New York Finds Another Overtime Win/Schaefer Record

New York Islander Fan Central | 2/27/2026 07:52:00 AM |
I wrote a while back if the New York Islanders win 82 games being outshot/outplayed with 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 wins off bounces, so be it. It kind of what happens in so many ugly games where 5/5 goals or powerplay goals do not happen. Having written they scored down late with Sorokin out. In over time no one is better, they don't gamble keep opposition outside force a turnover and find a way to score, it's unconventional but it sure does work. You could see them force Montreal to angles, and not commit to an all or nothing play on defense. As soon as you saw Holmstrom against Dobson, a turnover was coming with the chance to score. Pageau did what he does best (not the three goals he was on the ice for in regulation) and finished to steal two more points.
It's hard to remember Schaefer is eighteen, he skates and holds puck like he's twenty six, and rested he's going to have more jump with the NHL's worst powerplay why not shoot? So many invisible forwards. But again the played good defense, keep the shots against down (especially in the third period) and found a way to get the game to overtime. Does it continue? Columbus had a forty shot loss (finally) and Florida I do not suspect will go quietly after a 5-1 win against Toronto.
Too many non-scorers who don't score or hit. I suspect Shabanov is gone at the deadline, Roy has his forward group of non-scorers.
What's the right way to win? A few 4-1 wins where the offense carries the defense, something almost unheard of for this group. #13-14-10 are about it for the scoring. Roy put Heineman on LW earlier and he never got back what was working early, and he seems stuck with Drouin. 64 is not getting his numbers, neither is Lee. Duclair plays himself onto the bench with his lack of skating, 16-53-32 are not scorers and only eat ice time. Too many forwards who will not produce.

New York Acquires Matt Luff For Julien Gauthier

New York Islander Fan Central | 2/24/2026 10:10:00 AM |
Matt Luff
Gauthier was usually injured. Luff is healthy, and has played five NHL games this year for Blues. As AHL player Luff is almost a point a game player which Bridgeport needs. Overall he can replace Gatcomb on RW who does not score, but this does not address New York's scoring issues.
Gauthier was a nice try by Lamoriello at the time, but did not deserve an extension, and again got quickly hurt in 2025-26 before returning recently. Luff is on a two-way contract and is an UFA on 7/1/26. Luff played in OHL for Hamilton for two years so he might be a fit when Bridgeport relocates.

Darche Interview/New York Skates

New York Islander Fan Central | 2/18/2026 06:41:00 PM |

Projecting Out New York's Schedule

New York Islander Fan Central | 2/07/2026 10:16:00 AM |
The buyers in playoff spots will load up for a cup run. New York does not have players to trade unless they correctly unload Lee, Pageau, Cizikas, Drouin, Duclair/others, and bring up others who can likely match the prodition of the outgoing players.
Bottom line they need same reverse efforts that saw them beat Colorado/Minnesota/top teams without losing to bottom teams. Buffalo, Columbus went from bad teams to very good teams, plus Montreal, Pens, Carolina, Florida seed/Leafs skill despite their mediocrity.
I don't expect a playoff spot/and a best a record no higher then 2-3 over five hundred vs 5-7 under five hundred.

Mini Crisis Or Major Crisis For New York

New York Islander Fan Central | 2/03/2026 10:50:00 AM |
I don't see the problems going away with all the non-scorers + Drouin being moved to center. And just as bad their ugly losses are coming with games they score early, the other team is playing NYI game, but now those teams are scoring/coming back. But this has happened most of the season. Washington was hardly good, and got two bounces, they were ready to lose but this team of non-scorers for NYI now lose games scoring three goals (Winnipeg) where they must have points before Columbus does what Buffalo does and is locked into the third seed.