The Islanders Struggles: Talent or Coaching?
by WebBard on Jun 17, 2010 3:12 PM EDT
in This, That & What-Not
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In some aspects last season, the Islanders had a really good season. Younger players stepped up, other players showed why they have huge upside and Dwayne Roloson had an unbelievable season. It's easy to just look at the standings, see the Islanders near the bottom of the standings and be disappointed. Looking at the West though, two teams from the West would have made the playoffs if they were in the East. The Ducks would have made the playoffs too, ahead of Montreal. So while the East struggles, there's hope for the Islanders.
When breaking down the Islanders stats, on the bright side it looks like the talent is there. Can the Islanders struggles be laid to rest at the coaches feet? I've defended Scott Gordon, especially this year during the 3-13 stretch when people seemed to come out of the woodwork against him. First off, you can't blame him for his first season. That was a team going into the season that couldn't decide whether to rebuild or try for the 8th seed. The struggles in net aside, it just wasn't a very good team. This year we have not only seen a lot of the offensive weapons develop, but Gordon also did a masterful job working in the AHL defensive replacements no matter who he was given. The team went from having 16 players in double digit negatives last season to only six this season. Of those six, two are no longer with the team. Despite these improvements there seem to be some humps that the team is struggling with, which if the players continue to improve in other aspects of the game, the finger can only be pointed at the coaches.
Under Gordon the Islanders have been great at home. They have compiled a 40-32-10 record at home in two seasons. At the same time they have struggled greatly away from Nassau going 20-52-10. With +12 wins at home this season as compared the the road the Islanders had the biggest disparity between home/away wins. This season the Islanders finished a +6 in goal differential at home, but a -50 when away. One reason for the difference? An already struggling Islanders Penalty Kill is even worse on the road. In giving up 44 PP goals against on the road this year, tied for most in the league with Toronto. No amount of talent is going to change the troubles on the road. It's a purely mental aspect of the game and at the end of the day the team has to stop the Jekyl and Hyde act to move forward.
Part of the Islanders struggle at home is their poor play in the Eastern Conference. At 24-31-9 the Islanders were the worst team in the East against the East this season. Their struggles against lesser teams means they also struggled against the Southeast. With a 8-9-3 record against the SE, the only teams in the East not to go .500 or better against the SE were in the Southeast division as both the Thrashers and Panthers finished with 8 wins within their division. Yet the Islanders went 9-7-4 against the Northeast, which sent four teams to the playoffs. Against the West the Islanders tied with the Sabres and Capitals for most wins against the West from the East. At 10-6-2 the Islanders had more wins against teams from the West then they did playing against Atlantic teams (7-15-2). It raises the question of whether familiarity with Gordon's system leads to teams finding successful counters.
The struggles with the power play seem to go back to the Islanders appearing to lack the ability to force the puck into the zone. When the Islanders dump the puck into the zone, they are hoping that a heavy forecheck in the offensive zone will cause defenders to make mistakes. Most defenders aren't used to being pressured when they are bringing the puck out of the zone. But the Islanders under Gordon look to pressure the defender in their offensive zone, hopefully causing a quick mistake. One problem with this is that on the power play the defender doesn't have to carry the puck out of the zone. He simply rifles the puck down the board to kill time on the penalty. Hopefully Gordon spent most of this season setting up his system, and now can concentrate on special teams.
The penalty kill struggled too, taking a step back from the previous season. Most of the troubles came on the road, as the Islanders were shorthanded 24 more times then at home, yet gave up double the amount of PP goals. Looking at Time on Ice stats, the same group of players were on the PK both home and away. Next season the top ten of average ice time while shorthanded is probably going to change. This years list in order (from 2:46 to 1:51 average a game) is Richard Park, Nate Thompson (Gone), Andy Sutton (Gone), Bruno Gervais, Radek Martinek, Brendan Witt (Mostly Gone), Jack Hillen, Blake Comeau, Frans Nielsen and Freddy Meyer. Hopefully during training camp Gordon works in new players to the PK and the unit picks up next year.
