Islanders 2, Maple Leafs 1 (OT): Dwayne Roloson's head must be tired
by Dominik on Oct 19, 2010 12:01 AM EDT
in New York Islanders Game Recaps
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Print"Surely Dwayne Roloson won't be called upon to make 58 saves again, will he?" Such was the pre-game talk.
In the end, it wasn't nearly that absurd. But Roloson indeed stood on his head again in Toronto to set up an OT win in a game where the Islanders were outplayed for several stretches. Last year it was Josh Bailey with the OT marker; this year Bailey left mid-way with a hip flexor injury (of course), so it was John Tavares' turn, on an OT powerplay.
Game Sum | Event Sum | Corsi - H2H | Recaps: NHL - Isles
A waived-off high stick goal here, a goalline-tickling puck there: Roloson needed the bit of luck every goalie needs to shut the door, but man oh man did he make some stunning saves. You can pick through them bit by bit through the save links on the NHL's "ice tracker" page. Or you can watch the highlights below in one stream.
Game Highlights
While this wasn't a 61-shot shooting gallery like the Big Roloson game last year, the Islanders did lots of little things that enabled extended Leafs pressure. Namely, transition mistakes and poor breakouts. The defense was under pressure from the Leafs forwards' speed (and boy was this a fast game between these two teams), while the Isles forwards were vacating the zone too quickly, creating the bad combo of 1) rushed defensemen passes and 2) no one in the right position to accept them. Leading to: 3) turnovers and Leafs scoring chances.
Now this wasn't a problem all night long, but it was a problem in repeat stretches. Then when the Islanders entered the third period with a 1-0 lead, they sat back too much and let the Leafs come at them in waves until the Law of Averages saw them finally tie it on the powerplay after a blocked point shot went right to Phil Kessel, much like P.A. Parenteau's goal against the Rangers.
There's no excusing all this -- and I particularly noticed Parenteau and Blake Comeau had less assertive games than you expect from your top line's wingers -- but it's possible Bailey's early injury gummed things up enough to at least explain it a little. Bailey's been their best forward recently (so you just knew he'd get injured), so everyone else had to fill the void. Old captain Doug Weight played 16:43 EV minutes (plus 2:18 PP), and they were some hard minutes on the receiving end of multiple collisions.
But by bending long enough before breaking with 2:05 left in regulation, the Islanders made it to OT where they took advantage of a 4-on-3 powerplay thanks to Brett Lebda's goalie interference call. (Which I confess I didn't see, as I was distracted by calling in for a guest spot on Rink Side Radio. Was it fair? (the call, not my guest spot.))
That's when we saw the pinpoint John Tavares shot we see every now and then, and that was that: Run of play to the Leafs, two points to the Isles. Kind of nice to be on the right side of luck once in a while, isn't it?
Speaking of Luck
- I'm not sure the Versteeg waive-off was really a high stick when he touched it. The standard for a goal is the crossbar, the standard for open play is the player's shoulder. It was close to his shoulder, but I'm not sure if it was there. Judgment call before the goal. Good break for the Isles.
- Ron Wilson was irate after the game about the other "waived-off" goal, but here's the thing: It wasn't a goal by any definition. First, the puck never crossed the line, skirting by Roloson's pads along the line and to the opposite post. Second, WIlson's other complaint -- that Tavares gloved it in the crease -- also did not actually happen. Upon further review even the Leafs announcers agreed that Tavares tried to glove it, but never actually did because the puck caromed off the post and beyond his body without the need for his own propulsion. Still, it's not like Wilson could blame the loss on his team's effort, so rants like that score points and soothe wounds.
- The Lebda Call: Like I said I didn't see it, but it sounded like some tough luck. Those are always an issue: A 4-on-3 is just a devastating PK and it's all the more significant when the game is on the line. It's nice to be on the other side of the coin though after the awful call that put the Isles on the PK in OT in Pittsburgh. What comes around goes around, but it doesn't always snag the right victim.
Plus/Minus
People have taken to doing their own plus/minuses here in comments, and I encourage that. Don't think there were as many "pluses" tonight as you'd normally have after a win, so I'm curious what you have. So have at it, but I'll give two:
- Michael Grabner impressed me by using his speed (yeah, again, I know) to make plays, beat players to loose pucks -- and not shy away from contact. We want him to score some, but if he's doing smart things that's a good place to start.
- Radek Martinek -- We mention him (and Mark Eaton, too) every game it seems, but another relatively strong performance playing 11 EV minutes against Kessel, Bozak and Kris Versteeg. To be clear, a look at the Corsi sheet looks like several animals were slaughtered on the page, and the Leafs' big line had their share of chances. Roloson was most important for bailing everyone out, but I thought Martinek did pretty well (again) controlling what he could control even while his forwards weren't always helping.
- #Mightymattmoulson -- Nice hands around the net, again, on a great passing play from Tavares and Frans Nielsen.
Oh, and lest I forget in my focus on how the Isles played: The bottom line is they got two points in Game 1 of this road stretch. They're still in first place, they have a positive goal differential, they're getting scoring from a lot of places, they converted a golden PP-in-OT opportunity, and Rollie is the Rollie we remember from last year's first half.
Now that, my friends, makes for a nice night.
The Game Thread
Thanks to everyone participating in the game thread and the PPP invasion during the second, taking it all in good fun. Sorry if I barked at anyone -- my cable company is driving me up the wall right now, so I was irritable -- but I try to "police" what I can as quickly as possible without taking away from my enjoyment of the game. I know people have differing opinions on how those work; some people welcome them, some hate them. So how about this: Maybe next time a visitor "field trip" is requested, we run two threads -- one for those keeping it in-house, and one for those who want to banter with the visitors? If you have an opinion, let me know.
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For what it’s worth: I don’t think adults should need two game threads.
Didn’t make it over because I had to run things at home but if people can’t needle without being jerks for one hour then there’s a problem.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
I agree. If people are offended, they need to harden the fuck up a little.
Also, to repeat what I said in the last thread: no Gordie Howe hat trick for Tavares? BUST.
Hell of a shot on the winner though.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
Agreed
But some people want it to be readable, and when there’s that much traffic it’s hard to tell up from down.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Split the thread going into the third next time?
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.
Or from the outset of the second?
I don’t know. Some people like to read the thread afterward and I’m sympathetic if it becomes too bogged down.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Both game threads would still be there though, the official game thread would be periods 1&2 and a fanshot game thread would be period 3. Just front page the fanshot game thread.
I did that for the Draft this year, because Day 1 had 1200 or so comments. It was taking forever to load it.
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.
Ah, I think I see now. This is why you are paid the big bucks.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
On top of that
For those of us that didn’t know going in about such things, maybe do a primer/refresher on the commenting system, like for pics to put a title on the comment so you can collapse it with the heavy traffic and how to turn off whatever feature creates the jumping effect that happens some times.
