Capitals 3, Islanders 2 (OT): Dignity amid loss
by Dominik on Oct 25, 2009 3:19 AM EDT
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Game Summary | Event Summary | nhl.com Recap | Isles Recap
"Given the way we were against Montreal, it's a huge step forward," Gordon said. "I honestly think that we've gotten some performances out of some players that we haven't seen in a while." [Isles site]...
"It's frustrating, but there was a lot more good than bad. ... It's not going to be easy for us, but we have to understand that and develop a killer instinct."
We're not selling kool-aid here, but we've got to recognize signs of improvement when they're there. Check out Chickendirt's FanPost for a bit about that and reasonable expectations for this early schedule. While this was yet another lost third-period lead, and yet another home OT loss to the Capitals -- it was also a genuine bounce back after the horror in Montreal, and by all accounts a hard-as-we-can performance against one of the league's elite teams.
How good was the opponent? The Capitals have now lost two one-goal games this season, one OT game and one shootout. That's the extent of their dropped points thus far. That's why I worried two periods isn't enough.
While skimming this one after the fact, I got an immediate sense things were different from the tone of the game thread (Thanks everybody for chatting it up: Those threads are fun as they happen, but afterward they're also useful -- and sometimes hilarious -- for me to see people's reactions to events.). Several things to take away from this one, and a few controversial topics to consider:
Sean Bergenheim: An agitating 5-on-5 effort befitting his potential, answering what we'd cried for? Sweet.
Scott Gordon: I mentioned "Press, Trap or Die Trying" somewhat tongue-in-cheek; but were the Isles trapping to stave off a Capitals comeback? That was the talk at Japers' Rink. (I'm an anti-trapite, but show me a trap and I'll show you an NHLer who claims that's what every team does to protect the lead. It's probably a matter of degrees.)
Nate Thompson: A knee on Mike Green. How bad was it?
Jeff Tambellini: That was one fine tip, sir -- one of four shots on the night. Smart hockey plays eventually breed good results.
The Top Line: In a rarity, they were held scoreless. Tavares and Matt Moulson were on the ice for the OT winner, but hey: Welcome to Mike Green's world. You'll be better prepared next time.
Faceoffs: 46-20 (?!) for 70% success. Tavares: 10-5; Nielsen: 11-6; Park: 15-6; Thompson: 5-0. Second time in three games that the Islanders dominated the faceoff tally. If this becomes a team strength, well that's gonna be a serious feather in the rebuild cap.
Penalty Kill: 4-for-4 plus Radek Martinek's shortie. What more can you ask?
Tying Goal: Bummer about the bounce off Josh Bailey, but it must be asked what Dwayne Roloson was doing there. Can't blame the team for focusing on Ovechkin, though -- he's kind of good.
Some positivity, from comments and such:
They’ll learn to hold these leads eventually. Just got beat by a more wiser and experienced team. The worm is gonna turn. Just a matter of time. --Chickendirt
From the other side:
But watching a group of guys bust their humps all night, throw themselves in front of shots, bear down and wins faceoffs, and park themselves in front of the opposing goaltender in the hope that they can eek out a win against a significantly more skilled team...that reminds me of why I fell in love with this game in the first place. Plus, truth be told, it feels pretty darn good to watch your team win against a team like that.
It's going to be a long season for the Islanders and their fans, but if the guys in Uniondale put forth an effort like they did tonight every night, they're going to be a very easy team to pull for.
Chris Botta fished some comments out of Brooks Laich, old-school Caps center:
"We have a lot of respect for that team. They work hard and are extremely well-coached. Teams talk a lot about working hard, but I don't think you can say that for every team in this league. The Islanders do."
Well, on the good nights, yes. And despite the loss which superficially followed a familiar formula, tonight was indeed one of those nights. I'm not going to complain there, given where this team is and what this roster is made of.
Next step: Turning this modest step forward into a vengeance win Monday night in Montreal.
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“It’s going to be a long season for the Islanders and their fans, but if the guys in Uniondale put forth an effort like they did tonight every night, they’re going to be a very easy team to pull for.”
Well said. I’ve been a fan of this team since I was 5 (28 years ago) and truth be told, through the ups and downs, this group is one of my favorite teams to wear the unis.
Great job with this site, guys, by the way. Joined this morning and will be reading from now on.
Does anyone here think DP has a shot to realistically help out this year?
by CharlieIsles on Oct 25, 2009 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Glad to hear it. Welcome aboard, and thanks for joining.
On DP: I’ve sort of committed to not thinking about it until it happens. Been through that stop-and-start so may times. Based on the latest reports, though, I do expect him to get some starts this year. Whether he has a chance of regaining NHL starter’s form is a mystery locked up in the biomechanics of that knee and hip(s).
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Oct 25, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Towards the end of the game the Caps made an adjustment, instead of their dmen carrying the puck out of the zone (with the exception being Green) they began shooting the puck up the boards as much as possible. I think the Islanders pressing was definitely getting to them.
