It’s a special Isles “Quick Fix” podcast episode featuring former Islanders’ VP of Communications Chris Botta, who, as many of you know, was among the original Islanders blog/podcast/video personalities. For years, I refreshed Islanders Point Blank multiple times daily at home or the office. Later, I would watch him and Brian Compton debate and answer questions from the SNY studio during an episode of Islanders Interactive. It was a must-watch for Isles’ fans.

With that as context, it’s pretty cool that I’ll be chatting with him throughout the year in this format. I hope you enjoy his often unique and unfettered opinions as much as I do. Throughout the year, we’ll get together at inflection points of the season when there is something of substance to talk about either on or off the ice, and this week seemed like the perfect time to start.

In the latest episode of “The Red Line,” Phil Farber (@PhilzFacts) and David Tuchman (@TuckOnSports) are back ahead of the start of the 2024-25 season.

The Isles made more changes than they get credit for this off-season, and with Patrick Roy behind the bench for his first full season, there is excitement that this team can move beyond being a fringe playoff team and become a contender.

In the latest episode of “The Red Line,” Phil Farber (@PhilzFacts) and David Tuchman (@TuckOnSports) are joined by draft guru and Lord of Fantasy hockey, Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson), the Content Director at Elite Prospects Rinkside (@EPRinkside). Robinson breaks down a draft that may be deeper than people are giving it credit for, and some of his favorite players.

They talk about Lou Lamoriello gaining an extra 2nd rounder by moving back in two spots, which players may still be on the board when the Islanders are on the clock at No. 20 (provided they keep the pick), and the current outlook on some of the team’s more highly regarded prospects.

In the latest episode of “The Red Line,” co-hosts Phil Farber (@PhilzFacts) and David Tuchman (@TuckOnSports) reflect on a season of ups and downs and talk about potential next steps for the franchise.

After recapping what went wrong in the closer-than-it-appeared series against Carolina, the boys talk about the cost of the Isles’ goaltending moving forward, Noah Dobson’s next contract, and how the team can get better.

In the latest episode of “The Red Line,” co-hosts Phil Farber (@PhilzFacts) and David Tuchman (@TuckOnSports) the boys feel vindicated and revel in the fact that, although there were moments of doubt, they were ultimately proven right about the playoff fate of the New York Islanders.

In this episode, the boys celebrate by talking about the job Patrick Roy did to turn around this season. They talk about all the things that went right during the playoff push and how Semyon Varlamov became the team’s savior, the difficult first-round match-up against the Carolina Hurricanes, and a lot more.

Good morning, Islanders Country.

In the latest episode of “The Red Line,” co-hosts Phil Farber (@PhilzFacts) and David Tuchman (@TuckOnSports) can’t believe they’re talking about an Islanders team that controls their own playoff destiny with four games left to play after a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers, their fifth straight win.

In this episode, the boys talk about the strong play at 5-on-5, but a penalty kill that is still scary. Plus, the sensational play of Semyon Varlamov, the need to stay aggressive with the lead, and Peter Laviolette and Rangers fans whining after the loss on Tuesday night at UBS Arena.

Find and listen to Isles Fix podcasts on additional platforms:

Listen, enjoy, and dive in.

📚 SOUND SMART: Per Eric Hornick in The Skinny, Mathew Barzal has recorded six assists over the last five games. It is the first time this season Barzal has had an assist in five straight games (and is one game shy of his career high, set in 2021). Barzal has 41 points at home and 39 points on the road; he needs one more road point for his second career "40/40" season.

🎥 ISLES REWIND: On April 11, 1975, playing in their first playoff series, the upstart Islanders shocked the rival New York Rangers when J.P. Parise scored 11 seconds into overtime at Madison Square Garden to give the Isles a 4-3 win.

At the time, it was the fastest goal in NHL Stanley Cup Playoff history. Parise had been acquired on Jan. 5, 1975, from the Minnesota North Stars along with Jude Drouin, who set up Parise's game and series-ending goal.

🔗 With playoff spot in sight, Islanders have been in postseason mode for some time by Peter Schwartz, WFAN.com “Fighting for a playoff spot is something that the Islanders have been used to in recent years and this season has been no different. In the midst of a season full of ups and downs, the Islanders made a coaching change, followed up a six-game winning streak with a six-game losing streak and have seen their playoff chances go back and forth”

🔗 The Hot, Cold, & Suddley Hot Again Islanders Explained by Stefen Rosner, The Hockey News “Patrick Roy never got a training camp, joining the Islanders mid-season. But he's put his team through a training camp mindset and now has them playing winning hockey to get back into a playoff spot.”

And we leave you with this…even the Biz was defending the Isles!

Thanks for reading! Follow us on Twitter for regular updates until the next newsletter.

And please check out our newsletters about the Knicks and Mets, too.

In the latest episode of “The Red Line,” co-hosts Phil Farber (@PhilzFacts) and David Tuchman (@TuckOnSports) are lowering the white flag, at least for now, after three wins in their last four games have the Islanders one point out of a playoff spot heading into tonight’s game in Columbus.

In this episode, they discuss Simon Holmstrom’s strong performance vs. Chicago, whether Roy should ride Varlamov or Soorkin, the upcoming schedule, Barzal, and Horvat finally getting back together, and Noah Dobson’s prolonged slump.

In the latest episode of “The Red Line,” co-hosts Phil Farber (@PhilzFacts) and David Tuchman (@TuckOnSports) are ready to waive the white flag and accept that they were wrong about the Islanders' playoff chances. This comes after the team was shut out 4-0 by the New Jersey Devils on Sunday at UBS Arena, their seventh loss in their last eight games (1-6-1) following their winning streak, which duped many of us into believing this season would be different.

The Isles have been a mentally fragile team this season, and Ilya Sorokin has been unable to cover up for their mistakes. They also discuss the team’s 0-6-3 record in back-to-backs this season and discuss what changes could come in the final games of the season, even if it doesn’t change the ultimate outcome.

Good Morning, Islanders Country.

In the latest episode of “The Red Line” with co-hosts Phil Farber (@PhilzFacts) and David Tuchman (@TuckOnSports), the boys are pleased to be talking about a team in playoff position. After their six-game losing streak ended in LA with Tuch in attendance, the Isles aim to rebound Thursday night in Buffalo.

Plus, Phil talks about Mathew Barzal’s bad penalties, the need for Ilya Sorokin to steal a game, and Kyle Palmieri’s fantastic season. Meanwhile, Tuch talks about Isles playoff odds, and the guys take questions from their social media mailbag and talk about possible off-season moves.

Find and listen to Isles Fix podcasts on additional platforms:

Listen and enjoy.

And we leave you with this…Joshua Ho-Sang dropped a rap album, unveiled a new app, and signed a contract with the Florida Everglade this week.

Thanks for reading! Follow us on Twitter for regular updates until the next newsletter.

And please check out our newsletters about the Knicks and Mets, too.

In the latest episode of “The Red Line” with co-hosts Phil Farber (@PhilzFacts) and David Tuchman (@TuckOnSports), the boys talk about the new team identity established by Patrick Roy, eliminating mistakes, Bo Horvat’s accountability, and Kyle Palmieri’s hot streak.

The Islanders’ four-game winning streak ties their longest of the season and has them within striking distance of Philadelphia, Detroit, and Tampa Bay, while the teams behind them have seen their playoff hopes fading. It’s put them in a position where they are buyers before Friday’s trade deadline.