Devils 4, Islanders 2: Tough posts, tough 3rd, tough night
by Dominik on Jan 24, 2010 3:35 AM EST
in New York Islanders Game Recaps
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PrintPretty crazy to hit three posts and outshoot the opposition 14-1 in the 2nd period and only emerge from it tied 2-2. That par result was thanks to the Devils' only 2nd-period shot bouncing past Rick DiPietro during the final minute of the period. Of course, follow that up by allowing the Devils to control things in the third (outshooting the Islanders 14-3), and that's what you get: A 4-2, tough-luck loss and missed opportunity.
Game Sum. | Event Sum. | Corsi | Recaps: nhl.com | Isles | ILWT
Sincere thanks to everyone in the game thread in my absence. I saw Garth Snow, Doug Weight (and even Neil Smith! Seriously?) were brought up, and I must say I don't quite follow that. The Islanders are building something here that takes years, something no single game changes. From what I saw on replay, it looked like a game that could have easily gone the other way. I'm not going to cry over a team that's gone 7-3 in its last 10 games.
As for Weight: Well, he's respected in the locker room, his return to the lineup has been a boost, and at no point in his career has he been a major goalscorer -- no reason to expect him to start tallying goals at age 39. (Of Weight's 1,017 NHL points, 275 are goals.) Oh, and the Isles are 7-3-1 since he returned to the lineup Dec. 31.
My focus turns to Sean Bergenheim -- thankfully he returned to the game. So ... automatic two-game suspension for Colin White, right? That's the standard established earlier this week by Colin Campbell's team? At least the Islanders got to work on that major powerplay, converting twice on slightly broken plays (John Tavares's muffed pass to Kyle Okposo converted, Jack Hillen's shot trickling over the line.)
Game Highlights
Not much more to add for this one since I'm recapping on the run. But I saw Chris Botta noted that the Isles got an extra 22 seconds on the 5-minute major because Jacques Lemaire didn't have White's replacement in the box. Really now ... really now ... twice in the same season for the Isles? Just bizarre. I must confess, sometimes long-established NHL coaches are just far smarter than I.
Bottom Line
The first period was tepid, and the third period was a blown chance to build off the success in the second. I mention the Islanders' hitting the iron, but the Devils won two periods of this contest. The Isles didn't apply their game for a full 60 minutes. Still, this one will go down as a missed opportunity -- hopefully, an early lesson for a team that's building something that goes well beyond this year.
Now the Islanders have an almost luxurious two days off in this Olympic year before the Capitals visit Tuesday in Andy Sutton's return.
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Gotta SAY it, Dom......
…..I’m as scared as anyone who posted last night that, as magical as Snow’s skills have appeared to be as GM, if this team doesn’t make the playoffs after all, will they have forfeited a good pick come June? Certainly most, if not all, of us don’t want them to merely ‘tank’ but how much damage will be done to the newly-gained hope and morale of these fans who were wary not even a month ago (and as we both know, not entirely without cause)? THAT, I suspect, is why such games are even more frustrating to those who’ve been away for a while – and even, to a lesser extent, those who have stuck it out through thick (headed; Milbury) and thin (walleted; Spano & The Gang Of Four)…..
Draft Skill
Winning is better for the development of this young team than this years draft position. We aren’t bad enough to finish in the bottom five lottery. Outside the top five picks, drafting 18 year olds is a crap shot, so the 14th pick can get you a better player than the 7th anyway, depending on the skill/luck of the SnowJank brain. There are 6+ teams wishing the picked Tyler Myers when the had the chance, (likely this years Caulder winner) who went 12th in 08. Seeing this young team winning this early in the rebuild shows the quality of the team Garth is building, far better then the number 8 pick. Go Isles!
IT’S STARTING TO LOOK LIKE 1975.
The reason I’m not worried is that its pretty obvious Okposo, Bailey, Tavares will keep getting better. The Drafts have also given us Harmonic, De Haan and the other promising Dman whose name I keep forgetting. Even if we have a bad draft next year, this is obviously a team on the rise which should continue getting better.
