The defense did a much better job of not forcing him to flop around in desperation.
With the loss of Pelech, Pulock and Mayfield and subsequent new persinnel, it seems the defense has had to refocus in the basics like communication and defensive awareness. The dzone exits actually looked smooth tonight.
- keaner17

Never a sense the game was in danger tonight and how great is it to have e
a weapon with the powerplay

Sorokin stepped up. Beauty of a 2nd period. Nice bounce back from Saturday.
- potvin05

Couldn’t get game tonight, saw highlights. But looked like Sorokin buckled up after the first goal and kept them in it until they came around. Guy is a gamer when on.

Sorokin stepped up. Beauty of a 2nd period. Nice bounce back from Saturday.
- potvin05

When he let up that first one tonight I was like oh boy, what’s up with sOrOkin.
He settled in very nicely after that.
I thought the Islanders were much better in their own zone as far as staying in their positions and staying in their particular zones without running around. Makes a big difference.

I hope to god Mayfield’s injury was what was causing his crappy play. Because it’s of no shock that we really don’t miss him much. The surprise is that we’re actually managing without Pelech. If we can somehow keep up the good play until he’s back, we should be alright.
- potvin05

Unfortunately I think Mayfield's issues are primarily between the ears. They gave him 7 years to keep his salary figure lower, but man is that going to look bad.
I've already mentioned it, but you really have to winder who sits when/if we are fully healthy?
Pelech Pulock
Dobson Romanov
Reilly. Bortuzzo/Mayfield/Aho.
Personally, I think Reilly makes Aho expendable and I honestly prefer Bortuzzo over Mayfield.

Never a sense the game was in danger tonight and how great is it to have e
a weapon with the powerplay
- Upstate_isles

Probs a good time to trade Horvat, Barzal, sOrOkin and Dobson. Let’s get that rebuild going!

Never a sense the game was in danger tonight and how great is it to have e
a weapon with the powerplay
- Upstate_isles

Past history perhaps caused some concern, but they were much better gaining control in the corners and getting the puck out. I still would prefer they stay more aggressive in the third. The 3rd period defensive shell puts so much pressure on them defensively

Past history perhaps caused some concern, but they were much better gaining control in the corners and getting the puck out. I still would prefer they stay more aggressive in the third. The 3rd period defensive shell puts so much pressure on them defensively
- keaner17

It was like they didn't try to get offense and went into a complete shell but played solid d. Sorokin made the stops he should and for whatever reason they seemed more calm. That too many men call was soft too

It was like they didn't try to get offense and went into a complete shell but played solid d. Sorokin made the stops he should and for whatever reason they seemed more calm. That too many men call was soft too
- Upstate_isles

They did a good job keeping the Oilers on the outside, they didn't get a ton of good chances from in close.

Curious if Gauthier's injury will have any bearing on Parise signing or not. The fact that they didn't have an update on him last night leads me to believe he's probably going to miss some time.

Daily Faceoff
@DailyFaceoff
1m
Nolan Patrick officially retires from hockey at age 25

Oof

They did a good job keeping the Oilers on the outside, they didn't get a ton of good chances from in close.

Curious if Gauthier's injury will have any bearing on Parise signing or not. The fact that they didn't have an update on him last night leads me to believe he's probably going to miss some time.
- eichiefs9

I would think that if Parise wants to sign with us and he’s ready he’s coming on board no matter what’s going on. In other words Gauthier being healthy would have no bearing on it. If I had to guess Lambert will insert Wahlstrom back into the lineup. If he doesn’t then that kids ship has definitely sailed with this team.

They did a good job keeping the Oilers on the outside, they didn't get a ton of good chances from in close.

Curious if Gauthier's injury will have any bearing on Parise signing or not. The fact that they didn't have an update on him last night leads me to believe he's probably going to miss some time.
- eichiefs9

I didn't see the play where he was hurt

I didn't see the play where he was hurt
- Upstate_isles

I didn't either. I was at the game and was wondering why the hell the lines were all out of whack

I would think that if Parise wants to sign with us and he’s ready he’s coming on board no matter what’s going on. In other words Gauthier being healthy would have no bearing on it. If I had to guess Lambert will insert Wahlstrom back into the lineup. If he doesn’t then that kids ship has definitely sailed with this team.
- Cptmjl

I mean right now there is literally no other option, unless they decide to come out of left field and call up someone like Iskhakov, which would be extremely surprising. Wahlstrom is the only (healthy) extra forward on this roster.

