GRIT: New York Islanders Shutdown Columbus Blue Jackets, Ilya Sorokin DOMINATES in Must-Win

0:00It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. That's pure automotive joy. I'm Peter, the owner of Muscle Car Junior. It started as a hobby, then I started posting about it. Before I knew it, I built a business for storing muscle cars on Facebook Marketplace, and the community of car lovers on Instagram. Hey, new customers sent me what's that message is from all over. Not bad for a hobby. Learn how meta helps over 35 million American businesses, like Peter's Grow, at meta.com slash community. Soccer fans get ready. TNT sports features the U.S. men's national team squaring off against top global competition, with high stakes and high drama. Watch a moment, watch a strike. Many who make their case to join the roster, to represent the stars and stripes, USA is taken on Belgium on Saturday, March 28th at 2.30 p.m. Eastern, USA versus Portugal, Tuesday,

1:04March 31st at 6 p.m. Eastern, live on TNT and HBO Max. The New York Islanders stumbled on Saturday, but played with grit and determination on Sunday. We'll talk about the difference between the two games and how it reveals the key to success down the stretch. Next. Your Lockdown Islanders, your daily podcast on the New York Islanders, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome everybody to the Monday edition of the Lockdown NHL podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. Today's episode is brought to you by Fandool. During the tournament, Fandool was offering $300 back in bonus vets every day for 10 days head to Fandool.com to get started. I'm Gil Martin, so glad you could join us today and we have got a busy show coming up.

2:08The New York Islanders bounce back with a gritty win on Sunday at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets in regulation after falling Saturday on third period collapse that really hurt this team. We're going to talk about our key takeaways from both games, the difference between them and how it shows you the keys to success down the stretch for the New York Islanders as they continue to battle for one of the final playoff births in the Eastern Conference. Let's get started with what happened on Sunday. The Islanders end up beating the Columbus Blue Jackets one to nothing, one to nothing. Got to say there were shades in this game in my mind anyway of game seven of the quarter final series in 1975 against the Pittsburgh Penguins where the Islanders beat the penguins

3:10one nothing on a goal by Ed Westfall, Chico Resch got the shot out and the Islanders completed a four game comeback to win after being down three games to none in that series. It wasn't just the final score that reminded me of that long ago game. It was the way the Islanders played. It was the grit that they showed. It was the way they kind of locked down the Columbus Blue Jackets who are a very hot, very good hockey team that since changing coaches to Rick bonus what a few months ago have just absolutely caught on fire. To add to the mix that they do it without Ryan Pollock who was out of the game and sitting out with an injury.

4:13They get up early on a goal by Bo Horvath on the very first shot on goal that the Islanders had in this game and then they just lock it down Columbus with only 24 shots on goal all game and many of those shots on goal coming late in the game when they were just pulled their goalie and were just shooting any way they could against the New York Islanders. But the Islanders did so many things well against Columbus that have haunted them all year. Gap control, back checking, making sure more often than not that Columbus was one and done at those 24 shots on goal only a handful, only a handful of them were high danger chances

5:17and that made all the difference in the world because let's face it we know how good Ilia Sirokin is and if he can see the shot and it's not a rebound or a break away or an odd man rush if he can see the shot most of the time he's going to stop it and boy did he do a good job of stopping the blue jackets on Sunday. This game was a must win. This game after the terrible performance Saturday in the third period where the team just collapsed and we'll get more into that a little bit later on in the show. But this team looked in the mirror and said not today. They did it without one of their top four defensemen and they did it by being more determined

6:20winning more 50-50 puck battles, keeping the blue jackets from getting too many high danger chances, Zach Warencki arguably the best defensemen in the NHL, certainly one of the top two or three was on the ice for 29 minutes in this game. Had three shots on goal but could not get his team over the hump to even beat Ilia Sirokin once. This team back checked like it meant it. This team picked up their man. This team battled along the boards for loose pucks and won those battles more often than not. Basically doing all the things that they don't do enough on a consistent basis to win hockey games. And look, I got to address this before we go any further.

7:24The islanders appeared to take a two-nothing lead in the third period. There's Lee had scored an apparent goal. And look, what was there about five, six minutes left, seven minutes left. The blue jackets challenged for goalie interference. And I watched the replay and I thought to myself, you know what? I seriously doubt that they're going to win this challenge. But if I'm coaching the blue jackets, I'm there. I'm going to try this because I've got nothing to lose. And lo and behold, somehow the league determines that there was goalie interference. Now you watch the replay, Andrews Lee does collide with Jet Greaves. No question about it. But there's also no question that he did not go into the crease on his own volition. He was pushed in, he was knocked over.

