Islanders 5 games to re-watch before playoffs begin

As we get ready for New York Islanders hockey to return here are five games to re-watch.

Phase two of the NHL’s return to play plan will go into effect on Monday, June 8. That means New York Islanders players can voluntarily return to the team’s practice facility, in small groups. This is yet another step towards restarting the 2019-20 season.

To get myself ready and in the spirit for summer New York Islanders hockey, I’m going back and watching games from earlier this season. With the season suspended, the NHL is allowing everyone to go and re-watch any and all games from the 2019-20 season for free.

Just go to the Islanders schedule, find the game you want to watch, click on the little TV in the bottom center, sign in (or create a free account), and start watching!

If you don’t know what game to watch, here are five games I think are worth a re-watch.

Didn’t Deserve It (Oct. 14 vs. STL)

After 40 minutes of play, the Islanders were outshot 17-13 and were down 1-0. Vladimir Tarasenko would make it 2-0 with a power-play goal in the opening minutes of the third. The Islanders just weren’t doing enough to win and it didn’t look like they could turn things around.

But with minutes left in the third period, the Islanders completely turned things around. It was one hell of a comeback by the Isles.

Why watch this one: Good teams find a way to win, even when they don’t deserve to, and on this night the Isles did just that.

Watch the game here.

Ten-Game Winning Streak (Nov 5 vs. OTT)

A 103 point season and making it to the second round of the playoffs wasn’t supposed to happen for the New York Islanders in 2018-19. The 2019-20 season was either going to expose that 18-19 season as a fluke or establish the Islanders as a good team in the NHL.

By November 5, the Isles showed that 18-19 was no fluke with a 4-1 win against the Ottawa Senators. That win was the Islanders tenth win in a row.

Cal Clutterbuck would put up two points and Cole Bardreau would score his first NHL goal in perhaps the best way possible.

Why watch this one: Watch the Isles at the height of their power and get an added feel-good moment when Bardreau scores.

Watch the game here.

Big Divisional Win (Nov 14 vs. PIT)

After 20 minutes, the Islanders were down 2-0 and could have been down 3-0 if a Zach Aston-Reese shorthanded goal wasn’t pulled back for offside. The Isles were ice cold in the first period. It didn’t look like they could pull out a win.

I don’t want to ruin the drama of the game, but while the Isles fought their way back into the game. The second line of Beauvillier, Nelson, and Brassard was key to the Isles clawing their way back into this one.

Why watch this one: Watch this one for a few reasons. First, a win over the Penguins is always a must-watch. Second, watch it to remember when Brassard was putting up points at will. And lastly, watch it for the back and forth switch in momentum.

Watch the game here.

Putting up Eight (Jan 14 vs. DET)

Nothing should get you more pumped for the season than a dominant performance. Sure, this one came against the last-place team in the league, but I’d counter that any game where the Islanders put up eight goals is a great night, no matter the opposition.

Watch this dominant 8-2 win over Detroit where 16 different skaters put up a point.

Why watch this one: Just a ton of goals. There really isn’t a better reason to watch a game then seeing the Isles dominate an opponent.

Watch the game here.

Jordan Eberle Hat Trick (Feb 21 vs. DET)

Jordan Eberle seems to turn it up a notch later in the year. In February, the other Gary put up a dominant performance against the Detroit Red Wings with a hat-trick.

Sit back and watch Eberle score at will. Hopefully, Ebs can hold that form as the Islanders head to the play-in round against the Detroit Red Wings.

Why watch this one: I mean it’s a hat-trick. Its the only one done by an Islander this season.

Watch the game here.