The penalty for Nate Thompson on Green was a joke.
by WebBard on Oct 25, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That penalty was utter garbage. I remember this same scenario happening in the playoffs last year with the Caps on the giving end of this. Ovechkin hit Gonchar in the 2009 playoffs and got called for it but Ovechkin had his knee bent forward in the hit. I still think that was a clean hit but the hit from last night was obviously a case of Green stepping away from the check.
The Ovie v Gonchar hit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwxTrxESWjI
by metalcoconut on Oct 25, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe it sounds crazy, but THIS is the game to model after and build upon, not the Canes game. Sure we lost this one and won that one, but this was a full-on effort and an unbelievable relief to watch after that disaster in Montreal.
Im really proud of the Isles in that game. If they Isles play like that, they will win more and more. Their effort was outstanding. There was no collapse, no bumbling in the third, no skating around like idiots, just a bad break of a bounce off of Joshs skate. Without that bounce, the Caps walk away from this game with nothing… which is what they deserved given their play.
If the Isles play this same kind of game in the Habs rematch, the Isles are going to kick ass. We will see which team we get that night!
Lets go Islanders...
by TheMetalChick on Oct 25, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BINGO!!!!!
You just nailed it right on the head.
All in all the Isles got beaten by a more experienced team.
by Chickendirt on Oct 25, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Isles have to stop playing to the level of competition. It appears that the more good teams they play the more they will understand what level of hockey it takes to succeed in this league. After watching last night it was easy to see how they were being creative and enjoying the game for approximately 50 minutes. Once Washington went down by 2 the Isles started caved to the Washington pressure. They tightened up way too much. Rollie was right in his post game interview. Perhaps with a little more playing time against the Pens, Caps, Rangers (gulp!…I hate saying that) and a few western elite teams the youngsters can get a better feel for what it takes to finish off a team and win.
I really hate to use this over used quote as an anology but as Gretzky has said about their cup final against the Isles in 83 they had to walk past the Isles locker room to witness all of the ice bags, whirlpools, trainers at work in the Isles locker room to physically see what it took to win. This isn’t all that much different other than it is on a lower level and you many more youngsters than what were on that Edmonton team.
It will take time but that performance last night, In my opinion was the best game they have had so far regardless of the win. That is a GREAT sign coming off of the worst performance of the season. It shows that they have heart and that is the best start yu can hope for.
by metalcoconut on Oct 25, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well at least they are getting points out of this years’ 3rd period slumps. So even though it isn’t amounting to much so far, it is actually progress. Last year around this time they were blowing the leads and losing in regulation time. This shows they are making pains to avoid that. And again it’s not amounting to much at the moment but it’s a sign of acknowledgement that they are finding answers to some of their problems. This overspeed or whatever you call it has been around for awhile with the isles. I feel Nolan was utilizing it too. And it was pretty formidable then. Of course you had ppl like Blake constantly attacking, Sillinger cycling well, Hunter was battling, (and even thou many don’t like him) Satan was sniping. Now grant it they weren’t the best, they simply made it to the first round. But with DiP thrown in net behind them the Isles were solid.
So I do feel the overspeed can work. And if they can get over the 3rd period lag from it, that strategy can counteract the majority of other team’s strategies.
by LI2Brnx on Oct 25, 2009 4:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
And you know what I like the optimism that we everyone is showing here because I feel it requires alot of patience and understanding to back this team these days. (or even perhaps since the days of Turgeon. Which was perhaps the last time it seemed like they could go all the way I feel. And yeah he was a personal fav of mine too!)
by LI2Brnx on Oct 25, 2009 5:01 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
And you know what I like the optimism that we everyone is showing here. I feel it requires alot of patience and understanding to back this team these days.
Yeah, I mean everything is relative to expectations, and in that sense I’m committed to patience and looking for little bits of progress. It’s the only way, because like you implied, this is basically the first time since 1993 that the Islanders have committed to rebuilding the right way. That requires a lot of patience, and also a recognition that there is a lot of damage to undo, made even more challenging by the team’s uncertain financial situation.
Stinkers like the Montreal game — that always requires a tongue-thrashing. But otherwise, a game like the Caps game you can take a lot from (as everybody in this thread has been saying).
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Oct 25, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey
|
58 | 36 | 20 | 2 | 74 |
|
Pittsburgh
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59 | 35 | 22 | 2 | 72 |
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Philadelphia
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57 | 29 | 25 | 3 | 61 |
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New York Rangers
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New York Islanders
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58 | 23 | 27 | 8 | 54 |
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Nashville
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Pittsburgh
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Wed 02/10 | 7:30 PM EST |
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Tampa Bay
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Sat 02/13 | 2:00 PM EST |
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Ottawa
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Sun 02/14 | 5:00 PM EST |
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Chicago
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Tue 03/02 | 7:00 PM EST |
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Carolina
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Sat 02/06 | L 1 - 3 |
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Tampa Bay
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Thu 02/04 | L 2 - 5 |
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Florida
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Sun 01/31 | L 0 - 2 |
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Philadelphia
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Sat 01/30 | L 1 - 2 |
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Carolina
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Thu 01/28 | L 1 - 4 |
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