Islanders Matinee: Intent to spoil the Bruins
by Dominik on Mar 6, 2010 6:00 AM EST
in New York Islanders Previews
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PrintEverybody's still trying, there's "a lot of hockey left to play" and all that. But I admit I'm in the mode where I just want to see the young guys progress, evaluate those two pups on defense, and I'll take my joy in the moments when the Islanders can deliver a damaging blow to a playoff hopeful. Like Boston this afternoon. That'd be just dandy.
This is one of those inconvenient (to me) afternoon tilts, so I prepped this last night and don't have a lot of information to share. But yesterday Mark Herrmann reported [reference to yesterday: "...or did he FABRICATE it?"] that two lines at practice looked like so:
Blake Comeau / John Tavares / Matt Moulson
No way of knowing if that means an end to Thursday's mind-altering Richard Park-Tavares experiment. (Speaking of Tavares, it's been a few months, time for a Weight-as-Tavares-mentor story at nhl.com.) Herrmann also reported on Martin Biron (stressed from deadline day but ready to turn the page) and Scott Gordon (pledging to play the hot hand in goal, not terribly worried about anonymous player quotes).
Since I am an unashamed Nielsen homer, and the most exciting finish of this season series was Nielsen's breakaway OT goal at home Dec. 12, I shall now entertain you with Nielsen's post-game interview, at the end of which he utters my favorite Nielsen quote ever, describing Tavares' no-look assist to Moulson during that game:
'Aw, Sick. That What He Do.'
That what he do. Hopefully today we see some composure from our suddenly less-experienced defense, and perhaps a few plays from the young forwards that make me say, "Aw, sick. That what he do." (In truth, I'm going to walk around the house saying that to Mrs. Lighthouse today anyway: Dog soil the rug? "Aw, sick. That what he do.")
Season Series
This being the fourth and final meeting, it brings another intra-conference series to a close, with the Islanders taking two so far (one via Nielsen's OT) and the Bruins taking the first (via SO). In real terms, the Islanders have won five points from the Bruins while allowing the Bruins to take three. Eight points ... from three games: NHL math FTW!
For grins and posterity, here are the Islanders' completed intra-conference series so far. We've swept played through the entire Southeast, and now we're working on the historic Adams. I like a gander such as this, because when you're fighting these teams for the same playoff seeds (pretend with me here), the extra points created by going to extra time do matter. So even if some TV anchor tells us, "They're 2-2 against Carolina," the reality is Carolina won the series by two points:
| Newsday Mole | W | OTW | OTL | L | NYI Pts. Acquired | Pts. Allowed |
| Washington | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| Atlanta | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Tampa Bay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Florida | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| Carolina | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Buffalo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
Prediction: If things don't go well, we blame either the three-goalie crowd or Jeff Tambellini ... or Newsday.
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Practice lines
Those are pretty attractive at the moment, and might be the best hand we can put forward. With the exception of maybe Comeau and Moulson swapping wing positions, and perhaps interchanging Schremp onto one of those lines, that is the “where it’s at” in my opinion. Just an opinion it is, but for the stretch run it would be nice to see our younger players get a good 15 or so games to just gel completely without on moment playing first line and then next moment playing with Park (or vice versa). This team might be the epitome of lower line role players, and I think those players there are the ones with the ability to hone.
Seems like there might be a spot for Bergenheim on the left now, but does he play, or do we get another round with Tambellini? One can only wonder. In a closely perfect world I can almost image a Joensuu – Schremp – Martin third line for kickers. Not a great pairing from their play type, but the move has to be made soon I imagine for the future anyway.
Here’s to hoping that we get up before the B’s today and get our 2 p.m. “Gamenight” on! woooo [stretch run hysteria to ensue].
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
Not sure at all if I like these lines… Comeau and Tavares didn’t click at all when playing together in December, whereas Comeau has had extremely good chemistry with Schremp and Tavares on the other hand with Park. You can argue Comeau might somehow be a different player now and it’s time to check whether he can be productive with other line mates, too. But I liked the lines of the last game much better. Tavares played some of his best games together with Park and Moulson in early November. For example, they combined for 6 points in the 4-1 win against Boston on November 16th.