Only other option would be to activate Martin off IR and move Fasching to 3LW

"Islanders fans killed me for calling them sleepy and boring last year, said the 13-year NHL veteran. "Islanders fans, this is an exciting brand of hockey you are playing. I’m all in. Get me an Islanders jersey!” They weren't in a giving mood this holiday season.
The network later shared one Islander fan’s response to the thought of Cally wearing an Isles jersey as captured by Isles statistician Eric Hornick and shared on X. "I'd rather shove a full grown cactus up my *** than give Ryan Callahan as [sic] Isles jersey," wrote user @BlgPoppaPump.

😂

I mean right now there is literally no other option, unless they decide to come out of left field and call up someone like Iskhakov, which would be extremely surprising. Wahlstrom is the only (healthy) extra forward on this roster.

Only other option would be to activate Martin off IR and move Fasching to 3LW
- eichiefs9

I hear you but like I said if Parise was ready to go he would be here already imo. Not sure a Gauthier injury makes that happen faster. If I had to bet Wahlstrom will be playing tonight…

Edit; I get what you’re saying, not ignoring you lol, I wouldn’t be surprised if they called up someone from bdgpt as the extra fwd… Hope I’m wrong and Parise being signed is announced today. Lol

I didn't either. I was at the game and was wondering why the hell the lines were all out of whack
- eichiefs9

Yea I though they demoted barzal at first for turnovers until I realized they had 3 rw

I hear you but like I said if Parise was ready to go he would be here already imo. Not sure a Gauthier injury makes that happen faster. If I had to bet Wahlstrom will be playing tonight…

Edit; I get what you’re saying, not ignoring you lol, I wouldn’t be surprised if they called up someone from bdgpt as the extra fwd… Hope I’m wrong and Parise being signed is announced today. Lol
- Cptmjl

Not saying it'll make it happen faster, but whatever reports came out last week said that Parise was ramping up his skating at home in Minnesota so he may be getting closer to returning, whether it's with the Isles or elsewhere.

I wasn't commenting so much on Gauthier's injury making him return faster, just that the open roster spot may help make up his mind on where to sign if he is in fact coming back this year.

Not saying it'll make it happen faster, but whatever reports came out last week said that Parise was ramping up his skating at home in Minnesota so he may be getting closer to returning, whether it's with the Isles or elsewhere.

I wasn't commenting so much on Gauthier's injury making him return faster, just that the open roster spot may help make up his mind on where to sign if he is in fact coming back this year.
- eichiefs9

After seeing what Holmstrom has done, it makes me want to see Iskhakov even more. Parise had a great career and has been a good Islander, but can he really have a big impact at this point?

Not saying it'll make it happen faster, but whatever reports came out last week said that Parise was ramping up his skating at home in Minnesota so he may be getting closer to returning, whether it's with the Isles or elsewhere.

I wasn't commenting so much on Gauthier's injury making him return faster, just that the open roster spot may help make up his mind on where to sign if he is in fact coming back this year.
- eichiefs9

So you’re saying that Gautheir’s injury may make Parise signing with us faster? 😆

After seeing what Holmstrom has done, it makes me what to see Iskhakov even more. Parise had a great career and has been a good Islander, but can he really have a big impact at this point?
- ses111

If last season told us anything about Parise yes. At the very least he makes our PK better which right now is worth it’s weight in gold…

If last season told us anything about Parise yes. At the very least he makes our PK better which right now is worth it’s weight in gold…
- Cptmjl

He did help with PK but did not show much during that Canes series. I'd rather the Islander not fall back on relying on old players.

He did help with PK but did not show much during that Canes series. I'd rather the Islander not fall back on relying on old players.
- ses111

He was arguably the best player in that series other then Pulock imo.

"Islanders fans killed me for calling them sleepy and boring last year, said the 13-year NHL veteran. "Islanders fans, this is an exciting brand of hockey you are playing. I’m all in. Get me an Islanders jersey!” They weren't in a giving mood this holiday season.
The network later shared one Islander fan’s response to the thought of Cally wearing an Isles jersey as captured by Isles statistician Eric Hornick and shared on X. "I'd rather shove a full grown cactus up my *** than give Ryan Callahan as
- Cptmjl[sic] Isles jersey," wrote user @BlgPoppaPump.

😂

No question the Islanders are more fun to watch. Maybe they can actually attract quality UFA's playing this style.

He was arguably the best player in that series other then Pulock imo.
- Cptmjl

Rather stay with the younger and faster players. It's working. Parise had his chance to start the season with the Islanders.

Rather stay with the younger and faster players. It's working.
- ses111

Yeah sure but I assume you’re using Dobson and Holmstrom as references for this comment. Dobson has multiple seasons under his belt and Holmstrom has a full NHL season prior to this one. We’re talking about a player that’ll have a regular spot in the lineup. Expecting Ishakov who hasn’t even got to the halfway mark of his first AHL season to fill a regular spot in the lineup this season is unrealistic.