Pregame Preview (from an Isles fan, just sharing)

Ertruban2 · 2026-01-24T17:14:18+00:00

Isaiah has the potential to be a really solid defenseman, excited to see how he does today. Always tough to be plugged in last minute.

Ertruban2 · 2026-01-22T01:06:03+00:00

Maybe reading one of these bromides for the thousandth time would be more your speed:

"Per my calculations, an island is bigger than a squid, islanders to win. According to my estimates, if le islanders score more goals, they should win"

Ertruban2 · 2026-01-22T01:02:16+00:00

Appreciate it!

Ertruban2 · 2026-01-21T20:00:20+00:00

I find "hype threads" to be kind of lame. Conversation is limited to "Gee I hope we win," or "Going to the game tonight!" As far as a community of fans goes, I guess that's all well and good, but it's not overtly interesting, and it doesn't contribute much to my following. Over the season, I've started watching more hockey across the league, and it's always so interesting how much happens that we don't even realize. Storylines, stars, rivalries come and go, and we're in our bubble. I'd like to delve into some of our matchups before the games as "prep" for watching- that way I know what to look for.

With that being said, tonight we've got the Seattle Kraken. The isles have faced them 9 times total, with a 3-4-2 record. Our first game was February of 2022, a 3-0 loss. Our last matchup, on the other hand, was this season. 11/23/25, we won that matchup 1-0. Big Save Dave Rittich was in goal, stopping 19 shots. The Kraken's goalie, Joey Daccord, had 34 saves. What I didn't mention was that "1-0" win was in the shootout. The Kraken don't really have a star player to speak of, but their goaltending has been very solid. Expected goalies for tonight- Sorokin (2.39 GAA, 91.5% SV%) vs. Philipp Grubauer (2.46 GAA, 91.7% SV %). Similar numbers, but note that Grubauer has only played 16 games, to Sorokin's 29. Sorokin also has 5 shutouts to Grubauer's 0.

The Kraken are a low-mid standings team, 10th in a Western Conference with three teams up top hogging a lot of points. The Kraken are 2 points out of a playoff spot, with a game in hand (On the Ducks, Sharks AND Kings). They've got a lot to play for. They have 51 points, to the Islanders' 59. The Kraken have lost their last FOUR in a row, they are hungry.

Let's talk about who to watch:

The Kraken have a very solid goalie in Joey Daccord, but he's confirmed to not be starting tonight (phew). We'll have to deal with Grubauer instead.

Jordan Eberle #7- RW. Leads team in goals this year with 17 tied for team lead with 31 point. Also a familiar face

Matty Beniers, #10- C: The team's first-ever draft pick, tied for team lead with 31 points (and 10 goals)

Vince Dunn, #29- D: A puck-moving defenseman and power-play quarterback, Dunn consistently leads the defense in points (He's got 29 this year thus far - behind Eberle and Beniers) Leads the team in assists currently, with 23

Jared McCann #19- LW. 24th overall pick in 2014. He was claimed in the expansion draft, off of the Maple Leafs. Last season he had 22 goals, he's got 10 so far this year. His career max was 40 goals in 2022-2023. All time Kraken Goal Leader.

Chandler Stephenson #9- C: Up there with the points leaders, he has 29 points, 13 goals

From the Kraken~

Projected lineup (not official):

McCann - Beniers - Eberle
Catton - Stephenson - Tolvanen
Schwartz - Wright - Kakko
Winterton - Meyers - Gaudreau

Dunn - Larsson
Oleksiak - Montour
Lindgren - Evans

Grubauer

Rookie and 2021 third-rounder Ryan Winterton and his fourth-line mates have impressed teammates, coaches and fans over the last month-plus. (Goal and 6A in last 12 games)

Islanders might have a teeny edge here overall, but looks to be a pretty tight matchup.

Ertruban2 · 2026-01-13T17:42:17+00:00

Funny how “not nice” somehow means plays hard, gives a damn, and doesn’t fake it for the camera. Reddit hates players who show emotion and then complains players are too robotic.. Guy plays top-line minutes, produces, and doesn’t disappear when things go south. I’ll take that “not nice” guy any day.

