New York Islanders Three Most Penalized Games Ever

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UNIONDALE, NY – OCTOBER 29: Thomas Vanek #26 of the New York Islanders holds Brad Richards #19 of the New York Rangers during a scuffle at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on October 29, 2013 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. April 4th, 1998 vs. New York Rangers

129 penalty minutes, 7 minors, 7 majors, 5 game misconduct

Mike Milbury started this one. This game spiraled out of control because of Mike Milbury.

The game was already pretty chippy. It was the Islanders versus the Rangers after all. By the third period, there had already been two fights and two misconduct penalties as well as a slew of minor penalties. But again, it was the Islanders and Rangers in the ’90s.

By the 12:17 mark of the third period the Islanders pull away on the scoreboard with goals from Zigmund Palffy and Joe Sacco. It’s 3-0 with less than half of the third period to play. And Mike Milbury calls a time out.

The Rangers were not fans of Milbury’s decision-making. They felt like the Islanders coach was disrespecting them. So, because they couldn’t go after Milbury, they went after his players.

At the 13:01 mark of the third period, all hell broke loose. Rangers forward P.J. Stock went after Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara, then it was Darren Langdon who went after Chara.

Everyone on the ice picked a partner and the dance was on. Even the goalies got involved. Islanders goalie Tommy Salo got involved in a scuffle that resulted in Rangers goalie Dan Cloutier flying down the ice to batter Salo.

In total 23 penalties were handed out for 156 minutes combined. Islanders players picked up 77 of those minutes, just under half.

Most penalized players:

Islanders: Rich Pilon 27 minutes
Rangers: Darren Langdon 20 minutes