HNLI Pre-Game Show Tomorrow 1/31!

Be sure to tune into a special pre-game show of HNLI, right before Isles-Panthers, tomorrow (1/31) at 3:30 PM EST for 30 minutes. Steve and special guest co-host Tom Liodice (The Tiger Track, Newyorkislanders.com) will be joined by special guest Donny Rivette (Litter Box Cats) to provide a pre-game report for the game. Also, Steve and Tom will discuss everything surrounding the New York Islanders. As always, remember to call up (718-664-9597) during the show to give your thoughts and predictions for the Isles-Panthers game. Listen to HNLI tomorrow, 1/31, at 3:30 PM EST!

Lighthouse Hockey Guest Co-Hosts HNLI This Week!

Be sure to tune into Hockey Night on Long Island, this Saturday (1/16) at 3:30 PM EST, as Steve is joined by Dominik (Lighthouse Hockey Blog). The two will discuss everything surrounding the New York Islanders, including the dominating performance against the Red Wings and the trade rumors about Ilya Kovalchuk coming to Long Island. They will also preview that night's Isles-Sabres game. As always, listeners are strongly encouraged to participate in the discussion by giving us a call (718-664-9597) during the show and chatting with listeners in the HNLI Chat Room. Remember: HNLI this Saturday, 1/16, at 3:30 PM EST for a 30-minute episode! To listen, click here

HNLI Breaks Show Records, Chris Botta Entertains the Masses

For an HNLI-record audience of over a hundred live listeners, Chris Botta joined hosts Alex and Steve Saturday afternoon for an exciting Isles interview. Botta, the mastermind behind Islanders Point Blank, discussed everything from the return of Rick DiPietro to Kyle Okposo's omission from the U.S. Olympic Team to potential Isles trade scenarios. Things got even more exciting when the phones started ringing at an HNLI-record rate and Botta faced a barrage of questions from caller after caller. With topics at just about every end of the spectrum, Botta provided both entertainment and insight for a boatload of hockey fanatics (and 2 thrilled hosts for that matter). Following Botta's marathon appearance, Alex and Steve were joined by Travis from Phoenix Coytoes blog Five For Howling, who helped preview the Islanders' Saturday night matchup with the Yotes in addition to explaining the ups and downs of the Phoenix ownership and arena situation.

Join the record-audience who tuned in live by catching Saturday's episode of Hockey Night on Long Island via archive. To do so, click over here or subscribe to the HNLI podcast by searching "Hockey Night on Long Island" in the iTunes Store.

HNLI at Special Time with Special Guest Chris Botta

In order to accommodate those planning to watch the NFL's wildcard playoff game between the Jets and the Bengals, HNLI will be bumped up by a half hour to 3 PM EST this Saturday. Joining us for the first portion of the episode will be Chris Botta (aka the Blogfather) of Islanders Point Blank. As most Isles fans know by now, Mr. Botta is the premiere source for Islanders news, commentary, and analysis and it is a very special opportunity to have him on the show. Along with Mr. Botta, hosts Alex and Steve will discuss the Islanders' recent win streak, the team's west coast swing, the return of Rick DiPietro, and much more. As always, listeners are encouraged to interact by calling, IMing, and chatting in the HNLI chatroom. Remember that if you get your calls in early enough, you will have the chance to talk with Chris Botta himself. So, don't miss a special HNLI at a special time: this Saturday at 3 PM EST

Vote for HNLI in the Isles Blog-Off Finals!

Please take a moment to vote for Hockey Night on Long Island in the final round of the NHL Arena's Isles Blog-Off. With only four blogs remaining in the field, it is a tight race to determine which Isles blog will be the NHL Arena's official Islanders blog representative. To make your voice heard, head over to the Round 4 Poll, and cast your vote for HNLI! We appreciate all of your support thus far and appreciate it going forward.

HNLI Rings in 2010 with WFAN Personality

Be sure to tune into Saturday's episode of Hockey Night on Long Island at 3:30 PM EST as HNLI kicks off the New Year with a bang. This week, HNLI will be joined by Nick Colombo of WFAN.com, who will provide insight on the latest in Islander Country, the Lighthouse Project, and the 2010 NHL Winter Classic. In addition, hosts Alex and Steve will break down the newly released Olympic rosters and preview Saturday night's Isles matchup with the Atlanta Thrashers. As always, listeners are invited to interact with our special guest, hosts, and other listeners by calling in, sending an instant message, or joining the HNLI chatroom. Don't miss what should be a great start to another year of Hockey Night on Long Island.

Happy Holidays from HNLI

Happy Holidays from HNLI hosts Alex and Steve to all of our loyal listeners and readers. This show would be nothing without all of your support and contributions both on and off the air. Stay tuned to our homepage for blog updates and scheduling announcements.

HNLI Back with a Bang

HNLI was back in business Saturday afternoon as hosts Alex and Steve took the airwaves for an hour of New York Islanders banter. Among the topics discussed were the recent home-and-home with the Rangers, Saturday's matchup with the Montreal Canadians, the Rick DiPietro saga, the development of Josh Bailey and John Tavares, and the upcoming Winter Classic and Winter Olympics. The show also featured several insightful callers, including an eyewitness to DP's second AHL rehab start in Springfield. All in all it was a great hour of hockey talk. Be sure to download the archive if you couldn't catch HNLI today live. Also remember to subscribe to the HNLI podcast by searching "Hockey Night on Long Island" in the iTune store.

Archive Page

Bloopers Poll featuring Vesa Toskala

Despite a very short tenure with the New York Islanders, most fans most likely remember Rob Davison. While he certainly wasn't the most memorable through his overall play, he certainly ingrained himself into Isles folklore by scoring a goal from over 190 feet away against Vesa Toskala:

Note: This was Davison's only goal as an Islander and one of three in his NHL career


As you can imagine, Toskala got plenty of play in ESPN's "Not Top 10" list for that one. Now, however, Vesa has another blooper that certainly rivals the Davison Debacle. Check out this play from last night's Sabres-Leafs game:


So, we ask the members of HNLI nation....which Toskala blooper is the most embarrassing?

Which Toskala Blooper is More Embarrassing?

• 3/18/08: Rob Davison Scores from 190 ft.
• 12/18/09: Toni Lydman Shot Eludes Toskala's Glove

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Create a Blog Poll

Isles Take Round 1, Torts on the Hot Seat?

In a less-than-pretty evening of hockey, the Islanders did exactly what they needed to do to shut down the struggling Rangers and leave Madison Square Garden with two huge points. The importance of this victory cannot be stressed enough. Sure, it's always great to beat the Rangers, but this kind of showing was absolutely crucial after such a brutal loss against Florida on Monday. The Islanders were committed to their game plan in terms of shutting down Marian Gaborik and it paid off big time. The amount of Gaborik shots that the Isles blocked was pretty incredible. Special props to Jack Hillen, who was an absolute beast in containing Gaborik and just about every Blueshirt for that matter.
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Less than a year ago, John Tortorella took the reins of the Blueshirts from Tom Renney with the hope that he was the savior who could put an end to the Rangers' offensive woes. Now, almost midway through his first full season as the head coach in New York, the Rangers are in an absolute freefall and haven't scored a true even strength goal in 4+ games (6-on-5 tonight doesn't really count. Needless to say, the Tortorella era is not exactly going according to plan.

It appeared that Torts' frustration peaked tonight during his postgame press conference. In a rage that caused MSG to break out the bleep button, Tortorella responded in quite a hostile manner when asked by the media why his team was playing so poorly and what he planned to do to remedy the situation. After declaring that he has no "f***ing explanation" for his team "playing like s***", he shoved his chair and stormed off.

(It was really must-see TV.)



So, just how long does John Tortorella have to save his sinking ship? Does Torts have some job security since it's his first full year behind the Rangers' bench or is that overshadowed by just how underachieving his Rangers squad has been?

Alex's Prediction: Tortorella has until the Olympic break to right the ship....otherwise, he joins John Stevens in pink slip land.

Update: Also of note was the fact that Tortorella shortened his bench bigtime in Wednesday night's contest, leaving some of his younger players on the bench most of the game while giving his big guns ridiculous minutes. I'm starting to think he is coaching the Rangers as if they're his 2004 Stanley Cup winning Tampa Bay Lightning squad. Newsflash to Torts: You don't have Lecavalier, St. Louis, and the Bulin Wall to carry this Rangers squad every night.
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The home-and-home resumes tomorrow at the Coliseum. Questions to be answered:

1. What will the goaltending matchup look like? (NYI: Martin Biron or Dwayne Roloson/NYR: Henrik Lundqvist or Chad Johnson)
2. Who the hell is Chad Johnson? (I thought he changed his name to Ocho Cinco!)
3. Will Tortorella make the kind of dramatic change that his postgame speech seemed to insinuate?
4. Can the Rangers bounce back from what is seemingly an emotional low point of their season?