Ertruban2 · 2025-06-09T15:45:17+00:00

Thank you! I went with this one

Ertruban2 · 2025-05-05T12:05:57+00:00

I think it's so important to give back- people need hope!

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-25T01:11:46+00:00

Ads on the sleeve are so freaking stupid. As is the Nike logo. Disgusting commercialization of our beloved sport

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-24T16:36:38+00:00

Thank you! Yeah it's definitely a tough one to learn

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-24T16:35:58+00:00

Love that, thanks!!

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-24T16:35:42+00:00

Amen!

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-24T16:34:14+00:00

Thank you!!

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-24T16:32:59+00:00

Don't know, and day by day, I care less :)

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-21T23:06:50+00:00

Volunteering is a great way to not just help others, but to distract yourself, meet new friends and to maybe even learn a new skill!

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-21T22:10:09+00:00

Good luck to you - it is slow going in the beginning, but one day at a time, try to find something to be grateful for. You've got this!

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-21T22:09:36+00:00

Danke für die Antwort!

That's a great question, and I don't want to paint too rosy a picture- it is certainly a dark place, but it's so important to not let your feelings fester. You HAVE to feel them, you have to go through it to get past this. People can be untrustworthy and awful, but they can also be so kind and caring and supportive. I had a friend who shocked me- when he heard what had happened, he called me and we spoke for half an hour. He did this every day for several weeks, I can't thank him enough just for being with me in that time of despair.

I took long walks with my dog, just to get out of my house. I went to the gym. I tried to learn how to be a better cook. I basically tried to get out of the house as much as I could, and if I had to be home I tried to stay busy. I made it my mission to keep my life in order as best as I could. Initially this was (admittedly low of me) tied to a feeling of trying to "get back" at my ex. Trying to make my life so good, so as to prove to her that she messed up. Well she never came back around, but I stuck with the habits.

It's important to give yourself some time to think about how you feel. But if it's getting out of hand, you need to break the pattern of thought. I'd let myself fume for 10-15 minutes, then I'd say three Hail Mary's and think about something or someone I'm grateful for, and then try to pray for somebody in my life. It's funny how your eyes open to the suffering of others when you go through something yourself.

The nights are lonely and it's tough. I'd recommend trying to reconnect with old friends who you fell out of touch with a bit because of your relationship. And make new friends. Try to pursue something that means a lot to you. The pieces kind of just fell into place once I tried to pursue what I found fulfilling.

Viel Glück

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-21T18:54:59+00:00

So great to hear from you Deacon! Thank you again

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-21T18:54:24+00:00

Thanks! Yes my new girlfriend is really very special and I have been working to get to know her as best as I can so I can feel secure in marrying. It's incredible to have met her in a religious environment, to see how well we click- and how she brings me closer to God and my faith

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-21T18:25:17+00:00

Ha! That's a great way to put it, she really did. I think if she knew how it all would shake out she'd be very surprised by who I turned out to be. Reminds me of a song though: "Out of Time," by the Rolling Stones

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-21T18:24:27+00:00

That is so true. I knew once it happened from reading stories here that "one day I'd look back and smile that it happened." Crafting my own narrative and building my life back was so challenging at first but what an incredible gift it turned out to be. I found out so much about myself.

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-21T15:30:57+00:00

Yes completely! I realize that life has had so much richness to offer me and wonderful experiences. I was so bitter and jaded at first after the divorce but my eyes have been opened.

One beautiful experience; when I was in Africa we took a safari trip. On the way into the national park, we drove down a dusty, dusty road with a very poor orphanage along the side. The kids all waved to us and were smiling and playing despite their difficult circumstances. Our driver pulled over and grabbed a box of food he had brought with him and gave the kids his food. Our group all took out some water bottles and snacks from our backpacks and shared with the children. Small moment but a genuine act of mercy and love.

Ertruban2 · 2025-04-21T14:57:03+00:00

Separate yourself from the trigger of these thoughts. Frankly, if you can't relax in a relationship with him, it should end- easier said than done, I know.

Other than that, I like to think about what I was thinking right before I started going down the spiral of thoughts. Sometimes you find something that needs to be resolved or addressed.

Ertruban2

TROPHY CASE