The New York Islanders have clinched a berth in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs after defeating the New Jersey Devils 4-1. We have our key takeaways and hero and goat of the game and we’ll break down some key reasons for the Islanders recent success after a very inconsistent season.
We’ll also discuss that the Isles are in line to become the first team in the NHL since 1997 to accomplish this rare feat.
And we discuss how the Isles should approach the season finale against the Penguins, should they be calling up players from Bridgeport like Ruslan Iskhakov for this game?
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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42 Comments
Wish it was against the Rangers.
Isles clinch in game 81 once again. No one melting down to help out this time. And with third wrapped up and rags winning division its on to play canes in playoffs once again. Canes own isles in playoffs, 2-0. 8 games to 2. Canes are better this season better offensively with guentzal, better depth, healthy fwds. Isles are not any better. Just differently coached. Canes scored 39 more goals than isles and gave up 40 fewer. Canes + 66 gf ga. Isles – 18 gf ga. worst of all playoff teams unless caps get in. Isles managed to go six with canes last playoff. Would be fortunate to go six this time. Unless isle goaltenders can steal a series. The only advantage isles have over canes-just like last year. Which may not matter since cane d is better and canes on the whole faster than isles. Canes gf 6, ga 4. Isles gf 23, ga 19. Special teams canes pp 1, pk 2. Canes had two 30 goal scorers aho, jarvis. And factor in what guentzal, svechnikov would have with full healthy seasons. Isle special teams-pp 21, pk 32. isles have two 30 g scorers 29 and 14. 13 leads in pts. 80. Isles have their work cut out for them. Also caps win, wings pull a w out of their ass with comeback to win in ot vs. habs. Caps get w c 2 with win over flyers who are done now. Wings get in with w and cap reg. loss. Pens won and still have a chance needing cap wing losses in reg. and w over isles to get in. Looks like nyr are getting caps, wings, or pens in first round. b's, fla. still battling for division with laffs, tb awaiting and locked into third, w c 1 spots. Isles, canes a battle of coaches with s c rings as players- two of the four coaching along with tochett and msl.
If the Isles can stay out of the penalty box, they have a good chance against the Canes.
Well damn they made it in…good for them, maybe just maybe they are peaking at the right time
If they are, this team can be a real problem but I just worry about their shortcomings ie pp,pk, and the biggest one defensive zone play
Let me get this straight. You’re saying key players who are injured… should sit out and rest during the final game, which is completely meaningless??? Now that is an edgy take! 😂
Love ya man!
HEY GIL…i think i got the cold shoulder from everyone..i was sick in iceland and when i got home fever came back.got a UTI…septic shock..THIRD TIME IN THE LAST 2 YEARS..I was in the hospital 6 days and when i got home i just watched the show on the side…its a superstitious thing.said im not coming back on till they clinch…well life goes on..WERE IN THANK GOD..I LEFT A THUMBS UP..GREAT SHOW
U forgot we ARE WAY BETTER STEVE and 2 HOT GOALIES …. played canes much better .plus if we somehow beat them we ll gice the rangers HELL .THEY ARE SWEATING US AND SHOULD
16% chance to make it with 10 games left…WoW! and honestly wasnt just because the islanders were winning…we got so lucky that the other teams were losing important games..
but anyway LGI!
Car is a nightmare match-up, watch for Aho (car) he is an islander killer
Compare the way we made the playoffs this year versus last year and it's a night and day differential. We will be underdog versus Carolina, but we have an advantage in net and we all know a hot goalie can steal a series and that's what it's gonna take for us to beat the Hurricanes. I'm astounded that they made the playoffs as they were given about a 4% chance of making the playoffs as recently as two weeks ago. Great work by the guys and and congratulations to them. They never gave up.
You wanna build sorokins confidence for the last game, but have him play behind the Bridgeport guys, wahlstrom, bolduc, etc?
Didn’t want to rain on anybody’s parade but Sorokin and varly can both be on the ice and we’re still not beating Carolina. It’s been quite obvious for 6 years now. Only chance we got is if Sorokin goes on a bobrovsky type run. Of course I’ll be saying that for the next 8 years. He should definitely get the first game start. Just for his athleticism alone to try and match up with Carolina’s elite offense. Gil, we all know senile Lou isn’t calling anyone up from Bridgeport. Nice thought though. I wanted us to miss the playoffs so hopefully the property brothers get rid of the fossil. But now I’m guessing the old arrogant pos will be back and bury our franchise even further! Smfh
I hope to see a great run from the Isles, like the habs did a few years ago
Is there still a chance we play the rags in the playoffs? I was really pulling for that matchup…
Anders Lee made a Mike Bossy tribute move on that fourth goal assist!
YESSS GIL!!! LGI!!! 🔵🟠⚪️
Loved the way the boys came out tonight 👏
Lets go islandere time for some playoff hockey!
You stick with the hot hand in Semyon. Plain and simple. He deserves to start Game 1 after what he did down the stretch. There's no overthinking it here. Let Sorokin start against the Pens on Wednesday, so he can be ready to start Game 2 if Semyon struggles.
i wanted the Rangers in the first round, but I think this team is equipped to play with Carolina because of Patrick's coaching. You mentioned the depth producing, and that's a reflection on Pat's coaching.
It's great to talk playoff hockey and listen to your take on it in the next few weeks. Looking forward to the conversations, too.
LOU MUST GO!!!!!
Good 🌄, Gil, how are you? WE DID IT! WE DID IT! and they looked good doing it, too. Now they're facing Carolina again. They lost a goal because it didn't cross the goal line, but that's 👌. They went to the joint 3x, and it didn't cost them. Hero COMMUNITY EFFORT 🐐, COMMUNITY EFFORT for the 10 minute slow start. Now would be a good time for them to work on the specialty units, because those Hurricanes can put them thru one. The Islanders have got more from their depth players; however, they've been playing a lot better ever since Patrick Roy took over.
They need to play very consistently against Carolina. They've got Pittsburgh tomorrow night, and they need to be on their game, especially with Jaromir Jagr, who inherited Gordie Howe's stamina, not to mention Sydney Crosby. Bring up some of 🎉The Black Aces IT COULD CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOREVER. HAPPY🎂, KYLE OPOSO. Last night's win was for Mike Bossy 1957-2022. Hear from you tomorrow or after the Penguins game, whichever comes first, and LET'S GO ISLANDERS.
Get Engvall on the PK…highman…its like a 10 ft reach…they have to challenge up higher
Yeah the isles will play about four postseason games.. i dont see this team making any type of run..
They cant hold a lead there atrocious on the pk and they a minus goal diff..
no one can say we didn't earn this…let's go islanders
The team seems more confident with Varly in the net. You have to ride Varly unless he has a total meltdown. Go Islanders 🎉
Love the nhl playoffs and will enjoy islanders playing in them! Gotta give team a lot of credit when everyone thought were dead fought back and earned a playoff spot!
I complained enough this season. So I am just going to full on positive support the boys until its done for this year. 4 games or 28 all the way. They dug in and earned it. I think they will be a tough out.
It's nice the Isles did it the easy way rather than have to beat the Pens to get in.
The Isles beating the Pens to force the Rags into a 1st round matchup against the Caps would be awesome. That would be a very physical battle, and we would probably get some Rempe vs Wilson, if Thomas is willing.
The smart thing to do is rest a multitude of older players. The Roy system, especially in the D-zone, is very demanding. It takes a lot of energy and stamina to chase guys high. Our older players need a rest, but our cap situation limits our options for call ups, but there are a couple of options.
1st, play Sorokin to keep him ready to go and rest Varly, and play 7 defensemen. If Dobson is ready, put him in for limited minutes. Put Bolduc in and rest Bortuzzo. The guy is absolutely gassed and has been doing a lot of desperation flopping to the ice lately. He just can't keep up.
Then bring in the 2 Stroms. That lets us rest 3 forwards against the Pens. I would rest Lee and Palms. Let them stay home until the playoffs start. I think I would also rest Horvat. He just seems a little off lately.
It’s time to give credit where credit is due thank you Lou for doing a great job, and not listening to the negativity
Will Dobson be ready for playoffs?
The goalie question is interesting (and a nice problem to have). Varly is the hot hand, but if Sorokin's head is right, his ceiling is higher and is more likely to carry this team to a surprise Cinderella run. As I said, many teams would love to have this problem.
Glad they got the job done! Lost both playoff series in the past to the Canes. Hopefully we can turn it around with some consistent play and great goaltending! Go Islanders!
Hi Gil. the end of this season really has been a complete surprise. If the Isles do not sort out their special teams play this series is going to be over in 5 games. NJ utterly turtled last night and I expected more fight for a team in contention. the team showed that Dobson isn't missed last night. As for the finale against the Pens, it should be business as usual to maintain momentum.
Okay it’s a new season everyone is 0-0! Let’s go islanders!!!!!!
Alright fellas! Playoffs is a whole new season. Granted, it’s the Canes and they’re our kryptonite. LGI!!!!
Grats to the team and Roy for clinching a playoff spot. An amazing run, even scored a PPG and PKd well. Are the stars aligning?
Hi Gil!! Well what do ya know—-we made it!! I’ve said it all year—let’s give this team a chance because changes are coming next year. The difference to me? Our net is rested!! Either guy can step in and maybe between them—we can win this series Gil!! Another difference? Bo/Barzie have real Chemistry and Casey compliments them both real well. Remember—last year they barely played together because Barzie got hurt—not the case this year—-a full year of chemistry with those two. Lastly—-let’s give Roy his credit—-I remember many saying “Isles just made the playoffs” the day he got hired. Well—-they did!! We’ve gotten hot at the right time!! Roy has really made the difference. Ty Varly for stepping up and really coming thru—-allowing Sorro to rest—-we now have two rested net weapons—-it may just be the difference. Take care Gil!! I’m elated we made it. Let’s try and get this done for all our loyal fans——especially the ol timers—we deserve it!! Varly should start —he deserves it!!
LFGI
Most boring ass team ever.
He has already proved he can level up in the playoffs once. Now that he's fully comfortable on his new team I really hope Bubble Bo returns because he might as well have been wearing a super man cape out there some nights. I think last post-season the drama had exhausted him badly. He took the captain role seriously so it must have been quite a culture shock being moved.
Just let the penguins win I wanna see Sid one more time in the playoffs