Recap - Panthers 4 (EN), Islanders 2: Winless in Florida
by Dominik on Oct 23, 2011 12:04 AM EDT
in New York Islanders Game Recaps
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The Islanders' 4-2 loss to the Panthers wouldn't have been nearly so close if not for excellent special teams play that kept it close until the final horn. And that's not what you'd expect against a team like the Panthers, who've had trouble scoring at 5-on-5. Three 5-on-5 EV goals (plus an empty-netter) essentially doubled the Panthers' season total.
So what does that tell us about the Islanders' effort?
Game Sum | Event Sum | H2H | Shifts | Corsi | Zone Starts | Recaps: NHL | Isles | LHH +/- | SBN
Their coach has preached one major theme since he took over: Get shots to the net. Yet tonight, just like two nights ago in Tampa Bay, they were allergic to the concept. Just five shots in each of the first two periods -- and only 15 of their 28 total game shots came at even strength.
Thanks to the genius of Mark Streit on the powerplay and Evgeni Nabokov's shot-stopping (disregarding his puck-handling), the Islanders powerplay still had a chance to push this game to OT in the dying minutes.
Game Highlights, of Sorts
Post-Game Video
Move videos of MSG post-game coverage (Capuano, desk guys, the above video) at this link.
Notes from 0-for-Florida
Special Teams: Special!
The powerplay really was nice. Mark Streit, who somewhat cruelly finished -3 on the night, was the Streit we remember from past seasons in guiding the powerplay and in rushing the puck up ice. Hard to say Brian Rolston's absence was any factor there, when Streit was driving things on his own at the point. But certainly Streit did not have anyone to defer to, and his drives from the point created both goals. And that setup is much more threatening in the umbrella format where Frans Nielsen as the 1st line + 1 guy is allowed to be a passer and roamer rather than a traditional point man the way they sometimes used him last season.
A couple of late powerplays in the third (with some 5-on-3 time) were conducted mostly well with a few hiccups.
The PK also held up pretty well, keeping the Panthers scoreless but likewise that could have gone either way with a different bounce here or there.
5-on-5: Ugly!
Now...about the phases of the game when each team has five skaters:
The Top Six: John Tavares continued to generate offense, but overall his line was underwater like the rest of his teammates. The 2010-11 version of the FNGO Frans Nielsen, Michael Grabner and Kyle Okposo line finally reappeared during the second half of the game and drew the powerplay that enabled the Islanders' second goal. Michael Grabner earned, but failed to convert, his two breakaways.
The Mixed Six: Blake Comeau, re-inserted into the lineup, had a few moments (three hits, one nice chance poke-checked by Jose Theodore) but not nearly enough. Josh Bailey was status quo (1 shot, nothing generated). Matt Martin managed three shots and never floated, but he didn't make himself a fit with that combo.
Of note: The Panthers were rocked by the news of Dale Tallon trading David Booth before the game. While they didn't come out like a team with a jolt to the system (unless you compare tonight versus their previous two ugly games), they did get nice contributions from their lower line guys, with each goal scorer (save for Kris Versteeg, who picked up Nabokov's git) picking up his first of the season.
The Islanders bottom six situation continues to stymie, and I think the reluctance or inability to use Trevor Gillies for a regular shift is one reason. There's no flow there, and Marty Reasoner's underrated offensive abilities go completely untapped when there is a constant shuffle of wingers around him.
It's too bad Nino Niederreiter wasn't healthy from the start of the season, as how -- and if -- he fits into the mix would have cleared up their options.
Cappy's Take
"They came hard," Capuano said. "I thought we were puck staring a little bit. We didn’t have the urgency and intensity that we needed. The third period, we had 18 shots, but that’s the way we have to play. That was us, and for whatever reason, we didn’t come out of the gate."
Finding out that reason, if it's findable, is Cappy's next task.
Goalie Game: Weird move by the Panthers, pulling Theodore after two periods in a 2-2 game (unless there was an injury). But that Jacob Markstrom, he's going to take care of any crease questions there really soon.
Revisiting Pre-Game Wishes
1. Doubling Nabokov's sample size. Woo!
Yes! Nabokov did well stopping shots. Stay in the net, and we're good.
2. Kyle Okposo to play like K.O. of Spring 2011.
In the second half of the game, yes: The more tenacious KO returned. I hope he stays a while.
3. Blake Comeau to play like a man who just sat two games against his will.
In parts, but not nearly enough.
Another wholly unsatisfying, frustrating trip to Florida; it's like it rained every day of the vacation. The Penguins now beckon; think the team can manage to get up for that?
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Insult + Injury (without the injury)
BPT RPT: Lose 3-4 to the Ice Capaders…yes they were not only beaten by a 31 year old AHL goaltender(David Aebischer), but the ice dancers chased Poulin. I was hoping not to hear that this year.
