Islanders 5*, Avalanche 2 (*EN): Bailey (again) and a new-look 3rd period
by Dominik on Oct 16, 2010 10:41 PM EDT
in New York Islanders Game Recaps
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The New York Islanders put a nice wee thumping on the Avalanche (who haven't won at the Coliseum in ages), helped by scoring from a surprising source and the Avs' reluctance to avail themselves of a fresh copy of the rulebook.
Game Sum | Event Sum | H2H - Corsi | Recaps: NHL - Isles - MHH
John Tavares was eased carefully back into the lineup after his head injury, but no worries -- Josh Bailey simply kept doin' what he was doin', picking up a goal and an assist. His goal came late in the second on the powerplay, the Isles' third goal of the game, as the Avs continued to take silly penalties -- think Matt Cooke-style goalie interference carelessness -- that broke up the rhythm of an otherwise even first 30 minutes.
Bailey's assist came midway through the second period on a key faceoff win in the offensive zone, shorthanded, to set up Milan Jurcina's first goal of the game. (I'll say that again: Milan Jurcina's first goal of the game.)
The Islanders are averaging 3.6 goals per game (including two ENG) through five games. Their 5-on-5 goal differential (0.86) isn't grand, but it's better than it's been the last two seasons, potentially a sign of an increasingly competitive team.
Perhaps better: As WebBard first noted in the game thread, the Islanders' third periods are night and day compared to the past two seasons. (Thus far: 7 GF, 5 GA. Last year: A league-worst 53 GF and 91 GA.) Tonight they entered tonight's third with a somewhat fortuitous 3-0 lead, and they did as leading teams often do -- they held back a bit and were outshot -- but each time the Avs stole a goal back, the Islanders answered. Tavares' empty-net goal finished off a game that for most of the third never appeared in doubt.
Game Highlights
Individual Notes
- Michael Grabner got his first goal, with a beautifully placed sharp-angle shot
overthrough Craig Anderson'sshoulderlegs/arm-ish area [Hiccup. Apparently I didn't see that one well.]. It was on a 2-on-1, but the pass he received was no gimme, not even an easy one to collect, much less convert. - Dwayne Roloson: We saw the traditional baseball-swing clear from him, and he was generally solid throughout. The first goal he'd surely like to have back -- a Chris Stewart laser over his shoulder -- but he never elicited worry.
- Milan Jurcina. I mean, Milan Jurcina! Two goals. Each opportunistic heavy shots from the right side. The second might have been better, as he took advantage of Anderson's search for his missing stick by pinching in down the half boards and firing from a sharp angle. He's taken some flak in some corners here, and I'm sure two goals doesn't absolve him. But he's made some plays and used his size for blocks, where I can see why the Isles like him as a #6/7 guy. At the moment, with another 4:04 on the PK tonight, he appears to be their main shot-blocker on that unit.
- Matt Who? This is tongue-in-cheek, but apparently a year later some Avs fans are waaaay more focused on "Tavares or Duchene?" than we have (ever?) been. It hasn't been brought up around here since last year; the project of team-building marches on. But for the team that actually had that decision in front of them: Hedman v. Tavares is another discussion, but at the time you knewl why the Isles would lean toward JT over Duchene, based on their different skill sets: The Islanders already had a two-way project at center. You may have noticed him wearing #12 tonight.
- JT Returns: Tavares looked good on the powerplay -- he and James Wisniewski were both welcome returnees to that unit. After a week off, JT was eased back in by Scott Gordon. He still ended up with 18:47 TOI, almost a third of that on the powerplay.
- Mr. Schremp, can you try wing? With Bailey doing so well at center, and off to such a good start, you start to wonder if Rob Schremp gets repurposed again when he returns to health. Tavares-Bailey-Frans is the 1-2-3 center combo we've long dreamed would be, well, a dream. If those three are each ready to run with their roles...well we'll get there when we get there. Just five games. Breath easy, grasshopper.
- Zenon: Is Zenon Konopka making a habit of building bad blood in warmups? He and Stewart jawed in pre-game, enough that they had a prearranged fight at the opening faceoff. Alright. He finished 13-7 in the faceoff circle, his unique skill there again helping get some big clears on the PK.
- Let's Not Get Physical, Physical: There was no hitting in this game. Seriously. Even the scoresheet only registered 6 hits per side. Two teams that aren't rivals, each playing on back-to-back travel nights, just agreeing to keep the bumping to a minimum?
And with that, the Islanders are in first place in the Atlantic after, heh, all of five games. Still, this was a must-win for a club that is facing a long road march through the majority of this month and the beginning of the next one. Considering all their injury issues, they need to grab points when they're made available, and the Avs certainly left them there for the taking.