Dom, am I seeing the Bruins’ image correctly? Is that a Providence Bruins’ patch or just an oddly cropped B’s one?
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
Ha, you never know with my croppings.
But yes, it’s the B’s logo, oddly cropped. I’ve got a thing for sewn logos taken out of context … pretty lines, pretty logos.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
weaklings
why is this islanders team so damn weak? i grew up routing for people like gillies, nystrom, howat, lane,vukota, baumgartner, sutter etc,,, look at this team’s roster, they’re an embarrassment. i hope the rangers smack us around when we meet them. gordon needs a wake up call
The way I see it, having Milbury run the franchise for a decade is worse then starting over as an Expansion team. Just give the team time.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
That's funny.
To hear Milbury speak (which I do, cause he’s one of the in-studio color guys for the B’s) he knows everything about everything. Sadly, no one in the Boston market calls him out much for literally running your team into the ground.
I hate that I can't sign off with "bt" anymore.
Is it just because he's a former Bruin?
Why does he get a free pass? Talking with bluster earns respect?
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Yup, free pass 'cause they play nicey nice on air on NESN.
It’s really kind of sad, he’s all full of bluster and certainty….um…yah, and you base this on what? Oh, yeah, when you coached the B’s (when they were already good and had 2 HOFers playing for the team?) Puhleez. As the Wiki entry on him states, he traded away unbelievable amounts of talent.
I hate that I can't sign off with "bt" anymore.
wtf
wow – that was the best laugh i’ve had in a long time – putting vokota and baumgartner in the same sentence as gillies and nystrom.
I'm not one to hold Gordon has a "good coach"
I don’t have major issues with him either. I think he’s kind of ok.
OTOH I don’t think you can blame him for this. Where the team is at now as a whole was pretty predictable from the moment the puck dropped in October. These games are more meaningful and the kids are just kids. They are going to get beat by more battle tested and experienced teams. That’s just the way it goes.
BTW, thanks to this blog,
I’m learning the names of players that I’ve never heard of. Man-o-live, not that I follow your division too closely, but I have no earthly idea who some of these guys are that you have playing. I only wish that i could make it to the game today in person to watch, love to see young talent playing up-close and personal.
Go B’s.
I hate that I can't sign off with "bt" anymore.
Bergenheim playing
looks like Tambi is the odd man out.
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
Is Boston using a variation of the trap? A 1-2-2 defense is the best kind of trap there is. Either Howie or Jaffe said it, but there haven’t been any “real” scoring chances. And if the young Islanders can remain patient, they should wear down this Bruin team and break through their “trap”.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!!
Agree, Tavares had a nice sick like spin out from an oncoming check and then a no look centering pass that was missed, but he’s looking “on” right now. They look pretty good, despite the difference in shots.
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
Tavares looks like he's attempting to get guys to respect his passing to open up some space and time for himself.
He had a nice series where he threw the puck in the slot. Had there been someone home he would have had two easy assists there.
Nice few shifts from him, from what I saw. Saw a little creativity I haven’t seen in a while.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
This team needs D really bad
Not just guys that can clear the zone but also contribute to the offense. Also guys that can do more than just throw up a prayer when they shoot from the point (Gervaise).
Not the team that just traded their biggest D man!!
We Don’t need no stinkin Deefenese
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!!
I'm OK with trading Sutton
If you can’t resign a guy by the deadling just get rid of em. Beats getting stuck holding the bag and at least the organization retains some value. If they can turn that pick into someone with the potential to become a top four Dman this franchise is ahead of the game.
You just said we need D. But your ok with tradin away our D?
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!!
Chicken has a good point. If we couldn’t retain Sutton, a 2nd rd pick is a great value for someone who could have walked. Beyond that, there is a 15+ year difference in age between pick vs. player right now. It’s an ok move.
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
I’d have been alot happier if we traded chef Bruno or Meyer before Sutton.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!!
So next season we’d end up with neither? Pretty risky for the Isles to count on anyone re-signing once they taste the sweet nectar of July free agent offers.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Who knows if Snowy could have signed him to an extension now?
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!!
