Brain Farts and Broken Heads: Another Day in the NHL

Every year, I think this will be the year. Maybe this will be the year players will start respecting each other. I hate the fact that players lose their heads (not literally, of course), thinking we are in an armed conflict and not a hockey game. What has got me a snit? In the words of a famous wrestler, LA Knight, “Well, let me tell ya”. I’m not trying to hurt players’ feelings, but sometimes they have brain farts.

Head shots attempt to cause injury

I know there can be times when there is no attempt to injure. What makes the head explode (again, not literally, I would not be alive), brainless hits players jumping up before making a hit. Then, listening to the offender mumbling, trying to defend themselves, “I was trying to get some momentum with a big hit.” Oh, that’s fine, then jump as high as you can to hit him where? Oh, that’s right, to the cranium (word of the day—it means head).

The other excuse, “My intent was not to maim, mutilate, afflict, or damage the physical body in any way,” Has someone lawyered up? Exactly what was your intent? Was it some kind of male-bonding thing? Was it maybe a love tap? I really want to know what goes through the player’s mind right before they do the deed.

Coaches are trying to defend the player for his actions, saying, “He was trying to change direction, he was not trying to hurt the player.” Reminds me of the legal counsel for the defendant. The opposing coach is yelling foul and calling the player a scoundrel (is that a family word? I hope I didn’t offend anyone) for doing it. The prosecution has spoken. Let truth be known, this coach is a hypocrite. If the shoe were on the other foot, he would want his player to do the same.

Final word

Oh, you laugh, but you know it’s true. How many of you, if you were a General Manager, wouldn’t want to acquire a Matthew Tkachuk? My source, “Oh how I hate Tkachuck, but what I wouldn’t do to acquire his services.” Doesn’t this sound like hiring a hitman, assassin, cutthroat, or even an executioner? I didn’t know hockey was such a violent sport. 

Maybe we should play a game of Candy Land? 

Four Keys to an Islanders Playoff Run in 2025

What will it take for the New York Islanders to be a successful team this season? There are four different departments of an NHL hockey team. First, there are the forwards, followed by the defense, goaltending, and finally, special teams. So, let’s go into this a little further. I thought I could write one thing that has to go right in each one of these areas for the New York Islanders to be a serious playoff contender.

Forwards

The most significant factor for the forwards is whether Barzal and Horvat are good enough to be on their own. That may sound like a funny question, but it is vital to the success of the Isles. Barzal and Horvat must be near the seventy to eighty points range. If they are not, the top 6 is in shambles.

Defence

For the Isles to succeed, they need a new leader on the defence. They need someone to stand up, take the bull by the horns, and run with it. Schaefer shouldn’t be put under that kind of pressure. He is a nineteen-year-old. Putting that on him is wrong, even if he is mature beyond his years. I am looking at Adam Pelech or Ryan Pulock to step up. The defense has to be stellar and dependable because of the lack of production possibilities in the offense. If the Islanders can keep the goals against 2 to 2.5 a game, the Isles have a chance. They have to get involved on the offensive side of the game.

Goaltending

We need Serokin to be the Serokin of old. If he is not in the top 10 in the save percentage category, it could be disastrous for the Islanders. The days of “one bad goal in a game” have to be abolished. (Using a big word to emphasize the importance of this statement). The Islanders do not have the offence to make up for bad goals. Rittich has to be consistent enough to give them a chance to win every night. He does not have to be miraculous, but that doesn’t mean he can be a sieve.

Special teams

The power play has to be more imaginative. Last year, there was too much standing around. Shoot the puck! If you don’t, you do not score. Thirdly, and most importantly, do not get outworked for the puck. Go to the net, get your nose dirty.

They must pay attention to the penalty kill. The Isles leave the faceoff circle open. They aren’t prejudiced; they leave both sides wide open, proving they were equally inept at zone coverage.

Final word

Roy has to motivate and teach the players how to win. One of the most essential qualities of a coach is moulding a player to be what they are meant to be. He needs to find a system that works.

Randy