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 19, 2010 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Sorry about that
I actually forgot about those myself. (I remembered that some SBN sites strongly request subject lines to picture comments, but I forgot why until last night.)
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Some SBN sites
Kick you out if you don’t use the subject lines for regular comments. I’m talking to you, Sounder at Heart. It’s border line ludicrous, especially during a game thread.
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 19, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
This must be a Seattle thing
At least I think the Mariners blog is massively proud of its grammar and spelling enforcement rules or something.
Although I’m partial to English majors, I tend to enjoy a wider variety of participants.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
I agree
There is no reason for two threads, IMO.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 19, 2010 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Ditto. The only problem is I think we’re always going to have the antagonistic dumbass that ruins the party for the rest of us fun loving peeps. Even if we split up the threads, if someone is going to be a jerk, having two threads isn’t going to stop them from being a jerk.
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 19, 2010 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Sure there is!
A white thread and a black thread, when you can tell the difference between them, you know that the sun has begun to rise again over the Islanders…after the dark night of HWSNBN.
Nope.
I edited the post to comment on that. JT tried but missed; the puck was propelled out by the post. Even the Leafs announcers conceded that after replays.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Game - Good & Bad
The bad is, as you point out Dom, they didn’t play that well. The good is that we are winning games when we get outplayed, which is encouraging – the old good teams find a way to win deal.
I’ve heard these first 6 games about the new defensive zone philosophy of sagging down to “outnumber the opponent” around the scoring areas near the net. The problem is the points are wide open and this has led to a lot of stretches of sustained pressure. Sure, the chances, initially, are less than highest quality but eventually you get a pinball situation and a good quality chance. That’s what happened tonight on the Leafs goal. MSG+ had blocked shots at about 23 to 10 [Islanders].
I’d rather they not sag as much, I think the defense has been sufficiently upgraded this year to handle playing the opponent more straight up. Then again, results speak for themselves so perhaps I’m off base.
I’m still quite stunned over the Hillen situation.
Hillen
i think its mostly about Jurcinas size, i read in an interview Gordon said having him and Eaton out there with size makes a big difference because of the space they take up
I didn’t get the impression [last year, pre-injury] that Hillen’s size had an adverse effect on his defense. Sure, all else being equal, size helps but I’d argue that Hillen’s smooth skating, puck moving ability and high hockey IQ render all else far from equal. Particularly if you can pair him with someone from an upgraded [and bigger] D Corps.
With the wins accumulating and the defense playing well, however, not much to complain about. I’m just surprised by how it’s played out, I guess.
Jurcina gives the Islanders the Hal Gill option on defense. When down to three men his reach can go a long way in disrupting plays. He isn’t going to be overly physical, but when short handed you don’t necessarily need someone running around making a big hit. He isn’t particularly adept at tieing the player up in front of the net either, but his size and stick work still covers a lot of ground from the goal line to the bottom of the circle.
I don't understand the Jurcina bashing.
He is what he is. If you look at his +/- numbers over his career he is about a league average defenseman. Thats a lot better than a below league average defenseman. Its nothing to scoff at. He is not a big hitter. Its not his personality. But he uses his reach very effectively to limit scoring chances. He’s not great but he’s decent. He’s not flashy. He looks lumbering at times but all in all he’s a decent defenseman which is about all you can say for Hillen. They have about the same overall value, just in different ways.
Except for Hillen may have a lot more upside if he continues to develop and grow [physically and hockey sense]. I agree that Jurcina is what he is but I also think that’s all he ever will be. Again, hard to complain about the overall defense so far – I’m just a big Hillen fan. Maybe he’s having a hard time getting all the way back mentally or aggressiveness-wise from the jaw breaker.
Sag! It's the new style...
Both the sag and the size thing may be a reflection of how teams approach defense in this era of stricter obstruction enforcement. When you can’t as easily bullrush forwards out of the way (or Cammalleri/Avery them until their limbs fall off), teams are withdrawing more to block the shooting lanes and hope for the best.
I suspect this is why we’re seeing Jurcina not move the guy in front of the goalie on the PK. He’s almost like a gatekeeper for the puck, being the big body to block a shot if it’s coming and to molest the forward only if it looks like it’s going to be a passing play to him.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
I saw Jurcina do that last night on the PK and wondered if his lack of clearing out the crease was by design or by negligence. Blocking shots as a primary defensive strategy will lead to goals against and injuries, in my opinion. Heck, I’m still nursing a deep bone bruise from a blocked shot in July and trust me, the shot was not traveling near as fast as it does in the NHL.
The Sag
Didn’t the Canadiens do this in the playoffs last year to great effect? Lots of shots at the goal, but many from low percentage areas. I think Semin had 50 shots all from outside the blueline (Slightly exagerated, but not much). It reminds me alot of how the old 70’s Canadiens used to sag in front of their net and then trap in the neutral zone.
I think Gabe showed that this approach didn’t really work save for some monumental luck and Halak, but I don’t think that means they didn’t try. It was either try the chaotic Jacques Martin shell (not supposed to be chaotic, but it ends up that way in a mismatch) and hope for the luck we saw, or run-and-gun with Washington which would likely turn out worse.
It’s funny how rare an outcome that series was. But I think that’s the only way you ever get a cinderella like that.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Blocking shots as a primary defensive strategy will lead to goals against and injuries, in my opinion.
Andy Sutton feels this pain. But on the PK there’s almost no choice — it will be shot-block heavy, which I think is why sometimes less talented but “gutsy” (i.e. “I will risk my health for an NHL job”) players get known for their PK work.
For the rest of the game, I think every team would prefer superior puck possession over anything else. Then the weaker teams who won’t control the puck try to adapt and limit the quality of chances. And like WebBard said Montreal did this in the playoffs last year — and banked on their counterattack — not because it was a brilliant strategy, but because it was their only (remote) hope against better teams.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Philly too
Did this to an INSANE degree last year, especially against the Devils. I mean Lapierre ended his career pretty much blocking a shot from the point with the game out of reach and 6 minutes left.
If you check Broad Street Hockey they compiled where all the shots came from in the Devils series, and there’s basically a semi-circle around the net from which the Devils never got a shot through.
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.
Moulson
is on pace for 40 goals, I believe it’s possible.
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.
It's far more than possible...
… and it looks like he’s going to do his part. A lot of that is going to be dependent on how they use Josh (and how healthy he is), if they keep Nino, if they audition Martin and where the heck Grabner and PAP fit in.
As the injuries pile up making up lines is going to be like playing yahtzee. The good thing is they have four capable centers (even with Josh out), and can shuffle 6 potentially when Josh and RSH return.
