Explore every episode of the podcast Islanders Anxiety: A New York Islanders podcast

Mike and Dan get together on a Monday in the middle of August to discuss a notable move for the Leafs and a massive celebration for Islanders fans. Announced via tweet by Pat Brisson mouthpiece Darren Dreger, John Tavares has been replaced as Toronto's captain by Auston Matthews, a move that has little to do with the official party line of Matthews' maturity and everything to do with Tavares' failures over the last six seasons. Wearing their usual kid gloves, the Leafs media will throw out phrases like "passing the torch" and "class" rather than calling out Tavares on how he has not lived up to the promise he was expected to deliver, and that Islanders fans have been hearing about for over a decade. We discuss how we got here, what this makes Tavares now and what the future might hold after the "C" is removed and an "A" or nothing is left behind. It's the summer so soak it in and don't forget how it feels. Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Bandcamp and on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A short sample of our latest Monthly Mail Bag podcast, exclusively for Country Club tier subscribers at our Patreon page. We start with whether the Islanders as currently constructed are good enough to compete in a (somewhat) rejiggered Metro Division, Patrick Roy's possibly identity for his players and who might end up surprising people this season. The full episode includes questions about Islanders secret lives as musicians, possible mascots, the Brooklyn era, underappreciated Islanders, the Mets, the Golden Girls and Dan's toy collection. To hear the full episode, head over to Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety and sign up for our Country Club tier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Along with Nassaumen Hockey's Jon Zella, Mike and Dan crown the first ever Weirdest Islander of the Year per the results of a listener vote. While several had the qualifications (less than 50 games played for the Islanders this season), only one man truly epitomized what makes a Weird Islander, with a long NHL tenure on other teams, a notable arrival on Long Island, and an eventful season that included a memorable ending. His victory might have come in a runaway but that doesn't mean there wasn't intrigue! The race for second place was a surprising one, and the man who lost might be the more interesting (and fitting) of the two. We also have some honorable mentions, who we don't expect to stay Weird Islanders for very long, and we name the trophy that will henceforth be awarded annually. It's a fine and festive way to celebrate the 50th episode of a show that’s a testament to the fans of this very weird team. Thank you all for listening to these and rest assured that we are nowhere near done. And, of course, thanks again to Jon for joining us again. He’s one of our favorites to talk to all through the season. Follow him at @JonZella and look for the season finale of the Nassaumen Hockey podcast soon (I think). Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Drum sfx via Zapsplat.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan preview the playoff series between the Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes and why the Isles are a trendy pick to upset the Metro Division winners. Both teams have flaws on offense and on special teams, but the Islanders boast the better goalie and a returning Mat Barzal, while Carolina has significant injuries but a structured and dangerous defense. Can the seventh-seeded Isles overcome the issues that made their regular season so turbulent, or will the pressuring, steady Hurricanes be too much for them? Honestly, we have no idea. But we try to figure it out anyway. In the second half, we remember some bests and worsts of the past regular season and laugh one more time at the Penguins. Over at the Patreon is our look at every first round series and Cup predictions. Sign up at Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety for that, bonus content and ad-free episodes. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their second emergency podcast of the week. Mike and Dan exhale as the Islanders finally clinch a playoff berth (and eliminate the Penguins) with a win over Montreal. At various times throughout the absolutely insane rollercoaster of stress that was the regular season, it looked like the Islanders wouldn't make the postseason. They had injuries and slumps and disastrous losses balancing big wins and unsung heroes. But in Game 82, they stepped up and won a winnable game, giving their fans a well-deserved break and giving one of their biggest rivals a delicious early summer vacation. We don't know how it will end, but at least this Islanders season will have a proper third act. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react to the Islanders' 5-2 loss in Washington on Monday night, a devastating blow to their playoff hopes. With an embarrassing performance in a must-win game, this year's team proved once again that it cannot be trusted with their hands on the wheel. And now they've put themselves and their fans in the unenviable position of rooting for teams like the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets to save their season. Watching the game was bad enough. But the next 48 hours will be even worse. Strap in. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look back at a week in which the Islanders won two crucial games, the moment that it all could have come crashing down and Bo Horvat blasting the Canucks. Not only did they beat the Lightning (!) and the Flyers handily but they kept pace with the Penguins and Panthers who also won their games. They will need to do the same this week in order to qualify for the playoffs, and for a throwback team like the Islanders, it should be no surprise that it comes down to Games 81 and 82. Ryan Pulock preventing an embarrassing own goal from happening is only the latest "Most Islanders Thing" to happen this season, which has been packed to gills with ridiculous moments. After the game, Bo Horvat decided to use an interview with Shannon Hogan to zing Vancouver, which was the talk of social media all weekend. The line was funny and cutting and shows just how much the Islanders organization has changed from what it was in its Dark Ages of two decades ago. Finally, they look at the schedules Pittsburgh and Florida have this week and all the horrifying ways this final stretch of the season could play out. If you want to ask a question for our next Patreon-exclusive Monthly Mail Bag podcast, you can do it here. You’ll need to be a Country Club tier subscriber to leave a question or hear the episode so sign up today. Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by wrestling podcaster and former sportswriter Phil Strum, Mike and Dan remember two short time Islanders who became general managers as well as the most obscure player we have ever featured. Don Maloney and Darcy Regier are mostly remembered as GMs these days, but both played for the Islanders under different circumstances. Maloney signed as a free agent after many years with the hated Rangers, and after two seasons, stepped right into the front office, eventually succeeding the legendary Bill Torrey. It started well but... didn't end there. Regier came over in an important pre-Dynasty trade, but had no place to play on a stacked Islanders roster. He would work his way up the executive ladder and forge paths using some cutting edge methods until he also reached the GM chair... for a team that wasn't the Islanders. Finally, there is Garth MacGuigan, a man who played only five career NHL games, all with the Islanders. It wasn't much, but it was long enough to have a memorable interaction with a very young and budding sportswriter, Phil Strum. Check out Phil's podcast, Under the Ring: Pro Wrestling Conversations everywhere podcasts are found. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react to another lost weekend for the Islanders, who failed to gain any points against Tampa Bay or Carolina, and find the playoff race tightening even more. In dropping back-to-back games 5-0 and 2-1, the Islanders fell into old habits like sloppy play, ice cold offense and inconsistent defense, all while Pittsburgh and Florida continue to stay alive. It makes for a very frustrating existence full of fear and kvetching, that might not even end when the team's schedule does. The road ahead is treacherous and the Islanders will need more than just wins to fully clinch a playoff berth. Somehow through all the gripes they find time to recap the two games the team won last week, praise the various saviors they've had over the course of the season (hello, Pierre Engvall) and discuss how Lane Lambert's visible anger on the bench has helped them finally forge a connection with the coach. WARNING: Contains adult language and a lot of sighing. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. If you spend $50 or more, use the code FOURCUPS to get a free The Island coffee mug or pint glass or an Islanders Anxiety puck. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan reflect on a week of big wins and demoralizing losses, and how the Islanders are just barely hanging onto the wheel in their drive for the playoffs. In back-to-back losses to Columbus and Buffalo, the Isles looked unpolished and passive and instead of taking advantage of games against vulnerable opponents playing scrapheap goalies, they let valuable points slip away at a most unfortunate time of the season. Worse was that the defeats came after a rousing and raucous home win over the Maple Leafs that reminded everyone that Islanders fans are not to be trifled with. While the Toronto media did its best to shield their favored sons from the vitriol, their new-found "respect" for this often-chided fanbase isn't fooling anyone. In the second half, they look ahead at a daunting schedule against good teams that's impossible to predict and could be disastrous if the Islanders don't find their groove again. Finally, they shoutout some kind words from their Islanders podcast brethren. Note 1: This episode contains some adult language. Note 2: The first edition of Dan's Islanders Book Club will post this Tuesday at the Patreon. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code FOURCUPS when you spend $50 or more to get a free THE ISLAND coffee mug or pint glass. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Joe Buono, author of children's book New York Islanders A to Z, Mike and Dan remember Alan Quine, a player whose short time with the Islanders was defined by one monumental playoff goal. Quine came to Long Island in an unusual way - by getting re-drafted three rounds later than he was originally selected. After productive seasons in the AHL, he got a late-season call up and, a few weeks later, ended up scoring one of the biggest playoff goals in Islanders history in Game 5 against the Panthers in 2016. While the goal that won the series still stirs mixed emotions, Quine's shining moment makes him a particularly peculiar guest star in a memorable special episode of the 2015-16 season of Islanders hockey. Joe talks about his memories of Quine's time with the Islanders, all of the many threads that tied back to him that Spring, and why he didn't make it into the final version of New York Islanders A to Z. Buy Joe's book, with fantastic art by Joe Marasic, at store.bookbaby.com. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' mostly successful week in California, look ahead at three big games on the horizon and wonder what language the players are speaking to each other. With two wins in their their three games on the West Coast, the Islanders solidified their playoff position. It wasn't perfect, with some bad periods, awful power plays, unfortunate events and a few players stepping backward. But others have stepped up, even ones in scoring droughts, and pulled it together to take advantage of a few timely losses by rivals around them in the playoff chase. They also brace for an invasion of Leafs water carriers upon UBS Arena and a weird short-notice back-to-back this week. All the while, they beg for some insight into the "lingo" the Islanders players need to learn that's so different from what other teams use. Please, we need to know. This is our first episode as part of the Fans First Sports Network, a new podcast venture started by other ex-SB Nation podcasters. Very little will change from a listener perspective, but you can expect to hear ads for FFSN shows and even receive a national NHL show at some point. Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code FOURCUPS when you spend $50 or more to get a free THE ISLAND coffee mug or pint glass. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look back at a week that put the Islanders in good position, and ahead towards the California trip that could ruin everything. They revel over a rare "signature win" that helped derail everyone's favorite wild card hopeful. The victory over the Sabres was the Islanders in their purest form, getting cheers for red line dump-ins from a fanbase that finds them anything but boring, despite how they're treated by the talking heads we're forced to deal with. They also look at another hilarious win over the Penguins that exposed how flawed that team is, despite its delusions about itself and its history. In the second half, they preview a swing on the West Coast that could be doom, the scheduling conspiracy theory working against the Islanders, and the hard shifts we'll have to put in just to watch them this week. Forget the coffee and take some deep breaths. Finally, they discuss the Flyers and the orange-robed council of elders that actually runs them. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code FOURCUPS when you spend $50 or more to get a free THE ISLAND coffee mug or pint glass. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A free sample of our marathon Mail Bag for May! In this short bonus episode, we answer questions about newest Islander Maxim Tsyplakov, the constantly overlooked Brock Nelson, the legacy of Uncle Leo and where the Hudson Line stops next. To hear the full two hour-plus episode, head over to Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety and sign up for our Country Club tier. There you'll be able to hear all of our past Monthly Mail Bag episodes and ask a question for a future installment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Hockey Night in New York host Sean Cuthbert, Mike and Dan talk about the goalie tandem of the future that wasn’t, and the mad weekend that changed the Islanders forever. Roberto Luongo needs no preamble at this point. He was one of the most outstanding goalies of his era and a rock for two franchises - neither of which was the one that drafted him. Kevin Weekes was no slouch either, playing solid backup minutes for a number of teams. But neither could overcome the itchy trigger finger of the general manager who acquired and then traded them away in order to take the real goalie of his dreams first overall. Sean’s a pro at this whole podcasting thing and they waste no time in diving into the insanity of June 24, 2000. They run down the “terrible dominoes of decisions,” the “Sliding Doors” moments and the brain-breaking what-could-have-beens that categorized an entire era of Islanders hockey. The pace is as fast and furious as the trades were. Note: Weird Islanders: The Podcast! will return to its normal biweekly schedule next week. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Subscribe to our Patreon! Plans start as low as $2 a month and patrons get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look back at the NHL trade deadline and a satisfying week for the Islanders, who took home a big win over Detroit and a new large winger. First, they recap Saturday's matinee victory, which went from potentially demoralizing to jubilant in the span of a period. They talk about how "that smell" has re-emerged on the Islanders, who are looking more like the conference finals team from two seasons ago and playing meaningful games in March as they had hoped. The second half is devoted to the fallout of this year's trade deadline, from surprise winners to delicious losers and how the Islanders ended up being among the former. Many of last week's deals made the Bo Horvat trade - which was lambasted at the time - seem much more reasonable. And it's clear that some teams, including division rivals, are still searching for answers even after moving bodies around. Thanks again to everyone who made our Patreon launch so successful. Check out Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety to sign up for ad-free episodes, bonus content, discounts and more. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Ryan, aka RattMartin of the Skates at the Stakes podcast, Mike and Dan remember Derick Brassard, a recent Weird Islander who went from hated to beloved to forgotten in the span of just a few seasons. After starring on a few very good Rangers team, Brassard entered the wilderness, where he played for what seemed like a different team every six months. He landed with the Islanders as a replacement depth center and after months of searching for a role, settled into a slot on the wing where he played a key role in the team's run to the semifinals in the bubble tournament. He has gone onto play for a few other teams since leaving Long Island, and has now surpassed the 1,000 games mark in his return engagement with the Ottawa Senators. Ryan talks about his memories of Brassard's short time with the Islanders, his mythical status within his friend group and how that bubble team all had their signature moments that will live on forever. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Mike detail the rollout of their Patreon page, where listeners can subscribe to get more exclusive Islanders Anxiety podcasts and posts. Go to Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety starting at noon on February 27 to sign up for one of our tiers, starting for as low as $2 per month. Perks include ad-free episodes of the three original shows, two new monthly podcasts, a weekly newsletter from Mike, Islanders Book Club posts from Dan, discounts and much more. The first 25 subscribers to the higher tier will receive an Islanders Anxiety hockey puck. The three original shows will remain free, but if you'd like more, sign up at Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look back at a the Islanders' three big wins last week and look ahead at the NHL trade deadline while it's actively happening. With victories over the Penguins and Jets, the Islanders re-established themselves as a playoff contender and actually managed to look like their old selves for one of the few times all season. That they melted a few Pittsburgh beat writer brains made it even more fun. But their makeshift lineup won't cut it for too long, and despite already having Bo Horvat, they'll need some pickups. The second half is dedicated to this week’s trade deadline. Names like Timo Meier and Patrick Kane are either already or almost gone but there are some players out there that might help the Islanders get a little stronger for a possible playoff run. The best thing about this interminable trade deadline is that it's almost over. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by Sportsnet host, Islanders legacy and author Justin Bourne to talk about his new book and his training camp experience with the Islanders in 2007. Justin walks us through his thoughts about joining his dad Bob's old team, a funny and only slightly embarrassing story about the first person he met at camp (who's also a Weird Islanders legend) and some of the short-time players he shared the ice with for that summer and beyond. He talks glowingly about Marc-Andre Bergeron's shot, Trevor Smith's skill and Miro Satan's awesome new car, and what separates a "guy who makes it" from a "guy who doesn't." Together, they cover about a dozen of each including a few Justin is still in contact with. Justin Bourne's book is called “Down and Back: On Alcohol, Family, and a Life in Hockey" and is available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Buy it today. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react to a week of huge wins, embarrassing losses and injuries that somehow have the Islanders in a playoff berth again. Thanks to a thrilling comeback win over Pittsburgh and some timely losses to other teams, the Islanders are in the second wild card despite also predicably losing to an ECHL goalie and getting humiliated by the best team in the league. They are one of a pack of flawed teams all desperate to make the playoffs and hoping the Price Is Right wheel lands on $1.00 them. But the Islanders have bigger issues than points and games played - namely key injuries to J-G Pageau, Josh Bailey and Mathew Barzal that could push some lesser depth players into starting roles. In the second half, they look at another major matchup with Pittsburgh, a trade we've all be told is a "home run" swing and why it's pointless to argue in favor of the Islanders online. Preorder your triple player “Line Change” Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. Featuring likenesses of Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter, this is an extra large and fantastic collectable that you won’t want to miss out on. Supplies are VERY limited so preorder yours right now right here: https://www.foco.com/products/bryan-trottier-denis-potvin-brent-sutter-new-york-islanders-line-change-triple-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan chart the evacuation of all of the Islanders good vibes in a week that started with a contract extension and two big wins and ended with a pair of head-scratching losses. In victories over the Flyers and Kraken with newly-signed center Bo Horvat, the Islanders looked to finally right their flagging ship. But then losses to the also-ran Canucks and Canadiens left everyone - including the head coach - feeling angry and frustrated. It's only thanks to the incompetence of the teams around them that they are still even in the playoff race. A week with key match-ups will tell us a lot about how the next two months will play out. The hosts also talk about the Rangers landing Vladimir Tarasenko, no one landing Jakob Chychrun (yet) and Lou Lamoriello landing a joke that was apparently an affront to anyone that's ever played hockey anywhere ever. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Along with their friend Travis Reilly of hardcore band This is Hell, Mike and Dan remember Micheal Haley, who made a huge impression on Islanders fans thanks mostly to one unforgettable fight night. Haley wasn't an Islander for long, but in less than 50 games he became a folk hero and legend that was missed for years. It wasn't just his fists that made him valuable, either. Haley could grind, skate and (occasionally) score while also taking a big role in the locker room. On February 11, 2011, he took it upon himself to challenge nearly an entire roster of Pittsburgh Penguins in order to avenge his fallen teammates. Travis tells us why he thinks he's the "Micheal Haley of band managers," how a bandmate got him back into hockey after a few years away and why Mario Lemieux's crying about the NHL's "garage league" is still hilarious all these years later. WARNING: CONTAINS MUCH CURSING. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan process the noise following the Bo Horvat trade and their own feelings towards it a week later, then give their thoughts on the often bizarre NHL All Star Weekend. After a week off, Horvat will finally suit up with his new team and answer some questions surrounding them while also defining how this season will be remembered. Outside voices are still skeptical but Lou Lamoriello did finally take a bold risk in an attempt to get his team back to the playoffs. We'll know if it paid off soon enough. In the second half, the hosts air their grievances about the NHL All Star Game and Skills Competition and how it was bad television regardless of who it's aimed at. The league and its broadcasters are trying different things but none of it sells hockey to new fans or makes the weekend any more enjoyable. Maybe one day, we'll even see some players smile there. