You want to talk Rangers? How about the Devils? Wonder how things are going with the Islanders? Jonny Lazarus, Mike Rupp and Arthur Staple have you covered! Every Tuesday and Friday, Jonny (New York Rangers), Rupper (New Jersey Devils) and Arthur (New York Islanders) go around the Tri-State area to break down all the news, notes and major talking points surrounding each club. Expect some health debate, favouritism and a call-in line (for the fans)!
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Episode 61: Rangers Rolling & Islanders Dominate Devils
The guys begin with an all-time voicemail from an Islanders fan before diving into another dominant Islanders performance against the Devils. They discuss what has made the Islanders so difficult for New Jersey to handle, Victor Eklund’s impressive start, the Islanders’ young core, Simon Holmstrom’s future and whether the Devils have enough of a “B game” when their skill isn’t clicking.
Then it’s over to the Rangers, who have quickly created a completely different feeling around Madison Square Garden. Jonny, Rupper and Arthur discuss Igor Shesterkin’s incredible opening week, the Rangers winning back their home crowd, improved depth throughout the lineup, Dylan Garand stepping up, the impact of the Rangers’ new additions and why this group already feels more complete than last season.
Plus, they discuss Matthew Robertson hitting waivers, possible Rangers call-ups, Alexis Lafrenière’s encouraging all-around game and look ahead to another huge Rangers-Islanders matchup at Madison Square Garden.
0:00 Intro + an incredible Islanders fan voicemail
1:56 Jonny’s Rangers home opener story
3:25 Islanders dominate the Devils again
6:38 Are the Devils still an elite team?
7:40 Do the Devils have a “B game”?
10:55 Concerns about New Jersey’s goaltending
14:47 Anthony Mantha’s fit with the Devils
16:23 Luke Hughes and the Devils power play
17:49 Victor Eklund is forcing the Islanders’ hand
20:37 The Islanders’ young core is taking shape
22:55 When should the Islanders extend Simon Holmstrom?
26:56 Rangers are rolling to start the season
27:40 What’s different about this Rangers team?
30:37 Rangers depth is making a huge difference
33:31 Rangers fans are buying back in
35:23 Igor Shesterkin has changed the energy at MSG
37:17 How Shesterkin’s goal impacted the Rangers
40:05 Dylan Garand steps up with a shutout
42:31 Matthew Robertson hits waivers
43:53 Who could the Rangers call up?
44:26 Alexis Lafrenière’s encouraging start
46:39 Rangers-Islanders preview + best bet
47:58 Final thoughts
Presented by bet365
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The NHL season is underway, and Jonny Lazarus, Mike Rupp and Arthur Staple are back for Episode 60 of the Tri-State Hockey Podcast to react to the first games for the New York Islanders and New York Rangers while looking ahead to the New Jersey Devils’ season opener. The guys break down the Islanders’ frustrating loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, their offensive struggles, the decision to play Logan Stanley over Scott Mayfield, Anthony Duclair’s performance and whether the Isles did enough this offseason to move the franchise forward. They also answer listener voicemails on expectations for the Islanders, Rangers and Devils, how long it takes to truly evaluate a team, and the direction of the Islanders organization. Then, the conversation shifts to the Rangers after their opening-night loss to the Boston Bruins, including Braden Schneider’s future in New York, Albert Schmitz’s role on the blue line, the Rangers’ defensive structure, JT Miller’s postgame comments and breaking news of Dylan Garand being recalled from Hartford. Finally, the guys preview the Devils’ opener with bold predictions for Jack Hughes, Luke Evangelista, Luke Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Anthony Mantha and the Devils’ goaltending, plus thoughts on Amadeus Lombardi and Sunny Mehta’s early impact on New Jersey.
0:00 Intro
0:53 Which loss was worse: Rangers or Islanders?
2:23 Islanders’ third line gets exposed by Toronto
2:57 Arthur reacts to the Islanders’ opening loss
5:00 Logan Stanley over Scott Mayfield?