It’s interesting to look at a guy like grabner who has all that speed, and good hands but hasn’t been able to make it work… * Tambellini Warning * It just goes to show you that you can have wheels, hands, brains and all the strength in the world… they’re nothing without…
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Not sure Grabner has shown the hands yet, the puck doesn’t slow him down like an anchor so in that respect he has the hands, but so far I haven’t seen the finish.
I think of “hands” as hand-eye coordination. Watching him during hte ranger game I thought he was able to retain possession through checks, and make plays with the puck that were adverse to his body angles. Kinda like a QB that can throw on the run or off his back foot. You see it a lot with RSH, and definitely with JT…. Kyle has that too… haven’t seen enough of Grabner in close and on the boards…
Speaking of which… the guy who had mad hands on the boards for us scored his first goal as a Bolt. YEAH SEAN!!!!
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Dear Gatekeeper
1. really enjoyed [mostly reading] the visiting make believe fan banter… Not sure we need two threads, maybe some enforcable rules… But don’t get all Botta on us.
2. Nice work on the blog radio spot. Next time your on you can tell Joe that Islander fans don’t need to have LIGHTHOUSE spelled out for them… all he’s doing is helping Ranger fans find someplace to troll.
3. OK… third periods… really haven’t changed all that much. The funny thing is they don’t look like they are working as hard to make the forecheck work in the first two periods. Not that they are playing poorly, it just seems like it takes less effort than last year. So it must be something going on between periods. Maybe Bruno has a buffet for them after the second and they just need a nap.
4. Piling on… If Bailey is out, and neither Schremp nor Hunter is ready yet I think we’ll Rhett a little Rakh-tober. Rokay Rom
5. Nino… he sure does look good for an 18 year old… I don’t envy the decision that Gordon and Snow have to make. But I would really like to see a guy who has played an 82 game NHL schedule in there this year. The forwards are the youngest they’ve been since forever… and maybe some maturity will help with the third periods.
6. Is there really a debate as to who the better goalie is RIGHT NOW. Can we ride the Rollie-coaster until he’s ready to shut it down?
7. Two tough teams coming up… The ability to roll four may come in handy in FL (Tampa and Miami). I am now a HUGE Mustache fan… but I think they may need to have that spot open for an 8 min forward…. the question is… can they do it without exposing Trevor to waivers
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Agree with all
And I’m pretty sure Trevor is a two-way.
Some suspensions are worth it!!!
by Keith Quinn on Oct 19, 2010 7:55 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
A two waY, I believe
only means they pay him at two different rates… he still has to pass thru waivers.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Damn!
We are going to have the poor man’s version of the Devil’s problem!
Some suspensions are worth it!!!
by Keith Quinn on Oct 19, 2010 9:33 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Cool. Thanks for the input everyone. Not trying to be a police state, just want to make sure it’s still enjoyable for everyone.
On gatekeeping, I inevitably get: “Hey, this one isn’t liking my jokes. This one’s being mean/whiny/immature/can’t gauge tone.” “Who’s being mean?” etc. all while I’m intending to watch the game, too. Then some don’t like all the clutter (although really, that’s what a game thread is designed for). So I wanted to hear preferences.
-The Benevolent Gatekeeper
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Hope you don't think I was complaining!
They are a funny bunch, and I liked it, but it was just overwhelming for me…I’ll get better. We are a small but dedicated bunch here, so I’m not used to it!
Be careful gatekeeper…you don’t want to end up talking to a keymaster! (lame prison sex joke!)
Some suspensions are worth it!!!
by Keith Quinn on Oct 19, 2010 12:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not at all...
The “overwhelming” aspect is what I mean when I’m asking what our preferences are.
Of course this is coming from someone (me) who didn’t see the fun of game threads before I started this site. Now look at me, cluttering them up myself…
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
I enjoyed the thread
The PPP folks were good guests. I thought that a few times there was juvenile stuff but overall positive and good-natured.
The actual thread mechanics got chaotic, but not overwhelming. The big thing is keeping the thread from jumping everywhere, especially when someone is trying to type a reply somewhere else. That was the only thing I found annoying.
Suspended two games for excellence in commenting
I may be alone in this...
… but being in a city devoid of hockey in any form the conversation definitely ads to the experience… and when the conversation can be advanced by knowledgable and funny folks from the other side of the fence… HOORAY BEER!
To that point, your ultimate decisions should be respected. Is there anyway for you to “BAN” folks for minutes, hours, days… milleniums?
It’s be cool if SB had a penalty box… you could put guys in a box of shame for a few minutes for trolling, flaming and posting pictures of 60’s TV starlets.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
I was just thinking of that
No penalty box per se. You can ban and then unban, or you can warn. But a tranquilizer would be nice.
In the end it’s not too much concern; and it really is fun to talk hockey and the assorted tangents that result.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
You go to the box and feel shame…
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 19, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Gillies
We need to keep Gillies….his presence does more for the team than any quantified stat could ever show. He is heart and soul and that is exactly what the Isles need.
Shawn Bates will never die....so long as we remember THE penalty shot!
Nino
with our forwards dropping like flies and Nino playing so well, I just do not see how they can send him back to Portland.
scoring chances, etc.
First of all, quickly back to the Avs game, as a few wondered what the fight between Konopka and Stewart was all about. Not sure, if this link has been posted somewhere, but Jeff Marek wrote in his blog the stage for this fight had been set back this summer, when the two had met at an annual money tournament…
As for this game against the Leafs, happy they got a win out of it obviously. They might not have played very well, but I thought it was ok overall. To me this looked like the most difficult game they’ve played thus far this season. The pace was incredibly high early on. A bit surprised, Dom – or, well, not really, heh – that Grabner gets the honorable mention, whereas PA gets picked for a less assertive game. Grabner had a quiet game, I thought, I mean you’ll see his speed pretty much every game, but I never really noticed him making anything happen in this game. PA might not have been brilliant, but he’s improved with the puck, I think. He still has that tendency towards the end of the shifts especially to not quite play that cleanly and hard and thus turn the puck over there, but other than that, he’s been fine, I think. I like the little plays he makes to get out of the zone or just flip the puck to a team mate, etc. And in this particular game, he faced pretty tough competition with only Weight playing similar TOI against Kessel and Versteeg, and only Konopka and JT having a less favourable zone start. Again, it’s not Grabner vs. PA for me, I like them both, but I really think PA has contributed quite nicely so far.
By the way, scoring chances are here and this is the individual breakdown for the Isles (even-strength only). As always, zonestart is important in this context.