Despite the Flyers and Habs run through the playoffs, Gordon definitely deserves at least another full season. This year though the PP and PK both have to pick up. The hopeful edition of another top tier defensman will help both special teams. Development is good, but for the Islanders to continue improving they are going to have to play better away from home. Amazingly the last two Eastern Conference Winners replaced coaches during their coaches fourth season. There's a lot of hope for the playoffs next season, but I think at the very least what we need to see is improvement in special teams and away from home. If these playoffs proved anything, it's just that you have to get in. Anything can happen after that.
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I think Gordon is listening to a tactical transmission from Kim Jong-Il via invisible mobile phone.
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That invisible mobile phone thing had me cracking up. I mean come on, they just got nuclear weapons…and they want me to believe that they have Wonder Woman’s invisible jet? That is absurd. I wonder if he laughs about these things when he releases them to the state run press?
Sending the Isles to China was Wang's vision of making Strange Brew 2: Stranger Brew.
by metalcoconut on Jun 18, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if he laughs about these things when he releases them to the state run press?
Imagine the pranks you can pull as dictator in a totalitarian state. New directive: All national soccer team members must wear pink thongs. Autographed by Dear Leader.
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To go-go, or not to go-go...
There were plenty of improvements this year (2009-10). Gordon got some help on the ice, escpecially in goal, and off the ice, in the form of assistant coaches.
There are plenty of things that I am not crazy about with Gordon, but I do believe that he deserves this one last year… if they are healthy and looking at a top 8 pick, it might be time to hand over the reigns for 2011-12.
1. I really don’t want to see them continually reliant on the forecheck for offensive opportunities. It takes away from the physical aspects of the game, which makes them wear down faster than their opponents… and… two goal leads become one goal defecits in the final ten minutes. That is the least positive disposition to a fan.
2. This whole team needs some MEAN. They have got to stop being the NHL’s crash test dummies. Gordon has shown in the past that when he had the bomb, he has chosen NOT TO USE IT… I DON’T CARE IF MITCH FRITZ CAN SKATE… he could have skated up to somebody on the devils that night and busted some ass… if he could get off the bench. We’ve been spoiled by a coach in our past that knew how to make this team a family…. Gordon knows how to make sure they clean up their room, but he hasn’t instilled in them the instincts that make them play for each other. That just doesn’t happen by changing personnel (you can’t put all of that weight on Martin… it has to be the whole team, and it has to start from behind the bench).
3. He needs to read the rule book, especially the section on TIME OUTS.
4. I love the fact that the defense gets involved… but there are reasons why you don’t want to see most of them behind the oppositions goal line… if their good enough to be there at even strength, then you might want to use them on the PP… and you’ve chosen not to do that… so they couldn’t be THAT good. So maybe we can cut down on the odd man rushes against by TEACHING discretion. Aggression good… tempered aggression EXCELLENT.
5. Work on your interview skills. Come to the mike prepared for the tough ones… more people would support you… sometimes the best answer is, “We’re trying to work it out, the guys are giving it their all, and we need to make adjustments…” That’s day one in media school.
This team has already surpassed the talent level afforded previous coaches, who have achieved more. They already have a system… they are improving their depth…. Now they need to be motivated, to be led and to EXECUTE. If that doesn’t happen this year, it’s time to put an ad in the trades.
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I think most of what Gordon’s doing works. I like his system and if they keep adding speed to all the lines it should improve.
But for the team to be such Night and Day when it comes to Home and Away for the last two seasons is incredible. It shows that there’s something there, but why does whatever work seem to not work at all on the road is my question.
I’m big on stability, and the Islanders haven’t had a coach last this long since Arbour’s last run. It’s good to have a system in place that the young guys can grow and be familiar with. But something has to be done with the Special teams especially. Hopefully a new dman brought in helps out. But if the Islanders find themselves midway through the season struggling on special teams again and hovering around 500 somethings going to have to be done.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
Agree- give the guy some slack.