Next test is Monday in Toronto, who if you haven't noticed, is off to a fantastic start.
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Watched the game at my grandma's.
So I didn’t post during the game but it was great! Jurcina turned my opinion of him around a lot with some of his plays this game, he really should shoot the puck more.
Overall great game all around. 2-1-2, HOORAY!
Go isles or Go home.
You don’t want grandma to join the gamethread?
Man I’m relieved they won this one. Can’t let ones like this slip.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
My grandpa is in to computers. Its pretty remarkable, he is in his mid 80s and he knows significantly more about computers than my dad.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 17, 2010 3:35 AM EDT up reply actions
“And with that, the Islanders are in first place in the Atlantic after, heh, all of five games.”
even weirder – after 4 games, EVERY team in the league has a win.
Parity: It’s what’s for dinner!
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
bailey
im starting to think he coild develop intu brad richards.not too shabby
by Lakewood Islander on Oct 16, 2010 11:35 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
“Hey, it’s an honor to be mentioned with those guys, but I just wanna be the next Josh Bailey.”
/hockey interview cliche’d
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
I might have told this story before, but one year I was coaching and we had this kid who could not skate. I mean he would just walk and all you would hear when he was on the ice was “klunk klunk klunk”
So one day I pulled him off to the side and asked him who his favorite player was, and he responded “Wayne Gretzky” so I look at him and say “Look, it’s not going to happen, what you really want to be is the next Tie Domi” so the kid went home and watched some Domi videos.
For the rest of the season when I put him on I would tell him who to go after and hit. He’d go after them and not only get hits, but he was so bad that Refs couldn’t tell he was pulling off cheap shots all the time. Unfortunately the next season I wasn’t coaching him and the league switched to non-Checking, so his dad asked me to explain to him why he couldn’t hit cause his new coach didn’t want to put him on the ice and get a penalty.
After the 2nd Period of Opening Night "Best Period of the year" DevonPSU
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
You have, but I freaking love that story now. (And I think we have a lot more regulars now than the last time you told it.)
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
Great story… but I expected a, “…and that kid grew up to be Rosie O’Donnell” ending.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
I think he invented some big program/networking thing…“Facialbook” or something.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
and that kid grew up to be...
The Wrecker.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 17, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
still gotta prove he has staals scoring touch,ill take richards anyways,scarier distributor
by Lakewood Islander on Oct 17, 2010 12:37 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Staal has a much more complete game and gets assists because of his great scoring ability,
either way. Bailey keeps doing what he’s doing and out 1-2 center punch of Tavares/Bailey will be the just about the best in the nhl in couple years.
Go isles or Go home.
Anyone here get Center Ice and watch HNIC?
It’s always weird seeing both Glenn Healy and Kelly Hrudey together, in the center two spots at the studio desk.
Particularly tonight, after JP ran with my Glengarry Glen Ross quote by asking, “Glenn Healy Glenn Resch?”
…I’ll go back to my beer now.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
…I’ll go back to my beer now.
You crazy Czechs and your beer. It’s not like I started out the game thread getting opinions on what beer I should drink.
A contributor to Lighthouse Hockey. Pretty sure I'm not the enforcer since I am studying to be a minister, but I can't shoot a puck accurately so not the sniper... Is there an other category?
by David Hanssen on Oct 17, 2010 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
When you’re just a crossroads plateau for every European power to march through on its way to conquer someone else, you learn to appreciate that which you can control.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
Healy and Hrudey are
without a doubt, IMO, two of the best colour analysts in the game today. Healy’s political views (ie., union issues) are a little hard to take, but his analysis is always spot on and Hrudey is simply fantastic.
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Oct 17, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I really like them both
The fact that they’re their sharing their insight and opinion without getting all talk-radio or Milbury about it. It’s so easy to seek attention, and they don’t do that. I watch that stuff for info and insight, not for the hope they’ll say something headline-worthy.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
In your main post dom,
Under notes it said Grabner’s goal was over the shoulder, but it was 5-hole/through the legs. If you don’t believe me check the replay. Probably the alcohol, but either way just letting you know. lol
Go isles or Go home.
No way!
Apparently I saw that goal worse than the “Sav-score!” Avs announcers. Thanks, will edit.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
WAS AT THE GAME
-More convinced than ever that Josh should be #1 center with JT on LW and Blake on RW. Moulson, Schremp, and Okposo on second line and Nino, Grabner, and Frans on the third line-call it the EC Line.
