Islanders Gameday: Battle of New York, Episode IV
by Dominik on Dec 27, 2010 1:46 PM EST
in New York Islanders Previews
Email
PrintMaybe if I repeat it enough, it will come true: Some day this rivalry is going to feature two good teams. For tonight, we'll have to settle for two flawed teams playing well as of late. With last night's snowed-in win the Islanders are on this 4-0-1 run, which is better even than that season-opening 4-1-2 stretch. The Rangers are 6-3-1 in their last 10, good enough for the East's purgatory 7th seed.
Long Island Islandahs (9-18-6, 14th/E) @ Short Island Rangahs (20-14-2, 7th)
7 p.m. | MSG | MSG+, NHL audio - WRHU 88.7
Gawking at Gaborik's Groin: Blueshirt Banter | Scotty Hockey
This is meeting number four of six, and two of the first three were classic back-and-forth affairs. We'll try to forget the other one, a 2-0 (EN) affair that put everyone to sleep. With so much going on in hockey during the last week of the year -- and with these two combatants pretty familiar to all -- we'll share some links on lineups, the WJC and Rolie the Goalie after the jump.
Lineups
Mats Zuccarello, the "pocket hobbit" among other diminutive monikers, is gets another look and will play in this one. So too will Marian Gaborik, barring another setback to his own DiPietro's Knee. (I figure "Achilles Heel" has run its course; time for a new phrase for this millennium.) Former Tavares junior teammate MIchael Del Zotto sits as a healthy scratch.
No lineup news for the Isles as of this posting. Presumably the 7 D routine continues, unless Jack Capuano fancies getting Trevor Gillies back in. But with Derek Boogaard on the shelf, that would seem completely unnecessary.
Capuano told reporters who made it through the snow that he wasn't opposed to starting Dwayne Roloson on back-to-backs tonight, for whatever that's worth. Roloson was named the NHL first star of the week, which seems like the kiss of "We deem your streak unsustainable."
The Race to 100
For those of you who missed it, JPinVA brought it up again in his +/- last night: There are no current Islanders who have accumulated 100 points with the big club. But we're getting really, really close to having several, which JP has been tracking and updating here. Kyle Okposo (96) should have been the first of the current crew, but the preseason injury scratched that. Now Blake Comeau, Frans Nielsen and ol ironside Radek Martinek are nipping at KO's heels.
WJC
So lots of stuff from the World Junior Championship as the real games have begun. Thanks so much to everyone who is posting updates and thoughts from the games they watched. If you have major analysis of the tournament, go ahead and make a FanPost. I apologize, with my Isles-centric focus I can forget to include WJC news even though some very important pieces to the Islanders future are in play. Among the news:
- A Sun column on Casey Cizikas' one-man PK show against Russia (h/t Anarcurt). In a blast from the past, they compare his role to that of Jim Sandlak from 25 years ago.
- BC posted video of that PK -- and the Canadian fans' ovation.
- BC also put forth some thoughts on USA-Finland; he said Brock Nelson returned in OT after suffering an injury on a big hit, but other reports say Nelson never returned (and worse for USA, they may have lost Jeremy Morin). Let us know if you see an update.
Top New York Sports Stories of the Year
Vote here in SB Nation's poll.
And here is Part 1 of their year in review for NY sports. Although I confess, it's fun seeing all you Yankees/Mets and Giants/Jets fans commiserate here -- and I mean that sincerely. Having overlapping interests helps remind us that sports is just sports, and life is life.
FIGs
You know what to do. If not, follow the others. There is total consciousness on your deathbed at stake here. And big cheers to people like ICanSeeforIslesAndIsles for compiling them all at the starts of games.
63 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
FIG
JT 5:31
Just when you think your in the toilet you come out smelling like roses!!
by bigragoo16 on Dec 27, 2010 2:01 PM EST via mobile reply actions
DAMN YOU SUPERMAN!!!
How can you not go with Comeau against the rangers…
Comeau 14:00… I’ll give you a 13 minute and 58 second window for success!
Lighthouse Hockey: "where everybody knows your screen name" -mikb
I watch hockey because I love the game, I watch the Islanders because I hate myself.
FIG 11:04 B.COMEAU
11:04 B.COMEAU from R.SCHREMP and M.EATON
I have a new super precise system gauranteed not to win, but sure to be consistent.
PIR Strategy...
…and interesting funny(?) story.
My maternal grandmother used to love that show. And we’d watch it with her every day when we were on school vacations like we are now. Me and all my cousins would sit around the TV. Grandma was a first generation Italian immigrant, and we never heard her swear… except in Italian, and at my grandfather… until… one day when an italian guy bid $200 on a washing machine and a lady without a vowel at the end of her name bid $201…
“SUMMONABITCH!!!”
That was good for a laugh for about 20 years at the holiday dinner table.
Lighthouse Hockey: "where everybody knows your screen name" -mikb
I watch hockey because I love the game, I watch the Islanders because I hate myself.
by JPinVA on Dec 27, 2010 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Beautiful!
And I swear I went with Comeau only because I’ve been hard on him much of the year, and I am nothing if not prone to easy fallen-away-Catholic guilt and Czech self-loathing.