Gordo has coached an NHL team that wouldn’t dominate in the AHL. He will need to tweak his system on the road when he isn’t going to get the matchups he wants (a little less go-go). Specialty teams are an area he will have to improve as Snow provides more talent. overall I too love this system. More speed!
Draft Connolly, we need more offence- Don't gimme no hip.
Yeah, the home/road disparity could be cause for hope, if they adjust.
By the way, looking at your signature, I hereby apologize for passing over Connolly!
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Connolly
I’m suprised I don’t take more heat over promoting picking him, given the potential risk. However if the scouting on this guy is to be belived he could potentially have gone #1 if not for the injury. A winger with high end offensive skills and good in the corners would fit well with J.T.
Draft Connolly, we need more offence- Don't gimme no hip.
I do have nightmares about passing over him (if he’s still there) and then seeing him become Clark Gillies: The Return or Todd Bertuzzi: Except with Heart for some other team.
I will probably say this 100 times in the next month, but this is why the draft is the bane of my existence.
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Gormley
I think even with the risk Connolly rounds out the top five ahead of Gormley. If the two defensemen go 3-4 we taake the risk.
Draft Connolly, we need more offence- Don't gimme no hip.
its moot because FL will pick Connolly
JP was pointing out the need for mean. Hammer and Gudbranson would be a good place to start…along with Martin and Gillies. I have the feeling that Petrov’s game has some snarl in it as well. This team needs that.
If they really do want to trade Horton, they better pick Connolly or trade down and grab Nino and more. But ah…we’ll see.
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They may want to trade Horton....
doesn’t mean they will be able to. I suspect that they may wind up having to keep him. You would think that Horton would be the kind of forward Tallon would want to keep. If he doesn’t trade the pick for a now player, Tallon will likely pick Connolly.
Interesting
If they want to move Horton it has to be before July 1, when his no-trade clause kicks in. His cap hit is $4 mil per year for the next two years. They also have to worry about Michael Frolik, another C-RW type, who is RFA this year and who makes $880K (according to capgeek, his hit is higher because of bonuses).
Horton is a 30-goal scorer who is young enough to take another jump forward into 35 G, 45 A territory. Frolik is only 22 and has two 20 goal-40 point years to start his NHL career.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
Special teams
The dip in special teams almost gives me hope, in a way, in that there’s plenty of room for an achievable improvement there.
You captured a lot of the issues I have no answer for. Bah, hockey in a nutshell: How much was improved goaltending? How much was better talent? How much was young talent that got better? How much was guys better accustomed to what Gordon wants? What is the nebulous coefficient that connects all of those together?
Whatever the answers, I’ve always seen this next season as a big year for Gordon. The first one where he’s on the clock for noticeable improvement. The first one where he (hopefully) has a roster of players to make a competitive NHL team. The first one where all of these young men should be improving and evolving together, where the training wheels are off.
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Agree on next season and on not having an answer. It’s a two sides to a coin, there’s definite improvement and there’s definite areas that scare in the long term. For example, how can improved goaltending led to a worse PK?
Yann Danis 31 2.86 10 17 3 0.91
Joey MacDonald 49 3.37 14 26 6 0.901
Dwayne Roloson 50 3.00 23 18 7 0.907
It’s kind of funny when you look at it. If you average together Danis and MacDonald’s performance two years ago, the result would pretty much be Roloson’s stats this year. Not that I want to turn back the clock at all to that monstrosity in net. Just that every time that Rollie would save a game or have a huge outing, he seemed to have an outing in which he let a few poor goals in.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
Yeah, it sure looked like Roloson got weaker the less work he got (aside from back-to-backs, which I don’t want to see). He was healthy all year; here’s hoping he’s both healthy AND thrives with the steady work.