-An aside on Nino drawing that penalty: Exact same play breaking in on the blueline alone against Prince George in junior-only he was called for an offsetting diving penalty. BTW, I know I am biased, but they are crazy if they send the kid back.
—Was a few rows from the penalty box and made sure Quincey knew how much I appreciated his performance. He helped out a lot.
—First main drawback of my seat: Just a few rows back from about a half dozen Merchant Marine cadets who were big Av rooters.
—Second main drawback: the man and woman behind me who kept up a game-long banter about their family soap opera: “No, don’t invite him to the dinner, I hate him!” “It’s not her fault the marriage isn’t working.” “How is he running the family business?” Only evidence they were paying attention to the game at all: during one stoppage at the end of the game, someone called him on his cell and apparently asked him how much longer the game would last. After a long pause, he says “There’s…ah…three minutes left.” There was 3:45 left at the time. And these were $165 seats. They could have saved themselves some money by going to a nice restaurant.
At the Dallas game last night
The game was in OT, there was a Stars breakaway that people initially thought went in, the broadcast shows a clip of the entire Stars bench jumping into the air … and right behind them in the glass seats is a woman in an official Stars form-cut-with-cleavage top (so you KNOW that was a mark-up to get the wordmark on there) with her head buried in her smartphone as she texted.
By the shootout, she and her partner were gone.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
don't look a gift horse in the context of their conversation...
The Islanders are having problems selling tickets… so if those people actually paid for those seats… GOD BLESS THEM… it’s more likely they got them by guessing how many jelly beans were in the jar at their local dry cleaners.
On Monday I was in a section that was 90% ranger fans… I hope that dynamic changes, but until Wang hires somebody with a sense of how to market the team… THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING THE UNIONDALE DOLLAR STORE…. HAVE A NICE DAY!
BTW: Who’s on the radar for what hopefully be a low first round pick.?
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Honestly, I wish I could buy a package. I’ve spent years in section 211but the money to buy at those prices isn’t available.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
I would hope that the Islanders are open for negotiations now… and until they can find a 2016 home.
If I was in charge the Isles would be selling a limited number of half price season tickets with a 2 year commitment. They are going to have the same problem next year… and the year after. The first people I’d take care of are the ones that have packages this year. LOYALTY… and make even better deals for those that have plans for 5, 10, 15, 20 years.
Now they are selling seats for $19.72… and they still can’t fill the building.
Hopefully that will change with a good run and more meaningful games as the year progresses…. but a FULL BUILDING is the BEST ADVERTISING.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
the way they are playing without Mark, Kyle, and Rob
I am not so sure about the low pick, but I would look at David Musil with the Vancouver Giants.
You mean david musil THE Vancouver Giant? lol
Yeah, he’d be a perfect fit for our team in the needs department. We should be done with forwards for now with the youth we have on the team and in the system. D-men for us isn’t bad either, but definitely weaker given the age of some our d-men. Our definite future d-core doesn’t look bad though, just a bit small overall.
Go isles or Go home.
Was a few rows from the penalty box and made sure Quincey knew how much I appreciated his performance. He helped out a lot.
Above and beyond, sir!
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
Jurcina?
Yes, I’ve been calling for his head. Good to see him finally do something, unfortunately I think he’s more likely the Oleg Kavasha of defenseman (hopefully if I continue to pick on him he will continue to prove me wrong)
by Judgegavel on Oct 17, 2010 12:58 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Jurcina needs a positive environment and good usage. A 6-7 spot on the Isles is going to be a nice ride for him. He is helping make the PK better and 5-on-5 he is better without the puck. We can live with this until hamonic and CDH are ready to take over. He is keeping Bruno and Hillen on the bench. I don’t think that will be true when Hillen is 100% (speculating), but he is giving more defensively than Bruno did, and that’s what this team needs from him.
PLUS… 2 goals doesn’t hurt his case.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Biggest question is when Streit comes back, who goes?
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
Pretty sure jurcina is the 6th man right now and mottau is #5,
so unless jurcina overtakes mottau in the depth chart, then he’s odd man out. It’s a long time between then and now though. We shouldn’t see Streit till the end of March at best according to reports I’ve read.
Go isles or Go home.
Dead End Streit?
There has been some speculation that Streit may be done for the year. Even if he does come back I don’t think we can expect more from him than we got from Weight last year, or Comrie during his Islander years.
Shoulder injuries do not just heal, and you’re 100%. But, if he does come back 100% then they are going to be forced to make some roster adjustments, and that means the high wire act. Bruno is most likely the guy who is sent down. They can afford to lose him right now. From a playing perspective, Jurcina would most likely hit the press box..