Eaton 2-5
Mottau 2-5
Bailey 3-4
PA 1-3
Sim 0-4
Wisniewski 1-5
Martinek 0-5
Nino 2-6
Moulson 2-9
Jurcina 5-5
Konopka 0-1
Grabner 0-1
MacDonald 4-5
Nielsen 1-3
Comeau 5-4
Tavares 2-6
Weight 5-5
PA v. Grabner
I’m not rating one over the other at this point; I do like what Parenteau has done with his hands to retain possession. But I look at the opportunities they have and am looking at little things. I see PA as getting a golden opportunity on the scoring line, so when he slows down (and he’s already not fast) in the corner for a loose puck to avoid contact, I’m concerned. Just a few examples (and Parenteau wasn’t the only one), but they were noticeable to me.
Then I see Grabner hunt down some loose pucks in the corner and not peel off even though there’s some kind of Phaneuf or Komisarek waiting for a collision, I think, “Okay, he’s a speed/skill guy, but he knows he can’t peel away in those situations if he wants an NHL job.”
That may be a bit old school, but particularly in a game where your team is on the back foot, there’s no excuse for conceding possession of a 50/50 puck because you didn’t fancy a collision. Worse, it’s a wasted trip into the zone and now you need to get your butt back on the backcheck.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
If TAMBELLINI I’m TAMBELLINI not TAMBELLINI mistaken TAMBELLINI that TAMBELLINI put TAMBELLINI somebody TAMBELLINI in TAMBELLINI the TAMBELLINI press TAMBELLINI box TAMBELLINI for TAMBELLINI a TAMBELLINI long TAMBELLINI stretch TAMBELLINI last TAMBELLINI year.
I can’t remember who it was though…
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Shoulda been Chef Bruno
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 19, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I can see where you’re coming from and that’s a legit point for sure. I’ve not really paid attention to who is peeling off how often in these situations. PA might well have his struggles there. But I just wonder, if that plus all the turnovers he gets criticized for was all that serious, we’d see him spend quite a lot of time in the own zone, wouldn’t we? That’s not what we see, though, is it? Maybe it’s just these easily observable situations he has his struggles with, but makes up for it in equally important, less easily observable situations, such as pressuring the opponent (forcing bad decisions, etc.), being in the right position, little plays to help the team mates, etc.
Anyway, that’s all vague, but it’s how I’d explain why I feel he’s actually playing some quite effective hockey overall desite these struggles I do indeed see, as well.
Just so I’m not ragging on him, I do think he’s doing some good things and I’ve complimented a few times his puck ability as a good presence on the powerplay. I just also see him do things that I’d expect out of a younger player just coming out of junior rather than a career AHLer who has what may be his best shot at an NHL job.
So I’m not giving up on him, and everyone at any age needs to make adjustments when moving to a higher level. But if he is “top six or bust,” I’m looking for those little things to go with his skills.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
I’ll probably get killed for this but the Isles so far remind of the football Giants the beginning of last year. There are some disturbing signs – namely failing to clear their own zone – that could come back to bite them.
This will be an interesting stretch of games. Ten of the next 12 on the road including two against MTL, two against Philly, and a west coast swing to LA, SJ, and Anaheim. If they can come through that stretch w/ half the available points that would be HUGE then take care of business at home.
So far this year though I’m thrilled overall just to see the forecheck work, and the Isles scoring some goals (Moulson’s goal last night was pretty nice). Now they need make sure they clear the puck when they have the chance. Late in the 3rd last night, I think PA was about to skate the puck out, had his pocket picked and it led to another 30 secs of pressure, three or four scoring chances, and a penalty that allowed the tying goal. GET IT OUT!
Late in the 3rd last night, I think PA was about to skate the puck out, had his pocket picked and it led to another 30 secs of pressure, three or four scoring chances, and a penalty that allowed the tying goal. GET IT OUT!
That was Jon Sim – not PA.
Agreed it was Sim. Hence the minus I gave him on my scorecard. He wasn’t the only one that it happned to last night, but it led to the penalty.
No doubt
The Leafs’ speed on the backcheck really seemed to surprise a few Isles.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Yes...
Besides getting snaked by the artful dodger Sim played pretty well… as a matter of fact the play to gain possession there was pretty good too… thought he was going to relieve some pressure.
Sim definitely (IMHO) was not a problem. What is your opinon of the third period man-to-man strategy. They were guilty last year of chasing hte puck… and last night they seemed to take on a check in the defensive zone and play man to man for some periods.
I’m not that well versed in hockey strategies, but that seemed odd, or rather something I haven’t recognized in the past…
Is that common?
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
No idea, honestly. Strategies in the own zone are definitely not my topic, either. And I didn’t notice that last night. All this 3rd period stuff is tough to tell anyway – how they look depends so much on the opponent. The Leafs are not as much of a puck possession team, but will try to force turnovers and will come at you with speed. So, I don’t know, maybe you’ll not get guilty of chasing the puck as quickly against this team as against others. But it’s the turnovers that’ll cause you problems.
I thought the first 12, 14 minutes of the 3rd period were quite ok last night. They were passive, but not really under pressure. It’s hard to remember things from last season exactly, so, I don’t know, but if they changed anything, it’s perhaps their aggressivity. Once they have the lead, they’re pretty quickly starting to focus on the neutral zone. They of course stopped being aggressive with two men at some point during the games already last season, but I feel like they’re starting earlier and doing it more strictly. But yeah, I don’t know, maybe that’s all wrong…
However, I think key for them, especially against a team like the Leafs, is getting the puck out and through the neutral zone cleanly.
WE WIN!!
Of all the things I could comment on about last night’s game, the OT penalty is first and foremost on my mind. Finally, WE got a call…after that abortion in Pitt the other night we were due…not a great game, too many turnovers that led to scoring chances galore for the Leafs, but Rollie was spectacular again…Would have liked a lot more agrresiveness in the 3rd but Bailey’s injury clearly changed the game dynamic…Comeau looked like he really missed Josh…Weight played really well for an old guy, but PA again was unimpressive (too inconsistent)…These were the games we lost last year, so overall, all things considered, the team is responding well and playing hard and doing enough of the little things to pull games out that they might not have a year ago. Maturity??!!
by upstateislesfan on Oct 19, 2010 7:56 AM EDT reply actions
I find myself watching for Grabner more than anything else
I figured with this guys pedigree he was tailor made for Gordon’s “Overspeed” system. I don’t even think he employs that anymore and we rarely get to see it anyways.
Mostly, aside from his 1 or 2 rushes a game, he’s absent.
Granted it can’t be easy learning a new system and getting used to new team mates. Just hope this guy is not Tambellini the sequel.
I want to see him on the PK
I think with that speed, he can be a real threat for short handed goals…provided he can be defensively responsible. Also, is he as small as advertised or are those his draft numbers we’re looking at?
Some suspensions are worth it!!!
by Keith Quinn on Oct 19, 2010 9:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed on the PK
The team needs to utilize everybody they can on the PK… considering they released most of their better PK players, and have lost two to injury.
