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Islanders 4, Panthers 5* (SO): Just ban the 2nd period already

John Tavares was here.

More photos » J Pat Carter - AP

John Tavares was here.

This team likes its OT, doesn't it? Ten times in 20 games. WebBard did the dirty work, finding that post-lockout (shootout era), the 2006-07 Penguins went to OT 27 times. At this rate, the Isles will fly right by that mark and give us all three whole games' worth of extra hockey.

Game Sum. | Event Sum. | Recaps: nhl.com | Isles



Good news: They jumped out ahead quickly -- again. Bad news: They blew a multi-goal lead -- again (three games in a row; six so far in 2009-10). Bad news: The second period (particularly the 2nd half of it) about sunk them, again, as they were outshot 15-7 and outscored 3-0. Good news: They came back to tie it and resolve the game via their preferred method of choice, OT/shootout.

Best news: When the Islanders needed saving, down 4-2 in the 3rd after a couple of soul-crushing goals on each side of intermission, it was two familiar heroes to the rescue: Dear World, get used to hearing about John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. Fanboy me says: May they be Islanders for life.

Star-divide


This is a late recap and all -- I'm still recovering from last night as I skim through a recording of this game -- so I'll just add a few observations and let you bring up whatever comes to mind. On nights when I miss the live game, it's always fun coming back and reading y'all's in-the-moment thoughts from the game thread.

Hunter's Shot: Scoring with a heavy wrister from near the blueline to make it 2-0, Trent Hunter again reminds me why Scott Gordon called his the best release on the team. I again apologize for even daring to question that ranking.

Tavares's Instincts: Timing his approach for the second rebound on the powerplay, Tavares reminds us why all the scouts raved about him "from the hashmarks in" and were gaga over his offensive instincts. (Streit shoots from the point, Nielsen digs the rebound, JT buries it.) Some guys just smell where the puck is going to be, some have the ability to get into position for it, and a few have that and the knack to place it past goalies like Tomas Vokoun.

Frans Nielsen's Deke: Oh Frans, your shootout move mesmerizes me so. When will NHL goalies catch on?

Roloson's Night: Dwayne Roloson didn't look so good on the the first, second or fourth goals, but that will happen sometimes when you face 42 shots. (The third was an agonizing scramble of shadowing bodies around him, while the puck sat next to his pad with no one but the TV audience able to shout about it.)

Defensive Pairings: Rough night for the pairing of Brendan Witt and Freddy Meyer. Witt was on for two even-strength goals against and Frolik's powerplay goal. This is hardly a new observation, but: I'm resigned to part of the Islanders' on-going challenge being the search to make use of Witt, who provides strength but not mobility, and Meyer, who provides blips of both but is hardly elite in either. The Andy Sutton-Jack Hillen pairing is another version of this, though those two provide more of each attribute. Such is the depth hole left my Radek Martinek's injury.

Strong puck-handling defensemen who can also muscle off opposing forwards are hard to find, but if the Islanders ever get more of them {:cough: Hamonic}, I think Gordon's system is going to shine.

Up Next: Boston, Monday night. As I've learned when recording games this year, plan on adding 15 minutes for OT.

0 recs  |  Comment 7 comments |

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Why can’t we have a night where the offense clicks AND the goalie has a good night. The goalies are hot when we can barely score a goal, or we put up 4 or 5 goals and the goalie’s cold.

I was thinking about it (and many great things have come from that) and I don’t think Snow is about to trade/sign for a dman. I agree with this. I think the logic is that there is always going to be hurdles put in your way. In the future you won’t always be able to trade for someone or sign someone. I think this is a move by Snow to see how a young team reacts to adversary and to see how Gordon does. Also, the longer Snow can go without trading for a dman means the less likely people will try to fleece him for a dman.

by WebBard on Nov 15, 2009 2:48 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Also, the longer Snow can go without trading for a dman means the less likely people will try to fleece him for a dman.

On the other hand, if it starts to get ugly, then they’ll have a gun to his head. But generally I agree with this. It would be a better team with a better D-corps, but if it’s a given that they can’t seriously contend this year, then I’m fine with putting this squad through some tests — and I’m firm on not spending assets for a quick fix. A season of low expectations is the best time to give guys time and evaluate how they respond.

Snow can afford to be patient, keep an eye on the waiver wire (and Bridgeport), see what develops. (Another issue is, if we lose another D-man to long-term injury, necessitating replacement, Snow’s response very much depends on which D-man :knock on wood: got hurt.)

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Nov 15, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

'As I've learned when recording games this year, plan on adding 15 minutes for OT'

Are we several episodes into the sixth season of LOST already?

by ogam5 on Nov 16, 2009 12:06 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

'Lost'

This season is definitely as riveting, though not as maddening. And it’s all about … the Island, after all.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Nov 16, 2009 12:48 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

lets not confuse the two please…
on “Lost” : castaways benefit from magical healing properties
on NYI : they can’t stay healthy

on Lost: after escaping the island, they realize their mistake and want back on
on NYI : after escaping the island, they thrive in the FA $ market or in the KHL never to return

on lost : C harles W idmore is trying to regain control of the island
on nyi : C harles W ang is trying to create his own island on top of the existing one

why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?

by bob l on Nov 16, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Beautiful

and rec’d.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Nov 16, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Now I'm SURE of it.....

LOST, Maiden and Islanders fans – this looks like ‘home’ as much as any place I’ve ever been!

by ogam5 on Nov 16, 2009 2:36 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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Atlantic Standings

GP W L OTL PT
Pittsburgh 71 42 24 5 89
New Jersey 70 42 24 4 88
Philadelphia 70 37 28 5 79
New York Rangers 71 31 31 9 71
New York Islanders 71 29 32 10 68

(updated 3.20.2010 at 8:14 AM EDT)

New York Islanders Roster

# Pos. DOB W H
Josh Bailey 12 C 10/2/1989 188 6-1
Sean Bergenheim 20 LW 2/8/1984 205 5-10
Martin Biron 43 G 8/15/1977 180 6-3
Blake Comeau 57 RW 2/18/1986 207 6-1
Bruno Gervais 8 D 10/3/1984 205 6-1
Trevor Gillies 14 LW 1/30/1979 215 6-3
Jack Hillen 38 D 1/24/1986 200 5-11
Trent Hunter 7 RW 7/5/1980 210 6-3
Tim Jackman 28 RW 11/14/1981 210 6-4
Dustin Kohn 56 D 2/2/1987 200 6-2
Andrew MacDonald 47 D 9/7/1986 188 6-1
Matt Martin 46 LW 3/8/1989 192 6-2
Freddy Meyer 44 D 1/4/1981 192 5-10
Matt Moulson 26 LW 11/1/1983 206 6-1
Frans Nielsen 51 C 4/24/1984 172 5-11
Kyle Okposo 21 RW 4/16/1988 200 6-1
Richard Park 10 RW 5/27/1976 190 5-11
Dylan Reese 42 D 8/29/1984 195 6-0
Dwayne Roloson 30 G 10/12/1969 180 6-1
Jon Sim 16 LW 9/29/1977 195 5-10
Mark Streit 2 D 12/11/1977 197 6-0
Jeff Tambellini 15 LW 4/13/1984 186 5-11
John Tavares 91 C 9/20/1990 195 6-0

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