Sutton is gonna get a decent two year deal
which will be worth it for a team like Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Detroit or even Colorado. Those team can make a jump in the standings and maybe even improve in the post season with a player like Sutton.
A team like the Islanders is going to have to offer a three year deal with more money per as Sutton is not gonna be the bottom 5-6 Dman he would be on those teams. We’d also be stuck in another Brendan Witt situation where Sutton goes to play in Bport towards the end of his contract.
Yeah, I would pay silly term/risk to a guy like Volchenkov right now; I would not do it for Sutton.
(As far as speculating on his next team, I don’t think Pittsburgh would go there. If given the choice, they went with Leopold, I bet they don’t fancy him.)
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Edwards and Brickley rival Rosen and Micheletti for worst broadcasting team. About NESN’s only saving grace is Kathryn Tappen is a bit attractive.
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
by David Hanssen on Mar 6, 2010 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
I am more of a Tina Cervasio fan. What can I say?
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
by David Hanssen on Mar 6, 2010 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
Boston VS New Yawk
This would make a good game of the week on a national television station. The story is all here; The young Islanders trying to gain a playoff spot…and the Bruins, an on the bubble team, trying to stay within the top 8 teams in the east.
But no, CBS, NBC & ABC are showing other things of more importance. College BBall on CBS, Gymnastics on NBC & garbage sell a junk on ABC.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!!
Woooooooooo
Great, great deserved goal!
Bailey with the G, I think Okie and Streit get the assists!
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
For those that think Bailey was rushed to NHL
Early in the season there was talk of the Isles fucking this guy up and turning him into a third liner. Here’s the comparison to last year.
Last year -14
This year +7
Last year 25 pts in 68 games.
This year 28 pts in 57 games.
Last year 7 goals
This year 14 goals.
That’s a good progression from last season. He’ll probably end the season with about 35 pts for 75 games played this season. Next season it wouldn’t be a stretch to slate him for about 50 pts.
I think most people were of that opinion earlier in the year when it looked liked Bailey was on course to be the second coming of Gilbert Brule, but his great second half has proven otherwise.
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
by David Hanssen on Mar 6, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
The anonymous 'third liner' quote bugged me
Never thought that, at this age. Never thought they overexposed him nor protected him too much. These guys take time.
I wouldn’t have minded him staying in juniors or at least going to the WJC last year, but not enough to freak out about it. A big thing with him is there has never been any questions about his head/character, so he’s not like your typical young talent who you think you might ruin. Joe Thornton was “turned into a third-liner” (if that) his first year and a half in the league.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Wow
Big collision with Rider and Meyer railroading Rolo
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
Well, that tie was nice for a little while there
I blinked, and it was gone.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Wow, that was ugly. What was with Roloson, did he think it was out of play?
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
think he was just playing angles, assuming it would go another way. Nobody had a clue on that one.
…well, except Boston
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
I like the new sig
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
by David Hanssen on Mar 6, 2010 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
And even Boston — it looked like just one guy was on to it. That’s a lottery bounce right there.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Where the hell did this Thomas guy come from?
I mean really!
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
by David Hanssen on Mar 6, 2010 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
You don’t go from a Vezina winning goalie to a bad goalie
Has Claude Julien never heard of Jose Theodore?
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
Jose Theodore nothin lol
Jim Carey!
Theres got to be someone there who was sill in the Bruins org back in the mid 90s who could fill Claude Julien in on that one.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Mar 6, 2010 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
Rider
Is a scumbag, this is twice in one game.
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
Well, he’s gone. I wonder if he will get a chance on the Wheel of Justice?
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
by David Hanssen on Mar 6, 2010 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
I’d think no Wheel of Justice. Seems like 5-minute and misconduct is penance paid.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Oh, Comeau
That did not look good.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
I wonder if the B’s put a guy in the box for the 5 minute major?
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
Hahaha. Roloson is ready if they don’t.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Love how Weight’s simple tap-tap stickhandling with the puck automatically buys them space.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
yea, think we need some more motion to jostle the other team on the pp, but Boston’s PK is #1 in the land, can’t take away from these guys. Thought the boo birds were unnecessary.