I watched Grabner a lot during the Ranger game. I wanted to see if he was going to be Tamby II… He appears to be a little thin in the trunk, but he has better balance than most guys with center of gravity issues. He maintains his stride after getting hit, and does try to finish his checks.
Tamby tried like hell to finish his checks, but would constantly take himself out of the play because he’d have to get up afterwards. Effort was there… not the result.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Really, Wyhsynki/Puck Daddy?
You give one of your three stars to JT instead of Rollie? That was a hell of a shot, but it never would have happened without 60 minutes of awesome goaltending.
Talk about a case of missing the point.
/goalie fanboy rant
59 minutes 55 seconds and Martinek’s great goaltending for the final 5 seconds.
by Hockey1919 on Oct 19, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, didn't the NHL give JT first star too?
That probably tells us all we need to know about how this league works. (“Marketable star with the game-winner and an assist, or the old man who stood on his head all game? Young star, every time.”)
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
They’re doing that almost every time, when the game goes into OT, though (giving 1st star to final scorer). Whether that makes sense, I don’t know, but they seem to have to do a preselection and mostly give the two best players until that point the 2nd and 3rd stars and then just automatically the guy who scores the game-winner the 1st star (see Isles-Pens, where Goligoski was given 1st star).
Yeah, they always do
It’s just silly. It makes the star selection thing — and some people do tally them up at the end of the year — even more subjective.
Funny, the Leafs announcer narrates JT’s goal, says the Isles win in OT, and “Dwayne Roloson the hero.”
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Plusses and minuses
+: FRANS! (Can’t believe Dom left him out.) It seemed like he made multiple key defensive plays as the game wore on – and he had the 2nd helper on Moulson’s goal.
+: JT: Tavares’ second game back and it looks like he’s primed to roll. Not only did he have an assist and the OT game winner, but there were numerous times where things he did inspired jaw drop action. At one point, he bodied Phaneuf off the puck going into the corner with flair. He’s starting to make use of his size, and I like it.
+: the Wiz: His gambling never hurt us, and he had great positioning for a couple of blocked shots. Plus, his feed to JT on the game winner was as smooth as can be asked for on ice as choppy as it had gotten at that point.
-: Konopka and faceoff fights: We get it, Z! You’re scrappy and want to give your team a charge! But we can’t take one of our best faceoff guys off the ice for 5 minutes in a tight game.
-: Nino and staying upright: Does it seem to anyone else like sometimes when Nino pulls up before contact, he doesn’t get his feet set?
-: Isles training staff: There has to be some sort of connecting thread between all the hip and shoulder injuries we see our guys take. So I’m going to grasp at straws here.
by MTBVibe on Oct 19, 2010 9:08 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That DeGuy
Needs to work on DeHips and DeShoulders because these injuries are DeVastating!
Konopka might not yet realize what he’s worth to us. SG needs to let him know that he’s a big part if our puck possession if he hasn’t already…and at less if you’re going to do it, get higher than a 2.0 on hockeyfights.com! It’s like watching basketball fights!
Some suspensions are worth it!!!
by Keith Quinn on Oct 19, 2010 9:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don’t know about a plus for Wiz in this game. He didn’t really make anything happen offensively (Doug Weight assisted on JT’s game-winner – Wiz was not on the ice). And he had a few of his usual little defensive hiccups, nothing too serious, just a bad decision here, a gutsy pass there, a penalty, etc.
i thought it was weight too, but it was in fact the Wiz… just so used to seeing DW in that spot i assumed it i guess
a profound return... i still love sammy octoberfest :-)
NP.
It was most of the reasoning for his plus – he’d have been a minus if on one of his little gamble forays, he’d gotten stripped and it went the other way. And I forgot about the penalty too.
Also, the key to spotting him on the ice: his half-white un-taped one-piece. If you see what looks like half a stick in a player’s hands, it has to be him…
I made the same mistake, had to look at the scoresheet and the replay to confirm
Weight was first in the goal celebration too, but turns out he was the guy in front of the net.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Excellent...
I’d like to stress the MINUS on Konopka. I don’t think Konopka particularly deserves a minus, but the whole moronic obligatory fighting has got to end. If Gordon is going to be a pacifist when one his charges is hurt by a cheap shot, then dagnamit, I don’t want to see guys trotted out there just to dance around for a minute and be in the box for five.
Minus to Gordon for three things…
1. If you’re not going to use Gillies you can’t afford the roster spot for effin 9 seconds of hockey. the guy looks like he can handle a few shifts per period… especially after a couple of shifts where the Isles have been outplayed physically. There are 6 guys on the ice, and that fourth line looks like it is okay…. Gordon needs to utilize the physical presence earlier, so maybe the other teams are worn down a little more come the third period. There was some good hitting in TOR, but there was NONE against the AVS… that fourth line can be used to an end that I don’t think Scott sees.
2. I’m pretty sure he went to OT with the TO in his pocket. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there are times when they could have used a TO… especially after a long defensive stretch and icing it. He may need to go to TIME OUT SCHOOL.
3. I know it’s hard to keep consistent lines when there are people in and out of the lineup every night… but the line combos are starting to a little BARREL-OF-MONKEYS-ISH.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Timeouts
I am no way near the advocate or believer in the Church of Timeouts that some people are, but last night was one of those times where I would’ve liked to see him use it. A couple of instances where they were getting outplayed and starting to retreat to start that spiral.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
You don’t need to use it every game… but I’d like to know that he’s aware that he has one to use. I’m not saying that is why they gave up the goal in the third, but if he used it we wouldn’t have room to second gues NOT USING IT.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
I just don’t buy the “We’re being outplayed — a timeout will fix it!” theory. But in last night’s case there were a few times where the tying goal seemed inevitable, and the more pressure they got under the more they stopped playing their game even when they got the puck to Toronto’s zone, which was the only way they could relieve the pressure…endless cycle.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Gillies played a bit more last night and I have to admit, it was noticeable, but not necessarily in a good way. He is heading to the right spot and willing to hit, but he can’t seem to grab the puck on any of the turnovers he creates. It creates a lot of loose balls, but not many possessions.
Gordon not using his Time Outs used to drive me crazy last season, it was like he was saving them for the shootout. However, I couldn’t think of a clear time to use it last night. The Leafs have Kessel and then Kessel up front so any time out would just be used to rest their lone offensive threat. I didn’t see that the Islanders were rattled, just not making the simple play of shipping it out when two feet from the blueline.
He could have used it right before the power play for the Leafs started – the one Kessel scored on. That’s really the only time I could think go. Not sure it would have helped any.
I actually thought Gillies looked kinda ok out there on the ice, actually.
And JT’s skating is improved from last year.
For some reason I thought Wilson used his Time Out at that time, but my memory is a thing of the past.