Plus not everything is about the Draft. Snow has already shown a talent in signing FA’s and using waivers. Streit, Moluson, Schremp weren’t the biggest names to sign or pick up, but they’ve definitely proven their worth.
"So basically, the Stats make no sense whatsoever."
Draft
There comes a time in a team’s development where their ranking i the draft takes less precedent and I think this team getting to that point. The team has a solid core of players to build around; as stated above some key FA’s (Butch Goring/John Tonelli types) could bring this team closer to being a perennial contender.
Since it was Colin White I think even clueless Campbell will go with some consistency for once and give 2 games. Though I’m holding out for no games so I have something to laugh about.
Tank meets bubble
I know it’s a lot of highs and lows — I suspect with the tight East and the NHL’s 3-point regime it will be like this well into the Olympic break — but I’m pretty appeased by the way things are going.
Granted, if you’re bottoming out then it’s nice to get one of those top 2-3 picks and get a franchise star who can help right away; the Isles had that last year, Carolina and/or Edmonton look to have that this year. But once you’ve moved beyond that to bubble land, well the team has to play to win and learn from its lumps and successes each night. As others have said, you can still luck out throughout the first round of the draft, and the Isles already have a stable of promising young could-be stars to build around.
I’m pleased they’ve stayed in the race this long, boosted in large part by the last 14 games. Chicago has an admirable team right now, but the nine years of misery they went through before getting it right is not the way to go.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Psychology
I am fully aware I have no right to feel this way at this point but it is sooooooo frustrating knowing with a win we couldve been 6th but instead we are in 10th. It doesn’t matter much, but there has to be a psychological jolt to playing when you have a number next to your teams name and knowing you control your own destiny, hopefully we get that number back in short order, we seem to play the caps, and everyone by Philly, well these days.
Claude LaPointe didn't make as good a pun, sadly.
by LaChance at Glory on Jan 24, 2010 2:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Buying or selling
will depend on the next few weeks. If this team can get to 70 points by the break, it will be comfortably in position to contend. I would not go crazy with buying. A lesser pick or two on UFAs like Raffi Torres or Milan Jurcina. If the team has less than say 65 points, its time to sell and any UFA is fair game.
Bergenheim
I actually got to watch last night’s game, the Rangers were on the NHL network and no Knick game meant I got to see a Devil-Islander game on MSG. It’s like all the moons of Jupiter have to align for me to actually see an Islander game where they are not playing the Rangers.
Anyway, I was very impressed with Bergenheim. Not afraid to go in the corners and muck, not afraid to go into traffic with the puck. Plays a very unselfish game but unfortunately his hard work went for not a lot of times because his line mates were either falling back or late to the party. Give him a good shooter with some balls to go in the middle and that line could do some damage.
Flyers lose in regulation to Pens
So all in all a good day for the Isles. Thanks Pittsburgh. Flyers one point up on Isles in standings with one game in hand. Every bit helps.
The Devils didn't play much better than the Isles in the 1st period
They were just throwing shots at DP early but I thought Isles had the better of chances. The goal scored was a result of KO not clearing the puck. DP played well just unlucky for the most part. Some members on this club have to pick up their game. How about letting Meyer go and keeping Kohn on the roster with Witt as a spare part? JT ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
JT
I think the Olypic break will be good for JT. He looks tired, the adjustment to the rigors of NHL life is tough on a 19 year old.
Welcome Back Jets Fans
Nice season but well they are the Jets. The good news is you have a team on Long Island only one point out of a playoff spot and plenty of good seats available at NVMC the rest of the schedule.
By the way never have anyone make AFC Championship shirts available to the public before you play the game. Those shirts can be sent to a poor central african nation for good use. Please don’t mad at Eli for cheering on the Colts, after all family comes first. So don’t kick that dog and cheer on your playoff contending NY ISLANDERS!
Bruins losing 3-0 to Canes in 2nd
Bruins broadcaster on NESN is doing the sky is falling skit. “The worst team is the league is running the Bruins out of the building” “Tampa Bay in 13th place is just two points behind” “Bruins were just in 5th place a few days ago”. “Bruins could be in 13th place the next time they take the ice of they don’t rally”. LOL
Can't stand Edwards or Brickley
most annoying tandem in the NHL.
Edwards takes the cake for the most unlistenable.
Agreed
I spend a lot of time in Rhode Island and when I want to watch hockey, I’m stuck with NESN. Between those two and Milbury as their Butch Goring, it’s pretty abysmal. I’ve found myself turning the volume off and playing music on my iPod (Tip, this also works for any ESPN baseball breadcast).
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla I am coming!
by David Hanssen on Jan 24, 2010 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
Boston & Carolina
With Boston dropping like a rock in the standings and Carolina winning, Will these two teams switch places in the standings soon?
Lets Go Islanders!!!!
Kind of hard to make up that much ground
Does make life easier for the Isles. I don’t even see the Bruins a threat anymore for the playoffs. Ottawa is back now that Alfredsson and Spezza are healthy. Philadelphia has been really good as of late. Montreal has unreal goaltending. Rangers look like they are ready to fall apart . Panthers are strong but I think missing Horton will hurt. Thashers are a question mark since a huge trade could happen any day now in Atlanta. Lightning are very good but defense and goaltending is a question mark.
Going to be a tough go for Isles to make the playoffs but at least they are in it and that’s more than we can say than last year.
I was just thinking of the movie Bull Durham, where “crash” Davis tells the rookie picture “I’m taking it one game at a time”
Thats was the NESN anouncer said just before the period started.
Then Carolina scoed, and its “lets see who we can trade” LOL
Lets Go Islanders!!!!
Edwards makes me ill. He’s like employing a radio sports shockjock as your play-by-play man. So over the top it’s unlistenable.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
HA HA! They are talking the draft
Too bad we don’t play the Bruins soon
and the Leafs might pass them soon
I assume they have their own pick as well. The Bruins still have cap issues. Drafting high priced unproven early 1st rounders who will get bonus money may not be so great for them.
On WEEI this weekend they were actually discussing whether the Bruins should trade the pick they got from Toronto for Kovalchuck. Seriously. I used to think that B’s fans were at least rational and knowledgeable (based on spending a lot of time in Rhode Island, attending Babby B’s games), and lately they are really making me reconsider my opinion.
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla I am coming!
by David Hanssen on Jan 24, 2010 7:46 PM EST up reply actions
I used to think that B’s fans were at least rational
My rule of thumb: Every fanbase has smart fans. No radio station has smart callers.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Unless the Leafs continue to tank and the Oil finds some life, I suspect that the Canes will climb to #3 overall, the Bs Toronto pick will be #2, and the Oil will grab Hall at #1. Bs probably grab Fowler as they are already quite deep at C. Be interesting to see who they get with their own first rounder.
They still do have their own 1st rounder, as well as their and Toronto’s 2nd. They might be getting quite the haul in this years draft.
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla I am coming!
by David Hanssen on Jan 24, 2010 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
That’s true but they are built to win now. If Boston has to spend cap money on bonus monye to top prospects who will take a few years to develop they will be maxed out with little ability to add depth.
depth is not a problem for the Bs
they are stacked. This draft is only going to add to it. The Boston Globe http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2010/01/24/keeping_toronto_pick_looks_like_the_big_deal/ states that Chiarelli is not likely to trade the picks. If he gets either Hall, Seguin, or Fowler and adds a mid first rounder along with an early second, that will only add to the depth—in addition to adding a prime core player. Their cap problem will be far more manageable adding a prospect bonus or two than adding a star player through the draft.
the way the Leafs are playing
the Canes may pass them as well as the Oil (who they just passed today).
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1979-80
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May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
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May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
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May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