Lighthouse Hockey: And you shall know us by the fraying of our hips.
I am nothing if not prone to easy fallen-away-Catholic guilt and Czech self-loathing.
That sounds better than the deep Lutheran guilt and Scandinavian passive-aggressiveness that is Minnesota.
It was worth posting my drivel to get that link… That was the Shizzle my HansunFrizzle! - JPinVA
After being fired as head coach, now a "Special Adviser" to Lighthouse Hockey
by David Hanssen on Dec 27, 2010 5:53 PM EST up reply actions
Kaonashi has JT @ 11:31
(Putting it here, since he and bigragoo posted at the same time.)
Lighthouse Hockey: And you shall know us by the fraying of our hips.
FIG Moulson
from a no look, back hand pass to the middle, from Taveras where MM will slam it home…
by KO21 on Dec 27, 2010 2:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
RSH 16:18
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 27, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
RSH
It’s the holidays, so I hope it happens around 13 (whatever…don’t want to do the math) so we can split the FIG win…I haven’t even come close yet!
"Gervais...he looks danger in the fist with his face!" JPinVA
hmmm...
I think quin wants to split your FIG… I don’t know why, but it just sounds FUNNY.
Lighthouse Hockey: "where everybody knows your screen name" -mikb
I watch hockey because I love the game, I watch the Islanders because I hate myself.
I like my FIG just the way it is, thanks!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 27, 2010 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, don't yell at me...
… I don’t have a problem with your FIG… except that it might be a little over-exuberant when it scores… but I see that as a POSITIVE!
Lighthouse Hockey: "where everybody knows your screen name" -mikb
I watch hockey because I love the game, I watch the Islanders because I hate myself.
RSH knows he can dominate in the NHL
Lol…he said so after he scored the baseball type goal…RSH, playing w a monster ego and a telegraphed, windmill shot…
by KO21 on Dec 27, 2010 4:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
ME: Nielsen 10:20
Superislesfan7: Grabner 13:50
Rickfansince76: Bailey 2:25
ArsenalLI: JT 8:20
John Tavares=The Franchise, The Future, and still only 20yrs old, SO GIVE HIM SOME F**KING TIME TO MATURE CRITICS! Not everyone is Wayne Gretzky(although Tavares did break some of his records....tee hee)
FIG
PAP at 5:45
Go find yourself an open door.
by The Black Map on Dec 27, 2010 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
PAP @ 7:00
His play has improved some and he continues to get points. He’s as good of a pick as anyone with the balanced scoring we are getting.
You mean to tell me shooting the puck from 70 feet out doesn't earn us extra goals?
Grabner, 9:21
Since no one else has him yet. =p
Lighthouse Hockey: On the IR with swollen knees from praying for the injuries to stop.
FIG Sim@12:12
The anti Avery will score again this year.
Nearly enough defensemen to last through the injury bug
Big Time Bailey 15:00
It was worth posting my drivel to get that link… That was the Shizzle my HansunFrizzle! - JPinVA
After being fired as head coach, now a "Special Adviser" to Lighthouse Hockey
by David Hanssen on Dec 27, 2010 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
Martin @ 3:45
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it sn... oh, wait a minute. OK, that's enough!
by ICanSeeForIslesAndIsles on Dec 27, 2010 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
AS HARD AS YOU TRY...
Somebody is gonna drop the first FIG… and then your yard is gonna look like shit. /runs to mens room to wash hands
Lighthouse Hockey: "where everybody knows your screen name" -mikb
I watch hockey because I love the game, I watch the Islanders because I hate myself.
Worst thing is..
I waited a few minutes to see if someone would post a FFIGP, to avoid making a mess. [sigh]
Time stamp
I think we can chalk this one up to simultaneous postings (2:01 and 2:02). Trust SBN gremlins only as far as you trust the shadow gov’ment.
Lighthouse Hockey: And you shall know us by the fraying of our hips.
Youre right about the "kiss of death"...
Everytime the Isles seem to be rolling the wheels fall off the cart as soon as they start getting some positive attention…
by KO21 on Dec 27, 2010 2:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
TO THE PAIN
I can’t help it…it was on yesterday!
"Gervais...he looks danger in the fist with his face!" JPinVA
comeau
He has great games against the Rangers. Would be smart to pick him for FIG. But have to go with my gut. Finally some fun hockey to watch. And im not cursing out the TV. Well not as much lol
Just when you think your in the toilet you come out smelling like roses!!
by bigragoo16 on Dec 27, 2010 2:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions
FIG
Tavares 8:20
"It's a good thing the Islanders spent the offseason compiling organizational depth on the blueline. Because, yes, they're losing defensemen almost as rapidly as they're losing games."
Two good teams....
This was getting back to a very good rivalry season until the last game. Now that the Isles have played well, with healed defenders and repaired ids it should return to being one of hte better games of the season…
Is Gillies in the doghouse for his terrible game, or do they really feel that having both gervais and hillen in the lineup is more beneficial. I think I’d like ot see Gillies in the lineup against all divisional foes, but you can’t argue with success.