As for Gillies, he did look “kind of okay”, which to me means less is more.
Gillies and ice time.
I think your original comment about Gillies knocking the puck loose is worth noticing. He gets a decent number of clean hits on people when given the chance. And his hockey brain is certainly up to the level, if you watch where he tries to go – it’s his athleticism which is the issue, he’s just not QUITE fast enough, or not QUITE agile enough – and how many of us can say that we’re even remotely as fast or agile on the ice as you need to be to stick around even the AHL as long as Gillies has?
Now I find myself with yet another reason for a less compressed preseason – it would have given Gordon some time to put Gillies on the ice against NHL talent with no repercussions and figure out where he can give him ice time to keep from having to shorten the bench too early in the game.
Also, if Gordon is going to let Konopka fight, he needs to sit Gillies in the pressbox. Because when you throw Zenon in the box for 5, you’ve essentially shortened the bench by two players for a quarter of a period.
Yeah, I think this is fair praise of Gillies. The double-edged sword with situations like this is you aren’t going to have him anchoring down JT and Comeau, so he ends up with Konopka and Sim and then — well, who exactly is going to help whom out there?
I noticed Gillies actually leading a breakout once last night, he made a good cross-ice diagonal pass, but when you have three limited talents out there they’re all doomed to at best not do much. Nobody’s leading that rush; nobody’s sustaining that pressure because no one has above average skill in open play.
It’s sort of Thompson-Jackman syndrome: Even when they make the right plays, they’re still likely to be punished because of who’s lining up next to them.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Unless you throw a top 9 player on the 4th line.
Parentau/Grabner/Martin are all options to possible experiment with. Who knows, something could work out.
Go isles or Go home.
Grabner experimentation...
…that might work well, actually – he’s fast enough so that if Gillies pops the puck free, he’d have a fair chance to snag it…or if Gillies snags it, he’d be able to spring Grabner headed down ice with speed.
The real question is when do you get time to experiment? =/
Sim\Gillies\Konopka
Sim has been known to go on scoring runs from time to time in his career. I’m not t familiar with Konopka but his face-off prowess is impressive. And as I said above Gillies helps the team in ways that are not easily measured. He is heart and soul and I think the rest of the teams feeds off of that. For that reason I think Gillies should be kept around.
Shawn Bates will never die....so long as we remember THE penalty shot!
Interesting game for sure, in that i thought we played well, even though i thought we were outplayed… which is fine, our grit and goalie gutted one out, and luck probably helped too
+ i thought nino was one of the better players (disclaimer) defensively tonight, behind the obvious defensive fwds that is (still loving that poke check on phil)
he also gets a 2nd + for not pussing out when he knows he’s gotta take a hit to clear the zone or make the right pass
+ the team as a whole was clogging lanes, blocking shots and passes, even if it was just by the hair on their chinny chin chins.
+ sim was unsung in my eyes, without looking it up, he seemed like he got more ice time and was also very responsible on the ice
- PAP is too easily stripped of the puck, i feel apprehensive when he’s carrying it thru the zones, am i being too hard on the guy? cuz i’m rooting for him but i just aint seeing it
super +++++++++ roli (and his mask) for obvious reasons
+ weight, the steady old man showed good jump in his legs and his ability to put a pass in a spot JT likes helps avoid the goofy fanned attempts we saw 1/2 the time last year from JT
+ JT’s laser beam, it’s shots like that that make people assume he’s going to make the Stamkos-esque jump… but for my money, i’ll take the easy as pie pass he pushed to MM to open the scoring.
+ to MM for another 500$ going to the islanders kid’s foundation (he’ll get a plus every time he scores for donating money to kids from me)
a profound return... i still love sammy octoberfest :-)
+ i thought nino was one of the better players (disclaimer) defensively tonight, behind the obvious defensive fwds that is (still loving that poke check on phil)
he also gets a 2nd + for not pussing out when he knows he’s gotta take a hit to clear the zone or make the right pass
Agreed! You can see his game growing on the little things from game to game, too. He didn’t have the best night against the Pens (obviously) but I don’t think we’ll see those mistakes from him again.
A small caveat on the 2nd plus point for him you noted – I love that he’s willing to take the hit to make the play, but I want to see him stay upright more often (or all of the time) when he does! He has the size to do that, and when he gets knocked down clearing the defensive zone or feeding someone on offensive zone entry, it takes him out of the play. It may only be for a few seconds, but he’s still not there for those few seconds, you know?
Was it just me or did Comeau completely blow it on the PK when the Leafs scored? Chased the puck too far , then didn’t go down to block the pass or get back in position, leaving the wide open shot. As it was happening you could see it was going to at least lead to a good opportunity.
Otherwise another great game. More than anything I love that they are just fun to watch again. Been a LONG time since you could say that.
Game notes
+ Dwayne Roloson…solid, steady veteran goalkeeping. Easy to let DiP round back to shape with him around.
+ Marc Eaton….first plus of the year for him. Blocked alot of shots and was steady.
+ Radek Martinek…I am not saying Norris trophy or anything, but if this guy stays healthy, he is one of the better D-men in the league.
+ Zenon Konopka…effort, effort, effort
+ JT…played a nice game in front of his hometown. Great pass to MM and great shot on the GW.
- We need to immediately fire our strength and conditioning coach! Are you serious? Another injury?
- Blake Comeau…not your best game
- Mike Grabner…sooo fast, but seems to do little with what he has been gifted.
Dom hit it right on the head, no transition game really doomed us to play alot of the game in our own zone. The D held tight and really didnt give many quality chances. We won this game in the trenches folks. 23 blocked shots and 60% in the faceoff circle. We are still learning but coming along nicely. Let’s hope Josh hits the jacuzzi and gets better real soon. I think at this point, they might just keep Nino around in anticipation of the next forward to go down! LOL….He does not look out of place at all.
+ Roloson – Great game. First star once again.
+ Martinek – The guys is awesome. Too bad we tend to forget during his injuries
+ Nielsen – Defense, offense he did it all last night as usual, nice stick check on Kessel
+ JT a nice two point effort, great pass and better slapshot
+ PP led to Moulson’s goal and the second the OT winner (was thinking we better score like the Pens did to us)
+ Grabner I thought was noticeable in the Gordon forecheck, still his hands need work
- Bailey out, which which I first noticed when Gillies started to take additional shifts (Comeau did’t have quite the same game without him)
- Sim for not clearing the puck which leads to the penalty that ties the game (too often they didn’t get it out of the zone, those blue line transitions will kill you)
- Goring for saying the Islanders will have to learn to win 1-0 games, thus jinxing the Shutout
+ Referees – Every marginal and not so marginal call went the Isles way
+ keeping the sticks out and leaving most of the Leaf shots from the point
- Allowing the Leafs easy entry into the defensive zone starting late in the first
- The fight didn’t involve any punches. When did the NHL become the NBA? Should have been 2 each for delay of game.