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agree Roloson’s performance lessened when he was sharing the load with Marty. not sure what that says about a forty+ year old. Can we expect another year of 65ish games from him? should we build our goaltending with that expectation? If age won’t let him play that much, can we expect the high standard of performance from him in a reduced roll?
Draft Connolly, we need more offence- Don't gimme no hip.
I think between Mikko and Lawson, there is nice insurance there if Roloson finally meets Father Time. The worry for me in that scenario is how many games are lost during the realization that “Oh, this isn’t just a slump, this is the decline.” period.
Sort of like the games lost during second half of 07-08 as they realized DiPietro was hurt more than he let on (or knew), and likewise in early 08-09.
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I hope they sign another 1B goalie as Roloson’s back up. If he declines or God forbid gets injured I don’t think we want to rely on Lawson for #1 for an extended period. And I think Mikko should have another full season in the minors before promoting him. We saw with Ricky that rushing a young goalie sets their development back.
Draft Connolly, we need more offence- Don't gimme no hip.
I’m sympathetic to that, except Mikko is older (passed over in two drafts) and already had pro experience before coming over. I definitely want him starting in the AHL and logging games there, but if he were called up mid-season, I wouldn’t automatically see it as a rush job.
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East vs. West
The different records against East vs. West is another interesting variable. Part of that could just be small sample size, random events (the Chicago win, the Colorado win, the absurd long PP against Phoenix).
But I wonder if part was that the Isles take teams by surprise — the same way they get early leads on some teams. And so if the East is more familiar with them, they know how to not be, um, “oversped.”
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I just checked, and the Islanders were actually the worst team in their own division this year (The Oilers only had 7 wins in division but 8 OTLs).
It’s weird that they did so good against the Northeast, but then struggled against the Southeast. I think the problem might just be that they play up (or down) to the level of their competition.
It does seem to be that way though, that teams familiar with the Islanders have less trouble with them.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
A Damning Case Against Gordon
although his aggressive forchecking style is entertaining,i wonder if that is the primary cause of the absolutely Horrendous play due simply to exhaustion. In the end i think most people would rather the flip side i.e. a team that finishes games strong,never say die,etc. special teams have been atrocious. at times i wondered why sim would dress and not tamby? bruno is the worst player on the team,but at least the excuse for playing him was that we had no other D-men. We Will Not Win With SG!
by Lakewood Islander on Jun 17, 2010 6:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
3rd periods
insert in middle of mt crazy diatribe. Long Live Ted Nolan!
by Lakewood Islander on Jun 17, 2010 6:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Roster vs. coach
It sounds like a lot of coaches and observers around the league disagree with you.
I’ve got fairly optimistic feelings about Gordon, when given a good roster. It will be a rare feat if he’s able to pull off still being here when this team is really good — that just doesn’t happen often in this dispose-a-coach league. But I’m not condemning him until I see him fail with a roster that another coach could have won with.
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High noon...
So far, IMHO, Snow has done his part in the rebuild while sticking to the “I don’t want to lose $20M this year” budget. This has to be a year where Snow continues to improve his NHL/AHL/prospect roster, and if he does… then Gordon has to win this year.
2008-09…. throw away year. they tore it down, and never really had a chance with all the injuries and the paper thin talent they had to begin with… and I think we were all cool with it.
2009-10… Gordon made a little more than something out of almost nothing. Things started to look better with a healthy Sutton, add Tavares, a maturity step for Bailey and then Moulson…. throw in a little Schremp, and the late contributions from comeau and they really showed they were getting closer.
2010-11… They have ~$15M to spend… they need to replace Sutton… and they should have plenty left over to add middle six scoring, and maybe defenders that will allow Hamonic and deHaan more time to develop properly. This is where Gordon really needs to BUILD a winning attitude that will continue over the next 5-10 years as the core kids grow into NHL contenders. If this team starts slow, continues to lose 3rd period leads, show no passion, and their special teams continue to underperform… then he’s got to go.
Having said that, I think he can make it work. He definitely has some question marks, but there were stretches last year that turned me around on him…. but that has to continue.
