The New York Islanders are off to one of their worst starts since the 2013-14 season. Their third-period goal differential ranks among the NHL’s worst. Both their power play and penalty kill sit dead last, at 32nd of 32. The Islanders have allowed the opening goal in eight consecutive games and top the league in blown third-period leads with eight. Simply put, the Islanders are not enjoyable to watch right now.

Unfortunately, change doesn’t appear imminent. The Islanders remain one of the NHL’s older teams, with most of the roster locked into long-term, overpriced contracts. If you’ve decided to take a break from watching the Islanders, no one can blame you. Still, you might feel that familiar “itch” to watch hockey again soon. If you’re not interested in hate-watching the Rangers or Maple Leafs — or following one of the other 29 NHL teams — here are some alternatives to satisfy your hockey cravings.

1. The New York Sirens

The second season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) began on Nov. 30. Last year, the Sirens finished with the worst record in the six-team league. They ended the 24-game season with 26 points. Offseason changes have already paid dividends.

Head Coach Howie Draper departed and was replaced by Colgate’s Greg Fargo. The Sirens added talent through the draft, selecting forward Sarah Fillier with the first overall pick. Fillier has been a game-changer. Through the team’s first four games, she leads the PWHL in points (7) and assists (5).

Fillier has been joined by returning players Jessie Eldridge, Alex Carpenter, captain Micah Zandee-Hart and Corinne Schroeder. This mix of newcomers and veterans has made the Sirens a team to watch. Schroeder, the goalie, leads the league in wins, while Carpenter leads in goals. The Sirens currently sit atop the PWHL standings with eight points and a 2-1-0-1 record.

Although there’s plenty of hockey left to play, the Sirens are off to a promising start. Even if their pace slows, Carpenter and Fillier’s chemistry makes every game exciting. Despite being new teammates, they have an uncanny ability to find each other on the ice. Their skill and connection guarantee at least one jaw-dropping play per game.

If you’d like to watch a Sirens game, they’re free! All PWHL games stream live on YouTube. For traditional viewing, Sirens games are also broadcast on the MSG family of channels. Check your local listings for details. The Sirens return to action on Sunday, Dec. 22, hosting the Minnesota Frost. The puck drops at the Prudential Center in Newark at 12 p.m.

2. The Long Island University Sharks

If you’re looking for a local team, the Long Island University Sharks might fit the bill. Playing at the Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow, they remain Long Island’s only Division I college hockey program. Like the Sirens, the Sharks are a young team, and they’re having a solid 2024-25 season. Through 16 games, they hold a 9-6-1 record.

As an independent program, the Sharks aren’t part of any conference. This setup means no direct competition with other programs, but they compete against their own history. The Sharks have only completed three seasons and have never finished above .500. At 9-6-1, they have their best chance to achieve a winning season. By this time last year, the Sharks had already fallen below .500.

Their season has already been historic. On Oct 26, they took on Notre Dame in South Bend. Notre Dame was ranked the 17th-best team in the NCAA at the time. The Sharks not only kept up with the Fighting Irish, but they beat them. The Sharks, with the help of goalie Noah Rupprecht, dominated Notre Dame 5-2. It was the Sharks’ first win against a ranked opponent in program history.

Forwards Carter Rapalje and Onni Leppanen lead the charge. Rapalje, a senior, has 14 points in 16 games. Leppanen, a freshman, has been even more impressive, tallying 12 points in nine games. He leads the team in points per game (1.88). Goalie Ty Outen has also shined. The junior boasts a 5-1 record, a .919 save percentage and a 2.01 goals against average in six games. His statistics rank among the NCAA’s best, with his GAA in the top 20 and his SV% in the top 25.

As independents, the Sharks can’t compete for a postseason conference championship. However, their progress as a program in just four years is encouraging. The Sharks return to action on Sunday, Dec. 29, when they visit Brown University. The game streams on ESPN+ at 2 p.m.

3. Upcoming International Competition

If you don’t care for the NCAA, international hockey competition is just around the bend. The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship (WJC) begins on Dec 26. The USA looks to win gold for the second year in a row. The WJC, which takes place in Ottawa this year, features 10 teams: Canada, Finland, Germany, Latvia, The United States, Czechia, Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland. Players must be under the age of 20 in order to compete.

A few Islanders prospects are expected to compete this year. First, forward Jesse Nurmi will skate for Finland. Then, forwards Cole Eiserman and Danny Nelson will take the ice for their native USA during the tournament alongside projected 2025 first-overall pick James Hagens. Finally, Islanders goalie prospect Marcus Gidlof will suit up for Team Sweden. It may be worthwhile to keep an eye on their performance against the best each nation has to offer. You can watch the games on NHL Network or ESPN+.

Willing to wait a few months? The 4 Nations Face-Off will take place in Montreal this upcoming February. Professionals will be allowed at that event, but forward Brock Nelson will be the only member of the Islanders in attendance. That tournament will also be much smaller. Only the USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland will be participating.

Regardless of what you decide to do, there’s plenty of hockey to go around. Don’t feel forced to watch the New York Islanders blow third-period lead after power play after penalty kill after third-period lead. Changing the channel may be a healthy way to show management that fans aren’t satisfied with the Islanders’ on-ice product.

Featured image courtesy of David Banks/Imagn Images

Joey McAuliffe

Joey McAuliffe is a passionate Islander fan pursuing a Masters of Accounting in Buffalo, NY. His favorite player of all time is Jordan Eberle. He has followed the team closely since 2014, but he began regularly attending games during the 2006 season. Outside of hockey, Joey loves music and the Buffalo Bills.