Islanders Anxiety - Episode 366 - Talking to Ghosts

Mike and Dan recap a stressful week in which the Islanders' season was off, then back on again, plus an epic new Master Leaf Theatre. Everything started great, with a businesslike win over the moribund Maple Leafs. Then, a trip to Ottawa meant a punch in the gut, and a Saturday night in Montreal meant a butt-whipping. With the red hot Blue Jackets waiting for them on Long Island, we were ready to be mad at the Islanders for sinking their season in a matter of days. But an incredible defensive performance (finally!) and a gritty 1-0 win let them live another day above the playoff line. It felt like either a wake up call, a playoff game or a foxhole. However it happened, we're glad it did although the feelings are complex. This week, they get to do it again. With games against Chicago, Dallas and Florida, the Islanders need to win to keep pace, or perhaps, advance. They might need to keep their defense version of McDavid-Draisaitl going if injuries and lineup changes mount. We also discuss two recent ELC signings and the long-awaited official word of the team moving its AHL affiliate to Hamilton, Ontario. Finally, it's an extended Master Leaf Theatre, covering another busy week for an NHL team. We've got bouquets of flowers, Forbidden Zones, barrel-chested whipping boys, delusions of competence and angry screeds that would make the crankiest newspaper columnist jealous. It's just another week for the Leafs. Now if they can just some smart people and a few top line players, maybe they'll have a chance next season... Subscribe to our Patreon!⁠ Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, chats with us and much more. ⁠⁠Vintage Ice Hockey⁠⁠ for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, as well as ⁠⁠the full line of Islanders Anxiety merch⁠⁠. As always our portion of those sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research. ⁠⁠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 are having a Buy Two Get One Free sale on T-Shirts all through March. Go to FOCO.com or use this link to browse the store, then use the code ANXIETY2FOR1 to take advantage. The offer ends March 31st, so don’t wait. 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 Spotify⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices