Islanders Gameday: Resumed, The Battle of New York Has

by Dominik on Dec 16, 2009 6:30 AM EST in New York Islanders Previews Comment 38 comments

[Update: Per Botta, Roloson indeed in -- and Bruno Gervais scratched, pleasing a few readers I'm sure.]

Well how about that: Last year at this point, the Short Island Smurfs were 23 points above the Islanders. This year, the Rangers' hot start wasn't as long, their luck not as strong, so the oldest regional rivalry in the NHL resumes with each team at 31 points, though Sather's city boys possess a game in hand.

Episodes II and III of this year's New York Derby take place tonight and tomorrow. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pumped. I'd be disingenuous if I said I wasn't pissed that the Islanders played so vacuously Monday, as if looking past the Panthers toward this home-and-home.

Long Island Islanders (12-14-7) at Short Island Smurfs (14-15-3)
7 p.m. EST | Madison Square Garden | MSG, MSG+2, radio
Home of Misspent Youth: Blueshirt Banter

Of course, seeing Glen Sather's handiwork all over the Blueshirts is always a cheap, instant pick-me-up. We may assign inflated importance to these games -- and damn right, that's what fandom is all about. But no matter how big these derby games feel to either side, they can never be significant or influential enough to make the Redden or Drury contracts disappear. And that, why that is a beautiful thing.

Since these teams met in October -- the start of an Islanders four-game win streak -- the Islanders have gone 11-9-2. The Rangers in the interim have gone 6-12-2. They just got Brandon Dubinsky back from a broken hand, and John Tortorella is set to ride his top six forwards hard. But squeezed against the cap and now having demoted Matt Gilroy, it's hard not to see them as Marian Gaborik plus Henrik Lundqvist ... and a pile of dust.

If I'm honest, I still say Tortorella is a good coach who should be able to get that team to squeeze into the playoffs in the end. But the brand of hockey that sold me on Torts involved stars in Tampa Bay -- each of whom in 2004 was preferable to his Blueshirt counterpart in 2009.

But despite their struggles, the Rangers still score more (2.69 vs. 2.52) and give up less (2.97 vs. 3.12) than the Islanders. (And yet: The Rangers haven't scored more than two goals in 11 of their last 13 games.) The Smurfs' shots per game are higher (29.6 vs. 29.3), their shots conceded lower (30.2 vs. 33), and their special teams, too, are ranked higher (21.5%, 83.8% vs. 18.6%, 77.6%) than the Islanders.

Still, the old truism stands: This is a rivalry game, so throw all those stats out the window. Bring it.

Let's. Go. Islanders.

Prediction: The preponderance of evidence remains clear: 4-time Stanley Cup champ Denis Potvin still doesn't suck.

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Comments

This is our first meeting with Gaboric. I wonder which goalie gets the start tonight. Is this the night for Tavares’ first hat trick? It is ok to dream every once in a while, especially when your team is coming off of a 7-1 loss. They better prove that was simply an oversight to this game tonight.

The Whole Foods grocery store (headquarters in Austin, TX) near me has announced that they have an outdoor rink on top of their building. I went to see it and got a good laugh...but it is an outdoor patch of ice on top of a building in Austin, TX. I guess I should be impressed.

by metalcoconut on Dec 16, 2009 8:58 AM EST reply actions

I’m hoping yes on the hat trick and … Roloson for the tough(er) crowd?

Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.

by Dominik on Dec 16, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

Oh yeah, and do you sleep Dom? 3:30 AM? I guess you were a little wound up for this one, huh?

by metalcoconut on Dec 16, 2009 8:59 AM EST reply actions

pacific time, not all that late really for the right 1/2 of NA

why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?

by bob l on Dec 16, 2009 9:10 AM EST up reply actions

That is true. Good point Bob. I just saw the 3:30 and thought, " wow that is pretty late to be writing blogs, but then again it is about the matchup with the Rangers." LOL!

by metalcoconut on Dec 16, 2009 10:38 AM EST up reply actions

Not so much that I don’t sleep, but I rarely have any idea what time it is. It’s hard to make a sun dial out of the Islanders pocket schedule, but I get by.

Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.

by Dominik on Dec 16, 2009 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

I smell a sweep, to balance us out at 14-14

"So basically, the Stats make no sense whatsoever."

by WebBard on Dec 16, 2009 9:58 AM EST reply actions

1 of these games is going to be a 3-pointer, maybe both, if we stay out of the box, we can def snag 3 points in these 2 games

why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?

by bob l on Dec 16, 2009 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

Resumed the Battle of New York has?

Is this Dom or Yoda?

by BCISLEMAN on Dec 16, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply actions

For all the talk about Mary Ann G

losing Henrik would be FAR worse for the booshirts.

by BCISLEMAN on Dec 16, 2009 11:50 AM EST reply actions

Tonight

I will be attending tonight’s game in enemy territory. Hope to see some Rob Schremp hockey and participate in some rousing “Potvin Sucks!” chants.

by AP77 on Dec 16, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions

Awesome. Enjoy! Bring back casualties.

Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.

by Dominik on Dec 16, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

Participate in?

Are you sure you are an Islander fan? I mean I can understand not going nuts when the Islanders score for fear of getting baptized with somebody’s beer, but geez Louise!!!!

by BCISLEMAN on Dec 16, 2009 2:54 PM EST reply actions

awesome!

I hope this is the beginning of the end for Gervais in an Isles uniform! I know they want to jumpstart Comeau, but I question the wisdom of doing it at Okposos expense?! Until KO starts finding the back of the net consistently I think he has to be on the top line. Would it be Blasphemous to suggest Ko-JT-Comeauand move Moulson down? Or do we all concede the point that Moulsons only value exists on the same line as Tavares?

by Lakewood Islander on Dec 16, 2009 3:03 PM EST reply actions

Gervais has been unspeakably terrible this year. Also unfathomably awful: Witt, Sutton, FMIV, etc.

The Isles should not under any circumstances separate JT and Moulson.

Also, what is everyone harping on about with Comeau? He’s pretty much playing as expected, that is, badly. Never understood why people thought he was a good prospect. . . .he’s no Rob Schremp, that’s for damn sure.

by AP77 on Dec 16, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

Hey AP,...

shremp is garbage. Comeau has talent. Sutton has been pretty good this year. Witt looks done. In the long run I think its much more important to have KO get going than MM. I dont think its possible to disagree with that. Im saying temporarily KO must be with JT, and then you can decide between Moulson and Comeau for the 3rd spot

by Lakewood Islander on Dec 16, 2009 3:28 PM EST reply actions

You’ve got it exactly backwards between Schremp and Comeau. Schremp has vastly, vastly more offensive talent than Comeau. Comeau has no place playing on the first line of an AHL club or even a good junior team.

Neither is a particularly good prospect.

by AP77 on Dec 16, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

shremp is garbage. Comeau has talent.

I cannot reconcile those two statements.

MM and JT are completely complementary, so I’d never ever put Comeau in Moulson’s place. Moulson sets up residence in front of the net and converts, buying JT space; Comeau is still far, far, far too inclined to stick to the perimeter.

Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.

by Dominik on Dec 16, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

yeah, if Comeau has a place in the NHL

its as a third or fourth line grinder so he needs to set up shop in front of the net or be banging bodies on the boards. Not sold on Schremp yet at all. Lakewood has chutzpah pushing Andy to AP. Surprised AP showed such restraint.

by BCISLEMAN on Dec 16, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

if gordo can play sim on the 2nd line (and pp) then comeau can play on the 1st line – i guess

why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?

by bob l on Dec 16, 2009 4:00 PM EST reply actions

LOL. A slippery slope. Next step: Witt, on the PP, in front of the net. Oh wait — we’ve been there, too?

Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.

by Dominik on Dec 16, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

we could only get away with that because he’s so fast, he gets back in plenty of time…
…
…
…
…
to scoop the puck out of the net and flip it to the linesman

why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?

by bob l on Dec 16, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

Don’t forget Witt in the breakaway skills competition and just for fun Sim as a point man paired with Gervais.

by metalcoconut on Dec 16, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Ha.

A+

by AP77 on Dec 16, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

Just a quick thought, when your team is tied for dibbs on the 2nd pick in the draft it is hard not to find fault with about half of that team. We could argue skill set and talent until someone loses an eye but the truth is that they all have some weaknesses to a certain degree. The talent is progressing but when you look back at this team in about 2-3 years most likely you will laugh at the thought that you made a case for Comeau or Shremp. Point is that they will be an afterthought compared to the people that were drafted or signed as free agents. Unfortunately it is who we are stuck with for now.

by metalcoconut on Dec 16, 2009 4:40 PM EST reply actions

Correct, both are utterly marginal NHLers at best.

by AP77 on Dec 16, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

Oh yeah, definitely. We’re parsing over scraps here, for sure. I’m reminded that the team has papered over some glaring flaws to get to this decent showing … a showing that is both really close to 8th place and really close to the bottom.

Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.

by Dominik on Dec 16, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

comeau or shremp

comeau can pass,skate,kill penalties and finishes his checks.he is not the best finisher by a long shot but if he could take faceoffs i think he would be better off playing the pivot. I have yet to see the “Magic Hands” of Robbie Shremp. Lets remember that he was given a nice long shot somewhere else before they had enough and we picked him up. What exactly about this coaching staff leads you to believe that they can turn him around? dont tell me moulson because you all agreed that his only value is with JT.

by Lakewood Islander on Dec 16, 2009 4:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions

dont tell me moulson because you all agreed that his only value is with JT.