On a more encouraging note, Ullstrom netted his fourth… and Donovan got his first.
they have a 5 game homestand coming up. Maybe some good things will happen down there and they can hop on the ferry for Island Relief.
LighthouseHockey: We saw this coming!
@JPinVA
Solid outing for Mikko though
19/19 for someone coming off the bench who hadn’t started a game this season.
"Failing upwards! How come I can’t ever seem to do that?" - AP77 on Strang's ESPN Job
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Let's hope they look better this year.
I go see them every year in Hershey, and can’t remember the last time they won there. Always embarrassing game too.
DP will be good again... written 9/6/11. Now thats a prediction truly believed!
by themass on Oct 23, 2011 1:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The genius of Mark Streit on the powerplay
This struck me during the game, probably because the Islanders played so poorly. I was telling this to my wife (who I’m sure couldn’t care less), that he’s so good that without him…well, we all saw what could happen. His patience and those shot-passes are amazing. I really want to appreciate his skills and ice intelligence while he’s here, hopefully till he retires. If he played in Detroit or Pittsburgh or the other four teams the NHL promoted, they’d have statues build for him.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
by PGI on Oct 23, 2011 2:13 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
He really is a power play genius. 5 on 5 in his own zone? Not quite a genius..
Matthias toasted him in the corner to set up their 2nd goal. The power play with him up top is generating high quality chance after high quality chance almost every time.
by TMS on Oct 23, 2011 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yea
I’m willing to say it at this point too. Streit and AMac (especially AMac) really do not seem near 100% this season. Sucks no one not named Staios would sign with us this offseason.
Tavares is Tavares.
He got torched on that play
But that’s not one I see from him too often. He normally plays the body smarter in that situation.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Bailey's play so far this year is indefensible. When you have the puck a turnover is the worst outcome.
It seemed like Bailey turned it over about half the time when he had it tonight. He just forces everything. He is playing with absolutely no confidence and trying to force every play instead of taking whats there. I think he wants to prove himself so badly that he’s trying to make big plays all the time. I think he needs to stop over-trying and just let the game come to him and take what’s there. Then maybe he can string together a few decent games and start to relax. The way he’s going he’s going to have a worse Corsi rating than Trevor. Its like a pitcher who suddenly can’t throw strikes. I’m afraid of what he’s going to do every time he touches the puck because I know he’s over-thinking it.
I also see another disturbing indication that he’s trying too hard. He is always turning toward his linemates when he has the puck along the boards. He needs to turn away from them and put some distance between himself and his linemate so he can dump it back towards him if he can’t get it out to the point or come away with it clean himself. He made a nice play to dig a puck loose and then turned right back with it toward Reasoner who was 5 feet away from him. Schremp used to do do that crap all the time and it was infuriating to watch. Now I understand why Garth sent him to the AHL to get his confidence back.
Really strange.
Rather than seeing Bailey “trying to force every play” I see just the opposite. To me he looks really tentative, almost like he’s going out if his way NOT to appear to force anything. In fact, that’s what a guy does when he’s playing without confidence, not the other way around.
I really think the kid NEEDS to try to force things more. He needs to go all out and let it fly. Bailey has formidable talents but looks like he’s holding back, I guess because he’s afraid to screw up. Someone needs to get into his head and make him understand that screwing up is gonna be part of it, and they’re willing to live with it as long as the effort is focused and responsible. The fact that he’s here should tell him they don’t expect perfection.
Funny how 2 people look at the same thing and see it so differently.
I agree. I agree. I think he vacillates between being tentative because he's afraid to screw up and forcing things because
he’s trying not to be tentative.
Thought more about it. I agree completely that he needs exactly what you say - to somehow be convinced that its ok
to screw up in the service of trying to make big plays (in the offensive zone and maybe also in the neutral zone but not in the d—zone). One shift he’ll hang on to the puck when he should have passed and the next he’ll force a pass thats not there. I want to see him kick into high gear and take the puck wide and cut back or put a move on the d-man. I want to see him play aggressively with the puck.
Feet moving, feet moving, feet moving.
Agree with what you guys are saying — there’s an interesting duality going on with him — he’s too passive on defense, and alternately forcing or passive with the puck.
I think those FOBs (Flashes Of Bailey) are usually when he’s assertive: He makes a nice, low-risk but unexpected move with the puck to go toward the net. On defense, he’s a strange mix of good reads and low initiative. Like he gets caught thinking too much, and not keeping his feet moving like Nielsen.