- NHL network – All post game highlights and interviews were with the Leafs. Who won this game?
+ If I have to say something postive about the Leafs, Kessel showed flashes of brilliance
+ Weight – showing the other old man in net that he can still contribute, nice wheels on a couple of waived off icings
- Empty rows of seats behind the Islander bench as the “center of the hockey” universe fans are too busy at the cigar bar to actually watch the game until the 10 minute mark of each period.
Surprised to see PArenteau on the PP in OT, easily guessed Weight, Tavares and Wiz, but was thinking Neilsen or Moulson, but it worked.
- NHL network – All post game highlights and interviews were with the Leafs. Who won this game?
same sh!t when we beat the rags, i had to wait 40 min’s for highlights and it was all Sam and Joe
only time they get love is when Denny is sitting in for NHL on the fly
a profound return... i still love sammy octoberfest :-)
To 1919's point...
You’d think they’d show interviews with both coaches, Kessel, Tavares and Rollie… but it’s Phaneuf and the other make believes and that’s it. They probably feel that there are 9M people tuned in to check on the leafs, and 900 to check on the Isles… Somebody should tell the producer that there are only 9 people that watch that show and three of just commented on it… .maybe that’s why there are 30 “THE PERFECT SITUP” ads instead of a sponsor like McDonalds, Burger King or MOLSON.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Honey… what are you doing in there?
Nothing, why?
What’s all that clicking?
I’m doing sit ups….
Okay… whatever… but I hope you’re not using my good towels!
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
“I notice all these late-night situps aren’t making a difference on your midsection.”
—“Oh, you know…infomercials. They exaggerate.”
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
The commericial is hilarious,
I think he says something like “oooh, that’s it” . lmao
Go isles or Go home.
More notes
+ clogging the middle and collapsing to the puck. Everyone made an effort to surround Rollie and sweep away loose junk. In past years the other team wins those battles.
+ Eaton and Martinek both steadily spectacular. Not hitting necessarily, but bodying guys away.
+ the battle factor. Again losing JB and still not dying and giving up the night.
+ Rollie, can’t say enough. Went to PPP last night for their game highlights and comments. They hate him, and their play by play was astounded by him. Please recognize SG/GS!
+ JT has that touch that Crosby has where even when it doesn’t look like it, you turn around an he has points. Much stronger, much faster, and starting to Dangle a little!
Some suspensions are worth it!!!
by Keith Quinn on Oct 19, 2010 9:48 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
i thought the OT call was legit
If Lebda bumps Roli in front there’s probably no call… but he was standing behind Roli in the crease and came down on his back. It’s kind of hard to ignore when you do that.
Suspended two games for excellence in commenting
It was legit,
but it was marginal in the sense that we often see the refs swallow their whistles on infractions that don’t directly impact the play in OT. To do it in Toronto, to boot, was a real shocker.
Beeeee-yooooo-tiful!
The guy in the grey shirt crossing his arms makes me grin.
Suspended two games for excellence in commenting
Would be better...
if he didn’t spill his beer in his lap(?)
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
well...
I see a wee bit of STAINAGE…. maybe it’s just a shadow… only he knows for sure.
It’s like magic… without the rabbit crap in your hat!
Get that man a Speed Stick marketing contract!
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 19, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Me too
Was hoping someone grabbed that shot. And thank goodness the Isles fan wasn’t…furrier.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Well, if you want furry we could always pull up the puppy pictures from the thread last night?
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 19, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
How beautiful is that jersey, too?
I still get caught in the middle of games thinking how much better on the eye these threads are.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
i can dust off my orig isles jersey that i got when i was 11 again, since it matches
a profound return... i still love sammy octoberfest :-)
I can dust mine off
But it sure doesn’t fit.
Still smells like the dust from my basement where I played hockey as a kid though, so I’m taking it to the grave.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
sweet
I’ve got the home whites I bought when the Isles made the playoffs in ‘93 – I was wearing it when Volek scored in OT, and promptly spilled soda all over myself celebrating. It didn’t all come out but it was worth it.
Suspended two games for excellence in commenting
That's fantastic
Like a moment frozen in time, thanks to the otherworldly chemical properties of cola.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
never said i’d wear it Dom, i was probably 125 back then, i’m in a fight to get under 200 now (208 right now)
hanging on the wall though, def a poss
a profound return... i still love sammy octoberfest :-)
When Turgeon was traded from Montreal to St. Louis, I dug out my white Turgeon Isles jersey for his first home game as a Blue. Safe to say I had trouble breathing all night and haven’t worn it again. But it was worth it.
I try to get Mrs. Lighthouse to wear it to games but she’ll have none of it. Something out being “grown up” now or something. Pshh.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
You're grownups, you're allowed to have fun whenever you want!
We kids, we’re supposed to be working!
Possible Trade
Can we convince Roli and DP to trade ages and contracts with eachother?
It's nice to beat the undefeated team early in the season
but in a few weeks from now it really doesn’t mean squat. In Toronto they are making a big deal about a 4-0 start but they tend to make mountains out of mole hills over there. This is still a very flawed Leafs team and it’s lack of finish really showed last night.
It’s really not that big of deal. Toronto is coming down to earth.
Still great to get the W but this team really shouldn’t pat themselves to hard on the back. The bright spots we all look at aren’t too bright if this team wound up with an L instead. Gordon shouldn’t allow this team to feel satisfied over last night either. They get complacent things can get ugly here fast.
Positive
There are alot of positive vibes coming out of this franchise for the first time in years. The young players are maturing before our eyes, we have a good coach who emphasizes aggressive forechecking and our franchise goaltender can round back into shape while Roloson holds the fort. Once we get KO, Streit and RSH back, I can see this team being very difficult to play against. Look at some past Stanley Cup winners, the 2006 Hurricanes and 2007 Ducks come to mind. Were their rosters any better than ours? I am not getting crazy here and prediciting a cup, believe me, but I think we can really surprise if Gordon, as you say, does not let the boys get too comfortable.
Not trying to be negative
Just going on history with this team.
Also, folks have to consider that we are not the only ones witnessing progress from guys like Bailey, Tavares, Comeau, Nielsen etc. Not to mention the difference an improved D corp makes on this team. The rest of the league is as well. As they scout this team they will make adjustments to their approach to them as the season progresses.
It’s the nature of the beast.
by Chickendirt on Oct 19, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s really not that big of deal. Toronto is coming down to earth.