Comeau, Comeau, Comeauuu and do the locomotion with me.
Thought the boo birds were unnecessary.
Me, too. That end-of-the-second stretch was hardly awful. And Bailey was pole-axed down twice with nary a glance from the ref.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Second Helping of Schremp
PP looks a lot better when Schremp is out there.. boy, I sure do hope we can get a second rounder for him in the off season.
Did that commercial just call the frickin AWARDS CEREMONY “Hockeys Biggest Night of the Year”???
WTF?
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
Nevermind that Stanley Cup thing.
Vegas and Hockey! What a perfect match
by IslesguyinDallas on Mar 6, 2010 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t forget Shaka Khan!
Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The X makes it sounds cool.
by David Hanssen on Mar 6, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Funny story from disaster against Thrashers...
I get home and it is already 4-1 at the start of the second period and of course it went further downhill from there. But what topped it off was my 17 y/o stepdaughter watching with me and she decided to blurt out “God Hockey players are hot.” As if I didnt have an icecream headache from watching the game.
by IslesguyinDallas on Mar 6, 2010 3:58 PM EST reply actions
Bahahahahaha!
Excellent.
“Also, I’m getting married. He’s foreign. He’s 32. He’s very nice.”
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
So that was a huge waste of a 5 minute PP.
If The Beantown Boys score again, it’s over.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!!
Guy at pick-up hockey today: “Man, that fantasy guy you told me about from the Islanders is still lighting it up.”
/Moulson
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
What is it about that side of the defensive zone that creates turnovers? They always seem to happen right there.
by IslesguyinDallas on Mar 6, 2010 4:08 PM EST reply actions
It's 1995 out there
Bit of bullshit out there.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Does seem like the officiating has decided to just put their whistles away for the third period. It’s a shame, cause the score should be decided by the players, not the ref’s.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!!
My solace: Wasn’t counting on the PP converting anyway.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
I honestly think the Bruin’s would have had to kill someone to get a penalty called against them. I hate to cry conspiracy, but the refs ‘miss’ at least 2 penalties a game against the Isles. It’s pretty weak. The officiating in this league is horrendous.
by billymac23 on Mar 6, 2010 4:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
How did Chara *not* clear the zone there?
Almost gave them the last chance they needed.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Howie and Jaffe both said not to shoot the puck near Thomas or Z. They both play the puck very weel, and that has negated almost every dump in the Isles tried.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!!
Yeah, the dump-ins were not working in the final minute. If Chara hadn’t looped that one to Streit (nice play by Streit), not sure they’d have had any possession in the O-zone at the end.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
1 goal games
You know, it seems like the team just has a large number of games they lost by 1 goal. I think if we win half of them, we’d be in playoff position.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
Its true
And if the Isles scored a goal instead of hitting the post just 1/3 of the time, thats how they could have won half of them.
Thts how close things really have been for this team. even if their position doesnt show it.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Mar 6, 2010 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
That's right
It completely slipped my mind that we tend to average 2-3 goal posts a night.
Please NBC, Fire Milbury, Hire Roenick Full time!!!
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Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
@
St. Louis
|
Thu 02/16 | 8:00 PM EST |
|
Carolina
|
Sat 02/18 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Ottawa
|
Mon 02/20 | 1:00 PM EST |
|
@
Buffalo
|
Tue 02/21 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
New York Rangers
|
Fri 02/24 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Winnipeg
|
Tue 02/14 | W 3 - 1 |
|
Florida
|
Sun 02/12 | L 1 - 4 |
|
Los Angeles
|
Sat 02/11 | OT - W 2 - 1 |
|
Montreal
|
Thu 02/09 | L 2 - 4 |
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Tue 02/07 | SO - W 1 - 0 |
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Rangers
|
55 | 37 | 13 | 5 | 79 |
|
Philadelphia
|
56 | 31 | 18 | 7 | 69 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
56 | 32 | 19 | 5 | 69 |
|
New Jersey
|
56 | 32 | 20 | 4 | 68 |
|
New York Islanders
|
56 | 24 | 24 | 8 | 56 |
(updated 2.15.2012 at 8:59 AM EST)
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