new york islanders

While the Rangers are in a relatively safe situation, the New York Islanders may not be so lucky. This is how I see the expansion draft working out for them.

As one door closes, another door opens for NHL fans and teams. This new door, however, opens up to a world full of chaos and adventure.

Maybe a building doesn’t have feelings but I know many that have feelings for it. Memories that will never fade were made inside and outside. Tailgating in the parking lot for playoff games during their 4 consecutive Stanley Cup runs. Standing in the first row in front of Jerry Garcia for one of more than two dozen concerts that I’ve seen there. My dad taking me to see the circus for the very first time, awesome experiences that will not fade away.

Game 6 overtime against the Lightning had a bad memory attached. Tampa Bay’s Anthony Cerrelli eliminated the Isles in the same game last year...That was in The Bubble. This one was in The Barn. Anthony Bouvillier of the Islanders made short order of overtime, scoring just 68 seconds into the extra period. Somehow, in the excitement, Islander fans thought sending beer cans flying onto the ice was OK. It’s not but I understand the situation and I think the Islander players did too.

The Tampa Bay Lightning came ready to play. The New York Islanders let them. It was a blow out from the start as the Bolts Captain Steven Stamkos scored his first goal of the series just :45 seconds into the game. Tampa Bay stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looked back. The Islanders had their chances to make it 3-1 but Andrei Vasileskiy was his amazing self and stifled any of New York’s attempts.

It’s been almost four decades since the New York Islanders Stanley Cup dynasty ended after their fourth consecutive NHL Championship 1983. The Isles came close the following year but fell to “the Great One” Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers in 5 games in the Finals. No matter how you add it up, four consecutive championships is certainly a dynasty and has always been something to be proud of as an Islander fan.

Mathew Barzal put the Islanders on the board with just over 7 minutes remaining in the 2nd period. New York’s offense looked sharp and matched the Lightning shot for shot. But it was Varlomov’s acrobatic act, save after save that was the difference in today’s game.

Barry Trotz has the Islanders playing their best hockey in the midst of the playoffs. That’s his plan all year. Both goalies are fighting for minutes. Rookie, Illya Sorokin was between the pipes for the Penguins series victory. Trotz, relying on his keen sense, put Semyon Varlomov in goal for this series. People may have questioned the move when he did it, then again, not many people question Barry. Mollie Walker, who covers the NHL for the New York Post, was on the Drive with Charlie and Dan last week. She talked about the Islanders culture and how the players will run through a wall for Barry Trotz.

It doesn't matter if you're a retired NHL veteran, an offensive lineman in the prime of your career, or anyone else. Chugging a beer is timeless. It's forever.

The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum opened in 1972. At the time, it was a state of the art facility. Its oval design with highly sloped seats put the fans right on top of the action. The players and performers can feel the fans, not just hear them. The building is so antiquated, they have to bring in portable trailer bathrooms to accommodate the crowds. There still aren’t enough. There are no real corporate suites or club viewing areas. It’s a 1970’s arena. The Nassau Coliseum earned the nickname, “The Barn.”

This past weekend, May 21st, 22nd and 23rd, may have been the first weekend that you can make the argument that sports are, in a word, back.