For the first time since 2007, there will be playoff hockey at the Nassau Coliseum this spring.

After finishing dead last in the Atlantic Division last year, the Islanders clinched a playoff spot last week and currently have a hold on the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference with two games to play. The Isles are young and talented up front — John Tavares ranks third in the NHL with 27 goals — and surprisingly sturdy in net, with veteran Evgeni Nabokov boasting modest stats but winning a conference-best 23 games.

Let’s just hope they leave those hideous black sweaters on the shelf come playoff time.

Andy Brickley thinks these inexperienced Islanders were the team that benefited most from this lockout-shortened, 48-game season. To see what Jack Edwards and Billy Jaffe have to say about that, check out the video above.

As the NHL season concludes its final week of the regular season, it is time to start debating some award winners.

On Tuesday, Billy Jaffe, Dale Arnold and Barry Pederson debated as to which coaches and players would take home hardware at the conclusion of the season.

The Jack Adams trophy has a clear-cut favorite according to The Instigators, and Patrice Bergeron deserves strong consideration for the Selke award as well. The Calder Trophy winner could also be a surprise.

Check out the video above to see Billy, Dale and Barry make their picks for this year’s NHL awards.

Two and a half weeks remain in the NHL season, but it’s never too early to start talking about awards.

The Instigators talked about the Jack Adams Award and the Calder Memorial Trophy on this week’s “Two Minutes for Instigating.” Barry Pederson thinks that Paul MacLean should win the Jack Adams if the Senators make the playoffs. If Ottawa misses the cut, Pederson says the award should go to Michel Therrian for the job he’s done with the Canadiens this season.

Check out the video above to hear Jack Edwards‘ and Billy Jaffe‘s take on the Jack Adams, and to see who The Instigators think should win the Calder out of Jonathan Huberdeau, Cory Conacher, Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher.

Thumbnail photo via Facebook/Ottawa Senators

The trade deadline has passed and the shortened NHL season is closing in on its last few weeks. With that in mind, The Instigators gave fans their picks for the respective Eastern and Western Conference champions.

Although many may view Jack Edwards as a “homah,” Jack likes the Pittsburgh Penguins out of the East and the darkhorse Minnesota Wild out of the West. Jack likes the Penguins to knock off the Wild in his Stanley Cup Final.

Andy Brickley and Billy Jaffe believe in (or at least hope for) a Boston and Chicago final. Brickley cites Sidney Crosby‘s injury and Pittsburgh’s questionable goaltending as the reasons why he thinks the Bruins will prevail in the East. He might not be sure about who will win a Chicago/Boston final, but he thinks “it’s going seven.”

Barry Pederson also likes the Bruins to come out of the East. However, he the versatile Ducks are the best fit to win the West. Both Boston and Anaheim possess solid goaltending, and Ducks netminder Jonas Hiller has been successful all season. 

Check out the video above to see all The Instigators had to say about the Stanley Cup playoffs looming ahead.

As Andy Brickley flatly says, “The Montreal Canadiens are a really good team.”

As things stand as of Tuesday in the Northeast Division, Montreal and Boston are tied atop the standings with 45 points apiece — also having played the same number of games. So it’ll be a dead heat going down to the wire for the division banner, but there’s still a sense among some that perhaps Montreal is playing over its head, and isn’t quite as good as the team’s record indicates.

Well, put that notion to rest, says the crew of the NESN.com exclusive segment “Two Minutes for Instigating.” Behind goaltender Carey Price and a plethora of emerging players both on offense and defense, this is a team that’s not going away. Check out the debate in the video above.

What’s wrong with the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Since jumping out to a hot start this season, the Leafs have fallen back to the pack and currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference — just three points ahead of the ninth-place New York Rangers. But what’s to blame? The Instigators all seem to agree that the goaltending has been solid, but Dale Arnold thinks the team is missing a high-end scorer, while Billy Jaffe faults a lack of toughness on the blue line.

Check out the debate in the video above.

With an 11-14-1 record, suffice it to say things haven’t gone as planned for the Washington Capitals. Currently seven points out of a playoff spot with just 22 games remaining on their schedule, the situation is getting dire in the District of Columbia.

But what is it, exactly, that’s wrong down in D.C. Is it the subpar play of supposed superstar Alex Ovechkin, or is it that the team has too many grinders and not enough skill players? The crew of The Instigators Live took a little extra time after their regularly scheduled broadcast to debate this very subject just for you loyal NESN.com readers.

Check out the back-and-forth in this edition of Two Minutes for Instigating.

The question posed to the crew of The Instigators Live on this edition of “Two Minutes for Instigating” on Thursday revolved around the Bruins-Flyers rivalry, specifically whether it’s much of one anymore.

The two squads have yet to meet this year, but will square off against one another this Saturday at TD Garden. The animosity between the two clubs has been fueled in recent seasons by some fierce playoff battles, and that’s why Jack Edwards argues that the two still love to beat on each other.

What do you think of the rivalry? Check out the video above the The Instigators’ breakdown.

It feels like the season just started, but the NHL’s trade deadline is right around the corner. That means it’s time for The Instigators to debate who may be dealt and what teams may be looking to buy.

Jarome Iginla has been with Calgary a long, long time, and although he possesses a no-trade clause, he might be a veteran who would agree to a move for a chance at a Cup run. Stephen Weiss, who the Bruins just saw in Florida, is another player who could well be on the move. And don’t overlook the Bruins to pick someone up, as they have a legitimate shot at a deep playoff run and the cap space to take on some talent.

Check out the video above for your weekly dose of Two Minutes for Instigating.

What happened to the Florida Panthers?

Just a year ago, they were one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. Although Florida didn’t make it far in the playoffs, they battled hard in the first round against the eventual conference-champion New Jersey Devils, so the team looked to be on the upswing. Not so fast, as this year the Panthers have the worst goal differential in the NHL, as the team struggles with numerous injuries and porous goaltending.

Check out what the crew of The Instigators Live had to say about the Panthers’ woes in the video above.

The Buffalo Sabres were expected to contend with the Bruins for the Northeast Division title this season. Instead, they’ve sputtered out of the gate and could be due for a changing of the guard.

The fans in upstate New York are getting restless, and if the team doesn’t turn things around quickly, then it could cost a select few their jobs. Coach Lindy Ruff and general manager Darcy Regier are certainly both on the hot seat, and this shortened season means time is running out for the Sabres to right the ship.

Billy Jaffe, Jack Edwards and Brian Leetch sat down on The Instigators to discuss the Sabres’ woes, with the trio wondering if it might be time for the franchise to move on from its current management. Check out what they had to say in this week’s “Two Minutes for Instigating” clip.

This shortened season has already provided us with a multitude of fights from the Bruins — almost double the amount of fights they had last year — but the question remains if this is a trend that will remain consistent or if the altercations will decrease.

It is hard to say if the spike in clashes is due to extra energy the guys have from the lockout or if it is a result of teams toughening up, like Buffalo. But whatever the reason may be, the B’s concern lies in whether this could eventually wear their team down.

The Bruins typically share the responsibility to prevent getting burnt out as Shawn Thornton, Milan Lucic, Gregory Campbell and Adam McQuaid have all dropped the gloves this season, and so far the fighting seems to be paying off for the team.

Check out the video above to see if the crew of The Intigators thinks the high number of fights will continue throughout the rest of the season.

Claude Julien has his team playing some of their best hockey of the season as they head into the postseason. But a first round matchup with perennial 100-point scorer Alex Ovechkin and last year's No. 1 seed Washington Capitals should keep the Bruins on high alert, at least to kick off this playoff season.