Whoa whoa whoa, let’s not mix up memos here. For me at least, I said Moulson and Tavares are a combo that works well and I wouldn’t separate — that is entirely different from implying he’s got no value without JT. That Moulson brings a lot to the table as a Kings castoff tells me something (again, banging me over the head with it) about the Islanders’ existing forward depth.

I don’t claim this coaching staff will turn Schremp around. It can be argued (and has quite a bit, actually) that he didn’t get the right shot under the right coaching in Edmonton, where he saw all of 7 NHL games in 3 years. I don’t know enough about that experience to claim he should have received more. What I do claim is that his hands are welcome on the powerplay, and if he can hold his own 5-on-5 then maybe that’s worth a trial here.

Comeau, on the other hand — well he can be a good 3rd or 4th liner if he improves his game. But he and Schremp have such different attributes that I don’t see them in the same conversation.

Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.

by Dominik on Dec 16, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

actually Sir Matt was never really given a chance to prove himself elsewhere

Gordon and Snow found a gem. Moulson would have been good on any roster given the chance.

by BCISLEMAN on Dec 17, 2009 1:21 AM EST up reply actions

sutton

i hated suttona as much as anyone when he cfirst came a few years ago. but i think he has improved in his twilight years. he is the only physical dman we have now that witt is finished

by Lakewood Islander on Dec 16, 2009 4:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I buy that. Not even sure if it’s improvement or simply that he’s been relatively healthy. I wouldn’t look to him to build a blueline, but given the Islanders’ depth, he’s one of their top three — and I’m not even trying to get AP’s irish up!

I wouldn’t re-sign him though. The Martinek Experience has soured me on viewing multiple injuries to random body parts as just bad luck. With the Islanders at least, it means somebody out there has a voodoo doll and is using it like a pro.

Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.

by Dominik on Dec 16, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

i thought sutton was 31,turns out he is 34 and counting,so by the time the isles could be contending he wont be here anyway. if so, wed might as well trade him for anything we can. What bothers me about that is that our D is bad enough as is and i dont like the idea of opposing forwards not having to worry about a big check from anyone anymore. do we have anhyone in the minors to fill that role? unless Richie Pilon can still lace up(he could never skate anyways) but wait pilon has been reincarnated in the uni-form of #32

by Lakewood Islander on Dec 16, 2009 5:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

What bothers me about that is that our D is bad enough as is and i dont like the idea of opposing forwards not having to worry about a big check from anyone anymore.

Indeed. I think the replacement(s) will have to come from outside. They may need to overpay, as they would have had to do with Komisarek last summer. Hopefully Hamonic is one guy, but a jump straight to the NHL is unlikely.

The idea of a washed up Pilon reincarnated as the current Witt will have me chuckling for a while here.

Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.

by Dominik on Dec 16, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions

wjc roster and our D

All this talk about our weak “D” just bodes well for a shot at Taylor Hall this year, but lets focus on the fact that two of the top six junior aged d-men in Canada are Islander prospects!

by since70too on Dec 16, 2009 6:45 PM EST reply actions

It is a beautiful thing — and a bonus that they are of two completely different, complementary styles.

Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.

by Dominik on Dec 17, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

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New York Islanders Roster

	#	Pos.	DOB	W	H
Josh Bailey	12	C	10/2/1989	188	6-1
Blake Comeau	57	RW	2/18/1986	207	6-1
Rick DiPietro	39	G	9/19/1981	210	6-1
Mark Eaton	0	D	5/6/1977	204	6-2
Mark Flood	4	D	9/29/1984	190	6-1
Bruno Gervais	8	D	10/3/1984	205	6-1
Trevor Gillies	14	LW	1/30/1979	215	6-3
Michael Haley	59	C	3/30/1986	202	5-11
Jack Hillen	38	D	1/24/1986	200	5-11
Trent Hunter	7	RW	7/5/1980	210	6-3
Milan Jurcina	0	D	6/7/1983	236	6-4
Anton Klementyev	48	D	3/25/1990	198	6-1
Dustin Kohn	56	D	2/2/1987	200	6-2
Zenon Konopka	0	C	1/2/1981	213	6-1
Andrew MacDonald	47	D	9/7/1986	188	6-1
Matt Martin	46	LW	3/8/1989	192	6-2
Radek Martinek	24	D	8/31/1976	203	6-1
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
P.A. Parenteau	0	LW	3/24/1983	198	6-0
Richard Park	10	RW	5/27/1976	190	5-11
Joel Rechlicz	40	RW	6/14/1987	220	6-4
Dylan Reese	42	D	8/29/1984	195	6-0
Dwayne Roloson	30	G	10/12/1969	180	6-1
Rob Schremp	13	C	7/1/1986	200	5-11
Jon Sim	16	LW	9/29/1977	195	5-10
Mark Streit	2	D	12/11/1977	197	6-0
John Tavares	91	C	9/20/1990	195	6-0
Doug Weight	93	C	1/21/1971	196	5-11
James Wisniewski	0	D	2/21/1984	207	6-0

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