The team had a solid coach before, one that has excelled in teaching the game… and for whatever reason they parted ways for the New England Mafia soldier… This is the year they open the books (so to speak)… Year three can not be one where fans are rooting for them to lose in february for a lottery pick… If it is, then Snow and Gordon have failed.
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With all the vitriol here
I will argue that Coach Gordon is the right guy for this team at this point. I liked Nolan, but for a bunch of young developing players, he would be a disaster. I think we need more talent for the special teams. It was a mistake not to go after Babchuk and we need better penalty killers. One of the problems on special teams was that Park’s game went south this year. He was always a key to PP and PK.
About Park and his serious minutes last year.
I liked this post by Dee/7th woman. It sounds as though the Islanders are looking to really upgrade the roster this offseason and Park, like Witt, doesn’t look to be the part of future plans for the team.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
I think this was answered in March
When asked what he thought he needed most, Gordon replied, “SIZE”. I, like the majority of Islander fans (I THINK), have enjoyed Richard Park’s time on the Island. He’s been a terrific soldier, and one of those guys brought in as a very necessary cog when Snow/Nolan were shaping the team.
With $15M to spend… they need to make that roster spot bigger and younger. I would definitely not be disappointed if they gave Park another year, but I’d much rather see them start to build the bottom six with a little more size, and more importantly, PHYSICAL PRESENCE.
NHL 500... Let the Less Filling vs Tastes Great debate begin!
I’m sort of surprised if Park doesn’t come back. Yes, he’s older and had a bad +/- but he also played some of the toughest minutes and was in the top ten of the Isles point wise. Plus of his 9 goals, 1 was short handed and 4 were game winners.
I get the call for size, but I always worry about too much size with a loss of speed/smart play.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
Smart Balance
The four centers currently on the roster would be the last picked for a tug of war. (Tavares, Bailey, Schremp, Frans)
The top two LWs (until July 1: Moulson, Bergenhiem) don’t play small, but neither of them are going to take jump balls for your squad. Joensuu and Martin should make the LW competition interesting this year and either will add size, and some physicality.
The top RW’s (Okposo, Comeau/Hunter) don’t offer much more. They all play a somewhat physical game, but none of them offer any intimidation. Hunter may lead the team in hits, but my daughter gets hit harder when she’s getting on the school bus.
I don’t think any of those roster spots are going to change much… so (barring UFA additions) they have to get bigger up front with the 2 or 3 opportunities they have. The key to this is Bailey picking up some PK minutes, and adding offensive upside to Park’s roster spot. I think the additional ice time, and his overall skill will help replace Park’s experience, savvy, and general ability to take important faceoffs… and basically why I think signing Weight was like releasing Park. Weight will probably have a dual role as bottom six swingman(Park’s role for his time on the island), and face-off coach.
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2 arguments on this...
Gordon replied, "SIZE"
and then
clean and sober for 2 months and change... only thing different is that now i KNOW i'm the asshole everyone says i am :-)
I was looking for it, but couldn’t find it. There was a Chocolate News bit (a short lived show on Comedy Central by David Alan Griere) in which a hockey team had signed a 600 pound black man to be goalie. He even posted a shutout after having a stroke mid game.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
Griere Gets It
That’s why they drafted the twin towers… the area a 6’5" butterfly goaltender will cover should be sufficient enough that mobility isn’t a huge question. So either Koskinen or Nilsson should be able to play with a hip brace on, should that ever come up.
When you’re 77 inches tall you may not even have to get out of the butterfly… which goes back to the Yoda point… Koskinen on his knees is the same size as Dubie on his tippy toes.
NHL 500... Let the Less Filling vs Tastes Great debate begin!
taller isn't necessarily better
Mobility and recovery will always be important for a goalie. A lot of goals are scored on second chances, before keepers can react. Another problem is that sometimes taller, gangly keepers leave holes that shorter, more compact keepers do not. NHL Shooters are very good at finding those small holes and testing the goalie’s reflexes – to see if he will close that hole and not leave a juicy rebound.
