Islanders Gameday News: Rubber match with the Leafs
Lemme just slip right by ya. | Photo by Michael Chisholm/NHLI via Getty Images
The Islanders begin 2025 hoping for, you know, a W instead of just a “good effort.” The Islanders begin 2025 largely where they concluded 2024, facing the Maple Leafs in a game that will tell us very little that we don’t already know.
It’s the rubber match of an odd three game set that began with an optimal conditions win in Toronto on Dec. 21, continued with a “good game” loss in Toronto on New Year’s Eve and concludes with the first home game of the new year tonight.
Though “just” five points behind the second wild card holders, this team is five teams back from that spot and battling the Rangers for the title of worst team in the Metro. Somehow.
First Islanders Goal picks for tonight go here. It’s a ESPN+/Hulu broadcast.
Islanders News
Previewing tonight. [Isles]
An increasingly prevalent sentiment: “This Islanders team has run its course. It’s time for New York to act like it heading into a crucial trade deadline and offseason.” [Athletic]
Their “stars need to step up before the season spirals” — I think we’re already there. [Post]
Some bright future spots in the pipeline, as Cole Eiserman and Danny Nelson each factored big in USA’s win over Canada at the WJC. [Isles]
And maybe the terrible PK is improving...maybe? [Newsday]
About that loss to the Leafs: [LHH | 3 Takeaways | The Skinny | Newsday | Post]
Auston Matthews is still out for the Leafs tonight, but might return this weekend. [NHL]
Elsewhere
You know who’s even sadder, somehow? The Blackhawks, still. Their no-show in the Winter Classic was just another blow. Taylor Hall: “I’m really sad for the people that support us. And for us in here, it’s got to be a huge wake-up call on how hard we have to play. This is what happens in the NHL.” [Athletic]
Some key injuries to the Wild (...sounds like they could use some Brock Nelson or Palmieri.) [TSN]
Random “bold” predictions for 2025. [NHL]
I guess we’re really doing this, because the NHL is going to be doing this: Ranking the top 25 players of this centur so far. [Sportsnet]
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