Jurcina is replaced by Hamonic next year… maybe even later this year.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Not sure why Zenon dropped the gloves at the opening faceoff but
he did play the Avs twice last year and in one game, he had a fighting major (with MacLeod) and a game misconduct. Not sure what for, but the Av thread writer referred to him as thug extraordinaire (and he apparently thought the refs robbed the Avs).
THUG?
So far he looks like a guy who can win 60% of his draws, and draw 60% of tilts… HUGE improvement over the guy who used to wash Gordon’s car and pick up his dry cleaning.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
He said in an interview on the radio broadcast that he planned to drop the gloves early and energize the team.
After the 2nd Period of Opening Night "Best Period of the year" DevonPSU
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Everyone who loses to the Isles
Has been screwed by the refs. It’s Fan Law 101.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
by Dominik on Oct 17, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So far I have to say I have been really impressed by Konopka. From the little bit of him I saw of him last year I knew he was a tough player who is always willing to drop the gloves, and for that reason alone I was glad to see the Isles sign him. What I didn’t know was that he was great on faceoffs and a decent defensive player. A Claude Lapointe who fights, I’m happy with that.
3rd period
Lots of promising individual performances indeed, but I’m not quite ready to rave about the 3rd period effort of the team. With the guys getting better and particularly the team being more complete again hopefully, they should be just fine, but in this game I thought they were outplayed quite badly for a few stretches and barring the empty-netter they’d obviously have lost the 3rd period 1-2. Of course, given the score after two that’s not a big deal and will happen to the best teams, but yeah, all around it didn’t quite feel all that much improved to me. Their important 4th goal was not really the result of a reaction and them pushing play back to the Avs, but just a typical 3rd period 2-on-1 they fortunately took advantage of.
And the Avs probably are not the team that will cause you most problems in such a situation, I think they’re generally known more for hanging onto leads (despite getting outshot) than big comeback wins. And it kind of showed, as they ruined their chances with two subsequent penalties just after they had scored the 4-2. So, there’ll be much more difficult tasks in 3rd periods down the road and for now, I’m not convinced they’re all that much better there, though that obviously doesn’t mean they’ll give away every 2nd period lead. Leading after two, your chances to win a hockey game are pretty good no matter what, let’s not forget that the Isles were actually 27-3-4 last season when leading after two. Sure, they had their struggles and often needed OT to secure the win, but if you’re up after two, things are just set up to go your way quite often – and in my view that’s more what delivered the two points in this game than a so much improved 3rd period effort by the Isles.
Likely fatigue finally caught up to them a bit by the 3rd.....
…..thought they handled it very well, as well as any team would – one more indication of how this team differs from any other Islander contingent of the last (dare I say it?) 17 years…..
In contrast to my original observation...
… I think you make a good point.
I do, however, think they look a lot better in the 4 3rd periods I’ve seen…. not great, but better.
The previous two years they were getting outplayed in the third period… this trend may continue… but this year their defense is playing better. They are not being pressured into MISTAKES like in previous years.
In the previous years we said that the 3rd period meltdowns were the result of a young team and it would change as these kids matured. Well… they now have the youngest corp of FORWARDS in the NHL. Their defense, however, is showing the maturity they lacked last year. They are clearing the puck, and reducing the number of high percentage scoring chances. This will be reduced further as the forwards learn how to better counter the pressure being applied by the opposition.
With the number of “kids” now in their “about to turn the corner” stage… I have a feeling that might turn around as soon as later this season.
I have a lot of good feelings about this team.
MONDAY will be a big test for them.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Good points, Ben
I don’t think there is a glorious change — and your numbers probably hint at that. But the way the defense has played in the third is more reassuring to me than last year. Less headless-chicken-running-around, more calm decision-making and positioning. Not just in the victories.
The Avs’ first goal was either a great shot or fortunate deflection (or both). In recent years that would initiate panic, and Roloson or someone else would have to rescue the win.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
Yeah, I don’t necessarily disagree with what you and JP are saying, just a little follow-up here.
To me, their 3rd period struggles last season were almost entirely limited to situations when they were leading after two periods. They did just fine with the score tied after two (4-3-2) and though it would have been nice to turn a couple more games around when trailing after two, you could not realistically expect much more there from such a team in this league, where it is so difficult to do that.