Not going to go into this too deep but you do know that your team was out-shot, out-hit, and out-chanced all game long? The Islanders have definitely improved and I think they’re going to be competing for a playoff spot all year long, but let’s not act as if the Leafs were outplayed. Roloson played extremely well in a game the Leafs mostly dominated. And as someone said above:
+ Referees – Every marginal and not so marginal call went the Isles way
It happens, it’s over. We’ll take the point and move on – judging from the character we’ve seen from the Leafs they aren’t going to let this get them down like last year’s team would have.
Good luck with your games until we meet again, Isles fans!
If you don't love Tomas Kaberle you're a terrible person.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 19, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
you too, man
One thing that impressed me about your side this game was that they were more disciplined, more ready to play, than they usually were last season. Ron Wilson is that kind of a guy. Along with a little more speed and a lot less Toskala, and you’ll be in a lot of games.
Suspended two games for excellence in commenting
Toskala was worse than most non-leafs fans can comprehend.
His numbers were historically bad for this era of goaltending. His save % was so low it was equivalent to what you’d expect from an ECHL goalie being called up to the NHL. He only started 26 games and had a .874 save %. They also suffered 6 gms of Joey MacDonald and .892 save %. So 26 games of ECHL goaltending and 6 more of AHL goaltending. Of course it was their own fault. No one forced them to start the season with Toskala, but now he and MacDonald are gone and the NHL goalies, Gustavsson and Giguere will be playing the whole season. That’s gotta be good for 8pts in the standings right there.
Try a full season of MacDonald before lamenting poor goaltending. I’ll call it even with Yann Danis versus Toskala.
No, it’s not close. Joey MacDonald had a .901sv% in 46 games playing behind a brutal Islanders team in 08-09.
Vesa Toskala posted a .874sv% (71st in NHL) and 3.66GAA (74th in NHL) in 26 games for the Leafs last year. That is historically brutal. Goalies in the high scoring 80s often put up better numbers.
If you don't love Tomas Kaberle you're a terrible person.
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by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 19, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Yann Danis posted a .910sv% and 2.86 GAA in 31 games in 08-09.
I don’t know this for certain, but I think the Leafs have had the worst goaltending in the NHL since the lockout. Give any of the Leaf teams from 05-09 a team sv% of .910 and they all make the playoffs.
If you don't love Tomas Kaberle you're a terrible person.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 19, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Vesa Toskala posted a .874sv% behind a brutal Leafs team in 09-10. Komisarek was brought in to be an anchor last year and he was an anchor to start the season – as in brutal and dragging the team down. Schenn had quite the sophomore slump as well. Toskala’s save percentage was bad, but he also had .930 sv% with the Sharks a couple of seasons, so having a brutal team in front means a lot as well.
Mostly true, but SV% is mostly based on the goaltender’s performance. He did post a .930 with the sharks in 28 games on 03-04, but in the 226 games he has played since then he has posted a .899sv%, which included two seasons of 37 and 38 games respectively for a pretty good Sharks team.
Yann Danis and Joey MacDonald are both better goaltenders than Vesa Toskala. Toskala played behind a bad team, but he certainly couldn’t say he did his part to help the team win.
If you don't love Tomas Kaberle you're a terrible person.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 19, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
we know about Toskala
A few of us saw the Davison goal on TV as it happened. And that was before he turned back into a pumpkin. As far as Joey Mac – I’ll be the first to admit that we got probably the best month of goaltending he ever turned in.
As a goalie myself, I have a good deal of sympathy, even while the fan in me is killing these guys. But really, I’m killing guys that I’m well aware are forty times better than I ever will be. You might as well put me in front of a soccer net as let me face NHL shooters, the results would be similar. For all the pain they get, Vesa and Joey Mac are probably two of the best hundred or so goaltenders in the world.
Suspended two games for excellence in commenting
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
I said this yesterday
But it still stuns me: Vesa actually turned down NHL work from Calgary because he thinks he’s a starting goaltender. He may be the only person on the planet holding this view.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
I read somewhere on PPP that if the Leafs had Giguere the entire season instead of Toskala, they would likely have finished with 92 points, good for 6th in the East.
Goaltending will definitely be the #1 reason why this team will finish higher in the standings than last year.
If you don't love Tomas Kaberle you're a terrible person.
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by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 19, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
The Leafs will definitely finish higher this year and I agree goaltending will be a significant factor, but the bounce from hitting the floor will help as well ;).
Hah, that’s true. Nowhere to go but up, unless we were 1999-2006 Pittsburgh in which case we would stay right where we are.
If you don't love Tomas Kaberle you're a terrible person.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 19, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Gigure is a monster when on his game,
that trade you guys made should be a big payoff. I was pissed even when I heard phaneuf was going your way. If it wasn’t for the okposo hit, I would have loved phaneuf on this team.
Go isles or Go home.
Toronto Sun Spin on the game
Lance Hornby sets the record for most Leaf excuses in a single sentence with 4:
1 – controversial no goal call (which assumes that bad goals should be counted)
2 – rough hockey player caused Lebda to take a penalty (retaliation is a right)
3 – Bad ice at the ACC caused Lebda to take another penalty on Roloson (Hockey should be played where they know how to make ice)
4 – The game wasn’t even close and that is why they lost (The other team scored more often, but the Leafs deserved to win because the scoreboard should be subjective)
by Hockey1919 on Oct 19, 2010 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I've been reading responses from the Leaf fans all over the net
I thought we were paranoid. Those guys are all fuckin nuts.
All funny stuff though. Makes for some entertaining reading.
I love it. Wait until you get a Leafs / Habs game – then read the comments before and after the game. The excuses are, quite literally at times, insane.
Price-less
I can’t wait to read what goes on if Price is in net and the Habs lose on a softy. Thate will be quite the bi-lingual treat.
That game thread was a hilarious read,
it’s like there are hundreds of Jim Carrey’s in Canada. lol
Go isles or Go home.
When you're snowed in half the winter...
…you don’t have much else to do than work on your one-liners!
I kid, I kid. Canada is a nice place. Good mountain biking!
Hilarious
Sun papers are like a continent-wide asylum.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
The Sun is terrible, all i ask is please dont judge leaf fans based on what you read in the Sun
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 19, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Bailey and Hunter?
Is there any news on his injury? Time he will miss if any? Also what about Hunter?
Shawn Bates will never die....so long as we remember THE penalty shot!
The word on Bailey is...
…strained hip flexor, day to day.
Nothing so concrete on Hunter that I can recall.
Hip flexor injuries are weird – depending on how quickly JB heals, he might be back by Thursday…and not miss a game at all.
Newsday
In this story [sub.], Strang says Bailey and Hunter are both going on the trip and might be ready for Florida, but should miss Tampa Bay.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo and Schremp and Bailey were important.
Good News...
Thank god neither are hurt seriously!
Shawn Bates will never die....so long as we remember THE penalty shot!
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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.