8:26He did everything that was humanly possible to try to avoid contact. But there was nothing. I mean, I do not understand for the life of me what else the league wanted Andrews Lee to do under those circumstances. And yet the goal was overturned. And again, credit to the New York Islanders, number one, they were certainly disappointed. You saw Patrick Wa talking to the referee a few minutes after it happened, like not minutes in real time, minutes in hockey time. So maybe five to ten minutes after the actual incident, trying to get a clarification. And to his credit, he kind of, you know, kept his temper in check, did not take a penalty. But he had every reason to be disappointed and let's face this. Nobody in the national hockey league has a clue what constitutes goalie interference anymore.

9:32And maybe they can define it, but it's become kind of like the NFL and what is it catch? People will say they know it when they see it, but do they really know it when they see it? I don't think so. And the consistency or more specifically the lack of consistency is unbelievable. I cannot understand for the life of me how that Andrews Lee goal was called off. And yet how you know, a couple of nights, a goal last week, a goal by the Islanders wiped out in the final minute, where, you know, the Islanders couldn't appeal it, because in the final minute it has to come from upstairs. It's just so inconsistent. And until the league figures it out, they're just going to keep getting more and more egg on their face now. It's not as bad as what's going on with the Department of Player Safety.

10:33We'll get into that a little bit later in the week. But I, for the life of me, do not understand how that Andrews Lee goal was overturned by the powers that be in the war room up in Toronto. Be that as it may a the New York Islanders kept their cool. They did not let the bad call bother them and they held on and played exceptionally well. The last five, six minutes however long it was in order to keep that one to nothing lead. And then be Andrews Lee who, you know, hasn't been consistent this year, coming up with he he assisted on that first goal his past set up bow or that and and made that play possible. It was a great off the, you know, nice past that really gave Horvat a chance to finish

11:37and he did. And, you know, then he gets the second goal which is overturned Lee had almost 19 minutes on the ice. He had the assist. He was a plus one, three shots, one block shot. He played as well as he has played in a while and credit to him. And credit also to one Matthew shaper didn't score in this game did not have an assist in this game. He was a plus one, led all Islanders in ice time with almost 27 minutes, but I got to say this. This may have been his best defensive game in a long time to hit one block shot, but at least three or four really good defensive plays that allowed the New York Islanders to, you know, again, make it so that it was one and done more often than not for the Columbus

12:39Blue Jackets. And, you know, another thing I've noticed about the kid and, you know, what else can you say about Matthew shaper except just keep keep saying how impressed you are by all these different facets of this game, but shape, you know, he is not shying away from contact. He is not backing down in scrums like maybe he was earlier in the year. I'm not saying he's looking for fights or for scrums, but when the opportunity arises, he's getting his nose in there and he's not backing down while at the same time. He's not overdoing it and getting himself into matches, you know, mismatches that he can really get hurt in. So a lot of credit to Matthew shaper as he's learning and adjusting to the more physical side of the NHL game hero and goats of this game.

13:41I'm going to have the hero be Ilya Sorokin. I don't think there's any any other way to slice it. You can go bow or that for the goal. You can go, you know, you could go Matthew shaper for his great two way game, including the strong defensive play, but I got to give it really to Ilya Sorokin for the 24 saved shot out and then go to the game, the war room in Toronto for overturning that goal that made so little sense. So that's where I've got to go with that. But most importantly for the islanders, the resilience to bounce back when the chips were down and to come up with a must win credit to this New York Islanders team. Two big points in the books. With the season ended today, the islanders are back in the playoffs. Yeah, they're a wild card, but they're back in the playoffs and they're even now with the blue jackets in point to though again, Columbus has that game in hand.

14:44So they could still be in the top three in the Metro and they really needed this win and they got it and that was huge. We have got more to get to though on today's show. Sunday was a great performance Saturday. Not so much. Talk about that tough loss in Montreal coming up next on today's Lockdown Islanders podcast and oh, for our islanders birthday of the day, a player, the islanders got from the WHOA went on to be a big part of all four Stanley Cup winning teams. Let's see if you can guess who this winger is and as a clue, we played for the Houston arrows of the WHA that and more next on today's Lockdown Islanders podcast. Today's episode is brought to you by Fandall. The tournament is here one of the best times of the year, brackets, buzzer, beaters, upsets. It's non-stop action from tip to final countdown. Well, right now, Fandall is giving new customers a way to stay in on the action all tournament