Not saying that all goalies should be Ewoks, but size isn’t just a magic bullet solution in net.
LOL at “Griere”, btw. You’ve turned him into a French-Canadien centreman!
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
my sarcasm was lost
but I may have solved the race issue in this country… just perpetuate TYP-O’s!!!
…and I do not beleive that the twin towers are the answer solely because of their size… if you’re not solid east to west 7’3" isn’t gonna help you.
They have, however, been somewhat successful… so maybe it isn’t hurting them either. Though, it can’t be good for longevity.
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Size isn't everything...
“…but you really need it when you don’t have it” [ to parphrase a Yogiism]
I feel that in hockey you build your team to compete in your division more than [as in baseball] in your building. Look at the teams that the Islanders play most. If hockey’s rock-paper-scissors is Size-Speed-defense…. Size wears down speed, speed dominates defense, defense frustrates size.
The dominant teams have all three components and can leverage any of them to defeat their counterpart. Look at our best teams… we had all three… and whoever the DYNASTY teams played, they could match them at their own game, or play a counter-game that dominated. That may never happen again for the Islanders, but that HAS TO BE THE GOAL.
If they continue with the one dimentional attack they will not be successful. Teams break the pressure, and beat you down in your own zone at every opportunity. Making them pay for their transgressions on the PP is all great, but when you see a team 6 times a year they’ll give up a PP goal or two to pound your ass into submission… and make you have the highest man-games lost to injury in the league. The team had a little more confidence with Gillies on a chain, and they’ll have even more when they start playing the PUNISHER role rather than the PUNISHEE.
NHL 500... Let the Less Filling vs Tastes Great debate begin!
I feel that in hockey you build your team to compete in your division more than [as in baseball] in your building.
Unfortunately, they’re in the damn AL East of hockey…
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Not exactly(IMO)
New Jersey is going to put a solid product on the ice every year, but they’re boring as hell and we can play with them.
Philly will have goaltending issues, and identity crisis. They may be the favorites to win the division in October, but by December they’ll be searching for a new coach.
The Rangers… how many lives does Torts have. He took the job backing off on Avery, and has been taking it (and giving it too) in the rectum ever since. That relationship doesn’t have long,
Pitts… okay… so, Cindy, the mouth breather and the other #1 overall goaltender are gonna make this division tough to win for a while… But the Dynasty didn’t win the division every year.. they knew how to win when it counted.
…and Garth seems to be doing most everything right for the long term. Jeez, for a last place team I feel awfully confident in my GM…. and I do have a feeling that Gordon is going to excell in year three….
BTW, I feel that the NE is the AL East of Hockey… they have the MONEY, The tradition, the media, and some pretty good organizations.
MON=NYY, salary caps, drafting regulations and an effort to keep hockey alive in the desert has kept them from steam-rolling the NHL… but they are the Yankees of hockey.
BOS has a good yong core, and they have made some smart moves that should keep them sucking from the water fountain for a while.
TOR.. they have everything going for them except a hockey team.
OTT: Another triple “p”… perrenial paper powerhouse… too bad they just can never get it to translate.
BUF has put good teams on the ice forever, and Lindy Ruff is a helluva coach… but they’re in Buffalo… see TOR of AL East.
Of all of those teams, the only one I wouldn’t mind trading one of our division- mates for is TOR… but even that wouldn’t be a bargain… your team can’t get too excited when they skate in their buidling (full and loud ona tuesday night), then at a cricket box on Saturday when returning home.
That really boggles the mind… when you have an organization where players would pay you to play there, and you’re GIVING AWAY the second overall in the entry draft to a division foe… so.. maybe they’re the Yankees of the early 70’s.
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Money
See, that’s why I was thinking the Atlantic is the NL East: though there are more playoff spots in hockey, there are more moneybags in the Atlantic. Philly, Pit and NYR spending to the cap, NJ not far behind and holding on to Lou’s Jedi mind tricks. And then lil’ old us.
