who scored again, and Zdeno Chara, who continues to struggle, as well as the unlucky goal that basically cost the Islanders a point against the Predators. Later, they look ahead to games against the Canadiens, Jets and Wild and the inherent dangers, like goalless streaks coming to an end and tough goalies. Along the way they talk about how the Habs are covered, the similarities between Mat Barzal and Christiano Rinaldo, how opinions on trades change over time and how little they've talked about Cal Clutterbuck over the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan interrupts Mike's vacation to talk about Ilya Sorokin's back-to-back shutouts, Zdeno Chara's struggles and Josh Bailey's miraculous Islanders tenure. They recap the skinny Sorokin's blemish-free weekend, and enjoy the lovable demeanor hiding a stone cold killer of a goaltender. Later, they turn their attention to Zdeno Chara, who is showing weaknesses on the ice that are concerning after his storybook return to his original team, and how much patience Barry Trotz will have for the 44-year-old marvel. Finally, they congratulate Josh Bailey on becoming the 10th leading scorer in Islanders history, passing "Mr. Islander" himself Bob Nystrom. They remember Bailey's drafting, gaze at his longevity in the face of franchise and fan friction, and wonder just how the hell this happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan review the Islanders' first three games of the season, which saw a lot of bad with some good hope lurking below the surface. They talk about the defensive breakdowns in Carolina and the wheels coming off after a promising start in Florida, both leading to losses against other teams expected to contend this season. They then relax after a win in Chicago that was saved in large part by Ilya Sorokin and a career-best game by Oliver Wahlstrom. Later, they look ahead to the next three games, which can set the tone for the rest of their long season-starting road trip. Along the way they talk about fashion lists, getting respect versus being liked and watching their rivals start to crack from within. All the best to Mike Bossy as he battles lung cancer. We're with you, Boss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A short preview of the first episode of Islanders Award Winners Season 2. The Isles use a new rule to take a young and impressive Bryan Trottier in the 1974 NHL draft. After another stand out season in Juniors, the quiet farm boy from Saskatchewan makes the team and impresses everyone with his skills and poise. A new season of Islanders Award Winners is on its way in 2022. Listen to all of Season One at Lighthouse Hockey or in the podcast app of your choice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan ponder the Islanders' finalized roster and what it means to finally root for a team with Stanley Cup expectations. They look at who's in and who's in Bridgeport, the long, strange trip of Michael Dal Colle and how Lou Lamoriello uses every ounce of time he has to squeeze the most cap space out of his players. Later, they examine the shift in aspirations the Islanders have gone through over the previous decades and how this season's lofty predictions will make every game weight that much more. They also talk about the NHL's new broadcast partners, the bizarre admiration of the Tkachuk Family and other disseminated talking points from the season's start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time ever, Mike and Dan turn their attention to teams that aren't the Islanders to give their thoughts, outlooks and bold predictions for each NHL division. They look at the much maligned three-tiered Pacific Division and how the two newest teams look like they could have the best upcoming seasons. They scan the tough Central Division, full of flawed but talented teams and the Coyotes, who are more of the former and none of the latter. They project the Canadian-flavored Atlantic Division and talk about the difference between hating a team for what it does on the ice and hating it because of how much attention it gets. And finally they discuss the Murderer's Row Metro Division and how the Islanders stack up against their traditional rivals. They close with a plea to model makers to check their work before talking trash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders goalie situation as Semyon Varlamov misses more preseason games, then turn their attention towards a secret UBS Arena sponsor's meeting and other topics. They wonder if Varlamov will be ready for Game 1 in Carolina or if Ilya Sorokin and Cory Schneider, who has looked good in the preseason, will be the tandem to start the team's 13-game road trip. They also talk about the first cuts from camp and who might stick around for a while. Later, they relay some intel they learned from a meeting of UBS arena partners and discuss Lou Lamoriello's philosophies on team building and gameday fashion. Finally, Mike gives his review of Amazon Prime's All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs series, which lives up to it's "Nothing" in more than just describing the Leafs' latest playoff flame out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan "recap" the Islanders' first two preseason games, talk about the standouts so far and make some bold predictions for the upcoming season. They talk about the surprising intensity of the wins over the Rangers and Flyers and how they relate to the team's current status and standards. They also spotlight players like Aatu Raty, Robin Salo and Richard Panik, who have turned some heads in the early part of camp. Later, they make predictions for events that will totally definitely happen in the near future involving some Islanders players, their coach and their new arena. They finish with Mike's tale of running into an Islanders Legend eating a salad and an upcoming Amazon show hockey fans may want to tune into. Along the way they talk about the ghosts of preseasons past, the Press Box Purgatory All Stars and which team overrates its own players the most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan resume their normal format (mostly) to talk about the return of Zdeno Chara to the Islanders and their upcoming training camp. They celebrate the signing of the first ballot Hall of Famer and the continuation of Lou Lamoriello's Summer of Righting Wrongs, while examining the well-founded concerns about Chara's effectiveness on the ice in this late stage of his career. Later, they look at training camp kicking off this week, and some of the less-familiar faces that will be around, and how the players and coaches will have to handle the increased pressure of an Islanders team with real championship aspirations. Think about that for a minute... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan channel Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman to talk about the Islanders' long awaited acquisition of forward Zach Parise. Beginning with audio of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and the Islanders' decision to pass on Parise at the time, they discuss what he can bring to the roster now and what it means for this version of the team to sign a 37-year-old former All Star looking to win a Stanley Cup with one of the teams his father played for. They also talk about the Islanders' checkered history with Long Island natives, how they stack up among their Metro Division rivals this coming season and how nice it is to fly under the radar because you're consistent. And it's all done in loving tribute (uh, mostly) to Sportsnet's invaluable 31 Thoughts podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' long-awaited signings, and Mike catches the off-Broadway play partially based on the podcast. They discuss the pros, cons (mostly pros) and quotes from the re-signings of Anthony Beauvillier, Kyle Palmieri, Casey Cizikas and Ilya Sorokin, and how this summer stacks up over other Islanders' offseasons. They also rejoice in the expected signing of Zach Parise, which will make up for the mistake of not drafting him all those years ago. Later, they discuss the previous signing of Adam Pelech, and the hole still on defense after the Nick Leddy trade. Finally, Mike tells the tale of watching Islander - The Play, a mostly one-man off-Broadway show that includes material from the podcast, and the way it was described versus the way it was actually presented. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the many goings on around the draft for the Islanders, including trades, an expansion loss, new prospects and a crazy schedule. They talk about the salary cap deals that sent Nick Leddy and Andrew Ladd away, and how both had different effects on the Islanders when they arrived. They also say goodbye to Jordan Eberle, whose expansion draft selection is a bittersweet exit for a fun player. Later, they chat about the haul from this weekend's Entry Draft, especially Finnish forward Aatu Raty, who basically fell into the Islanders' laps in the second round. Finally, they go over next season's schedule, which starts with an insane 13-game roadtrip before finally settling home at UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk to Arthur Staple of The Athletic about the Islanders offseason. Who might go, who might stay and where the cap room might be coming from. They discuss possible trade scenarios or strategies for the upcoming expansion draft, and the harsh reality that the Islanders might have to lose some beloved players in order to get better for next season. They look at some ways GM Lou Lamoriello might alleviate the team's cap crunch while also acknowledging that Lou's mind is unreadable and he's already 17 steps ahead of everyone else. They also cover the just-concluded Stanley Cup final, the Islanders having worse odds of winning the 2022 Stanley Cup than the Panthers, cheering the “right” way, expensive concert tickets and the joy of (we hope) not having to watch Pierre McGuire on TV ever again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) and Noel Fogelman (@thefirstnoel19) are joined by IslesBlog co-editor and Empire Sports Media contributor Rob Taub to share their thoughts on the Islanders failing to reach the Stanley Cup Final after a 1-0 loss in Game 7 versus the Tampa Bay Lighting. They discuss what similarities there are between this Islanders run and other New York sports teams, rooting interests in the Stanley Cup Final and why this missed opportunity is especially tough. Later, the trio talk about the team's priorities in the off-season, whether Casey Cizikas will re-sign, how they afford Kyle Palmieri and who should be protected in the expansion draft. Finally, they share some personal memories from the Nassau Coliseum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders loss to the Lightning in Game 7 of the NHL semifinals and the bonds this iteration of the team formed with the people who cheer them on. They talk about how the final game unfolded, the uncharacteristic mistake that cost the Islanders dearly, and how the team had everyone believing right up until the very end. That belief led to blurred lines between player and fan, and both sides taking the 1-0 loss that ended their season extremely hard. Later, they recount the many ways in which the tapestry of this Islanders team was formed over each playoff series, and their hope that this roster is remembered as fondly as previous rosters that didn't make it nearly as close to a Stanley Cup. Along the way they read listener reviews, discuss the Islanders' "serious cojones," lament at how the playoffs take over your life and marvel at how Sports Pope Mike Francesa declared, "Time for Barzal" at just the right moment. Thanks to everyone for listening this season and to those who left us reviews on iTunes. if you have a moment this summer and can leave us one, it would be greatly appreciated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) and Noel Fogelman (@thefirstnoel) react to the Islanders forcing a Game 7 in Tampa Bay following a 3-2 overtime win at the Coliseum on Thursday Night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders dramatic Game 6 win over the Lightning and vent their anxieties over Game 7. They talk about the ways in which the Islanders and their fans go against societal norms, the catharsis of Anthony Beauvillier's overtime goal, the reactions to their post-game celebration and learning to trust in their team again. They recount each of the goals and moments in the game, including the torturous intermission before overtime and "waiting to wait." Later, they look ahead to Game 7 and some of the pluses and minuses the Islanders have in front of them, such as the memories of a disastrous Game 5 in the same building. Finally, they talk about Lou Lamoriello winning his second NHL GM of the Year Award, the complaints about playoff officiating and how much fun it is when the Islanders piss people off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan remain amazed at Ryan Pulock’s last second save to preserve the Islanders’ Game 4 win as they recap that game and Games 2 and 3. They talk extensively about the rollercoaster ride of the last four seconds of a game in which the Islanders played 57 great minutes and three bad ones, and how quickly the Lightning can turn a game in their favor. They also recount the ways in which Pulock's actions transcended hockey and the Islanders' generally small sphere of notice. Later, Mike tells the tale of how he met Islanders legend John Tonelli at Saturday night's game and gets the scoop on one of the most famous photographs in team history - the legendary Bryan Trottier double middle fingers pic. Finally, they talk about the rash of celebrity sightings at Nassau Coliseum in these playoffs and which celebs are welcome (Ralph Macchio, Susan Lucci) and which aren't (looking at you, Jimmy Fallon). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) and Noel Fogelman (@thefirstnoel19) reflect on just how much they enjoying yet another deep playoff run with the rest of Islanders Country. They react to the team's textbook road playoff performance in Game 1 vs Tampa Bay and reflect on the key story lines coming out of a hard fought series with the Boston Bruins. Later, Joe is joined by New York Post columnist Mike Vaccaro (@MikeVacc) to chat about what this Islanders team means for a whole generation that didn't experience the Dynasty years. Plus, the seismic shift in culture Lou Lamoriello has brought to the organization and how ownership has reinvigorated a proud fanbase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders’ clinical win over the Lightning in Game 1 of their semifinal series and the unexpected complete team victory. They look at how different players all stepped up to limit the explosive Tampa Bay offense to almost nothing all game long, and how forced turnovers turned into goals by Mat Barzal and Ryan Pulock. They also wonder what changes Lightning coach Jon Cooper will make before Game 2, which will be a completely different beast. Along the way they talk about how the win was seen outside of Islanders fans and what broadcasters do during games in which almost nothing happens. Also, Dan does his impression of Kenny Albert's less than furious ad read of the upcoming Fast and Furious movie (yes, it's called "F9", not "Fast 5," but you get the picture). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a raspy voice worn out from screaming, Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders eliminating the Bruins and facing the Lightning again in the semifinals. They talk about how the Islanders hung on for a win in Game 5 before kicking Boston’s ass in Game 6 at Nassau Coliseum, and how Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy poked Islanders fans with some bizarre ranting about refs, saints and respect. The victory is an instant favorite for both and a huge moment in the history of the franchise, as it continues to be re-written. Later, they look ahead to a daunting series against the defending Cup champion Lighting, coach John Cooper (who has definitely seen some New York Saints games at the Coliseum) and the differences between this season and their meeting last year in the bubble. Along the way they cover New Orleans funerals, tired narratives, being present in the moment and the importance of buying in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap Games 3 and 4 of the Islanders-Bruins series, the breakout of Mat Barzal and the unique Nassau Coliseum experience. They talk about feeling confident after Game 3's loss on a fluky goal and about the raw determination of the Islanders in a pivotal and important Game 4 win. They discuss Barzal finally scoring, his emotional outburst after the game and the reveals of his post-game presser. Mike also tells the tale of what it was like for he and his wife Emily - a Bruins fan - to attend Game 4 and what she learned about the collective psyche of Islanders fans. Along the way they chat about the torture of watching a "fun" game live, what separates playoff teams from those who flame out (*cough* MapleLeafs *cough*), and a history of bad icings going back decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan cover the ups, downs, heroes and goats of first two games of the Islanders-Bruins series. They talk about the Islanders being overmatched in Game 1 against the rested Bruins, as well as Boston's off-ice officials, before discussing how the team turned around their fortunes with a solid Game 2 performance and a long-awaited overtime goal by Casey Cizikas. They cover some of the chess moves made by both coaches and what they're looking for as the series shifts to Long Island. In the second half, they step up to throw more dirt on a certain North Division team whose season came to an end moments before the Islanders tied their second round series. Also, Mike gives us an update of how he and his Bruins fan wife are handling the series so far. They also crown a final winner of some eBay swag. Thanks to everyone who left a review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan revel in the Islanders' elimination of the Penguins and marvel at how far they've come in three seasons. They talk about Ilya Sorokin's already iconic performance in Game 5 and it's laugh-out-loud hilarious double overtime ending. Then they discuss Game 6's gutsy win in which the Islanders erased three Pittsburgh leads. They also remember when times weren't so good, and think about what the franchise has become under Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello. Later, they look ahead to the next round against the Bruins and how Brad Marchand and Leo Komarov will butt heads one more time. Oh, and Mike's wife is a Bruins fan. So that should be fun. This is also your last chance to leave us a review on iTunes with a chance to win some eBay swag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PTIsles Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) and Noel Fogelman (@thefirstnoel19) are joined by NHL.com's Brian Compton after the Islanders 2OT win in a pivotal Game 5 in Pittsburgh. Topics Discussed: Russian Goaltender steals the show Josh Bailey silences the haters (for a moment) Scott Mayfield standing tall Character Wins Coliseum crowd grows larger Later in the IslesBuzz segment, Joe struggles with delays with his new cable service, fans selling tickets on secondary market, Bud Light care packages, CT meetups and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the rollercoaster of the Islanders losing Games 2 & 3 to the Penguins, then winning a Game 4 lovefest. The talk about how satisfying it was to watch the composed goaltending of Ilya Sorokin, how the Islanders set up Game 4's win with physical play in Game 3 and how funny it is to see the Penguins (and owner Mario Lemieux) complaining about "disinterested officiating." They also recap the losses in Games 2 and 3 and the uncharacteristic play of Semyon Varlamov. Later, they look ahead to Game 5 and around the league at other playoff series. Also, Mike tells the story of a hat exchange that could only happen in the bedlam of a playoff game at Nassau Coliseum. Leave us a review on iTunes with your Twitter handle in it to enter a chance to win some eBay swag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are still excited over 24 hours after the Islanders OT win over the Penguins in Game 1 of their playoff series. They talk about the mistakes the Islanders overcame in the first two periods before turning things on in the third, and the "Classic Islanders Shit" that we were all able to witness. They also focus on the steady play of Ilya Sorokin in his first ever NHL playoff start, the joys of watching J-G Pageau work his magic in the playoffs once again and the many dramatic ways in which the Pittsburgh media tries to comfort itself after one loss. Later, they look ahead to Games 2, 3 and 4 and how the Islanders can stay in the driver's seat. They also go around the league and talk about other opening games, forcing Canadian media to cover U.S.-based teams for a season, dead horses being beaten and the "John Wick of power plays." Leave us a review on iTunes with your Twitter handle in it for a last chance at winning some Islanders eBay swag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look ahead to the Islanders first round playoff series against the Penguins and reasons to be optimistic (or doubtful). They talk about the Islanders getting another chance to start fresh and whether they can have the same success they had last season after a similar reset. They also talk about the Penguins' puck luck, persecution complex and media advantages against the Islanders going back decades. Later, they discuss the name and logo change for the Islanders' AHL affiliate and look at some playoff match-ups from around the NHL. Warning: Tortorella is in the area. Be alert. Leave us a review on iTunes and include your Twitter handle in the review for a final chance at winning some Islanders eBay swag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) and Noel Fogelman (@thefirstnoel19) are joined by IslesBlog's Rob Taub and James Nichols for a roundtable discussion on the team's struggles heading into the playoffs. Topics Discussed: Confidence level after losing twice to the legend of Michael Houser Trotz sitting Barzal for a rest and a message Kyle Palmieri can still salvage the trade Playoff opponent preference In the Isles Buzz segment, we talk about the league enabling Tom Wilson, James Dolan blindsiding the Blueshirt fanbase and the Sound Tigers hint at a name-change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are very confused by the recent play of the Islanders and the even more recent actions of the Rangers. One team has sandwiched two clinical performances that clinched their own playoff berth and erased the chances of one for the other in between three questionable loses, including two to a last-place team playing in front of an ECHL goalie. They discuss mental mistakes, invisible players and surprise scratches that they hope end when the playoffs begin. Meanwhile the other has fired its GM and president after a bad season despite icing a team of young future talent. One of these situations makes them happy, the other does not. Also, they choose another winner of eBay swag. Leave us a review on iTunes this month for your last chance at some of your own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders two tough losses to the Capitals, the team's recent struggles and a win against the Rangers. They recount, in gory detail, all of the ways the Islanders are currently failing and how pathetic they looked against a Capitals squad they could see again in the playoffs. They also talk about a win against the Rangers that reminded them of just how good the Islanders can be when they're on their game. After emptying their tanks, they somehow segue into begging their way into a tour of the UBS Arena construction, Martin Scorsese's views on hockey, the Islanders' official podcast and fun facts they didn't know about Bob Nystrom. Leave us a review at iTunes with your Twitter handle and you'll earn a chance to win some Islanders eBay swag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan worry about the Islanders' recent lackluster play with six (6!) games against the Rangers and Capitals looming on the horizon. They wonder aloud about why the team hasn't played that well lately, what lineup changes can me made to possibly make a positive impact and how Ilya Sorokin's shutout win over the Flyers gave everyone a moment of peace. Facing a team directly ahead of them and a team making a fierce charge for the playoffs makes them feel pressure they hoped to avoid this season. Later, they change directions for a few minutes to discuss the idea of a Super League in soccer and how a proposed NHL version would be a hilarious inevitability from up north. Don't forget to leave a review at iTunes with your Twitter handle to enter for a chance to win some Islanders eBay swag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe and Noel are joined by The Athletic's Arthur Staple to discuss the trade deadline and the Isles chances in the postseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by Arthur Staple of The Athletic to discuss the Islanders trade deadline acquisitions and how the team will respond. First, the hosts talk about the week's games, including some disjointed contests following the arrival Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajak, and how the Islanders salvaged those all important points. Later, they ask Staple about how Lou Lamoriello targeted the two former Devils and how they'll fit into the team's culture. They also ask about any other players the Islanders may have had their eyes on and how they stack up in the East Division arms race. Finally, Mike and Dan go around the league to see who's mad, who's happy and who's not paying attention. Leave us a review at iTunes with your Twitter handle and you'll earn a chance to win some Islanders eBay swag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On their 150th episode, Mike & Dan celebrate Mathew Barzal and a blowout win over the Caps, then ponder the fate of Kyle Palmieri and other possible trade deadline targets. They talk about a wild game against Washington, a rescued game against Philadelphia and the continued evolution of Matt Martin, who has filled in for missing power play weapon Anders Lee. Later, they look at the small move that may have started the trade deadline, and how things might shake out a week from now. Who could go, who could stay and who should really have been a Flyer by now. They also crown this month's winner of Islanders eBay swag. Leave us a review on iTunes to enter a chance to win next month. Thanks for listening to these 150 episodes and letting us have our fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan lament two disastrous loses in Pittsburgh and the difficult looming schedule for the Islanders. They look at how recent lineup decisions (like First Liner Leo Komarov!) have been forced by injuries and the ways they’ve affect the team’s overall play as the Islanders face a mini crossroads in their season. Later, they try to focus on the success the Islanders have had this season and how all is not lost despite their recent struggles. Finally, Mike talks about his excellent adventure with ace journalist Elliotte Friedman, who picked his brain for his latest 31 Thoughts column. They also discuss sleepy rookie broadcasters, annoying glass ads and wanting to be as dreamy as Patrick Sharp. Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes and include your Twitter handle for a shot at winning some for yourself next month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Buono and Noel Fogelman are not panicking (yet) after back-to-back losses to the Penguins in Pittsburgh. They talk about slow starts, Top Line Leo, the latest in trade talk and Josh bailey ascends near the top on the all-time games list. Plus Joe is joined by Steven Niciforo, creator of the YouTube channel Islanders Pride on how he has amassed thousands of Islanders videos. Later in Isles Buzz, Noel explains why he is excited for Nickelodeon Night and loves hot sauce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan celebrate Ilya Sorokin stealing the Islanders a win and look at some possible trade targets. They recap a week in which the Islanders mostly looked tired and ineffective but came away with four points, thanks in large part to a couple of rookies. They examine the levity/gravity ratio of first liner (!) Leo Komarov and the joys of seeing Thomas Hickey again. Later, they run down a list of players who could potentially be moved before the deadline including the obvious (Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri), the not so obvious (Ryan Getzlaf, Andrew Cogliano) and the please don't (Anthony Beauvillier). Leave us a review on iTunes with your Twitter handle for a chance to win some eBay swag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe and Noel recap the 4-3 Islanders loss to the Flyers and discuss how they can replace Anders Lee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan examine the Islanders' wild weekend series against the Devils, their winning streak and the attention the team is starting to get from around the NHL. They talk about the Islanders finally reaching the Bruins' level after years of trying, the injury to Anders Lee and all he means to the team and the breakout performance of Kieffer Bellows in the games immediately following. They also recount a crazy Sunday that saw a player return from out of nowhere and the trust Barry Trotz instills in his charges, even when they're not in the lineup. Later, they shake their fists at national media finally noticing the Islanders' talent after three seasons of success and wonder how ESPN will cover the NHL when it takes command of the league's broadcasting. Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes and include your Twitter handle for a shot at winning some for yourself next month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) and Noel Fogelman (@thefirstNoel19) recap another very successful Islanders week which included a trio of 5-2 wins over the Buffalo Sabres and yet another victory against the Boston Bruins on home ice. Plus, we can't stop watching Mat Barzal's breathtaking between-the-legs goal and Walhlstrom's emergence has us giddy. Later. Joe is joined by Anthony Zych, graphic designer and artist behind the Islanders game-day posters to talk about his latest 'Where's Waldo?' creation with over 60 Islander 'easter eggs' for fans to find. Then, the NHL is back on ESPN and the WWE Islanders promo running' wild on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan examine the Islanders' complete sweep of the Sabres and how they know the unique pain Buffalo fans are feeling. They talk about how the teams can be considered mirror images of each other, and how the ghosts of Islanders past continue to fuel the team's current incarnation through a cosmic hockey wormhole. Later, they look ahead to a tougher matchup against another team from the bottom of the division and how the Devils' version of the many Bruce Lee knockoffs of the early 70's could create problems for the Islanders. Finally, they discuss the debut of the Islanders' Reverse Retro jerseys and how they bring up memories of the teams and failed draft picks of their youth. Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes and include your Twitter handle for a shot at winning some for yourself next month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are in much better moods after the Islanders shut out the Penguins for the first time since Eddie Murphy had a hit single. They talk about the team's huge bounce back win after a disappointing overtime loss on Saturday and their propensity for coming up big in big moments, despite what the models might say. Later, they look ahead to a week that features three games against the Buffalo Sabres, a franchise that's falling apart at the seams. Along the way they discuss Oliver Wahlstrom's emergence, the "operatic" Ilya Sorokin, Devils goalies of yesteryear and fluffy haired fighter pilots. Congrats to @mikeycalarco, this month's eBay swag winner. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes and include your Twitter handle for a shot at winning some for yourself next month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are fired up and frustrated about the Islanders last few games, who to trust and who organized an office Christmas party before a game in February. They seethe about them playing well in losses and poorly in wins, Sidney Crosby's 1,000th game, North Division fixation and what to make of the Islanders' difficult next month. Later, they cast an eye towards expensive wayward Sabre Jeff Skinner, recently-waived former hero Frans Nielsen and his era of Islanders hockey, and the sad summer of 2016 that still looms large over a number of NHL franchises. And, hey: who turned off the power plays? Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes and include your Twitter handle for a shot at winning some Islanders swag from ebay! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest edition of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) and Noel Fogelman (@thefirstNoel19) are joined by Christian Arnold of NYI Hockey Now and the Hockey Night in NY podcast to talk about the Islanders 3-2 win over the Sabres heading into a very busy stretch of games. Topics Discussed: Pageau vs. Buffalo The Varly's workload PP clicking 2nd line slump Zeeker's Future Later in the Isles Buzz segment, we talk about the picturesque view from Lake Tahoe and ask what other non-stadium venues the NHL should consider. Also, Adam Pelech headshots, a new 877-GOALS-NOW theme song and Trevor Gillies gets the game day poster treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about the Islanders' return to form and point streak and later, chat about a special new Mat Barzal bobblehead figure. They discuss the back-to-back wins against the Sabres, including Ilya Sorokin's first career NHL win and shutout and how lineup changes have added hope for the future to the team's already established structure. They also look ahead to the two games against the Penguins, and a chance to put a somewhat shaky rival on even more uneven footing, and lament the sad state of hockey media on both sides of the border. Finally, they speak with Anthony Davino from FOCO, a collectables company with a new limited edition Mat Barzal bubble hockey bobblehead figure that you can pre-order today. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes and include your Twitter handle for a shot at winning some Islanders swag from ebay! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and special guest Carey Haber take an overview of how the Islanders have performed so far this season. They look at the team's "Identity Line" and the domino effect their performance can have on the rest of the players, lament the rotating cast of wingers that have plagued Jean-Gabriel Pageau and examine the slow starts of Josh Bailey and Brock Nelson. Later, they praise the evolution of Mathew Barzal and the Islanders' top defensive pair, while spotlighting the team's biggest areas of concern. Don’t forget to leave a review at iTunes and include your Twitter handle for a shot at winning an Islanders eBay item. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe and Noel are joined by Newsday Islanders beat writer Andrew Gross to discuss the recent play of the team. The first concert announcement, not the first concert, for the UBS Arena has been revealed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan sift through the ashes of a week in which the Islanders lost four games and how many of their long-standing problems remain. They discuss gut punch losses to the Capitals, the mental breakdowns that led to horrendous periods, the lineup decisions they don't understand and how the Islanders managed to right themselves... just in time to lose twice in overtime to the Flyers. They also talk about how the lack of a powerplay, unaddressed holes in the lineup and salary cap issues continue to give the Islanders a razor thin margin for error. Later, they look ahead to games against the Sabres and Penguins, lament "horseshoe up the ass teams" and select a first ever Islanders eBay Swag winner. Leave us a review on iTunes for a chance to win your own Islanders eBay item next month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe and Noel react to the Islanders blowing a 3-0 lead, allowing 5 2nd period goals and falling 6-3 to the Capitals in D.C. The loss comes two days after losing in the final seconds on Tuesday night as the team continues to struggle to find their stride despite Barry Trotz's pleas to find their playoff mentality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the good and bad of the Islanders' split with the Devils, their upcoming games and the demise of NBCSN. They look at what worked in a 4-1 win, what didn't work in a 2-0 loss and the dangers of having too many non-scoring threats in the same lineup. They also talk about games against the Capitals and Flyers, good teams that could give up valuable points or who could threaten to dig the Islanders into an early season hole. Finally, they discuss the news that NHL broadcast partner NBCSN will be shutting down at the end of the year, and all of the many ways in which the channel failed to promote the sport over the last two decades or so. Don't forget to leave a review at iTunes and include your Twitter handle for a shot at winning an Islanders eBay item. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Buono is joined by Noel Fogelman as they discuss the first three games of the Islanders regular season, our favorite Islanders giveaways and The Karate Kid/Cobra Kai. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the eventful first three games of the Islanders season and the unexpected debut of Ilya Sorokin. They walk through the three consecutive shutouts (two in favor of the Islanders, one against) and the individual ups-and-downs within them, as well what they say about the team heading into the season. Later, they talk about Semyon Varlamov's injury ahead of a Saturday night game against the Rangers that led to the long awaited (and highly unsuccessful) first game for their latest goalie of the future. Along the way, they hit upon good NHL coaches, Looney Tunes, Rob Schremp and how the Islanders somehow may have gotten lucky despite all of the drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about the Islanders signing of Mathew Barzal and Matt Martin, and look at the team's roster ahead of the 2021 season. They talk about taking the good (Barzals' contract) with the bad (Martin's) when discussing Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello and how he'll have to manage the team's salary cap in the future. They also talk about young players possibly getting a chance to play this season in a "Mosquito Fleet" and a rumored trade of a favored defenseman. Finally, they reveal a new way for listeners to win some very random Islanders swag. Leave us a review on iTunes and include your Twitter handle in the text for a chance at an Islanders eBay item! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Buono is joined by Noel Fogelman as they discuss all the happenings in Islanders training camp. When will Mat Barzal sign? Does the team have enough depth on defense? Who are the favorites to play alongside JG Pageau on the third line? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan look ahead to the Islanders season with an eye towards some players with the potential to make a big impact. Incoming Ilya Sorokin and young Noah Dobson will get a chance to establish themselves as NHLers, and Mathew Barzal (once he is re-signed) could also find another gear to his game. All of that makes the guys optimistic heading into the shortened, division-heavy schedule. Later, they talk about some free agents the Islanders missed out on and why you should be watching darts (when you're not watching hockey). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the end of defenseman Johnny Boychuk's career and make a show announcement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan pay tribute to Islanders legend Johnny Boychuk, whose career has been cut short due to an eye injury, and all of the things the rugged defenseman brought to the team in his six years on the Island. They talk about how beloved he is both in the Islanders locker room and around the NHL, how his trade changed the perception of the franchise and how his babyface belied the sort of old school, tough-as-nails competitor that he was. Later, they discuss the contract implications of Boychuk's salary being diverted to sign other players and how the Islanders can fill the hole left by his absence. ALSO: They tease a new Islanders podcast that they'll be working on soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel recap the the first few days of free agency and discuss the Devon Toews trade to Colorado. We also imagine what a Joshua Ho-Sang arbitration hearing would be like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan interrupt themselves to discuss the breaking trade of Devon Toews to the Avalanche, then travel back in time to cover the first few days of NHL free agency. They try to make sense of the deal and what the return could mean for future deals that would help the Islanders out of their precarious salary cap situation. They also discuss the (now finalized) acquisition of goalie Cory Schneider and a possible trade of Johnny Boychuk, while taking an wide overview of a very vanilla free agent class and NHL teams making moves without actually improving. In the back half, they look back at the Islanders career of Thomas Greiss, who signed with Detroit over the weekend, and peek in at another milestone on the road to UBS Arena. Along the way they laugh about contract mistakes of the past, present and future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look ahead to an unusual NHL draft and free agency period, and back at a player that still has a deep connection to Long Island. They discuss the Islanders' lack of picks heading into the two-day draft, their high profile Restricted Free Agents, and whether any other NHL GM is interested in pissing off Lou Lamoriello by signing one to an offer sheet. They look over the list of Unrestricted Free Agents and how October 9th is this year's July 1st, aka "Canada Day II." In the second half, they talk about Robin Lehner's enduring and weird (in a good way) relationship to Islanders fans, and how writers have refused to acknowledge the story and others who have "broken the 4th wall" between team and fan. Finally, they shred a recent column that managed to make a shared Islanders fans' dream come true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the Islanders amazing run to the Eastern Conference Finals and recap Lou Lamoriello's state of the Islanders news conference Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a super-sized wrap up episode, Mike and Dan recap the Islanders season-ending loss to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final and chat with writer Arthur Staple about the season and postseason that was. The hosts talk about "something funky" turned out to be the overtime winner and how the players left it all out there. They also discuss how having a legitimately successful team has changed the Islanders and had the fun side effect of pissing a lot of people off. Later, Staple talks about the injuries that had an impact on the Islanders in the series and how they could impact offseason plans as well. He examines players whose stock may have risen and fallen in the organization, how their demeanor may or may not have changed throughout the run and about dealing with chirps from folks outside of the fanbase. Finally, they add music recommendations, a shout out to the Offside Tavern and quick look at the Stanley Cup final. Thanks to everyone for listening along this season and we'll be back with offseason and draft episodes soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders double overtime win over the Lightning in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, and how Jordan Eberle's shot changed everything for him this postseason. They talk about the measured, cautious game both teams played, the surprising lineup decisions, the moments of pure dread and how Islanders decided that their story had not finished being written yet. Later, they discuss the bizarre narratives that people have tried to hang on the Islanders and the way the real stories are being ignored. They end by talking about hearing weird broadcasters talk about the Islanders for the first time... maybe ever. Special appearance by Elvis the Dog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about the Islanders being down 3-1 to the Lightning and what's working and not working for them. They recap a resilient win in Game 3, a frustrating loss in Game 4 and how just 42 seconds have changed the entire series. They also talk about he monumental loss of Casey Cizikas to injury, the "Classy Shithousery" that has marked the series and what the Islanders can do to extend their season. Later, they discuss Lou Lamoriello winning the NHL GM of the Year Award and how the perception of what's he done with the Islanders might be different depending on where you live. Along the way they laugh about broadcast crews and outlets jumping the gun on the Islanders' demise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about the Islanders losing the first two games of the Eastern Conference final in two hard to watch ways. One was a blowout and one was a late stunner but in between was bad body language, Globetrotter stuff, great plays, bad hits and the most expensive shift the Islanders have had in years. They talk about players like Matt Martin, Brock Nelson and Victor Hedman making huge impacts, images that have been seared in their minds and goofball celebrations. Later, they talk about possible and expected lineup changes for both teams ahead of Game 3 and a strange Islanders career that may be at an end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the Islanders series win over the Flyers as New York advances to the Conference Finals for the first time since 1993. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) is joined by former Islanders VP of communications and IPB writer Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) to put in perspective the Islanders first trip to the Conference Finals since 1993. The two talk about the remarkable organizational turnaround under Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz, what the win means for Islanders Country, the reality of a new arena and the team's chances against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a super-sized Sunday morning episode, Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' complete game shutout of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 7 and look ahead to the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They look at the two heartbreaking OT losses that preceded that final game and how they snuffed out the Flyers behind somewhat surprise starter Thomas Greiss. They also talk about the distinct eras and changes in players and philosophies that have helped them get to their first conference final in 27 years. Later, they examine what the Islanders will have to face in the likable, talented Lightning, and why they'll be the heavy underdogs once again. Finally, they discuss the coolness of Mathew Barzal, the weirdness of the Dallas Stars and the entertainment value of the 2020 NHL playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about the Islanders taking a 3-1 lead in their series against the Flyers, the coach behind it all and the people trying to understand it. They marvel at players like Andy "So 1997" Greene, third period specialist J-G Pageau and humble, hard-working captain Anders Lee. And once again they regale Barry Trotz, the zen master behind the Islanders' remarkable metamorphosis over the last two seasons. In the second half, they scan how the team has been covered by some media members throughout these playoffs and how ignorance, condescension and "PumpTheBreaksism" all factor in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) is joined once again by NY Post digital producer and IslesBlog contributor Rob Taub (@RTaub_) as the Islanders prepare for the Round 2 match-up with the Philadelphia Flyers. Topics Discussed: Recap of the Isles-Capitals Caps fire Todd Reirden Media jumping on Isles bandwagon Flyers - Isles Preview Follow all Lighthouse hockey podcasts at @LHHockey and @LHHPodcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan wrap up the Islanders victory over the Capitals and look forward to their second round series against the Flyers. They talk about the stunning final numbers against Washington and how the Islanders responded to their loss in Game 4 with a complete game shutout. They then look at what to expect from Philadelphia and how the two teams compare to one another both currently and historically. Along the way, they lament the lack of respect the Islanders have gotten throughout their time in the bubble and how saying "This team didn't want to be there" isn't the excuse people think it is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders eventful loss in Game 4 to the Capitals and what changes they might see for Game 5. They talk about seeing the Islanders come out on fire with a chance to clinch, only to be engulfed by Washington over the rest of the game, and how they never seemed to get on track and play their game. They then discuss possible lineup changes for both teams and what Game 5 means for the Islanders' standing among outsiders. Finally, they talk about some of the teams that have already moved on in the NHL's 2020 "dystopian playoff." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders taking a 3-0 lead over the Capitals in their playoff series and players enjoying life in The Bubble. They talk about the Islanders' consistency through the early part of the tournament and under-the-radar talent, the performance of captain Anders Lee, and a single tenacious shift in Game 2 that they won't forget. Later, they look at things from a Caps fan perspective and what they must be feeling right now. Finally, they lament the idiocy of Boston sports voices, teams collecting stars and coaches that look like they do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Warning: Contains Adult Language. Discretion advised. Mike and Dan recap the Islanders win over the Capitals in Game 1 of their series, the NHL lottery and the awfulness of Mike Milbury. They review the penalty-filled game that the Islanders dominated at 5-on-5, Anders Lee's hit on Niklas Backstrom and what the Islanders should expect in Game 2. They also talk about yet another first overall pick finding his way into the Metropolitan Division, the NHL's refusal to highlight more than a handful of players at once and - yes - how it all affect the Maple Leafs. Finally, they dunk on Mike Milbury - former Islanders GM, current television analyst and a man who seems to absolutely despise the sport of hockey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel are joined by The Athletic's Arthur Staple to recap the Panthers series and preview the matchup with the Capitals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) is joined once again by IslesBlog contributor and New York Post digital producer Rob Taub (@RTaub_). The pair discuss the keys to the Isles series win over the Panthers and the upcoming series with the Washington Capitals and Barry Trotz battles his former team. Later, Joe and Rob look back at the lasting impact of Draft Day 2015, JP Pageau thriving in the Islanders fraternity and the great show the NHL has put on in the Toronto and Edmonton bubbles. Topics Discussed: The Capitals will have to go thru the bleepin' Island Beau is having fun - lots of it Barzal breaks out in Game 4 'We' not "Me' mentality from a mature group. JG crowned Ping-Pong champ NHL bubble observations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WARNING: Contains some adult language. Listener discretion advised. Mike & Dan talk about the Islanders eliminating the Florida Panthers and their next challenge, the Washington Capitals. They discuss what the Islanders will need to do to be successful against the Caps, what influence Barry Trotz might have in coaching against his old club and what type of excrement Washington's Tom Wilson and Garnett Hathaway are most similar to. Later, they about some of the other teams that were bounced from the playoffs like the Oilers and Penguins, and why concerns over their star players missing the rest of the postseason is misguided. Finally, they celebrate JG Pageau's victory in the Islanders' ping pong tournament and what they're not looking forward to at Monday's draft lottery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders performance in Games 2 and 3 against the Panthers and look ahead to Game 4. They examine who has played well, what went wrong, how the new additions have played and why they feel good about the team's future even beyond the play-in series. Later, they discuss the elimination of the Rangers and the past and future of Henrik Lundqvist, who has tortured Islanders fans for over a decade. Brought to you by Taco Bell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discus the return of Islanders Hockey as the team takes a 1-0 lead over the Panthers in their play-in series. They recap the 2-1 win, enjoy the Islanders finding their signature game quickly and remember some aspects of their style that they had forgotten about over the last few months. They also - finally - talk about the naming rights for the Belmont Arena going to UBS and why the boring big money deal is a significant one for the franchise. Finally, they talk about some other scores from around the league, the comfort of watching hockey on TV again and what Pierre McGuire thinks his job is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel are joined by the radio voice of the New York Islanders, Chris King, who discusses how he has to adapt to his remote settings. We also preview the qualifying series with the Florida Panthers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Islanders are headed to The Bubble in Toronto to take on the Panthers in a play-in series (and the Rangers in an exhibition game). Mike and Dan talk about the upcoming games, the players chosen to go, and how the results could affect the Islanders next season. They wonder if they’re rooting harder against the teams they hate than for the team they love, and whether their paranoia is tainting their view of the NHL’s two city approach. Later, they discuss the NHL’s newest - and second nautical-based - franchise and which Islanders might find themselves on an expansion roster at this time next year. Finally, they chat about the recently broken news that the Arizona Coyotes have a new general manager. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first episode back for PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) is joined by James Nichols, co-host of the Nassaumen Hockey podcast and IslesBlog contributor Rob Taub. Topics include: Isles big benefactors of the pause Belmont Arena is going up and has a name The White Whale has landed ashore. Top Pick drama as a conciliation prize? A very deep blue-line The 3rd line Follow this show and all Lighthouse Hockey podcasts Twitter @LhhPodcasts #LGI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan return to their mics to discuss the Ilya Sorokin signing(s), training camp 2.0 and the Islanders cautious return to the ice. They talk about their excitement about having the decorated KHL champion in the fold for next season and what it means for the Islanders' looming salary cap situation. Later, they talk about the CBA extension, the Islanders resuming practice with formerly injured players Adam Pelech and Casey Cizikas and the assurance of hearing Barry Trotz's voice again. Finally, they laugh about this year's messed up Draft Lottery and all the ways it went wrong for the league, and how it could still go very wrong for the Islanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We catch up with former goaltender Peter Mannino, who played three games for the Islanders in the 2008-09 season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lighthouse Hockey podcast family unites for a roundtable discussion, Islanders Anxiety's Dan Saraceni, PTIsles' Joe Buono, Isles Buzz's Noel Fogelman and Dan Petriw each pose a "What If" scenario for the New York Islanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russian goaltender Ilya Sorokin is finally on his way!! Dan and Noel are joined by KHL Correspondent Gillian Kemmerer, who gives her thoughts on the goalie. We unofficially ranked the top "non-dynasty era" goals in Islanders history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirill Kabanov had all the talent to be a first-round selection in the NHL Draft. Controversy surrounded the Russian forward wherever he went. The Islanders selected Kabanov in the third round of the 2010 draft. He bounced between the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL during his two years with the organization. Kabanov played 48 games with the Sound Tigers before the Islanders terminated the final year of the entry-level contract. Find out what he's been up to in this interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lighthouse Lookback catches up with Mike Watt, who played 130 games over two seasons with the Islanders. The 32nd overall selection by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1994 NHL Draft was traded to the Island for "goaltender of the future" Eric Fichaud. Unfortunately, Mike Milbury struck again and traded the young forward to Nashville following the 1999-00 season. Watt shares some great stories about his time on the Island. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our series of audio documentaries ends its first season with a look at the first Norris Trophy win for the Hall of Fame defenseman. At just 22-years old, Denis Potvin made NHL history while enduring slumps, injuries, being benched, being booed by his own fans and pissing off a team of All Stars. Despite all of the obstacles - self-created or otherwise - Potvin’s supreme talent always shined through, and he went on to have one of the best individual seasons in Islanders history, even to this day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lighthouse Lookback catches up with "Kid Line" member Marty McInnis. The forward was drafted in the eight round of the 1988 NHL draft. After three seasons at Boston College, McInnis joined the U.S. Mens Olympic team for the 1992 Winter Olympics. McInnis led the team in scoring as the U.S. finished fourth in the tournament. Following the Olympics, McInnis joined the Islanders where he would play six seasons for. He was traded for Robert Reichel in 1997. The forward retired in 2003 after spending two seasons with his hometown Boston Bruins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lighthouse Lookback catches up with Keith Aucoin, who had his best season in the NHL with the Islanders in 2012-13. The undrafted forward was claimed off of waivers from Toronto by the Islanders prior to the start of the strike-shortened season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss everything except hockey during this episode. All kidding aside, we discuss if it's even necessary to resume the season, if or when they do. Ilya Sorokin's KHL season is now over and can sign with the Islanders on May 1, will he? We discuss our favorite TV theme songs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jiggs McDonald has been a NHL play-by-play announcer for more than 40 years, having been the original voice of both the Los Angeles Kings and Atlanta Flames before spending 15 seasons with the New York Islanders alongside Eddie Westfall, calling three Stanley Cup Winning teams. Having announced over 3,000 NHL regular season games, McDonald received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. Although 'retired" Jiggs continues to broadcast Islanders games each season filling in throughout the season for Howie Rose. In Part 2, Jiggs and Joe discuss: Jiggs' lone season of calling Mets games on SportsChannel in 1982 What strikes him as so unique and special about the Islanders during the Dynasty years How Denis Potvin found out Mike Bossy may have had a higher salary during their career The most memorable calls and moments from announcing Islanders games for 15 seasons The unexpected run to the Conference Finals in 1992-93 How soon after he "retired" Jiggs felt the pull back to the broadcast booth The differences in calling games on part time basis and working with ex-Islander Butch Goring on MSG His perspective on the final season at the Nassau Coliseum and move to Brooklyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jiggs McDonald has been a NHL play-by-play announcer for more than 40 years, having been the original voice of both the Los Angeles Kings and Atlanta Flames before spending 15 seasons with the New York Islanders alongside Eddie Westfall, calling three Stanley Cup Winning teams. Having announced over 3,000 NHL regular season games, in 1990, McDonald received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame. Although 'retired" Jiggs continues to broadcast Islanders games each season in place on Howie Rose. In Part 1, Jiggs and Joe discuss: Jiggs start in radio, from High School radio shows and copy writing to his first live hockey radio broadcast His audition for the expansion L.A. Kings with their Canadian born owner Jack Kent Cooke The origin of his nickname and his initial thoughts on his new moniker, "Jiggs" Moving from LA and Atlanta Flames to the Stanley Cup Champion New York Islanders His instant chemistry with Eddie Westfall and why it was "love at first sight" How the Islanders being on "Sports Channel" one of the first regional networks presented new opportunities. Being presented his first Stanley Cup Ring by Bill Torrey and his love for calling the Stanley Cup Playoffs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Islanders fans share the stories of their favorite games. In this episode: A first Islanders-Rangers game, an unforgettable loss and a Valentines Day tradition. Callers tell us about their first New York rivalry experience, a first date that became a yearly tradition, a single regular season loss than came to define and entire era in franchise history and how a new fan was created in a flawed but important arena in Islanders history. Thanks to Stephen, Chris, William and Mike for their calls. To share your most memorable Islanders game story with us, call (646) 980-8857 anytime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) talks to Matthew Blittner, author of ‘UNFORGETTABLE: New York Islanders which captures the most significant games and moments in the careers of the broadcasters, writers, scouts, PR directors and former player that have been around the Islanders for generations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lighthouse Lookback catches up with Jason Podollan, who played one game for the Islanders in the 2001-02. In all, Podollan, drafted 31st overall by the Florida Panthers in 1994, played 41 games in the NHL with four different teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the pausing of the NHL season and life in general due to the COVID-19 virus. They talk about whether or not the Islanders' 5-4 shootout loss to Vancouver will be the final time we watch them this season and how odd it is thinking about sports during a time of massive social upheaval. Includes reminders about recommended practices during this time, as well as a few options for Islanders fans looking for things to do while in self-isolation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) reacts to the Isles sixth straight loss, a 3-2 OT defeat to the Hurricanes that has the team outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Joe breaks down how quickly things turned from bad to grim after the inexplicable losses to Montreal and Ottawa leaving fans and Barry Trotz searching for answers. Later, Joe is joined by Gotham Sports Network's James Duffy (@TwoTurtleDuffs) to discuss what has gone wrong during the slide, the few things that have gone right and whether or not the Islanders have enough to turn things around heading into a tough western Canada road trip. Plus, a first for the NHL with an Islanders flavor on International Women's Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan struggle with the Islanders' disastrous week and their inability to gain any space in their race for the playoffs. They lament the "one mistake" that cost the team a golden opportunity in an overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, which itself followed probably their two worst games of the season against the underwhelming Canadiens and Senators. Later, they ponder lineup decisions for this season and the future, whether or not the freak injuries they've seen this season means the Islanders are actually cursed and Mike's propensity for making charitable donations when he's drunk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Bossy was more than just a pure goal scorer. He was a complete player with some of the most off-the-charts offensive skills and instincts in NHL history, and also a lifelong advocate against the kind of senseless violence in hockey that marked the era in which he played. Bossy was an outspoken opponent against the goons, thugs and hooligans whether he was a junior phenom, an NHL All Star or when there were actual threats on his life. In Pierre Turgeon, the Islanders had another star with stance against on-ice violence that also started when he was a young player and rankled many of his contemporaries. We’ll also look at the history of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy and the very special lady that was its namesake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) reacts to the Islanders 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Butch Goring day at the Coliseum. Despite a 6-6-3 February, the Islanders find themselves in the top Wild Card spot and feel they are 'close' to finding their stride following the JG Pageau trade and the lineup getting closer to full health. Later, Joe is joined by NY SportsDay's Peter Schwartz (@SchwartzSports) to recap the John Tonelli and Butch Goring ceremonies, the next Islanders Hall of Fame member and Governor Cuomo's announcement that the team will play the entire 2020-21 season at the Coliseum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about the Islanders' demoralizing losses to the Blues and Bruins, the end of the Barclays Center era and the latest twist in the Josh Ho-Sang story. They lament some shocking deflections, the lopsidedness of Leo Komarov versus Brad Marchand and the team's failure to gain any ground while the rest of the Metro Division struggled. Later, they recount Butch Goring's number retirement ceremony and some opposition to it, talk about another Islander legend who could have his number in the rafters and make a plea for Brooklyn-based Islanders fans to continue to support the team as it moves back to Nassau County. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lighthouse Lookback catches up with Graeme Townshend, the first Jamaican-born player in the NHL. Graeme played in 45 games over four seasons with the Bruins, Islanders, and Senators. The forward played in nine games over two seasons with the Islanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel recap the exciting game between the Rangers and Islanders, which was marred by questionable officiating. The Islanders were buyers at the deadline acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who promptly signed a six-year extension. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap an exciting trade deadline day for the Islanders including the moves they made, the ones they didn't make and what the rest of the Metro Division did. They talk about deep breath moments, "Vintage Lou" moments and Big Picture Fandom in looking at how the acquisition of Jean-Gabriel Pageau changes the roster now and into the future, and discuss the trade for Zach Parise that didn't materialize. Later, they look at how trades made by Metro Division rivals may end up ruining their lives, praise the team's handing of John Tonelli's number retirement and look ahead to a crucial slate of games against tough opponents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss what the Islanders may or may not do prior to the Monday 3pm trade deadline. Lou Lamoriello finally made a trade last week, acquiring defenseman Andy Greene from the Devils. We discuss how the veteran defenseman has fit in. John Tonelli's number 27 was retired in a tremendous ceremony last Friday. Following Butch Goring's number 91 next Saturday, who should be the next Islander to have his number retired? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Islanders fans share the stories of their favorite games. In this episode: First games, premature concourse pandemonium and awesome bus drivers. Callers tells us how they fell in love with the Islanders, how generations can unite through moments of glory and how players can make a personal impact in someone's life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) takes a look at the many things that have gone wrong for the Islanders on their western trip. We hear post-game sound from Captain Anders Lee on staying the course and Barry Trotz's plea to find a way until reinforcements can get healthy. Later, Joe is joined by IslesBlog contributors Jay Nichols and Rob Taub for a roundtable discussion on the tightening Metro standings, the Andy Greene acquisitions and what Lou's next move will be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan vent about the Islanders losing streak and goal drought, while also examining the Andy Greene trade and the upcoming deadline. They focus on a frustrating loss to the Coyotes which followed two galling defeats in Nashville and Vegas, discuss Greene's solid debut and worry about the team's lack of depth. Later, they look ahead to the trade deadline, wonder about who the Islanders could or couldn't get and hope that changes are made. Along the way they cover needless icings, sixth line players, expansion Islanders and Mike's dream in which the Islanders send him to pick up an All Star they just traded for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss two huge Islanders wins, one huge loss from the roster, punchable faces and cool Swedes. After reliving exciting victories over the division rival Capitals and Flyers, they reflect on the loss of Casey Cizikas to another freak injury and the recall of center Cole Bardreau. Along the way, they marvel at Mat Barzal's ability to rise up for big games and the sudden emergence of Leo Komarov as a valued contributor. Later, they look at some recent Belmont news, poke fun at some media outlets and brace for a matinee in the desert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel recap the two important wins against the Capitals and Flyers. What happens if Casey Cizikas is out longterm, we discuss. The radio voice of the Nashville Predator, Pete Weber, calls in to preview Thursday's game against the Preds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Buono (IslesBlog) reacts to the Isles disappointing 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay, ending the team's five game point streak. But it's not all bleak - Joe looks back at a successful week in Brooklyn where the Islanders picked up 5 of a possible 6 points and discusses Kieffer Bellows' call up which has paid immediate dividends for the team and his line-mates on the 3rd line. Later, Joe is joined by Tyler Gilden (@TylerGilden), host of the 'No Days Off' podcast from Whistle Sports which focuses on parents of sports prodigies to see hear what it's like balancing parenting with their kids' sports career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike returns to talk with Dan about the Islanders' first two game after the break, smart fans and dumb articles. They recap two overtime affairs against the Canucks and Stars, the recall of Kieffer Bellows and the Islanders' difficult upcoming schedule. Later, they discuss a couple of head-slapping articles and the difference in coverage between the Islanders and some Canadian outlets. Finally, they congratulate three former Islanders on their impending induction into the IIHF Hall of Fame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel recap the Islanders come-from-behind win against the Dallas Stars and analyze the NHL debut of Kieffer Bellows. We give an update on the Belmont arena situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our series of audio documentaries examining seasons in which a New York Islander took home a major NHL award looks at a Rookie of the Year that gave fans hope in a time of crisis. Anyone that saw Bryan Berard play during that time knew the Islanders had a unique, exciting weapon on their hands. The swift-skating defenseman could legitimately bring fans out of their seats during a season that saw a rocky ownership change, a coaching change and a ton of losses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) hoarse voice and all talks with Arthur Staple (@StapleAthletic) ofThe Athletic. Arthur talks about his new gig hosting the No Sleep Til Belmont podcast with Mark Parrish, the recent player polls he's published during the break and how Mat Barzal handled his benching during All-Star Weekend. Later, we discuss what Barzy's next contract could look like, the understated impact of the Cal Clutterbuck injury and talk questions from fans on what the team will do before and at the deadline to improve the team. Plus, Arthur tells us whether or not he thinks the Islanders will solidify a playoff spot in the ultra competitive Eastern Conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lighthouse Lookback catches up with Brad Dalgarno. The former Islander was selected sixth overall in the 1985 NHL Draft. Dalgarno played 321 games over nine seasons. His best season was in 1992-93. As part of "The Kid Line" with Travis Green and Marty McInnis, Dalgarno scored 15 goals. Injuries forced him to retire in 1996 at the age of 28. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the All-Star Weekend and the Islanders bye week and why we needed a break from the team. We also revisit our over/unders, and discuss the price it would take to acquire Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and special guest Carey Haber look back at the Islanders performance over a wild pre-All Star Break week and over the season so far. They talk about what the team has done right and wrong over the first 49 games and where they need to better, and who's up, who's down and who's out. Later, they examine some surprising trade targets and remember an Islanders All Star that most of us seem to have forgotten was an Islanders All Star. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) takes a look back of a busy and befuddling week of Islanders hockey with Christian Arnold, managing editor of Islanders Insight. We discuss the sheer relief of getting a win before the All Star Break, Barzal's benching and the very tight Eastern Conference. Later, Joe and Christian share their thoughts on what Lou Lamoriello will or won't do at the deadline and offer their biggest surprises and disappointments of the first half of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More Islanders fans call in to share the stories of their favorite games from over the years. In this episode: Historic hat tricks, family finding and beating the clock (and the Penguins). Tales include sitting among actual Islanders at an exhibition game, seeing - and dreading - an NHL debut and one fan finally visiting his happy place after years of rooting from away and afar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel recap the miserable week for the Islanders. New York Post sports writer Mollie Walker joins the show to discuss the team's struggles. The Athletic's Scott Walker ranks the NHL's prospect pool, see where the Islanders land. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look at a busy time period for the Islanders that includes minor miracles, nightmares and a muted hatred against an old rival. They recap the team's games since New Year's Eve and project an even busier week before the All Star Game featuring major games against the Capitals, Hurricanes and Rangers. They compare rebuild timelines with the Rangers and discuss how Barry Trotz has altered the rivalry. Finally, they discuss the generosity of Islanders fans, the way GM Lou Lamoriello operates and the separation of major league roommates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) reacts to the Isles 3-2 OT loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday night. We hear post-game comments from Scott Mayfield and Barry Trotz, discuss why the Isles play 'looser' against lesser competition and why they draw so few power play opportunities. Later, James Duffy (@TwoTurtleDuffs) of Gotham Sports Network calls in to discuss potential trade targets, the blueline without Adam Pelech, Illya Sorokin rumors and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lighthouse Lookback's debut episode catches up with former defenseman, Tom Poti, who played the 2006-07 with the Islanders. The defenseman recorded a career-high 36 assists and logged 25 minutes per game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the modest two-game winning streak by the Islanders, but is all well? We continue our endless discussion if Lou Lamoriello will ever make a move? We close out the decade, a little late, by revealing our last two countdowns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From his short, contentious training camp with Team Canada, to co-backstopping the Islanders to a then-NHL record 15-game winning streak, to finishing the playoffs with back-to-back sweeps, 1981-82 was the season in which "Battlin'" Billy Smith grabbed headlines for both his play and his personality. He called out his teammates for playing bad defense, injured the league’s biggest young star, started an employment agency and fought literally anyone that got in his way. He also won, won and won some more, making huge saves in some of the biggest games in Islanders history. And in the end, he was justly rewarded for being the best goalie in the NHL that season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the past two wins in Minnesota and Washington, how Tom Kuhnhackl has fit into this lineup and give our suggestions on how to fix the Winter Classic. Lou Lamoriello did not make a trade in the calendar year of 2019. Should his first trade of 2020 be for a depth defenseman? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) reacts to the Isles 4-3 win over the first place Washington Capitals to close out 2019. We hear post-game comments from Barry Trotz and Casey Czikas on how the team bent but did not break. Plus, Semyon Varlamov talks about his standout performance in the 3rd period to ensure a happier New Year for Isles fans. Also, Mat Barzal is named to his second consecutive All-Star game, but will he be joined by a teammate this time around? We think the chances of that just improved. Later, we finally reveal the Top 5 regular season and playoff games of the decade as chosen by Islanders Country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' recent losses and return to form, and salute players who have feasted on the team for 10 years. They discuss the critical mistakes that have led to goals against and disturbing trends in losses to the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks, and the depth players finally coming through in a truly Trotzian win over the Wild. Later, they talk about the ghosts of All Star Injuries Past, trolling arena DJs and getting an Avenger to an Islanders game. Finally, they reveal Mike's picks for the players that have owned the Islanders for the past decade (and the many, many, many players that could also make the list). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (IslesBlog) reacts to the Isles 5-2 loss to Robin Lehner and the Blackhawks, Barry Trotz explains why the team is full after the holidays and Lee and Zeeker look for answers. Later, Beau's attempt at being Anna Kendrick's beau goes viral, we hear the backstory on the infamous Santa brawl at the Coliseum and talk about the positive things happening on the ice with Kieffer Bellows in Bridgeport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a supersized holiday episode, Mike & Dan recount a very busy week for the Islanders on and off the ice, and make their choices for a special All Decade team. They recount losses to the Predators and Ducks that saw the normally stout Islanders lose control, and a big win over the Bruins on a rarely-seen national stage. After the break, they discuss the unexpected returns of Josh Ho-Sang and Andrew Ladd and the number retirements of John Tonelli and Butch Goring. Finally, they each announce a pair of Islanders All Decade teams that are a little different than the ones you may have encountered already. They also cover disappointing shoes, longtime Islanders antagonist Erik Gudbranson and Sportsnet's Was Does This Mean for the Leafs Hour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) reacts to the disappointing 6-5 shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks at the Nassau Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. Mat Barzal and Anders Lee talk about what went right and what went wrong vs the Ducks while Barry Trotz explains that he is in the winning business not the points business. Plus, the fallout from the scary Cal Clutterbuck injury, the end of the goalie rotation and Joe shares his unpopular opinion on the team retiring John Tonelli's 27 and Butch Goring's 91 in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the jersey retirements of Butch Goring and John Tonelli and if Pat LaFontaine should be next. The Ilya Sorokin drama won't go away, we discuss the Russian goalie. Josh Ho-Sang is back. What does that mean for the Islanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More Islanders fans share the stories of their most memorable games. In this episode: Dad Wisdom, Random Run-Ins with Players and Penguins Pique. From The Easter Epic to a regular season game from five years ago, Islanders fans have had a lot of memorable games to choose from. Playoff games, regular season games, newer games, classic games, historic events and random accidents all come into play for fans young and old. And somehow, those damn Penguins are always involved... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about a week in which the Islanders got back on their game and the praise they're receiving from players around the NHL. They discuss the chemistry between linemates Anthony Beauvillier and Brock Nelson, a potential injury to Michael Dal Colle and a critical penalty and teaching moment for Mathew Barzal. Later, they ponder former coach Peter Laviolette's (psychically foretold) return to Nassau Coliseum, marvel at how players are speaking about the Islanders these days and determine whose mug best represents the NHL in the 1990's. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest edition of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) reacts to the Isles 3-2 OT win over the Buffalo Sabres at the Coliseum as the team continues their home dominance. We hear post-game comments from Barrry Trotz on Anthony Beauviller's development, Mat Barzal's 'personal' penalty and having team-first attitude. Later, IslesBlog contributor Rob Taub (@RTaub_) joins the show to talk Metro Division, Taylor Hall trade rumors and where the Isles still have room to improve. Plus, Pierre Turgeon reveals why he was upset to be traded from Buffalo and shares memories of 1993 with Benoit Hogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look at an up-and-down week for the Islanders, the recent cracks in the team's play and Mike's trip to Montreal. Two wins and two disconcerting losses have them wondering where the team's dominating game has gone, and whether or not GM Lou Lamoriello is close to making a move to bolster the roster. Mike tells the tale of his fun and fortuitous journey to a Canadiens-Islanders game and the mutual respect the teams seem to have for one another. Later, they joke about Toronto's longing for Lamoriello, the chances of a comeback of the divisive Fisherman jersey and how one of this episode's three "He Was an Islander" players looks like an NHL superstar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) reacts to the Islanders 3-2 OT win over the Vegas Golden Knights at the Coliseum on Thursday Night. We hear post-game comments from Barry Trotz, Ryan Pulock and Mat Barzal, discuss Anthony Beauvillier's change in mindset and Ross Johnston playing on the top line. Later, Joe is joined by Nick Persaud (@IslesTerritory), to talk about his prowess for creating Islanders hype videos. Plus, Joe shares his thoughts on the Islanders fisherman merchandise push. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel count down the top ten moments of the decade for the Islanders. The arena drama, JT, trades, the decade had it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acquired in a franchise-altering trade, hard-hitting captain Michael Peca led the Islanders through a season of magical highs and painful lows. Peca wasn’t the biggest player on the ice, but his knack for clutch goals, big checks and leadership helped the Islanders to their best season since the Dynasty years. Along the way, he became the first Islander to win the NHL’s Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward and he won an Olympic gold medal. And of course, no discussion of the 2001-02 season would be complete without a look at the Islanders’ brutal, punishing playoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the injury Peca sustained that changed the course of the series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss a bad California road trip and a successful return for the Islanders, and do some future roster gazing. Two losses in Southern California and a weird win at home get discussed in-depth, before attention is turned to road trip through Detroit and Montreal. Later, they discuss some perfect additions (that won't actually happen) and once again lament the brutal state of the Metropolitan Division. Finally, they discuss what it would take for an unrestricted free agent to sign with the Islanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The New York Islanders 17-game point streak came to crashing end Monday in Anaheim. Dan and Noel discuss the things the streak masked. Actor and Kings fan Michael Vartan (Alias, Never Been Kissed) calls in to preview the Los Angeles Kings game Wednesday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the team riding a 17-game points streak, Mike and Dan talk about the Islanders' brave new universe, Trotzgiving and the team's social media evolution with guest Michael Schuerlein. One of the original Isles Blog Boxers, Mike walks them through how he went from writing for an automotive magazine to covering drafts, games and other events and forging long-lasting relationships with the franchise and media. They also talk about which Islanders are the smartest and the most snake-bitten, and how one more NHL team has been added to the growing list of groups re-thinking their tactics to better emulate the Isles’ success. Includes Islanders-branded energy drinks, “happy violence” and crying Brian Burke. Sponsored by VintageIceHockey.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest edition of PTIsles, Joe Buono (IslesBlog) reacts to the Isles 2-1 OT loss in San Jose as the team kicks off their west coast trip. Later, we hear post-game reaction from from Barry Trotz on the team's play, Anders Lee on Power Play chances and Casey Cizikas on earning a point. Plus listeners from all over Islanders country call-in to talk about the team's historic start, what it's like living in Toronto as an Islanders fan, sharing an Islanders surname, Midwest meeting ups and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the improbable come-from-behind wins in the last two games to extend the point streak to 15. We sing the praises of Anthony Beauvillier and honor the milestones of Brock Nelson and Casey Cizikas. We also have a bit of breaking news regarding this year's first-round pick, Simon Holmstrom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan celebrate the Islanders' point streak, several player milestones and being the ninth most popular hockey podcast in Norway. They recount two ridiculous wins over the Leafs and Flyers, and look ahead to two games against the Sidney Crosby-less (but still dangerous) Penguins. Later, they talk about how 500 games can just fly by and how players you didn't think might be One Jersey Guys can suddenly become them. Finally, they remember a couple of short time Islanders that felt like long timers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Islanders fans share the stories of their most memorable games. An out-of-town fan experiences an Islanders home crowd for the first time, a playoff series creates a thirst for blood and love blossoms in an Islanders fan club. Later, a miracle comeback leads to a personal miracle for one family. Also contains hot sauce drinking, kids learning the wonderful world of the wise ass Islanders fan, and much, much more. Thanks to all of our callers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest edition of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) is joined by WFAN.com columnist Andy Graziano (@AndyGraz_WFAN) to discuss the Islanders familiar formula of success in their 5-4 win over John Tavares and the Maple Leafs. Later, they discuss Barry Trotz's impact on the organization's culture, Andrew Ladd being put on waivers, how Thomas Greiss will make Lou's job tough this summer. Also, Mat Barzal just keeps getting better and Josh Bailey hits another milestone in a possible Islanders Hall of Fame career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the end of the Islanders 10-game winning streak, their hatred for the Penguins and power play conspiracy theories. They also pay tribute to unfussy goalie Thomas Greiss, who may end up being one of the greatest netminders in team history. Later, they talk about who may be coming in and out of the line-up, non sequitur nicknames and a potpourri of late 90's Islanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Islanders 10-game winning streak ended in disappointing fashion Thursday night against Pittsburgh. Dan and Noel talk about how vital it was to bounce back Saturday against Florida. Thomas Greiss has been a brick wall this season in net, we debate if he is now a top five goalie in team history. The annual season ticket holder meet and greet with the players occurred this past weekend. Should the team also do one for the non season ticket holders? We discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan marvel at the Islanders' 10 game winning streak, and all the stats and meaning that comes along with it. They discuss the feeling of watching such a unique event and examine some of the cool and crazy numbers associated with it. Later, they talk about how the team has gotten the respect of other coaches around the league, and how "doing things our way" has taken on a whole new meaning for the franchise. Finally, they shout out some fans from overseas who have found their way to "the last team on the totem pole." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of PTIsles, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) is joined by Islanders radio color analyst Greg Picker (@GregPickerHere) to discuss the second longest winning streak in team history. Greg breaks down the team's success under Barry Trotz and his coaching staff, Mat Barzal's becoming a dual offensive threat, defying advanced analytics and Cole Bardreau's big moment. Later, Greg talks about his path to the Islanders radio booth, one that did not include attending Hofstra University, preparing for games and the best and worst broadcast locations in the league. Plus, the Islanders stat he fact-checked with statistician Erick Hornick before tweeting out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan celebrate 100 episodes by rewinding back to their first one. Includes a new intro by the hosts and improved audio for the previously "lost" premiere. They talk about what's the same and what's different between then and now, including a transfer of love no one saw coming, as well as some topics that were at the top of mind for fans four seasons ago. The pilot episode itself includes early love for a (still) underrated Islander, ire for a couple of familiar old targets and - surprise, surprise - arena worries. Thanks to everyone that's downloaded, listened and supported us over the years, and here's to 100 more episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second episode in our series of podcast documentaries about seasons in which a New York Islander won a major NHL award. Bryan Trottier had burst on to the NHL in a big way and continued to get better and better, claiming the Art Ross and Hart Trophies as the NHL’s leading scorer and Most Valuable Player, respectively, just three years after entering the league. Within that season, Trottier experienced incredible highs and lows, including a five-goal, eight-point performance in one game, a scoring streak that spanned nearly a quarter of the season, and stinging losses to the USSR in the Challenge Cup series and the New York Rangers in the NHL playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Islanders are the NHL's hottest team. Does the majority of the media take them seriously? Dan and Noel discuss. The injury report keeps growing as Tom Kühnhackl and Matt Martin are placed on injured reserve. Otto Koivula is the latest to be called up from Bridgeport. We announce the Tweet of the Week and get an update regarding Noel's son, Zach's stick collection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan enjoy the Islanders' win streak and discuss the injuries and young additions to the roster. They take a moment to appreciate the generally underappreciated Case Cizikas, and look forward to the debut of big boy Otto Koivula. Later, Mike becomes the king of New Orleans by barnstorming LSU in an Islanders jersey, and they say farewell to old Iron Seids, Dennis Seidenberg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first Lighthouse House Hockey edition of the PTIsles podcast, Joe Buono (@IslesBlog) is joined by Andrew Gross of Newsday (@AGrossNewsday) to talk about the Islanders 7 game winning streak and answer questions from our listeners. Topics include: Andrew's new career behind the mic Otto Koivula Call-up What is different about a team that is the same? Lou and Lehner Pelech taking the next step Arenas and Attendace Cole Bardreau's story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel are joined by the radio voice of the Islanders, Chris King. We discuss how the team has won four in a row and if Mat Barzal can play the Winnipeg Jets more than twice a year. We announce the tweet of the week and reveal our major announcement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan discuss the good and bad parts of the Islanders' four-game winning streak and the esoteric joys of the team's Alumni Night. They talk about the team's lack of a 60-minute effort despite baking points throughout their first eight games, and the many lineup changes that have been necessary. Later, they revel in the players both famous and anonymous that appeared at the most recent alumni celebration, and how the Islanders' unique community has helped forge those long-standing connections. Finally, they look forward to a weird schedule that could have a few pitfalls. This episode is dedicated to Jimmy, an important founding member of the Islanders Anxiety team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a new podcast from Lighthouse Hockey, Islanders fans from round the globe share their most memorable game experiences. Our first episode includes a shootout against a high-powered rival, a connection forged between father and son, a regal memory of one of the team's most important games, and a game that turned out to be a fateful one years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the epic comeback by the Islanders on Monday and whether or not it saved their season. 2018 first-round pick Oliver Wahlstrom made his NHL debut in Monday's win. We discuss if the rookie will be hanging around. The Islanders held their alumni weekend this past weekend. There are a lot of interesting names who attended. We debut our Tweet of the Week segment. Dan also shares a little too much. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the first two games of the Islanders season, the concerns about the team's attendance and the uniqueness of Josh Bailey. They examine what's worked so far and what could be better, as well as how their performance matches last season's (so far). Later, they re-evaluate the future of Josh Ho-Sang, who has requested a trade, and marvel at how Bailey has quietly amassed 800 games played without changing at all from his draft day. They also have their (maybe?) final say on the team’s attendance issues and hope everyone comes to understand the dreaded Two W's trap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denis Potvin became the Islanders' first award winner by taking home the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 1974. In this first episode of a new monthly podcast from Lighthouse Hockey, host Dan Saraceni examines how Potvin came to the Islanders, his growing pains on the way to the Calder, and how Potvin and new coach Al Arbour helped establish the bedrock of what would become one of the greatest teams the NHL has ever seen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel preview the Islanders regular season with their over/unders and give their thoughts on the NHL/Green Day partnerships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan return for another season of worrying about the Islanders, and they start things off with a bang (or, to be more specific, three bangs on the waiver wire in Josh Ho-Sang, Thomas Hickey and Tanner Fritz). They also discuss the team's end-of-camp roster including the addition of young defenseman Noah Dobson. In the second half, they enjoy the many groundbreakings at Belmont Park and forward to the team's future home. Listen for special announcements about two new Lighthouse Hockey podcasts coming this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the biggest questions facing the Islanders as they head into the regular season next month. The team failed to bring in a top scorer, so where will the goals come from? Will 2018 first-round pick Noah Dobson make the team? Will that signal the end of Nick Leddy or Thomas Hickey's time on the Island? Mitchell Marner has re-sign in Toronto but they are still quite a few unsigned RFAs, can the Isles acquire one? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newsday's Andrew Gross joins the Isles Buzz to discuss the Derrick Brassard signing, how is affects the special teams and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel are joined by The Athletic's Arthur Staple to discuss the Islanders quiet offseason. The Rangers signed newly acquired Jacob Trouba to a massive seven-year deal. Could Ryan Pulock get something similar next offseason? We discuss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan examine the big news from the Belmont Arena front and do some summer wish-listing for the Islanders. They look at the major announcements, including the team footing the bill for a new train station, and marvel at some of the complaints lodged against the project. Later, they kick around some trade ideas and have their say on Mitch Marner the (currently) unsigned restricted free agent who keeps being photographed around Islanders. Stay tuned after the outro music for a special preview of a new Lighthouse Hockey podcast called "Islanders Award Winners," that will debut next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan cover another weird free agency day for the Islanders, a roller coaster of big losses, galaxy brains and, perhaps most weirdly, hope. They talk about how Artemi Panarin slipped through the team's fingers, how Anders Lee isn't @#$%&ing leaving and how Robin Lehner's Islanders chapter came to a sad end. They also examine how the loss of one goalie and the acquisition of another is tied to the eventual signing of a third. Finally, they look at the big picture and where the Islanders stand now, and how the day shook out around the NHL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel recap another disappointing July 1st for the Islanders as Artemi Panarin takes less money to head to the Rangers. and Vezina trophy finalist Robin Lehner moves on to Detroit. Some positive news to report as Anders Lee returns to the Islanders on a 7-year contract. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan review the NHL Awards, the Islanders 2019 draft class and where the club stands as free agency approaches. They brave the awful television presentations to see two Islanders take home some hardware, and some (possible) future Islanders emerge. In the second half, they discuss the re-signing of Jordan Eberle and the lack of re-signing (so far) of Anders Lee and Robin Lehner. Finally, they respond to some reasonable concerns about the Belmont arena project. They also joke about offer-sheeting Mitch Marner and how Leafs fans could find his contract situation funny if any of them had a sense of humor or irony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan get the latest information about the Belmont arena project from Mark Berner of Horserace Insider, who tells them when to expect a start date announcement, what people around the racing world are saying about it and what connection the track has to the team's glory days. But first, the hosts discuss the recently concluded Stanley Cup final and what the hold-ups are with the Islanders' remaining UFAs. They also throw in some trade targets, too because why not. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel are joined by Russ Cohen from Sportsology to preview the upcoming draft and what the Islanders might do at 23. Would the Islanders consider drafting a goalie in the first round? Another week goes by and neither Robin Lehner nor Anders Lee are signed, should we be worried? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the recent signings by the Islanders, highlighted by the Brock Nelson 6-year, $36M deal and try to make sense of the AHL age restriction rule when it comes to Canadian juniors. There have been reports that Patrik Laine wants out of Winnipeg, we discuss what it could take to bring him to the Island. Somehow the 1998 World Series, Ichiro, Mark Price and baby names all make the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan discuss the recent re-signing of Brock Nelson and three Islanders-related inductees to the IIHF Hall of Fame. They go over the context of Nelson's new deal (which might be ignored by those outside the Islanders bubble) and what it means for the team's offseason. They also fawn over Noah Dobson, who won his second straight Memorial Cup and remains a potential game-changer for the franchise. In the second half, they recount the Islanders careers of Zigmund Palffy, Miroslav Satan and Jorgen Jonsson, all of whom were inducted to the IIHF Hall of Fame based on their international success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by The Athletic's Arthur Staple to talk about what moves the Islanders could make this summer. They talk about the team's feelings at clear out day, the injuries they'll need to adjust for and what salaries their restricted free agents could be looking at. Later, the move on to the Islanders' UFAs and potential offseason acquisitions. Along the way, they get to media biases, unlikely buyouts and what would give this season a truly happy ending. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the draft and free agency over a month away, Dan and Noel speculate what could happen with the Islanders. We say our farewells to Yannick Rathgeb, we hardly knew ya, blast another clueless politician and give our thoughts on Game of Thrones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and special guest Carey Haber take an analytics-focused look at the Islanders’ season and potential offseason moves. They discuss the team’s MVPs, their now solidified defense and which players had underrated seasons. Later, they examine the team’s pending free agents, how each of them fits into the larger picture and what, if any, contingency plans exist. Finally, they throw around a few trade chips, as well as some shade at early articles predicting the Islanders’ quick demise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Islanders sweep and get swept this postseason. Dan and Noel recap the season and discuss the many roster decisions ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan sift through their feelings about the Islanders being swept in the second round and the galvanizing season that passed. They talk about the "closest sweep of all time" against the Hurricanes and the bad taste it leaves after the highs of the previous series against the Penguins. Later, they discuss the season as a whole and how Barry Trotz pulled an Infinity Gauntlet snap on the franchise. Finally, they rank post-Dynasty playoff teams before firing up their offseason anxieties with projections about where the team's many free agents might go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan dissect all the frustrating ways in which the Islanders have found themselves down 2-0 in their playoff series against Carolina. They talk about the bad luck and missed opportunities that have plagued the Islanders so far, and how the move to Barclays Center has made things feel much worse for both players and fans. They also hash out some conspiracy theories, speculate on referee mind control and look at what avenues the team can use to get back into the series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan preview the Islanders' second round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, with whom they share a lot of similarities if not stylist differences in play. They discuss the outside perceptions surrounding each franchise, how they've each defied the odds this season and what kind of birthday party each would be. They also run through the many x-factors of the series, including a long-ass layoff, the Islanders Vezina-finalist goalie Robin Lehner and the ghosts of Islanders past. Finally, they talk about the other playoff series, such as the Bruins beating the Maple Leafs and the Avalanche and Sharks turning back time, and why this year is like a game of NHL '94. With special musical guest Cher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel preview the second round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes. The radio voice of the New York Islanders, Chris King, joins the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Islanders advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs by sweeping the Pittsburgh Penguins. While the rest of the teams battle to advance, the Isles sit and wait. Dan and Noel are joined by Noel's son, Zach, and talk Robin Lehner, Thomas Hickey and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan relish the Islanders' first round sweep of the Penguins and how it changes much about the team's standing, especially among its battered fanbase. They praise the team's "Warlock in Goal" and their First Team All-Handsome squad, and try to focus on what the Islanders are rather than what people outside the organization have to say about them. Later, they float an idea for a hockey podcast that someone really needs to make. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel recap Game 3 as the Islanders look to sweep the Penguins Tuesday night Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan examine the reality of the Islanders being up 3-0 in their playoff series with the Penguins and how grateful they, and presumably the rest of the fans, are to be in that position. They discuss how all three games have played out both on the ice and off, including helicopter travel, crazy crowds, celebrity sightings, cult hero worship and painful hugs. Later, they lament some of the media coverage the Islanders have (or haven't) received and set a new record of the amount of Weird Islanders mentioned in a single episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel recap the thrilling OT winner for the Islanders in the opening game against the Penguins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel preview the Penguins-Islanders series with Newsday's Andrew Gross Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan wrap up the Islanders extraordinary regular season and look forward to their first round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. They discuss the remarkable goaltending the Isles have had this season, compare where things differ from the last time these two teams met in the postseason and what special guests we might see at the Coliseum. They also talk about recent moves by the Florida Panthers that have an Islanders connection and - in what they hope is the last time this season - some of the differences between Maple Leafs and Islanders fans. Finally, Mike gets a hug. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel recap the playoff-clinching win against the Buffalo Sabres over the weekend and debate whether Jeff Skinner would be a good free-agent signing. No one in their wildest dreams ever thought that the team would be playing playoff game at the Coliseum. Neither did the Coliseum as they have a full slate of events next weekend. We give our proposed schedule and come up with baby names for Noel's upcoming child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an uncharacteristically effusive episode, Mike and Dan are joyful as the Islanders clinch a playoff berth with a huge win over Buffalo following an equally huge win in Winnipeg. They praise Brendan Burke calling out some pessimistic preseason predictions, Robin Lehner swearing in front of 13,000 people and Barry Trotz being Barry Trotz. They also revel in the glory of proving the doubters wrong (including themselves) before taking a look at another games against the Maple Leafs and the loss of center Tanner Fritz. Also, Andy Hilbert is mentioned yet again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel discuss the improbable come back win in Winnipeg Thursday night and give our thoughts on the Islanders best matchup in the playoffs. We discuss Oliver Wahlstrom turning pro and sign Casey Cizikas's praises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about the highs and lows of the last four Islanders games and worry about what they mean as the playoffs approach. They discuss the team's propensity for either shutting teams out or being shut out themselves and examine what they'll need to do as the season enters its final week. They also examine the longterm injury to Andrew Ladd, the signings of NCAA free agents Grant Hutton and Bobo Carpenter and some cult heroes from a rebuild gone awry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan pick at the corpse of a blowout loss to the Bruins and fret about the Islanders' injury-marred road ahead. They hope for more games like encouraging efforts against Detroit and Montreal, but ponder the team's moves to offset a couple of injuries to important players. Later, they talk about forgotten Islanders and forgotten Islanders draft picks, and choose which fantastical fictional limbo fits the Islanders best. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A cast of thousands joined Dan and Noel for the live Isles Buzz podcast at the Offside Tavern Saturday. CJ Papa, Jillian Fisher, Dan Saraceni and Nick Hirshon joined the show. A special thanks to the Offside Tavern for hosting us and to Yes Men Outfitters for selling their creative shirts. Most importantly, a very special thanks to all of the fans who came by and supported us over the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Noel preview the crucial three-game stretch for the Islanders. We try for figure out what's wrong with Jordan Eberle and Mat Barzal. The wait is almost over! The live Isles Buzz podcast is this Saturday at the Offside Tavern. Come stop by! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan debate the merits of the Islanders winning (good) but playing poorly (bad) and look at how the Metro Division could shake out for the rest of the season. They also lament losing another frustrating game to the Flyers and just how bad the Islanders' power play is. Finally, they discuss some big news for the podcast and look towards some scary/not scary games on the horizon. Yes, those are ads you're hearing. We'll explain everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Dan recount the now infamous return of John Tavares to Nassau Coliseum and look ahead to some must-win games for the Islanders in the coming week. Mike offers his first-hand account of what the experience was like being in the building amidst all the booing, and the serendipitous meeting he had before the game with another Islanders fan enemy. They also look at the team's three losses in that same week and what they could mean as the schedule enters the stretch run to the playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a massive episode covering many topics, Carey Haber joins Mike and Dan to establish where the Islanders sit after a trade deadline in which they made no moves. Andrew Ladd and Thomas Hickey are back, but what about their other secret weapon? (no, not the ghost of Dennis Seidenberg). Later, the hosts reckon with John Tavares's return to Nassau Coliseum as a Maple Leaf and the many possible backlashes that may occur. Finally, they look ahead to an important week for the Islanders, breeze through the team's recent Western Canadian trip, ponder the best intermission interview subjects, and plea for kindness to fans of the Ottawa Senators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a surprise super-sized episode, Mike and Dan examine two very different Islanders wins, discuss some off-the-ice moves and kick around names as the 2019 NHL trade deadline approaches. They wonder where Thomas Hickey and Andrew Ladd could play when they return from conditioning stints in the AHL, hash out the good and bad of playoff games at Barclays Center, lament the tired conversation around excessive celebrations in the NHL and marvel at some Twitter fire from an unexpected source. Finally, they test their fortune telling skills by guessing where a few marquee names could end up after next week's deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a wide-ranging episode, Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders' latest run of games and the offensive woes that have fans concerned. They also dive into a recent story about the Belmont arena project that references dog and pony shows and hilariously (and perhaps permanently) clogged bathrooms. Finally, they talk about a former Islander who's set to turn Finnish politics on their ear. Special appearance by the Westchester Knicks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss recent games against the Lightning and Bruins and all of the ways the Islanders are driving bookies and bettors crazy this season. They also examine possible (and deserved) lineup changes and why the team has responded to Barry Trotz so quickly. Finally, they hit on some pre-deadline deals from around the NHL, lament how many people write about the Maple Leafs for The Athletic and a ponder a politician's plea for playoff games at Nassau Coliseum. Special appearance by Jimmy the Dog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by Arthur Staple of The Athletic to talk about the Islanders' standing, the trade deadline and what inquiring minds around the NHL are saying about them. They cover Barry Trotz's influence, Lou Lamoriello's potential plans and what the tenor of the locker room is after a very successful first three-quarters of the season. Later, Mike and Dan fret over the team's upcoming schedule, reminisce about Mathew Barzal's first All Star Game and debut the NHLNames.com NHL Name of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan hit the All Star Break with the Islanders in first place and striding over untrodden ground. They discuss how the team has gotten to this point and the five-game winning streak that catapulted the Islanders to a seat at the table among the NHL's best. They also examine coach Barry Trotz's connection with the fanbase, how GM Lou Lamoriello has helped shape things and how this version of the Islanders has been different than many that came before it. Finally, they goof on the Edmonton Oilers firing GM Peter Chiarelli, who may also be the third (maybe second) best GM in Islanders history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss a week of ups, downs and hilarious weirdness as the Islanders beat the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning after two odd games against the Rangers. They also look ahead to a packed pre-All Star break schedule, lament the lack of attention the team's underdog story has garnered from around the league and urge fans to have fun during this resurgent season. Finally, they give the Islanders’ Cizikas-Clutterbuck-Martin trio a proper name because “the fourth line” really isn’t cutting it. And remember: Don't feed the trolls (even well-respected ones). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan air their Islanders grievances for the first time in a while, after the team’s six game winning streak was snapped. They ponder what back-to-back bad games mean for the Islanders with games against the Rangers and league-leading Lightning on the horizon, but also look at some positives that the team still has going for it. They also examine why the Islanders loaned Josh Ho-Sang to Bridgeport and how it could hurt the team in their upcoming games. Finally, they give praise to Devon Toews, Brock Nelson and Robin Lehner, none of whom are probably included on any of The Athletic's projected line-ups for the 2020 World Cup of Hockey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan return from their holiday break to talk about the Islanders' very happy new year, including big wins against the Stars, Sabres and, of course, John Tavares and the Maple Leafs. They also cover how the team is executing Barry Trotz’s game plan, how All Star Mathew Barzal is finding his Calder Trophy form again and how some members of the Toronto media still have no clue what they’re talking about when it comes to the Islanders. Finally, they discuss the ongoing mess in Edmonton, an entertaining meltdown in Dallas, a by-the-numbers Winter Classic and the highly entertaining new book, “We Want Fish Sticks,” about the Islanders’ failed rebranding in the mid-1990’s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are FIRED UP and talking about the Islanders' latest streak, their recent call-ups and an upcoming game in Toronto. They detail the team's recent road wins and look forward to more from Josh Ho-Sang and Devon Toews. They also get out their soap boxes for the Islanders' upcoming game against former captain John Tavares and how it will be viewed by media and fans on both sides. Finally, they discuss who might be considered the new face of the Islanders' franchise, and the answer may (not) surprise you. CONTAINS COURSE LANGUAGE. PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders positives and negatives after an up-and-down week of games, which saw one satisfying win, a couple of tough losses and one blowout. They also talk about Mathew Barzal looking like his old self while a few of his teammates have yet to become their best selves, and how nobody outside of Islanders fans have really been paying attention. Finally, they hit on the latest Belmont news and the continuing presence of Billy Joel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about the games against the Bruins and Blue Jackets, but focus on the many aspects of the Islanders' regular season return to Nassau Coliseum. Mike tells us about his experience of going to the game and all the positive vibes he felt, while Dan wonders what it means for the team's other home arena. Finally, they look ahead to games against the scrambling Penguins and stacked Jets, score some perfect music to mark the occasion of the Islanders' night of pride, and discuss the man who may be the most photographed athlete of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a super-sized episode, Mike & Dan break down a busy week for the Islanders and the NHL, and the inspiring words of Barry Trotz. They discuss wins against the Devils and Hurricanes, losses to the Rangers and Capitals and how the coach is bringing both a game plan and pride back to the franchise. They also go through the return to the Coliseum and moves made by the Oilers, Blackhawks and Flyers. Finally, Mike tells stories about familial team disputes and crashing a high school reunion to watch a game. Parental Discretion Advised for course language. Check out SneakyAthletic.com for great Islanders merchandise and use the code ANXIETY at the checkout to get 10% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss a wild win over the Rangers, a disgusting defeat to Dallas and other Islanders issues as the season hits Thanksgiving. They ponder what's wrong with some of the team's best defensemen and wonder what changes may be in store. Later, they talk about the majesty of a Mark Streit pump fake, the Islanders being out of the NHL's Cool Kids circle and literal media fights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an uncanny journey into mystery, Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders recent trip through Florida and return game against Vancouver, in which they played well enough to win all three but only came away with one victory. They also look ahead to the first game against the Rangers this season, and remember some rivalry games of the past. Finally, they pay tribute to the legendary Stan Lee and debut the new Moment of Trotz segment, while a listener shout out leads to a culinary tour of Long Island, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about the end of the Islanders' winning streak and the beginning of their time as the world's premier producer of hockey coaching talent. They also discuss the team's second annual alumni night, the emerging assertiveness of Josh Bailey, the recent play of AHLers Michael Dal Colle and Josh Ho-Sang, who "The Islanders of Canada" are and the differences between media coverage from Montreal and Toronto. Finally, they solve the mystery of how John Tavares will be received when he returns to face the Islanders on Long Island (without even charging listeners a subscription fee). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss a surprisingly successful week for the Islanders and the first month of the Barry Trotz experience. They talk about four games that went four different ways - three of them wins - and how this season feels different from the previous ten or so. They also touch on the recent complaints of Josh Ho-Sang and some eerie goings-on as Halloween hits Islanders Country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the highs and lows of the Islanders' trip through the three California NHL teams, the areas the team needs to improve on and maybe looking at a couple of players differently after a few games. Later, they ponder the complex legacy and lasting impact of Charles Wang, the former Islanders majority owner who passed away on October 21st, 2018. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are back after the Islanders played a grand total of one (1) game to talk to Arthur Staple of The Athletic about the team's new vibe, their west coast swing, home arena drama and passive-aggressive shots at previous coaches. Later, they chat about the mystery of Brock Nelson, forgotten Islanders past (Jack Skille) and present (Sebastian Aho) and a forgotten NHL video that needs to be unearthed once again Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It took five tries, but Mike and Dan finally get a podcast in the books about the Islanders' first three games under Barry Trotz. They talk about the night and day differences between last season and this one, and the good, bad and getting better of the small sample of games. They also discuss the end of the Jan Kovar experiment, the attendance at Barclays Center, a new job for former Islanders head coach Doug Weight, the stupidity of the NHL's schedule makers and sing about the greatness of Mathew Barzal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lighthouse Hockey’s founding father Dominik joins Mike and Dan to chat (and occasionally rant) about the Islanders’ season opening roster, newly revealed third jerseys, and budding Culture Club of newcomers. They also talk about legends on their the second (or third) acts and the diminishing returns that usually follow and how Lou Lamoriello has haunted Dom for decades. This week’s special theme song is, “Karma Chameleon - Culture Club (8-bit)” by Sonic for Hire Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan break down the Islanders training camp cuts and the ill-advised and alarming signing of defenseman Luca Sbisa, the Chris Pronger of the Italian national hockey team. They also discuss handsome Islanders, terrible goal songs and shockingly horrifying mascots. Includes bonus Geico trivia question! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan surprise themselves and return to cover the Islanders' new era, with some new things to look forward to, old things to get off their chests and a new weekly schedule! They talk about where they left off on July 1st and what they're excited about for the current season. Also, Dan explains why he walked away from his Twitter account, Mike gets his hopes up for a year of no expectations and infinite possibilities, and both promise to not talk about John Tavares (immediately followed by them talking about John Tavares). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react immediately to the news that John Tavares has left the Islanders as a free agent. Spoiler: they aren't happy. They talk about the gut punch for the franchise, the things that confused and angered them about the entire process and what - if anything - the team can do going forward. WARNING: Contains unfiltered language. Parental discretion advised. Also contains funky audio, and for that we apologize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders huge coaching hire of Barry Trotz, fresh off a Stanley Cup championship with the Capitals. They try to come to grips with how much the franchise has changed in the month since Lou Lamoriello took over as GM and wonder how the hiring of Trotz impacts re-signing John Tavares. It takes a while, but they also get around to mentioning that Mathew Barzal won the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year and that listening to an Entry Draft on the radio is awful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Islanders executive Lou Lamoriello has done what was previously unthinkable, relieving GM Garth Snow and coach Doug Weight of their duties. Mike and Dan discuss this huge move and what it means for the team, not just for next season or the future of John Tavares, but for the organization as a whole. They also have had enough of the Great Northern Rumor Mill and its affect on their ability to enjoy the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Islanders have finally named Lou Lamoriello as their president of hockey operations, ushering in a new era that Mike and Dan have a lot of thoughts, worries, hopes and laughs about. They discuss the impact the hiring might have on John Tavares, what it means for the franchise and how other markets have reacted to it. Also, Dan compares the 75-year-old Lamoriello to the Sorcerer Supreme, Dr. Strange. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Islanders quiet for the time being, Mike and Dan reminisce about their days as interns for the newly-retired Hockey Maven, Stan Fischler. They share stories about the responsibilities of working with the Maven and remember some memorable characters, generosity, laughs and moments they wouldn’t have experienced without him. They also spend some time talking about the upcoming draft lottery and why it sucks watching other teams make moves and not theirs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by Arthur Staple of The Athletic to try and make sense of the Islanders' bizarre season ending media conference. They discuss what John Tavares might be thinking after seeing it, what the team might have been thinking by making it weird (twice) and what the owners might be thinking heading into the deepest parts of the offseason. Later, the hosts laugh about the idea of a 17,000-seat arena out in Suffolk County among other Islanders and Long Island oddities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This season's Islanders will go down as one of the most disappointing incarnations of the franchise's latest era. So Mike and Dan remember some other rosters that were just as bad but, because of the circumstances, are more fondly remembered. They laugh about legendary fights, angry nurses, weird-ass goal songs and the days of little to no expectations, while lamenting this season's lost opportunities. Parental warning: We usually edit explicit words, but this episode is uncensored. Special theme song: Live is Life by OPUS. You remember it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Islanders eight points out of the playoffs, Mike and Dan recount a season of frustration and take a dim look at the franchise's future. They kick around ideas to fix the team that probably won't happen and lament previous mistakes that have formed their negativity. But there's still plenty of love for "beautiful Band-Aid" Mathew Barzal and a lot of gallows humor thrown in as well. Use the promo code LIGHTHOUSE to take 10% off your order ProStockHockey.com. Code expires March 28th. Theme: "Sports" by Josh Spacek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a cathartic episode, Mike and Dan discuss the NHL trade deadline and the Islanders inactivity at it. They breakdown why the Islanders weren't in a position to make any moves and what it says about the organization as a whole. They also share a laugh at the expense of Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark, who said some boneheaded things about the Islanders this weekend. Finally, they advocate for the new film, Black Panther, and for the Islanders to be moved to Acapulco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices