Islanders drop Ducks to move into playoff spot with sixth straight win
ANAHEIM, Calif. — For the first time in nearly two months, the Islanders will wake up Monday morning in a playoff spot. After losing at home to the Lightning two weeks ago, the Islanders’ only obvious path to the postseason was to continue their winning streak as soon as possible. They took that literally and […]
Semyon Varlamov earns rare win after Ilya Sorokinsits for Islanders
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Islanders are in playoff contention, which means they could look to Ilya Sorokin to start in net almost every night. On Sunday, coach Semyon Varlamov gave Sorokin a rare night off on the front lines of back-to-back games, a rare violation of that rule and the first time Sorokin had sat […]
Lou Lamoriello shifts to neutral at quiet Islanders trade deadline
A minute or two ago, when Lou Lamoriello was in the midst of a missed championship at the Meadowlands, “El Excigente” was following the natural sequence of free agency, rental trades, and talent cycling through the four-year college cycle. I accepted it as not much different. life. So I guess I just don’t understand how […]
Islanders have plenty of contract extensions questions to answer
ANAHEIM, Calif. — After the trade deadline came and went quietly for the Islanders, the next crux of roster construction comes four months later when free agency begins. That’s not only because seven players on the roster have expiring contracts, but also four who will be eligible for contract extensions on July 1st, and the […]
Lou Lamoriello, Islanders stand pat as NHL trade deadline passes
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Islanders, under the guidance of coach Lou Lamoriello, generally took one of two paths at the trade deadline. Lamoriello got the job done before deadline day, like the Bo Horvat and Pierre Engvall trades a year ago and the Kyle Palmieri trade in 2021. Or, like in 2022 or 2024 after […]
When Patrick Roy thought Islanders were starting to turn it around
SAN JOSE, Calif. — His team had just lost a key game by four points, but Patrick Roy felt the tide was turning. It was two weeks ago Saturday, after the Islanders suffered their fourth loss in five games, 2-4, to the Lightning, Roy told general manager Lou Lamoriello that the only thing missing was […]
Islanders blow out Sharks to move closer to playoff spot
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Islanders beat the Sharks in a straight line and moved closer and closer to the playoffs. A last-place San Jose team traded Anthony Duclair, one of its better forwards, just before puck drop Thursday, but on paper it didn’t seem like a good bet to end the Islanders’ winning streak. […]
How the Islanders flipped script on their third-period woes
SAN JOSE, Calif. — If the Islanders were in first place all year, like they have been this past week, they would be battling the Rangers for first place in the Metropolitan Division instead of fighting for a playoff spot. right. But given the urgency of the situation, it’s best not to think about what […]
Islanders’ Kyle Palmieri playing best hockey at just the right time
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Kyle Palmieri never stayed healthy for a full season with the Islanders, and he never scored 20 goals for them. So far, he’s been pacing both. Heading into a crucial four-game series against the Sharks starting Thursday night, Palmieri is playing his best hockey of the year with three straight wins […]
Islanders get revenge on Blues, grab fourth straight win
When the Islanders suffered a blowout loss in St. Louis less than two weeks ago, their playoff calculations looked all but hopeless, and so did their season. Since then, they’ve steadily improved and their playoff chances have been given new life as they head west on a four-game road trip. The Isles, who got their […]