After playing in 15 of the Bruins 17 games during the month of March, Tim Thomas was finally alotted a breather to close out the season. Thomas played in, and won, both of the games he played in April and took a much-needed break over a six-day stretch to finish off the year. A fresh Thomas should help the Bruins, at least to start off the postseason, especially considering the anticipated lengthy run back to the finals.

Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara were also given a night off, after the Bruins officially clinched the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Resting some of their core players should instill the B's with a heightened sense of focus and some fresh legs heading into the home stretch. Not to mention that the B's are likely to see both Johnny Boychuk and Tuukka Rask return to the team during the first round.

With the fresh legs and four days off before the start of the series, the B's are hoping to capitalize on their experience and take down Washington from the get-go.

The Instigators agree, but whether the Bruins sweep or take it seven games, they'll have plenty to talk about before the game gets underway on Thursday. But you still have a chance to be a part of the conversation. Write in to have Jack, Brick and the gang answer your questions.

Submit a question by clicking here or leave your question in the comments section below. Then, tune in Thursday night at 10:30 p.m. after NESN Daily to see if your question is answered.

After clinching the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference early last week, the Bruins have taken a bit of a breather and decided to rest some of their core players. But don't expect that attitude to maintain on Saturday.

Claude Julien and the B's head into their season finale on Saturday afternoon in a showdown with the now playoff-irrelevant Buffalo Sabres. The game doesn't mean anything for either team, but the Bruins are expected to re-insert some of their regulars into the lineup for somewhat of a playoff primer.

Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller is likely to sit out the finale at the TD Garden, but after two games off Tim Thomas is expected to be back between the pipes heading into the postseason.

Billy Jaffe, Barry Pederson and The Instigators take a look towards Saturday's finale and discuss what the Bruins should do with their stars in preparation of the elimination stages.

Check out the video above to hear just what the crew thinks of the B's final game.

Claude Julien has already given Tim Thomas a night off and Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara are expected to get a breather of their own on Thursday in Ottawa. The time off should help clear up any lingering bumps and bruises for some B's players entering a grueling stretch that Boston fans hope extends well into June.

While some Bruins players get their rest, others remain questionable heading into the elimination stages. Defenseman Johnny Boychuk was lost to a knee injury on Tuesday, and his status remains up in the air for the rest of the season. Nathan Horton, who's been out with a lingering concussion since mid January, provided some positive news in light of Boychuk's injury. Horton returned to the ice for some skating on Wednesday and at the very least boosted some hope for a playoff return.

There is no current timetable for either Boychuk or Horton's return to the team, but there will certainly be speculation surrounding both players as the games wear on.

There are a lot of questions afloat, as the Bruins head into their first-round series with Ottawa. So The Instigators will have plenty of topics to discuss on Thursday night. But you still have a chance to be a part of the conversation. Write in to have Billy, Barry and the gang answer your questions.

Submit a question by clicking here or leave your question in the comments section below. Then, tune in Thursday night at 10:30 p.m. after NESN Daily to see if your question is answered.

The Boston Bruins clinched a playoff spot on Friday night, albeit through a Buffalo Sabres loss. But even with the playoff spot secure, now is no time to start slacking off.

Claude Julien has this Bruins team in line to capture the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and home ice advantage throughout at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers are still nipping on their heels, though, so the B's need to continue playing at a high level and lock down that home ice.

Andy Brickley, Jack Edwards and the gang sit down for a session of The Instigators to discuss the B's need to close out that seed and prime up for the playoffs this weekend.

Check out the video above for reaction from Jack, Brick, Billy Jaffe and Mark Mowers.

With just six games remaining, including Thursday night at home against the reeling Washington Capitals, the Bruins are finding chemistry on the ice as injured players return and line combinations turn out strong results.

Rich Peverley's return has produced a burst not only offensively but also for team morale as the B's look healthier than they have for a while. And the line that boasts Benoit Pouliot, Chris Kelly and Brian Rolston has been taking Boston to an extra level, especially in wins over the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning.

After several starts and stalls this season, where the Bruins won a couple or looked strong for a bit before receding into lackluster losses, Boston is looking to keep the engine running at full speed over the next week, with a high seed and a favorable first-round matchup being the highest priorities.

The Instigators have plenty to talk about this week, but you still have a chance to tell them what you think the most pressing concerns are for the Bruins headed into the final stretch. Write in to see if they'll have something to say about your questions.

Submit a question by clicking here or leave your question in the comments section below. Then, tune in Thursday night at 10:30 p.m. after NESN Daily to see if your question is answered.

Before the season, the Los Angeles Kings were expected to be one of the top teams in the NHL. Some 70-plus games later and the Kings are fighting desperately to even grab a playoff spot.

This has clearly been an underwhelming season for the guys from LA, but at least one positive has arisen through all the mediocrity. The team added forward Jeff Carter from Columbus at the NHL trade deadline, and the young gunner has had a major impact on the Kings’ culture and energy.

The Instigators tried to break down the Kings season on Thursday with two good minutes of analysis. Tom Caron, Barry Pederson and the crew focused in on Carter’s influence on the team and the Kings outlook against the Bruins this weekend.

Check out the video above for all of the instigating talk about Carter and the Kings, as the B’s look to pay them a visit Saturday night.

But, boy, have we been there before. After back-to-back wins in the first week of March, the Bruins proceeded to lose four games in a row, three of which were on the road.

Now the Bruins are headed into a stretch of road games out west. They are scheduled to face San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim before returning to the Garden for matchups with the Lightning and Capitals.

The three-game road trip could prove favorable or fatal for the Bruins' hopes for late-season momentum.

With Boston's newest acquisitions finally meshing with the rest of the team, getting away from the spotlight of the home city could give the B's a chance to solidify those bonds.

Then again, the extra travel could wear the team down with only six games left to play in the season. Worse still, the Bruins are in a tight race for first place in the division and home ice advantage in the playoffs. A loss of focus, energy or momentum because of the road trip could mean a tougher postseason opponent in an unfriendly arena.

Needless to say, the stakes are high. With such intensity, The Instigators should have a lot to look forward to during the home stretch of the regular season. But you still have a chance to be a part of the conversation. Write in to have Billy, Barry and the gang answer your questions.

Submit a question by clicking here or leave your question in the comments section below. Then, tune in Tuesday night at 10:30 p.m. to see if your question is answered.

A pair of back-to-back wins in Toronto and then at home over Buffalo seemed to have Claude Julien and the B’s back to their early season success. But a visit from Washington over the weekend proved too challenging as a 4-3 defeat killed all the buzz, followed by a miserable showing in Pittsburgh has led to questions of Boston’s ability to contend for another Stanley Cup.

David Krejci (3 goals) and Tyler Seguin (2 goals and 3 assists) have had big weeks offensively, while young Jordan Caron has added in a healthy eight points in his past five games to help steady the attack.

Meanwhile, playing in his ninth straight game, Tim Thomas showed signs of rust over the weekend allowing four goals on Saturday against the Capitals and then allowing three goals in the first period against Pittsburgh on Sunday. New netminder Marty Turco played valiantly in relief on Sunday, but Tuesday’s game offered up a very different result for the 36-year-old signee.

The injury bug has gotten the best of the B’s in recent days as well. With Nathan Horton and Rich Peverley‘s absences already thinning out the Boston lines, both Patrice Bergeron and Johnny Boychuk went down over the weekend with minor injuries and could be on the mend in the coming days.

There should be plenty for The Instigators to talk about after the Bruins trip to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. But, they still need a little help, which means there’s still time for Billy, Barry and the gang to answer your questions.

Submit a question by clicking here or leave your question in the comments section below. Then, tune in Tuesday night at 10:30 p.m. to see if your question is answered.