7:01 Mike Rupp on how lineup decisions impact a locker room
10:04 Islanders voicemail: When can you judge a team?
13:06 Devils, Rangers & Islanders point predictions
14:52 Did the Islanders’ loss feel too much like last season?
15:34 Anthony Duclair stands out for the Islanders
19:12 Islanders voicemail: Is the GM already on the hot seat?
21:17 What direction are the Islanders actually heading?
24:55 Islanders need to get younger
26:18 Rangers conversation begins
26:30 Rangers voicemail: Should Braden Schneider be traded?
28:02 Breaking down Schneider’s opening-night struggles
29:08 Could Schneider benefit from a fresh start?
31:29 Is Schneider the right partner for Albert Schmitz?
31:56 Should the Rangers change their defensive pairs?
33:12 What should the Rangers expect from Schmitz?
34:37 Rangers’ defensive structure & JT Miller’s comments
35:25 Dylan Garand recalled from Hartford
36:48 Devils season preview
37:02 Devils voicemail: 2026-27 season predictions
38:26 Ranking the Devils’ bold predictions
40:28 Mike Rupp’s Jesper Bratt 100-point prediction
42:34 Can Jack Hughes reach 100 points?
43:12 Amadeus Lombardi makes the Devils roster
43:39 Sunny Mehta’s early impact on New Jersey
45:03 bet365 Bet of the Day
46:09 Outro
Presented by bet365
#NHL #NYR #Isles #NJDevils #TriStateHockey
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30 Sept 2026
Episode 49: It's Always Sunny
New Jersey Devils general manager Sunny Mehta joins Arthur Staple and Mike Rupp on Episode 59 of the Tri-State Hockey Podcast to break down his first several months running the team, growing up as a Devils fan in New Jersey and now leading the organization he watched as a kid. Mehta takes us inside his aggressive first offseason as GM, his roster-building philosophy, the importance of healthy debate and collaboration inside a front office, what he learned from his time with the Florida Panthers, why the Devils targeted Luke Evangelista, and how he evaluates the unpredictability of the goaltending position. He also reflects on working alongside Devils legend Martin Brodeur and some of his favorite memories from New Jersey’s Stanley Cup years.
After the interview, Arthur and Rupper turn their attention to the rest of the Tri-State, breaking down the New York Rangers’ season-opening shutout loss to the Boston Bruins, what they liked despite the result, the early concerns surrounding New York’s scoring and the young players who stood out. They also preview the New York Islanders’ opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs, discuss the makeup of the Islanders roster, Mathew Barzal’s injury and missed training camp, and what his eventual return could mean for a team that needs his speed and offensive creativity.
00:00 Welcome to Episode 59
00:55 Devils GM Sunny Mehta joins the show
01:12 Growing up a New Jersey Devils fan
03:12 The Devils team that “got away” in 2001
04:21 Remembering the great Devils teams and the A-Line
05:43 Johnny Lazarus calls in with a question
06:58 Mehta’s aggressive first offseason as Devils GM
10:31 Why healthy debate matters inside an NHL front office
12:52 Lessons from Florida and adapting as the NHL evolves
14:25 Why New Jersey targeted Luke Evangelista
16:56 Sunny Mehta explains his goaltending philosophy
20:11 Martin Brodeur and the 2003 Conn Smythe debate
22:36 Reacting to Mehta’s vision for the Devils
25:30 Rangers shut out in their season opener
26:44 Should Rangers fans be concerned about the scoring?
27:22 A young Rangers defenseman makes an early impression
32:18 How New York improved its roster depth
34:37 Breaking down the Islanders entering opening night
35:25 Mathew Barzal’s injury concerns
38:28 Islanders vs. Maple Leafs preview
40:39 How difficult is it to return without a training camp?
43:00 Why the Islanders desperately need Barzal’s offense
44:30 Final thoughts and looking ahead
45:25 Bet365 picks and outro
Presented by bet365
#NJDevils #NYR #Isles #NHL #TriStateHockey #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkRangers #NewYorkIslanders #Hockey #NHLPodcast
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
13 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
14 ratings
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