15:48long. Here's the best part. You get up to $300 in bonus bets every day for 10 days. That means 10 chances to stay involved throughout the entire tournament. You can mix it up however you want. Game picks, futures are even saying game parlays for bigger potential payouts. It's perfect for the tournament because every day there's something new, different matchups, new storylines and more ways to get involved as the bracket unfolds. So visit fandall.com to sign up today. That's fandall.com fandall.com to get in on the action. Spring is a natural reset point. If there's one thing that can quietly cost business money, it's messy communication. Miss Call, scattered text, no clear threat of who said what. That's why today's episode is brought to you by Quo spelled Q-U-O, smarter way to run your business communications. Quo is the number one rated business phone system on G2 with over 3,000 reviews trusted by more than 90,000 businesses that lets your entire team share one business number so

16:52you never miss a call, text or opportunity. The part that I love, everybody lives in one clean thread, calls, text, voicemails and the whole team sees the conversation so nothing falls through the cracks. The AI summary saves serious time by logging calls and highlighting the next steps automatically. It makes your business feel more organized and responsive. So make this the season no opportunity and no customer slips away. Try Quo free and get 20% off your first six months. Quo.com slash locked on an HL that's Q-U-O.com slash locked on an HL. Quo, no miss calls, no miss customers. And don't forget to check out the every day or club for ad free episodes of Locked On Islanders and access to a group chat with me and other great listeners of this show. Tap the link in the show notes or go to locked on islanders dot supercast dot com for more information.

17:56Sunday was great Saturday not so much. And for two periods, the islanders were in this game. And it looked like they were in a good spot early in the third period when Matthew Shafer scored on the power play his 22nd goal of the year and it tied the game at three three. Unfortunately in the last 19 minutes and 15 seconds, the islanders did not record a shot on goal. They were outshot badly in the third period. They gave up four goals in a row and just collapsed defensively. And I'll say this in goal, you could sit there and say, oh, yeah, Elias wrote and gave up four goals, excuse me, he gave up six goals, only at an 813 save percentage.

18:57He didn't play well, but I don't think any of the goals were soft. I don't think it was his fault. This team defensively just collapsed and that collapse was absolutely horrible. It was embarrassing. It was just it was just like this team defensively couldn't pick up anybody. They did not execute. They didn't give you the effort that you need in the corners. They didn't win 50, 50 puck battles. They didn't back check. They didn't pick up their man. It was a no show. And we've talked about how this team needs to play 60 minutes of hockey and in this game they played 41 minutes at most. And there were some highlights, JG Pazzo winning nine of 11 face offs, six hits for Mark

19:59Gattgen, Shafer's goal, certainly a highlight, but overall, this team, again, not responding when the Habs got physical, not showing the desperation of the moment. The fans, by the way, in Montreal, booing Matthew Shafer every time he touched the puck, got to say, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, right? I mean, that was really showing an 18-year-old kid how important they know he is to the islanders and how good he is. I was kind of down on Patrick Law Saturday for not calling the time out. He had certainly many opportunities to do that. In the third period, didn't do it and it was kind of mind-boggling because the team was literally just like falling apart in front of him and he didn't call the time out.

21:05And the islanders were up two to one with two minutes and 11 seconds left in the second period and they gave up two goals in, what, a minute and a half roughly and watched it all fall apart. So, you know, that inconsistency label is a problem for this team, and boy oh boy was Saturday, very inconsistent hockey. The Rokin kept the minute, without him, I think it would easily have been ten to three because the Canadian's outplayed the islanders for large portions of this game. And again, after the game is over, I do not understand, you know, Patrick Law talking about bounces, posts, oh yeah, the turning point was we hit a couple of posts and we didn't get good bounces.

22:05The last seven to three and there was an eighth goal that was overturned. You know, let's be real here. Yeah, I get it, Patrick, you want to back your team, you want to stand up for you guys, you don't want to call them out in public, you don't have to call them out individually, but you do at some point, have to say, you know what? What I saw on the ice in this game, or in the third period at least, was not acceptable. That this is not how we play, this is not islanders hockey and if guys continue to play like this, somebody's going to sit. It just was not an acceptable effort and I'm tired of hearing post game comments saying, oh yeah, we were in this game, we just didn't get the breaks or the bounces or no.

23:10That third period was one of the worst periods I've seen. Not just this team, but any team play maybe since the days of the original Washington capitals or the Kansas City scouts, it was bad hockey and it was bad hockey in a clutch situation that gave up two costly points in a game that entering the third period they were right there. So thankfully the team responded, whatever Patrick was said behind closed doors and I'm assuming he definitely addressed things, I give him credit and then I give the team credit for winning without Polock and without Duke, Anthony Duclair, unable to go. So Gaccom and McLean were both in the lineup on the fourth line, but ultimately, ultimately

24:14the islanders kept this season alive and kept their playoff chances alive with a big clutch win on Sunday and boy oh boy did they need it. That'll take to finish successfully, well we'll date to that, we'll also have our hero and go to the game and our birthday of the day coming up on today's Locked on Islanders podcast. Today's episode is brought to you by indeed workplace chaos deadline stacking up inbox overflowing in the one position you have to fill is still sitting open when the pressure is on and you need the right hire. This is a job for sponsored jobs indeed sponsor jobs helps you reach the people who actually fit what you're looking for, whether it's skills experience or location, so you're not just hoping the right candidate stumbles across your post and here's a stat that says it all in the time I've been talking to you companies like yours made 27 hires on indeed according to indeed data worldwide. So if you're hiring spend less time searching and more time interviewing candidate to check

25:17all your boxes with indeed sponsored jobs and listeners of this show will get $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves it indeed.com slash podcast just go to indeed.com slash podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about indeed unlocked on islanders indeed.com slash podcast terms and conditions apply need to hire. This is a job for indeed sponsor jobs. In 2024 a truck crashed into canaw and more rescue where I work 146 of our dogs needed homes fast. We asked for help on Facebook our story spread through WhatsApp messages and Instagram reposts immediately people stepped up and just six hours later every dog was fostered. I'll never forget how our community showed up for us learn how over 3.5 billion people connect to what matters with meta at meta.com slash community.

26:19Hero and go to the game from Saturday the go is easy the team's overall defense and lack of effort was the goat I think that is the easiest way to pinpoint it and you know for hero of the game I'm going with JG page 0 for winning 9 of 11 face offs and for recording 4 hits in this game in score but I'm giving him credit for at least being gritty and that's something the islanders really needed as far as what it's going to take for this team to make the playoffs and let's face it we are coming to the stretch drive now. This team has a dozen games left and I'll say it right away for this team to make the

27:21playoffs it's got to be defense first and I'll tell you why this team your best player remains your goalie yeah Matthew Schaefer is close bo4 vats up there Matthew bars all does his thing JG page 0 great role player but the islanders win because they're goalie you'll you're sireken stops more high danger chances and faces more high danger chances than any other goalie in the lead you got to cut down on those you got to be responsible defensively and you've got to give a 60 minute effort that's what we saw Sunday night against the blue jackets the islanders took the lead early and they never stopped working Saturday in Montreal they took a two to one lead and they you know what the bed you can't let up and you look at the schedule coming

28:29up and there are no easy games you are going to have to give 100% 100% of the time and that doesn't mean you're always the better team on the ice and it doesn't mean you dominate but this is a veteran team and a veteran team has to know when the season is on the line you lift your level of play and they did that on Sunday I will take as many one nothing or two to one wins as this team can give me because if they don't allow high danger chances rebounds don't allow you'll you have to go to the Sorokin to get screen do not allow the opposing team to come into the offensive zone with speed and with momentum and with space they're going to win a lot more games than they lose down the stretch but defense requires work it requires winning those 50 50 battles along the

29:37boards it requires getting back and picking up your man it requires grit and determination and we haven't seen that consistently from this team over the course of this season it's been there at times and at times you're like what are we watching here how can they be so good one minute and so bad the next play defense work hard kill penalties the offense they'll be enough of it to get through and and win enough games down the stretch it's there for the taking you're not going to make the playoffs by winning six to five every night it's not the way this team is built you've got 11 games left you've won 40 games already this season go out there and get to the finish line by playing defense first hockey consistently outworking your opponent and that is how

30:47you get into the playoffs 60 minutes or more if it goes to overtime for 11 games and you're there it's there for the taking this team controls its own destiny now they have to go out and do it time now for our islanders birthday of the day this is an easy one I hope you got it from the clue but well Sunday I know today is the 69th birthday of former islanders forward John Tonelli the Milton Ontario native 6195 pounds second round pick of the islanders in 1977 but back then the WHA was signing players who were not yet old enough to play in the NHL that included John Tonelli so he spent three years playing with Gordy how well not three years with all with Gordy but three years with the Houston arrows and had two 20 goal seasons there went over 100 penalty minutes twice

31:53but joined the islanders in 78 79 was on all four Stanley Cup winning teams and put together a 42 goal 100 point season in 1984 85 was traded late in the 85 86 season to the flames later played for the kings the black hawks and finishes career with 19 games for lay nor deep to Quebec in his NHL career a thousand 28 games 325 goals 836 points 911 penalty minutes add 40 goals 115 points in 172 Stanley Cup playoff games his best single regular season game as an islander got to be January 6 1981 islanders hosting the Leafs at the Nassau Colosseum Yuri Shra the goalie for Toronto Chico Resh the netminder for your New York Islanders

32:54and our islanders birthday of the day John Tonelli got things started midway through the first period Mike Bossy and Brian Tradiay with the assist one to nothing islanders Trachiay scores five and a half minutes later on the power play it's two nothing islanders after one in the second period our islanders birthday of the day John Tonelli strikes again a minute 45 in Mike Bossy and Dave Longivan with the assist islanders up three to nothing Rick Vave scores in the final second of the second period to make it three to one but John Tonelli strikes yet again he finishes the hat trick less than two minutes into the third step on Pearson and Mike Bossy with the assist so the islanders appear to be up comfortably four to one but Ron Ellis and Rick Vave scored to make it four to three with four minutes left but who puts the game at a reach John Tonelli his fourth goal of the game Trachiay and Bossy the assist and then in the final minute and empty netter

33:55Bossy the assist islanders win this one by a score of six to three but for John Tonelli five goals he's a plus four he scored the game winner he scored five goals on six shots which did indeed lead the islanders and the islanders go on to earn this win behind 28 saves by Chico Resh islanders six Maple Leafs three John Tonelli five goals he is our islanders birthday of the day this is a great time to join the every day or club you get ad free episodes and locked on islanders access to our group chat in discord I'm in there always great talking islanders hockey with all of you so just tap the link in the show notes or go to locked on islanders dot supercast dot com for more information if you have a question a comment maybe a topic you'd like us to discuss on a future episode email us at locked on islanders at gmail dot com we're happy to mention you

35:00on the show if you leave your first name and where you're from when we discuss whatever it is that's on your mind you could follow the show on x at locked on aisles you could follow me gill martin on x at ice wars and why our vsn yi we'll keep you up to date on all things islanders all year long and I am live tweeting during nearly every islanders home and road game so join me for a little instant insight and analysis and it's great to talk islanders hockey with you game time or anytime every dayers will have a bonus episode tomorrow and tomorrow on our regular show we will preview Tuesday's game against the Chicago black hawks another opportunity to get two big points we'll talk about that plus the latest injury news and islanders news notes and happenings until tomorrow have a great day everybody stay safe and of course let's go islanders free trail does more than move goods it drives america's economy every dollar invested

36:04generates another two dollars and fifty cents in economic activity spurring growth from farms to factories and here's the best part freight railroads fund their own infrastructure saving taxpayers billions while powering the economy forward from reducing highway congestion to delivering goods safely and efficiently freight rail keeps america moving learn more at ar dot org slash america's engine at planet fitness we don't think you should have to pay a ton for everything you need to get stronger best in class equipment free fitness training and over 2800 conveniently located clubs to choose from most open 24 hours all judgment free with membership options starting at just $15 a month so whenever you show up you can give everything you've got join the club in person online or on the free pf app hours amenities and offers vary see club for details planet fitness we're all strong on this planet snoring gasping during sleep feeling fatigued wake up to zetbound to zetbedide the first and only FDA approved prescription medicine for

37:07moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea osa and adults with obesity zetbound is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea osa and obesity to improve their osa zetbound should be used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity zetbound is approved as a 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 or 15 milligram injection zetbound contains tersepatide and should not be used with other tersepatide containing products or any GLP1 receptor agonist medicines it is not known if zetbound is safe and effective for use in children do not share needles or pens or reuse needles don't take zetbound if allergic to it or if you or someone in your family had medillary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 tell your doctor if you get a lump or swelling in your neck stop zetbound and call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain or a serious allergic reaction severe side effects may include inflamed pancreas or gall bladder problems tell your doctor if you experience vision changes depression or suicidal thoughts before schedule procedures with anesthesia if you're nursing pregnant planned to be or taking birth control pills taking zetbound with a sulfonoluria or insulin may cause a little blood sugar

38:10side effects include nausea diarrhea and vomiting which can cause dehydration and worsen kidney problems talk to your doctor call 1-800-545-5979 or visit zetbound.lily.com zetbound and its delivery device base in quick pin are registered trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company it's subsidiaries or affiliates