Speaking of success arguements… which is the bigger risk.
A. Going with Roloson, and if he fails hearing it from fans who “knew” that back to backs were too much for a 41 year old goalie.
B. Going with DiPietro, and if he fails never being able to start him again without hearing boos at home for letting him in the building.
I’d still like to see Lawson up, starting Roloson tonight because it’s risk averse… and putting RDP somewhere to get his confidence back before we start calling him “ready” again. Please, for the love of Billy Smith… get ricky out of the building and let him play games somewhere else.
thanks for the 100 point race plug… There is a chance it could end TONIGHT… but there is a better chance that RDP hands callahan the puck in the third period of a 3-3 game… and his teammates pour gas on him and through him in front of a hot pretzel vendor in front of MSG. After this one I might be doing updates after each game where one of those guys scores a point.
Lighthouse Hockey: "where everybody knows your screen name" -mikb
I watch hockey because I love the game, I watch the Islanders because I hate myself.
Cally is out, tonighta
and I could picture that happening if he were available to play tonight…He’s very tenacious and that what causes DP to have momentary lapses of focus..When he has the puck behind the net and is pressured he ends up getting caught out of position, giving up an empty netter or at the very least he ends up giving up a scoring chance and gets his team stuck in the defensive zone…I want DP to recover his AllStar form but is it possible at this juncture?
by KO21 on Dec 27, 2010 2:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Goalies
I’m a risk-mitigator. I’m against playing a goalie back-to-back if it can be avoided (Teams are usually weaker, the goalie is usually weaker yet also asked to do more thanks to his team.) But I’m also against playing a goalie in a regular role if his health is a question mark. (Ahem.) So tonight is a push for me.
So either way I won’t say “told you so” tonight because we could be damned or thrilled if we do, damned if we don’t.
Lighthouse Hockey: And you shall know us by the fraying of our hips.
My Uncle in westchester has tickets to the game, and I'm supposed to go....
but I can’t get to the city due to LIRR not being active, and he can’t get to the city due to Metro-North issues and his car being stuck.
SOOO ANNOYING.
Craaaaap
Saw people asking on Twitter if LIRR was up again yet. Damn. And the NHL said yesterday’s game must go on…
Lighthouse Hockey: And you shall know us by the fraying of our hips.
that sucks
LIRR is still down?
Im actually trying to figure out a way to explain to the wife that her husband will be in front of the TV watching hockey for a second straight night.
Lol...
I still haven’t broken the news to my fiance…
Go find yourself an open door.
by The Black Map on Dec 27, 2010 6:17 PM EST up reply actions
I will be yelled at shortly
“They’re playing again? Don’t they lose a lot?”
"Gervais...he looks danger in the fist with his face!" JPinVA
Stop living my life!
Go find yourself an open door.
by The Black Map on Dec 27, 2010 7:03 PM EST up reply actions
Tonight I got
“Oh my god, SIX-TWO now? How can you keep doing this?”
Lighthouse Hockey: And you shall know us by the fraying of our hips.
She
/walks in, turns towards the TV, shudders…“oh god”…looks back towards me pitifully…like an animal stuck in a bear trap for which you know releasing them would be a death sentence anyway.
I think she considered chloroform…I’ll ask some day.
"Gervais...he looks danger in the fist with his face!" JPinVA
Mrs. Lighthouse returned early from shopping
Me: “Heeeyyyy! You’re just in time for Islanders-Rangers!”
Her: “You’re joking.”
Lighthouse Hockey: And you shall know us by the fraying of our hips.
No Isles Pre-Game, tonight?
Wtf is up with the Rags PreGame on all MSH channels? Not that we’re missing must watch TV but i wonder why…
by KO21 on Dec 27, 2010 6:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions
RSH
“Anyway, like I was sayin’, Schremp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey’s uh, Schremp-kabobs, Schremp creole, Schremp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple Schremp, lemon Schremp, coconut Schremp, pepper Schremp, Schremp soup, Schremp stew, Schremp salad, Schremp and potatoes, Schremp burger, Schremp sandwich. That- that’s about it.”
Go find yourself an open door.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Lighthouse Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Islanders Schedule
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Wednesday’s Three Stars: Devils win; Kreider ties record; Brodeur’s sick save
- Watch John Tortorella’s Game 2 press conference, as he’ll ‘keep it in the room’ (VIDEO)
- Devils Coach Pete DeBoer’s adjustments make difference in Game 2 win vs. Rangers
- Marty Brodeur’s ‘own goal’ in Game 2 vs. Rangers (VIDEO)
- Coyotes’ Martin Hanzal suspended 1 game for boarding Dustin Brown
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Rangers coach John Tortorella benches Gaborik for much of third after blunder on tying goal
- Rangers coach John Tortorella benches Gaborik for much of third after blunder on tying goal
- Rangers lose, Gaborik in doghouse
- Devils-Rangers Sum
- Devils D Adam Larsson out of New Jersey lineup for Game 2, replaced by Peter Harrold
SBNation.com Recent Stories
1979-80
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
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
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
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
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
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
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
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.