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By popular (?) demand, we present a special standalone episode of an Islanders Anxiety favorite, dramatic readings of articles about the Toronto Maple Leafs. This time, we focus on the work of Jonas Siegel of The Athletic, "the Charles Dickens of Master Leaf Theatre," whose descriptions of the sorrow and misery of the Leafs' bleak house are as admirable as they are ridiculous. As he ponders the question of "What is the plan now?" for his favorite team, Siegel also wonders why the Leafs' brass didn't just listen to him and his friends years ago when they knew exactly what to do. Later, we turn our attention to a Master Leaf Theatre staple, LukeFoxJukeBox, as he analyzes the the sense and sensibility of Leafs captain John Tavares, who has many detractors both near and far. Thank you for listening to this special episode. If you would like to hear more like this, please let us know. Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. The fine folks at FOCO have two new Islanders bobbleheads commemorating the Stadium Series game at Met Life Stadium. Order your Ilya Sorokin or Sparky The Dragon bobblehead today at FOCO dot com. These are limited to 124 pieces so act now. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react to the Islanders' trading for Bo Horvat from Vancouver and whether or not he is the right player at the right time. In giving up winger Anthony Beauvillier, prospect Aatu Raty and a protected first round pick for the unrestricted free agent, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello is doubling down on his win-now team. Horvat is having a career year and could give the Islanders the scoring help they so desperately need. Or he could not mesh with the already center-heavy Islanders lineup. He could sign an extension or he could walk away for nothing at the end of the season. There’s a lot of factors in play and there’s no wrong or right way to feel about any of it but one thing we do urge all Islanders fans to do is to unsubscribe from The Athletic. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are fired up after back-to-back wins put the Islanders back in the playoff picture and rock legends The Hold Steady make an unexpected appearance at UBS Arena for a game. They recap two quality victories in which the Isles scored a whopping (for them) four combined goals and ponder the incredibly bad luck of Kyle Palmieri, who has played so well after coming back from injury and yet still maintains the scoring drought that's been in effect since he came over in a trade two years ago. They talk about how the preceding two losses in Toronto and Ottawa had them ready to cash out the season, but a shutout victory over an anonymous Detroit team and Saturday's challenging overtime victory over Vegas - not to mention an appearance by The Hold Steady celebrating their 20th anniversary - brought everyone right back. In the second half, they talk about the various gimmicks that will be in effect for the upcoming All Stars Skills Competition and how they won't help bring hockey any new fans. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by guest Peter Flynn - a former Islanders fan and Red Wings blogger - Mike and Dan reminisce about Zenon Konopka, one of the most popular one-and-done Islanders and more than just a fighter. Konopka came to Long Island with little fanfare but left as a favorite thanks to the incredible amount of fighting spirit and pride he brought to the franchise in a remarkably short amount of time. Whether it was intimidating evil Penguins, standing up to snarky media types or giving the Islanders an identity (and a goal song) all their own, Konopka helped give a young, rebuilding team a degree of backbone they severely lacked and made lifetime fans in Peter and the hosts. Oh, and he also had a pet bunny and started his own wine business. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders' spectacularly unsuccessful week and their continued slide, as well as the cuts made at SB Nation and the future of this podcast. Beyond the four losses (two in overtime), they feel betrayed, angry and confused by the team's reluctance to make meaningful changes while they fall further out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Although more quiet than some others around the NHL, the Islanders seem to be creeping back to the circus level they occupied for so long. Their lineup is a mess and they continue to bleed losses, all while the focus seems to be on keeping injuries a secret, promoting UBS Arena and remembering the good old days (of two years ago). The second half of the show is dedicated to talking about what happened this week to SB Nation's hockey side and its effect on Lighthouse Hockey and its podcasts. The plan is to find a new home for this show, as well as Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and Islanders Award Winners, while also setting up a new model for listeners to support them. We tell you what we know and what we don't know as of now, so stay tuned for more info. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' week of tough losses and an underwhelming win, as the team still struggles with the same issues. They look at a shootout loss to Dallas in which the Islanders played well against a good opponent and its follow-up, a depressing self-inflicted loss to Minnesota that left both hosts overcome with anger. A win against Montreal snapped the losing streak, but the Islanders hardly dominated what should have been an easy opponent. While fans watch the out-of-town scoreboard, the Islanders continue to search for an identity and a formula for winning consistently. In the second half, they look towards a daunting and important upcoming schedule, talk about what they want to see in media coverage of their team and criticize the way the Islanders have handled their 50th anniversary celebration. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by returning guest Noel Fogelman, Mike and Dan remember Justin Mapletoft, a highly-touted Islanders prospect from before the social media era. A decorated junior player and very strong two-way center in the AHL, Mapletoft's game never quite translated to the NHL. And on an Islanders team that was suddenly strong down the middle - thanks to the acquisitions of Alexei Yashin and Michael Peca - he didn't get much of a chance to show what he could do. Mapletoft was around the organization for a long time, but missed the time of podcasts, blogs, YouTube and the like, which is both good and bad for a prospect that fans had high hopes for. Noel has spoken to Justin and tells us his thoughts on his days with the Islanders, the time he considered asking for a trade and a very surprising regret he's been carrying around for years. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With half the season done, Mike and Dan discuss the many ups and downs that have left the Islanders on the playoff bubble. They recap the disappointing Western Canada trip that saw the team look generally awful picking up just two of a possible eight points. They also discuss the early season successes and the cushion the Islanders had built that's now all but used up, and how injuries to major players and extended slumps have started to cost them. They also lament the often surface-level coverage the team gets and how writers near and far often don't understand the Islanders true reality. In the second half, they praise Brock Nelson on his first All Star Game selection and explain why they don’t want Ilya Sorokin to get voted into the game. Finally, they look ahead at a schedule of daunting games against very different opponents. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their first episode of 2023, Mike and Dan look at the Islanders' embarrassing loss in Seattle that followed two feel good wins at home, and how time is running out for the team to make changes. They discuss the need for the Islanders to be proactive if they want to stay competitive in the brutal Metro Division, whether it means making meaningful additions to the entrenched roster, finding a new game plan, altering their awful powerplay or something else. While the wins over the Penguins and Blue Jackets felt good, and they have winnable games coming up on their Western Canada road trip, they can't continue to let opportunities slip by when the rest of the division continues to win. Other topics include surface-level hockey coverage, the stale script for NHL outdoor games and ESPN inventing new levels of incompetence. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Along with their friend Matty, a Nassau Coliseum usher since 2001, Mike and Dan remember eventual Stanley Cup champion defenseman Brent Sopel's brief time with the Islanders. They talk about the strange circumstances that brought Sopel to the Island and the high hopes management had for his veteran leadership and offensive skills. Sadly, the Islanders were a bit of a dumpster fire at the time, and his trade to Los Angeles just a few months later was greeted with relief and enthusiasm by the blueliner. Later, they discuss Sopel's place on the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks of 2010, the admirable charity and humanitarian endeavors of his playing and post-playing career, and how Matty once got the death stare by Jeff Tambellini, the weirdest Weird Islander to have played too many games to be an actual Weird Islander. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look back at three games leading up to the Christmas break, all of which showing off the Islanders strengths and weaknesses. In a 1-0 shootout loss in Colorado, a blown third period lead against the Rangers and a sometimes dominating win over Florida, the Jekyll-and-Hyde Islanders ran the gamut of emotions. There were great goals, missed opportunities, good luck, bad luck, injuries and one spectacular rookie score that everyone wanted to see. And while fans like us are along for the ride (occasionally unwillingly), the insane nature of the team's season has gone mostly unnoticed, making Mike and Dan feel a little bit like an X-Files duo made just for this one franchise. Later, they look ahead to two big Metro Division games before the Islanders head way west for the first week of 2023. Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan talk about about how there's nothing to talk about regarding the Islanders, before turning their attention to division rivals facing each other in a playoff series. So far, the offseason news for the Islanders has consisted of signing a third string goalie out of Sweden and Matt Martin having a birthday dinner at an Italian restaurant. If something happens, we'll react to it, but there's very little point in discussing maybes and could be's. Instead, we kvetch about the Rangers' easy path to the Eastern Conference final and the Hurricanes' annual disappearing act. Both teams are beloved for different reasons, which is tough on Islanders fans who feel like either the uncool kids in the cafeteria or like they're taking crazy pills. We'll have a few words for another hated team on a special episode releasing Wednesday and we need your help to crown our Weirdest Islander of the Year. Details inside! Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. The fine folks at FOCO have two new Islanders bobbleheads commemorating the Stadium Series game at Met Life Stadium. Order your Ilya Sorokin or Sparky The Dragon bobblehead today at FOCO dot com. These are limited to 124 pieces so act now. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Bandcamp and on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WARNING. CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE. Dan and pinch-hitter Carey Haber discuss the Islanders' volatile week of one big win, one infuriating loss and one resilient shootout defeat. They look back at toe-to-toe battle in Boston that ended in a coin flip, a(nother) ludicrous loss against one of the NHL's worst clubs in Arizona, and a surprising but haphazard win over in Vegas a night later. None of this makes any sense at all, and Carey shares his process-focused thoughts as to why the Islanders have returned to what he calls "Doug Weight Happenstance." The change in systems and lack of detail, not to mention some suddenly shaky goaltending, leave the Islanders and us with a case of "Shocked Pikachu face." In the second half, they look at the upcoming schedule, which is stacked with tough opponents and impossible to predict. But first, we