The Islanders close a dull and unsatisfying 2024 in Toronto.
Happy New Year[‘s Eve]! Well, besides the hockey, I mean.
The Islanders are in Toronto for an odd New Year’s Eve afternoon game, a 1 EDT start. If you were unaware of that early start time, congratulations on not having to sit through it.
True, the Islanders did win in Toronto just 10 days ago in their “most complete performance” of the season, etc. But we know what they are, an inconsistent and maddening bunch who can’t string three wins together, and usually can’t even string two.
So they followed that win up with ups and downs like this past weekend’s home-and-home with the Penguins where they won with some sure-handed play at home before being listless for most of the night in Pittsburgh.
Tonight they’re in Toronto, the first of a home-and-home that straddles the New Year, and they can put an end to this, well, pretty boring 2024.
Leave your First Islanders Goal picks here.
Islanders News
- In the latest Islanders Anxiety podcast, Dan and Mike discuss how yeah, this team is boring them with their rudderless mediocrity. [LHH]
- Previewing tonight: “Anders Lee has three goals in his last two games, and leads the Islanders with 16 goals and 30 points in 37 games this season.” I guess that’s been one nice thing about 2024. [Isles]
- For Marcus Hogberg, Sunday’s start — his first in the NHL in four years — was emotional and cathartic. They sure made him wait long enough. [Post]
- In a rarity, Patrick Roy ripped his team. [Newsday]
- Andrew Gross: The Islanders just aren’t that good. [Newsday]
- What will Lou do? [Post]
- The worst PK in the world continued for the Isles in Pittsburgh. [Post]
- Auston Matthews will still be out tonight. [NHL]
Elsewhere
- The Winter “Classic” is today, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. They’re really excited because they made a lot of changes to Wrigley since the last one there in 2009, so now this game in an outdoor baseball stadium will look much more like a game in an outdoor baseball stadium with better locker rooms and modern boards.
- Patrick Maroon is still playing? Apparently he’ll be in uniform for the Blackhawks and is excited to play outside against one of his many former teams. [NHL]
- The game will be legendary Blue and one-time Duck Cam Fowler’s 1,000th. [NHL]
- Bourne: Is this the last chance for the Leafs’ “core four”? [Sportsnet]