What is astonishing is the fact they were leading after two periods 34 times, tied for 11th in the league and even 4th in the East, where the Rangers were at the top with 38, then Washington 36, New Jersey 35, Philadelphia 34, Pittsburgh 33. All the weaker teams were somewhere between 22 (Toronto) and 30 (Florida). It might be a strange way of looking at it, but somehow the Isles were leading after two “too often”. Not that they didn’t deserve most of these leads, but maybe some opponents didn’t quite take the first (two) periods all that seriously against the Isles, found them-selves (surprisingly) with the back against the wall at the beginning of the 3rd, and then really started to play their game at full speed.
Now, what do I do with this. First of all, I don’t think the first five games this season give us a good idea about what the 3rd period Isles might look like this year. They were leading after two only once and thus fewer times than last season. The 3rd period performances in the other four games were good, but well, as said, they didn’t struggle with the score tied after two last season, either.
So, we have only one game to analyze, which is obviously not enough, but this one 3rd period with the lead after two as mentioned has not been all that impressive in my opinion. Colorado was in the midst of a road-trip, back-to-back (away) game, down by not one, but three goals (after two about equal, but not very intense periods) and is no specialist for this situation (btw Colorado led the league last season with 44 times leading after two). I don’t think it will get much easier in terms of defending a lead in the 3rd period – and yet, I had that weird feeling for a few minutes that there would have been a window to come back for Colorado.
However, I’d attribute the overall better goal difference in 3rd periods largely to the fact that they were leading after two only once thus far, and not to the improved D or even an improved team as a whole.
In fact, I’m not sure how they measure up in terms of overall play compared to early last season. From this “first two vs. 3rd period” angle, we could conclude that they have struggled to earn the lead in the first two periods. One thing that obviously was a strength last season. And indeed, I don’t think they’ve had all that many fully convincing periods thus far. Particularly the last two games were not very good in my eyes, I don’t think they ever played the type of hockey in these two games Gordon would want to see and they’d actually be capable to show. Of course, given all the injuries I’m more than happy with how they’ve started overall, but I’d again attribute that mostly to individual efforts/improvement. And to the fact that there is no Brendan Witt (or Thompson/Jackman) in the line-up anymore. But not all that much to the team performance as a whole, neither in terms of overall play nor 3rd period performances. That’ll come, though, with the guys progressing individually and everything coming together. But I’m not sure it’s quite there, yet.
I think the same way about that situation.
And did you write out Brendan Witt’s name and just thompson/jackman in parentheses because WITT=LEGENDARY D-MAN SUV DESTROYER and the other are just pawns in the game called hockey? That’s the way I wanna see it anyway, lol.
Go isles or Go home.
heh, well, not really, more because Witt was a liability indeed in every single game he played last season (well, except for when he scored twice). Thompson and Jackman had a good stretch, too, and are still just about able to compete in this league, but simply had a very tough role to fill and were ultimately not very effective most of the time. Right now, thanks to increased depth and most of all thanks to Gordon spreading the ice-time more unevenly, no one’s being asked to do too much, I think, and that prevents from getting individual performances that really hurt the team success.
Not just third-period leads
First of all, I don’t think the first five games this season give us a good idea about what the 3rd period Isles might look like this year. They were leading after two only once and thus fewer times than last season.
Of course I agree on the first point — five games is nothing. But I’m also not expecting anything like an ideal Gordon scheme every period, particularly with this injury/suspension-weakened lineup.
I’m not restricting this to holding the lead, though. A team with the lead in the third as you said should come out on top (even when panicking), but with or without the lead in the third they’ve simply looked more competent to me. In the five games thus far in the third period they’ve:
- come back from two goals to tie Dallas (of course that started by giving up the initial insurance goal in the 3rd)
- come back and beat the Rangers (again, they gave up the go-ahead goal first, but thankfully the towel was not thrown)
- outplayed Washington in the 3rd but gave up the go-ahead goal
- outshot Pittsburgh with the game remaining tied the whole third
- kept Colorado at bay, bending but hardly breaking
I know five games is nothing for numbers, so I’m going off general impressions of how they’ve handled scenarios. In the third they’ve been in every game, and at no point when the first adversity hit did I think, “They look lost, they’re undermanned” but rather, “They can do better, they are competitive.” Even their bad powerplays have not led to the typical deflation, and while Bailey and Comeau have been key, I suspect a big part is the defensemen have been steady even under pressure. So far, it’s been really nice to see.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
I haven’t seen a lot of them so far, but I did get to the Caps game, and to me the difference in the third might have come in the first two. While the forecheck was still nasty, they don’t seem to chase the puck as much as the last two years, which could pay off physically in the third. They haven’t looked gassed once in the third yet. Granted, it’s early on, so they shouldn’t be, but I wonder if Gordon has done some tweaking of the system to address this.
Bailey's goal was beautiful
The patience he showed, waiting for Anderson to go down and then roofing it. A couple years ago, maybe even last year, I think he’d just jam it. His confidence is just growing and growing. My God, is he gonna have some year. And I liked how he went after Letang on friday after the hit on Comeau. I know it’s still early but I’m really liking what I see from this team. I think they’re gonna make some noise… but my glass is always half-full.
When somebody asks you if you're a god, you say YES.
I think that the way this team seems to be maturing, responding and sticking up for each other, it’s going to be a fun season. But while I anticipate the Isles making plenty of noise this season, and that there’s a lot to be optimistic about, I’ll admit that the team still has plenty of learning to do.
Josh Yzerman
I’m going bigger than Richards an Staal. From what I’ve seen of him lately, he’s already more of a leader than either of those guys!
I wouldn’t worry about the hitting. It was a really faced paced game! I felt like I was watching a watered down version of the Pens-Wings final a couple of years ago. You wonder how much TH brings that part of the game to the kids? Is it coincidence that the hitting drops (team wide) with him out of the lineup?
We now have 4 guys averaging a ppg pace. (Bailey 7 in 5, BC 6 in 5, DW 5 in 5, and Wiz 4 in 3)…it’s been a looong time!
Some suspensions are worth it!!!
by Keith Quinn on Oct 17, 2010 9:22 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
But the scary is
DP is giving up 1.5 more gpg, and Sv% is .6 below Rollie. If this keeps up, as the year goes on, it will be a problem. I’m starting to not believe this is “a throw-away year” because of injury. We are hanging tough, and you have to give these guys your best chance to win so their extra effort isn’t squandered. DP needs to play himself into shape before this experiment begins to go sour!
Some suspensions are worth it!!!
by Keith Quinn on Oct 17, 2010 9:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m starting to not believe this is "a throw-away year" because of injury.
What looked like a disaster may turn out to be a blessing. There is nothing good that will come of losing Streit for the year, but maybe Kyle will see what Josh is bringing to the team and step up his play.
I really feel this is the fruit of meritocracy. Both Kyle and JT were handed first line minutes and all teh PP time. JT has done everything to keep it, even if that means taking a beating. Josh has taken the beating without getting the opportunities.
Now Josh made himself bigger, has learned from his 2 years in the NHL and has EARNED what others were given. The same thing goes for Blake.
So… when Okposo comes back, he’s going to be behind Comeau at the troth.. and we’re going to see how he reacts. I think the lion will come out of him, and this will wind up being a PLUS for everybody.
- YOU CAN APPLY THIS TO 39 AS WELL… I don’t think it’s his effort that is in question though… I’d never question his effort… He needs to take a back seat right now, and get healthier…
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
" I don’t think it’s his effort that is in question though… I’d never question his effort… "
Me either, but like you said with “meritocracy”, I just don’t feel it’s right or a good example to keep trotting 39 out there if he’s not your best chance to win. We will definitely not average 5 goals a game all season. How can you ask the team to “step up” because of injuries and then hamstring them in net? Effort present, results, Bueler, Bueler?
Some suspensions are worth it!!!
by Keith Quinn on Oct 17, 2010 1:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
As long as they score enough goals to win when DP is in, they’ll keep playing him.
After the 2nd Period of Opening Night "Best Period of the year" DevonPSU
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
"Yzerman, damn that's some high standards, lol",
it’s possible though. I’d be more then happy if he was just a great player and noat superstar like Yzerman though as long as we still get the Yzerman-Bailey led team to accomplish the 3 cups in 6 years :).
Go isles or Go home.
I couldn’t consentrate too much on the game with my crazy family in the house. But that didn’t stop my from yelling when the Islanders scored. I was very surprised with Jurcina scoring two goals. Didn’t see that coming.
BTW, did anyone else get a laugh out of the Islanders’ Website Home page? I couldn’t help laughing at the geeky Habs fans they picked for the “No Habs No” picture.
Schremp
He’s played LW he should give that another go. There is no way you move Bailey (who is tied for 4th in scoring BTW). Schremp-Bailey-Comeau.
Drink of the Month: Bailey's on Ice.
Bailey feels equally good at either position
Shremp doesnt seem to. I say try em with Robby in the center and see how it goes.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 17, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
I really don't see...
what’s so bad about
Bailey-Tavares-Comeau
or
Bailey-Schremp-Comeau
I kind of like Josh-John-Blake as the #1 PP unit… and maybe the #1 line. When Kyle is back Moulson-Schremp-Okposo will be nice second line, with Grabner-Frans-(PAP/Hunter) being able to add some scoring as a shut-down third (with Hunter).