hear from Michael Leboff, our man on the scene at the World Darts Championship at London's Alexandria Palace... Preorder your Anders Lee Reverse Retro Bobblehead today from the fine folks at FOCO. This is a fantastic limited edition collectable that you won't want to miss out on. Preorders are only open for a few weeks, so get yours in today at this link: https://www.foco.com/products/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-reverse-retro-jersey-bobblehead Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Along with returning guest Nick Giglia, Mike and Dan talk about a pair of goalies with distinguished NHL careers who stopped by the Islanders very briefly after being traded for one another. John Vanbiesbrouck won a Vezina with the Rangers, then led the third-year Panthers on one of the most miraculous playoff runs in NHL history. But in his journeyman final seasons, he brought a touch of veteran presence to a very young Islanders team and showed he still had something left in the tank. He had enough, in fact, to convince then-New Jersey general manager Lou Lamoriello to ship stalwart Chris Terreri to those same Islanders, who were playing out the string while the Devils geared up for another Cup run. But surprisingly, Terreri taught a melancholy group the value of playing for pride. The trio also cover Vanbiesbrouck’s controversial history and Terreri’s unexpected fast food venture. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WARNING. CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE. Mike and Dan look at back-to-back games that couldn't have been more different: an exciting win over the Devils and a frustrating shutout against the Hurricanes. Against a fast team that had taken them to school earlier this season, the Islanders exerted their will against New Jersey and came out on top. One night later against a team they had previously handled, the Islanders were impotent against a rested Carolina team with a frustrating game plan. Through both games, their physicality played a big part; giving them confidence in one game and being missing in the other. Along the way, they spotlight the play of Alex Romanov, Matt Martin, Hudson Fasching and players who were touted as the next big thing only to become simply... "guys." Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look at three losses and one win that have them both encouraged and scared about the Islanders, who have some tough upcoming games. In dropping games to the beatable Flyers, Predators and Blues - after racking up 40 shots apiece in the latter two - the Isles looked better but let their early season points cushion slip, and let division rivals like the Penguins and Rangers back into the mix. A shutout against Chicago was strictly business, but with games against the Devils and Hurricanes over the weekend, they need to start stringing wins together again. They also cover the lack of coverage for Adam Pelech's injury, the overcoverage of stories no one cares about and what it means to be "comfortably" in a playoff spot (spoiler: it's not where the Islanders are). Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J-P Dumont was drafted by, but never played for the Islanders. Predators writer Alex Daugherty tells Dan and Mike all about the kind of player the third overall pick in 1996 was, and his unusual route to Nashville. Traded immediately after finally signing his entry level contract, Dumont took a few years to get going and find consistency at the NHL level. Once he did, he helped establish the first great era in Predators history by making them as dangerous offensively as they were defensively. Alex tells us what Dumont's acquisition meant to the franchise, how he has worked to grow hockey in Nashville and how he helped get everyone at Bridgestone Arena free tacos one night. As a bonus, we ask Alex about the legacy of Terry Crisp - longtime Predators broadcaster, expansion Islander and cookie connoisseur. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan reflect on the Islanders' resilient and timely four game winning streak - with a cathartic cherry on top. They look back at wins over the Maple Leafs and Oilers, and how Ilya Sorokin staked his spot at the top of the goaltending heap while large swaths of the hockey world were watching. They then turn to a win over Columbus that could have gone off the rails after some curious officiating, and how Brock Nelson once again was the hero. Finally, it's on to an eventful win over a pitiable Flyers team which featured momentum swings, sudden goals and some fighting that felt good for the soul. In the second half, they look ahead at a Western Conference heavy upcoming schedule and a rematch against Philly that might get the Boss involved. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan look at the Islanders' win and two losses over the last week, none of which inspired any confidence in this still very undefinable team. They talk about the need for a change somewhere - be it on the player side or the execution side - in order to gain an identity that fans and the club can look to for the rest of the season. With high offensive capabilities and poor high danger defense, it's hard to trust the Islanders right now because you're never sure what they're going to do from game-to-game. In the second half, they address the hilariously petty booing of Johnny Gaudreau and the hockey media machine that made fans think he might be choosing the Islanders in free agency. Other topics include overdosing on the Devils, FIFA corruption and a couple of rumored Canucks who may be available for trade. Who exactly? Meh, they're all the same guy anyway. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by writer, podcaster and Leafs fan Sean McIndoe (aka @DownGoesBrown) to discuss Wendel Clark - his favorite player and a short-time Islander during a crazy era. Sean tells us how the Saskatchewan farmboy became a hero in Toronto with a mix of goals and fights before being traded to Quebec due to age, injuries and ballsy general managing. After a wild three-team transaction a year later, Clark came to the Islanders to try to lead a young, Fisherman-clad squad in need of veterans. And while he was popular and tried his best, his true home was always Toronto, where he was traded back after less than a season on Long Island. Sean tells us what Clark means to him and other Leafs fans and how his legend grew through stretches of both bad seasons and playoff battles, while joking about the longstanding animosity between the Islanders and Maple Leafs. At least, we think he was joking... Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan discuss the Islanders' wild week, which featured comeback wins, inexplicable shutout losses and unexpected heroics. With huge wins against the Flames and Rangers - coming back from down 3-1 on back-to-back nights - they continued their strong play against good teams. But with a cursed blanking against the Coyotes and a back-and-forth overtime win over the Blue Jackets, they also showed the you can't predict what the Islanders will do next. In the second half, they look at unheralded star Brock Nelson, who continues to quietly lead the Islanders in big moments, and Mat Barzal, who is having and strange but productive season so far. Along the way, they talk about Mike playing podcast hosts against each other, The Athletic being obtuse and, somehow, Muammar Gaddafi. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a supersized episode, Mike and Dan recap the Islanders' games against Blackhawks, Blues and Red Wings, and Dan speaks with former WHA & NHL linesman Ron Asselstine about his career and memories of the dynasty Isles. First, they look at big wins in Chicago and St. Louis that extended the team's winning streak to five, as well as the disappointing shutout loss in Detroit that ended the run. They talk about players that stood out in each game, how the Islanders have kept pace in their division early in the season and how very few people have noticed because of other NHL goings on (as usual). In the second half, Dan speaks with Ron Asselstine, who spent 25 years as a pro hockey linesman. Throughout those two-plus decades, he's collected a million stories, many about the great Islanders teams of the early '80s. From Bossy's 50-in-50 game to Clark Gillies rearranging Ed Hospodar's face, Ron was on the ice for many signature moments for the franchise. He also discusses the wild days of the WHA, some funny on-ice conversations and the time he had to tackle a fan who had run onto the ice. It's a great chat with a guy who's seen just about everything. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Mike under the weather, Dan is joined by Canadiens prospects and Swedish hockey expert Patrik Bexell to discuss Jörgen Jönsson, brother of Islanders’ defenseman Kenny Jonsson and a European star with a brief stay in North America. After winning just about everything he could in his home country, Jörgen spent one partial season on Long Island, where he joined Kenny for what many hoped would be a fruitful and comfortable reunion. But playing on a bad team far from his family in a strange land didn't suit him, and after a trade to the Ducks (for another Swedish star and bonus Weird Islander), he returned home to continue his great career and start another one as a GM and coach. Patrik tells us about Jörgen's (and Kenny's) legacy in Sweden, how he was as a player in his prime and why he hated him growing up. Despite never reaching the same level on this continent, Jörgen did have small stretches of success and remembers his time as an Islander fondly, as he tells Patrik in an exclusive interview clip. Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items. The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN). Our theme is "Knuckles" by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp. Drum sfx via Zapsplat.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan are joined by Lighthouse Hockey legend Mike B to look at three short-time Islanders with much more famous family members. You might not remember Nick Vachon, Ted Drury or Todd Okerlund as Islanders, but you probably remember Rogie Vachon, Chris Drury and “Mean” Gene Okerlund, all of whom eclipsed the other guys in the notoriety department. But Mike, Dan and Mike give the lesser-known players the spotlight, and talk about how they got to the Islanders, recap their biggest successes, see what they did after their stints and basically examine how perfectly “Islanders” each of them was. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan react to a three-game winning streak that they did not see coming and the Islanders showing resiliency in the face of some tough opponents. They recap the victories over the Rangers, Hurricanes and Avalanche that were each significant in their own way; as either a needed thievery, a statement in a tough place to play or a show of never-say-die that was as encouraging as it was entertaining. They also spotlight certain performances and things that changed since their last, mostly angry and depressed, episode. In the second half, they discuss a recent roster move (with an exclusive piece of insider material), and look ahead the team's upcoming run through Midwest teams. Finally, they shoutout heartfelt ceremonies, new faces on the job and elder statesmen that put much-needed smiles on their faces. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Dan celebrate Josh Bailey as he crosses the 1,000 games mark, a unique player reaching a unique place in Islanders history. They talk about his Bailey's drafting and difficult development, his beyond quiet demeanor, and his accomplishments throughout his unexpectedly long career on Long Island. Bailey's undeterred and under-the-radar personality makes him a rarity among professional athletes. And his longevity, along with his under-appreciated skills, have placed him high on the team's all time scoring lists, despite half the fanbase constantly trying to trade him every day since 2008. Congrats, Josh. It's okay to smile. Visit our friends: Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, and our Al Arbour and The Island merch which benefit dementia research. Use the code ANXIETY to save 15%. The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices