Islanders Gameday: California weekend
by Dominik on Mar 19, 2010 3:35 PM EDT
in New York Islanders Previews
Email
Print
New York Islanders (29-32-9, 12th/E) at Anaheim Ducks (32-29-8, 13th/W)
10 p.m. EDT | [car of some sort] Center | MSG+, radio
Generally Fowl People: Anaheim Calling | Battle of California
Not sure what to make of matchup #1 in this two-game swing through Southern California. Tonight's opponent is certainly the weaker of the weekend's opponents, but they're theoretically the more desperate team -- "theoretically," because the Ducks with 72 points are actually further from a playoff spot than the Islanders with 67.
Thanks to sporadic interconference scheduling, we don't have a relevant history to point too. The Islanders are 10-6-4 all-time vs. the formerly mighty Ducks. Last season's meeting was one of those ridiculous "that's why they play the game" moments: A team that hadn't won yet in 2009 steals a 2-1 victory despite being outshot 40-14, thanks to good goaltending and a lot of luck. Yann Danis made 39 saves, J.S. Giguere allowed two stoppable goals (one being Kurtis McLean's 1st and only NHL goal), and the Islanders blocked 28 other Ducks shots.
Tonight, Kyle Okposo is still out for the Islanders [WRONG! Sorry for the erroneous info.], but hey: Last game without Okposo was a 5-2 win over a superior opponent! The Ducks will be without high-minute, low-hockey IQ defenseman James Wisniewski, suspended for eight games for his hit on Brent Seabrook. He'll be replaced by Sheldon Brookbank.
Teemu Selanne is one goal away from his 600th in the NHL, which would make him the 18th NHLer to do so. (My goodness, I remember when there were only four NHLers who could claim that feat. Sigh.) That goal will also put him just one behind countryman Jarri Kurri. I hope he gets at least two more, and I hope none of them come tonight. Selanne has led the league in goals three times (including a tie with Alexander Mogilny). Mike Bossy did it just twice, though the rest of his career coincided with the prime of some guy who wore #99.
If you want thoughts on Jason Blake, you've come to the wrong place. (This spot is the home of Blake appreciation on the Internet.) It's not that I didn't enjoy his time served; it's just that I've spent enough words on him in my day, I'm retired from that.
This is a late one, but the game thread will be up tonight for Friday-night hockey enjoyment, and I hope to be around.
Prediction: Jason Blake scores. John Tavares turns Tuesday's performance into the start of a big finish.
18 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
As I asked Eric Hornick this morning: Where is Shawn Bates and Dubie when you need them?
In a wacky bit of news, Adam Walsh (super hockey agent and “My client [x]” guy) tweeted that next Wednesday’s Rangers – Isles tilt will be the first 3D broadcast (MSG being first network to air a 3D game). I know I’m a little slow on the technology uptake sometimes, but where in the heck can this be seen? Do you all have 3D televisions ? if so… well… screw me.
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
abeezle, the theater at the garden is selling 20$ tix, or channel 1300 on cablevision if you have a 3Dtv (and the glasses that work for said 3Dtv)
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
and no, like 1% of the consumer population has 3Dtv’s
plus, to work, each viewer needs glasses, which cost anywhere from $50 to $150 because the red/blue glasses i still have from when i went to see Jaws4 the revenge in 3D wont work
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
err... i meant Jaws 3
Jaws4 the revenge in 3D wont work
thinking harder, the revenge was the one in the bahamas, 3 was the sea world rip off themed one, complete with dolphins and Chappy
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
ohhh the nostalgia.
didn’t it also have Dennis Quaid in it?
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
you got it, caroline, from caroline in the city was also in that awful flick
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
Tavares
Hope you’re correct on the strong finish for JT, I think he has turned the corner on his “teenage slump”. If steve Stamkos’s rookie season is any indicator a strong finish can be hoped for, along with improvement next year. Nice to see flashes of what JT is going to be capable of. No presure March hockey is fun to watch the young guys develop. I think after the long winter they feel stronger with the spring weather and seasons end in sight.
MAYBE MORE LIKE 1974!
JT Express... ALL ABOARD!!!
There is something about a kid without exceptional speed, size or swagger who has filled the scoresheet at every level and disadvantage (age, size, pressure, environment)… now the true SUPER POWER will be revealed… WILL!
Tavares, all year has taken the hits, scrapped, battled and has generally competed his butt off. For those of us who’ve watched it, I think we understand that there is going to be a period where he just explodes.
He’s taken the crap, and stored the hows and whys, and now it’s time to turn it up a notch… it’s the last mile of this season’s marathon and I bet he sees his competition (Duchene, Myers, Bergfors and Hedman) and he is kicking it up to say, “HEY, I AM NO ALSO RAN… I”M JOHN F***ING TAVARES… AND I’M NOT DONE THIS YEAR"
Well..then John… BRING IT ON HOME!!!!
Jesus would probably turn the other cheek too… but in a league where everybody walks on water I bet you couldn’t get a third rounder for the lord at the deadline.
No presure March hockey is fun to watch
It really is. I definitely miss the nailbiting experience of playoff and/or playoff race hockey, but I confess when that returns I’ll also miss the innocence of just watching these kids for the sake of seeing what we have and what that might become.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
I have to work an overnight tonight
with my luck JT will have a hatter and I’m gonna miss the whole thing.
Their only wee-hours games of the year and you’re stuck on the late shift. Bummer, man.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Ugghhh!!!
i had a feeling!! I just had a feeling!!!
When I finally see you dom… remind me to smack you upside the head.
LOL
www.7thwoman.blogspot.com Updated almost as often as PointBlank, but not quite.
It's a date!
I just know no one can express appreciation the way you have, and I had the fan’s love/tolerate stance with him that I don’t need to go there again. :P
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Prediction: Jason Blake scores.
Wow — good call. Even I wasn’t this brazenly specific.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
He tends to do it once or twice a season to his old team, so I figure now that he’ll only get one chance per season, he has to make it count. The bastard.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
@
Philadelphia
|
Tue 02/07 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Montreal
|
Thu 02/09 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Los Angeles
|
Sat 02/11 | 1:00 PM EST |
|
Florida
|
Sun 02/12 | 3:00 PM EST |
|
@
Winnipeg
|
Tue 02/14 | 8:30 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
Buffalo
|
Sat 02/04 | SO - L 3 - 4 |
|
@
Ottawa
|
Fri 02/03 | OT - W 2 - 1 |
|
@
Carolina
|
Tue 01/31 | W 5 - 2 |
|
Toronto
|
Tue 01/24 | OT - L 3 - 4 |
|
@
Toronto
|
Mon 01/23 | L 0 - 3 |
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Rangers
|
50 | 33 | 12 | 5 | 71 |
|
Philadelphia
|
52 | 30 | 16 | 6 | 66 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
53 | 30 | 19 | 4 | 64 |
|
New Jersey
|
52 | 30 | 19 | 3 | 63 |
|
New York Islanders
|
51 | 21 | 22 | 8 | 50 |
(updated 2.5.2012 at 4:42 PM EST)
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Sunday’s Three Stars: Price blanks Jets; Kovalchuk powers Devils; Gomez doesn’t score
- Two more reasons Teemu Selanne rules: Holding ceramic pig, wearing panty-dropper shirt (Photo)
- Congratulations to Canadiens’ Scott Gomez on the one-year anniversary of his last goal
- NHL relocation to Seattle: Will new arena, Coyotes’ plight bring pucks to Pacific Northwest?
- How to score on KHL goalies: Shoot from your own end (Video)
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