No matter what Gordon chooses to do… it’s still a great problem to have.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
absodamnlutely.
no way they should move bailey now. he is a natural center with the best playmaking ability on the team. he’s on a steady path to being one the top two-way centers in the league. if their earlier leaning to play him at wing was to take some pressure off, forget it. the kid can not only handle it but is flourishing. shremp at wing makes much more sense. he is more of a pure shooter and can roam. bailey’s long term value to this team is vital. to joba him around now would be a major blunder i think.
His LW play was awful last season, he came alive when he was moved back to Center.
I mean maybe it was a comfort thing or learning the system, but the Schremp wing experiment last year was a bust.
After the 2nd Period of Opening Night "Best Period of the year" DevonPSU
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
For whatever reason
Last year Gordon decided Schremp couldn’t fit at center. Maybe a year later after some NHL ice time and different needs, he’d try it again. Neither he nor Bailey is a maestro at faceoffs, though Bailey so far this year has improved to Schremp-ian level in that department.
Fun problem, for sure.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
BP?
It really looks like BP can use some help up the middle. I’ll bet Schremp gets a rehab stint, and they may even start shopping some NHL (?) Talent for an AHL center…
Parentau… I wouldn’t move out of the Marriot just yet.
Rhett Rakh… FIRST PRO GOAL!
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
A great day
I opened the daly news and guess what? There was an islander story not much but it was there. Then I turned to the standings and we are at the top!!! I was awed it’s been a while. (only five games I know). Here’s the shocker the box score reports attendance at 10,127. Awful. It was Saturday.
by Torch7 on Oct 17, 2010 12:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Be happy we are off to a good start,
if we were under .500 right now, I’d bet that coliseum would have AT LEAST 2,000 less fans in it.
Go isles or Go home.
It will be interesting to see how the attendance works out.
Last year they averaged just a notch under 13K. With the new pricing I think they might drop down to 10K. Of course if they win people will pay the prices no matter what, but people won’t believe they are real until later in the season.
After the 2nd Period of Opening Night "Best Period of the year" DevonPSU
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I find it very hard to belive the average attendance last year was over 12k fans/gm.
I went to around 12gms last year at the coliseum with friends/family and a lot of the weeknights it was about half full. Add that to the fact the coliseum doesn’t hold more then 16,300 people and I find that number hard to believe. Especially considering how much wang complains he’s losing a lot of money each year.
Go isles or Go home.
Season ticket holders.
Even if they don’t go to the game, their seats are counted as sold. I went to games in 99/00 that had maybe 5K people and the announced gate was 11-12K
After the 2nd Period of Opening Night "Best Period of the year" DevonPSU
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
My game notes....
Game looked a little disjointed for me the first period and a half with the team looking like they struggled with the line combinations upon JT’s return. But they found their legs and beat a fast, solid Colorado team with room to spare.
+ Another plus for Josh Bailey (for me, the Isles best player so far)
+ JT (welcome back, looks noticeably stronger and faster. Loved the way he got sick of being pushed around and shoved a Colorado player to the ice with 1 arm 6 minutes into the 3rd.
+ JWiz (solid game, good powerplay puck movement)
+ PA (still not sold, but a solid game last night. Nice passing)
+ Roloson (solid, steady veteran netminding. Good rebound control)
+ Grabner (man, is he fast or what. Nice finish)
Coming from what I believe to be a realistic point of view, I really thought long and hard and could not come up with any negatives for last night’s performance. Gordon had to juggle a little to fit JT back in, but personally I would not have ever thought of splitting Comeau and Bailey. He got it right in the end and the team deserved the 2 points.
Let’s try and give Toronto their first loss on Monday!
The 2 big surprises for me last night were JT and Jurcina,
JT looked a lot better on the ice compared to last year. He seemed stronger out there and definitely faster on his skates. Impressive. Add that to how he played last year and his superstar potential keeps raising.
Jurcina for obvious reasons. Big 2 goals, a lot better defensive game compared to the penguin game, and overall great game for him. If he just plays like that every night, doesn’t even need to score goals-just shooting the puck more/chipping in on the offense would make me happy, and keeps up that solid D.
And I feel like mentioning grabner again. His speed alone created a him vs the goalie with one man back AND his speed created the 2 on 1 goal that he scored. Very impressive. We need a guy like him and if he keeps up this play, he ain’t going. PA looked good too, but Grabner just hits me as a better player for some reason.