But the NE is a compelling case, too. They just have less threatening teams (I still feel like NYR are like the proverbial “sleeping dragon” that China was/is in geopolitics: As soon as they feel like getting serious, er, retaining competent management, a Hawks-like renaissance is within their grasp.) Add to NYR that PHI is always a player, PIT has the franchise center, NJ has … voodoo.
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Yeah, I’m going to miss Park ’cause his versatility and hustle was hard not to like.
I do like that interpretation: If they’re letting him walk, hopefully that’s a sign they’re serious about upgrading the roster.
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Big fan of Park here
He’ll land on his feet and be a good role player as a fourth-line/energy/PK and faceoff sort. The trouble on LI wasn’t his talent, or desire, or professionalism. He got stuffed into an ill-fitting role for his skill set, and handled it with a lot of class. The team has to move forward, but best of luck to Richard Park.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
SIZE - a big factor
Some of you have started to discuss it and just wanted to add a little.
1. PP – It was very frustrating to watch them get turned away at the blueline time after time, but they couldn’t play dump-and-chase because they weren’t big enough to win the board battles. I think Gordon eluded to that in an interview, as well.
2. Records against certain divisions – NE is the smallest division, SE one of the biggest
As seen in a post by diebytheblade:
NORTHEAST:
Boston – 12
Buffalo – 12
Montreal – 12
Ottawa – 5
Toronto – 2 (big, but crappy)
SOUTHEAST:
Washington – 1
Tampa – 2
Florida – 5
Atlanta – 7
Carolina – 11
ATLANTIC:
Rangers – 3
Devils – 6
Pens – 7
Flyers – 9
Its interesting how most of the smaller teams did better. Two of the smaller teams in the East meet up in the Conference finals.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
Rock-Paper-Scissors
Washington, the biggest, also has a lot of team speed… what they don’t have is defense.
They dominated all year because they could match the bigger teams with their physical play, and outskate defensive teams, but when they met a team who could skate with them, offered better (hot) goaltending and their physicality was nuetralized by a poor PK they were defeated. But BIG and FAST will get you to the dance… if you’re playing solid defense and get some hot goaltending you’re the PROM QUEEN.
BIG can be Sutton… but it can also be Bergenheim… When Gordon talks about not being big enough to win the one on ones he wasn’t talking about Bergie… but Bergie doesn’t get PP time. I think PHYSICAL SIZE has more to do with winning the chess match in front of the net… That’s why Martin or Joensuu should start with bottom six roles PLUS PP TIME. Simon was a good PP forward everywhere he’s been… Look at Parrish… not the greatest of skaters, but he was strong in front of the net… and like a Timex…
Okposo isn’t small… he doesn’t play small, but he lacks a PHYSICAL PRESENCE… he doesn’t initiate… but he can win the one on ones… he just needs to put the hard hat on sometimes.
NHL 500... Let the Less Filling vs Tastes Great debate begin!
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey
|
82 | 48 | 27 | 7 | 103 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
82 | 47 | 28 | 7 | 101 |
|
Philadelphia
|
82 | 41 | 35 | 6 | 88 |
|
New York Rangers
|
82 | 38 | 33 | 11 | 87 |
|
New York Islanders
|
82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Wed 09/29 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Calgary
|
Wed 09/29 | 8:00 PM EDT |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Fri 10/01 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
New Jersey
|
Sat 10/02 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Montreal
|
Sat 10/02 | 7:00 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
|
Pittsburgh
|
Sun 04/11 | OT - L 5 - 6 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Sat 04/10 | L 1 - 7 |
|
@
Pittsburgh
|
Thu 04/08 | L 3 - 7 |
|
Montreal
|
Tue 04/06 | SO - W 4 - 3 |
|
Ottawa
|
Sat 04/03 | W 4 - 1 |
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