Go isles or Go home.
re: Tavares pushes back
Loved the way he got sick of being pushed around and shoved a Colorado player to the ice with 1 arm
it was Mark Olver
i was seated right in front of it. the guy was trying to bang on JT’s helmut – likely had something to say about his concussion. then JT knocked him to the ice and our section erupted – it was away from the play at that point and both skated off.
after JT’s empty netter, the guys seemed careful to keep the gloves off his hemut or give just a ginger tap on head.
Konopka
Love this pickup the more I watch him. Just a moose on the draws, willing to go (and win) with anyone, not a total talent liability. Well played Garth.
HUGE UPGRADE OVER THOMPSON,
I hope he’s in the future plans. It would really nice to have a guy like him around for the next few years. Fighting/Enforcing/Protecting, Physical Presence, Face-off specialist, and Penalty Killer all in one package.
Go isles or Go home.
I don't understand why the Isles would price tickets in such a way.
Makes no sense at all.
Go find yourself an open door.
While we are at it, they need to dump TicketMaster
What service are they providing that deserves $8 a ticket? I could understand some kind of fee back in the 80’s when you would go to a physical location in a Tower records, etc, and buy the tickets from an agent. In the year 2010 you can order online and print it out on your own paper with your own ink. We shouldn’t even need their website. Islanders.com can sell the tickets directly.
The whole process is anti-fan. First you get stuck with this fee that adds money to the ticket price. Then you get hit up for $10 for parking. Then you get to wait for some goon to get to second base with you just so you can walk in to the building. Then you have the $10 watered down beers served in a plastic cup by some pissy Aramark demon. Once I get to my seat it’s all good but that is a lot of hassle for such a high price. It’s no wonder so many would rather watch from home or a bar then go to the actual game.
Drink of the Month: Bailey's on Ice.
by Anarcurt on Oct 17, 2010 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think this is why I've never been to an NFL game.
You get the best camera angles from home, delicious drinks of your choice and a great circle of celebratory friends for a minimal price.
I love going to Isles games but $165.00 a ticket is absurd, especially when I used to go to 5 Isles games a year in those same $165 seats for 40-50 bones.
Go find yourself an open door.
by The Black Map on Oct 17, 2010 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn you go for the expensive seats at $165/ticket. lol
I think the most I’d buy tickets for are the $100 ones and that’s a bit higher then usual for me. And the first few rows of the higher section(especially near center ice) aren’t bad and I think they are around ~$65 for anywhere in the arena. Not hard to find either with people selling them everywhere(scalping, ticketmaster, ebay, etc). Just pointing out, if you paid for some cheaper seats, you could get more bang for your buck or games for your buck in this sense.
Go isles or Go home.
I meant I have sat in the (used to be $40/50 but currently $165) seats many time but I would never do so today because that’s way out of my budget. The last game I went to was Isles/Rags late March 2007 where they lost in OT 2-1 (if memory is serving and yeah I know it’s been a million years since I showed my face)…my blood is itching to get to at least three games this year but damn my desire for 200-level seating.
Go find yourself an open door.
by The Black Map on Oct 17, 2010 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions
lol, I understand.
Just look out for the deals then. The $19.72+$8-“service fee” deal for saturday’s game was a bargain, and they always run a number of bargains. They have plans and packages and deals every now and then all over, so you’ll probably find something. I remember last year me an my family got some package where we got XX% coupons off isles merchandise online or at the team store and some other incentives(signed pucks, and something or 2 other things) while getting dicsounted tickets too. So just look around.
Go isles or Go home.
Reasoning behind the Service Fee
Obviously there are laws against Scalping, but it is legal to sell your tickets with a slight increase on face price. I’m not sure if it’s just NY Law, but in NY the bar that you are allowed to resell tickets is set somewhere between 5-10 bucks. Since you can buy tickets from ticketmaster and then resell them for a profit, Ticketmaster looks to raise the ticket price without raising the face price of tickets and does so by charging Service/Convience fees.
Basically Ticketmaster takes advantage of a law to make sure they can keep their monopoly.
After the 2nd Period of Opening Night "Best Period of the year" DevonPSU
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Anarcurt, you're inside my head with that rant
Drives me nuts.
Too add insult to monopoly, I’m someone who likes to travel for concerts and games, so all across the country I get screwed by Ticketbastard — and EVERY time even though I opt out (and then later, after they disobey that, I select “Unsubscribe”), they continue to spam me, with event promos from every location. I have a junk mail account for such purposes, but it’s still infuriating what a cancer they are on the entire experience. For $8 convenience/service fees, they don’t provide a damn bit of either.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Tavares and Wisniewski were important.
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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.