Something Nielsen does really well on defense is stay active all the time. Even if he’s not completely changing his position on the ice, his feet and stick and body language are moving in a way that forces the opposition to make a decision. Bailey tends to give them more time, to keep their options open longer.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
exactly
Hence why a passive approach and a low level of “guidance” doesn’t help Bailey and Comeau at all. It’s comical how those two, especially Comeau, raved publically about finally being allowed to play the way they feel is the right one and what they’ve done with it. And it’s disappointing the coaching staff hasn’t made the right reads and/or adjustments there, though scratching Comeau might have been a start there. But then again you got the feel they didn’t actually talk too much about what had gone wrong and what needs to change.
I really wonder what they did with Comeau during the scratch
I know Weight talked to him, but if Capuano just gave him the tough coach treatment or didn’t show him what he’s doing wrong, I don’t know. Although that may have been a conversation the staff has had with him multiple times even going back to Bridgeport days.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
The flashes we've seen ...
of Bailey as he should be have all been when he’s with the puck down low and dishing off, or behind the net and feeding out front. Especially so during that stretch of games very early last year. Now that he’s bigger and stronger, he can really be effective like that, if they can drill into his head that he’s that kind of player and get him to play like that bALL THE TIME.
I am so mindf***ed about Bailey. What do you think is the reasoning? Is it pressure to perform? Overthinking and underthinking?
It just doesn’t seem like there is a “medium” to his play. No flow, it’s either going 120% while trying to be tavares or something misguidedly or playing at 50%. There is no middle ground he should have to match his linemates and create/be-part-of plays. I don’t wanna point fingers, but if Bailey continues to do this as the “3rd line center”, I don’t think we’ll ever see that line turn around. He just kills anything they “should” have going. That’s not to say that Comeau hasn’t done his fair share of looking lost at times, it’s just that Bailey has more weight here because he is the center of that line, the man that should create, the man that should lead the march in the o-zone and “war” on D. I really don’t know what the answer is and don’t “want” to give up on Bailey at his age, but something must be done if this continues for another month. I might even suggest scratching bailey and making Rolston play C for some games once we have depth forwards on the roster not named gillies.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Who can know ...
what’s in a guy’s head? But a guess would be he’s just not over the hump confidence-wise. He’s trying so hard to not screw up that he forgets how skilled he is, maybe even tightens up. He still isn’t fully comfortable yet playing with big boys. I still think he’s gonna get there, I really do. I hope the GM and coach don’t lose patience. Given the moves the GM made to grab the kid, I can’t imagine that.
I'm not gonna lie, 85-90% of Bailey's decisions in the o-zone are mindboggling.
I hope you’re right on the reasoning, because if he’s doing these things “pre-meditatively” and patiently, there’s a huge problem.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
The October 2011 version of Islanders is NOT a playoff team.
We need to start beating the teams we must finish in front of to make the playoffs. Something has to convince these guys a win in October is worth as much as a win in April. For the more than 60% of us polled, who believe they are a playoff team, let’s hope the winter version of Grabner, K.O. and Comeau soon show up. We brag about our forward depth, let’s give our brigeport guys a look if Nino isn’t ready to go. Bailey needs to see some press box time. AHL time would be better, but waivers…
Thou shalt not recognize false enemies, they are the Rangers, you shall have no other enemies before them.
AND "Thank you Dale Tallon"
by since70too on Oct 23, 2011 7:16 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I agree; they need to start beating teams like Florida because it will be substantially more difficult when they start playing the Penguins and Flyers.
The games against teams like Florida are the ones we need to be winning.
No offense Dom, but things like this always scare me
It’s too bad Nino Niederreiter wasn’t healthy from the start of the season, as how — and if — he fits into the mix would have cleared up their options.
When teams have to rely on or hope for the emergence of a rookie just to be competitive or solidify a core of existing players, they’re in big trouble. Of course it’s possible he can help (or even completely make the team dominant, who knows), but that always means you are one injury in your lineup from being a catastrophe and gets people’s hopes up for things that probably won’t or can’t happen.
I’m guessing you meant more of the clarity than performance, but still, I’m not sure how much he’d be an upgrade given the guys he’d be replacing aren’t the ones playing all that poorly or aren’t getting that much ice time.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Oct 23, 2011 7:44 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Also
Now I wouldn’t be a damn bit surprised to see Dibo or Ullstrom up here real soon as obviously they are “getting to the net”. Look for message time to happen soon. Benching someone for the “big game against Pittsburgh” would be a nice message too.
I think Garik pointed out that we weren’t getting good outlets from the D either though and that’s a valid point. Eaton/Mottau and even Amac seem to be standing still with the puck a lot and trying to make passes that are getting guys hemmed in and resulting in neutral zone turnovers…they have to move their feet more.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Oct 23, 2011 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yea
I’m starting to worry this year’s AMac is last year’s Hillen. The injury might take a whole lot more time to come back from. I wouldn’t want to see a race between him and Mottau right now, I think the results would be frightening.
Agree on another forward. You wonder if Haley blowing someone up on a forecheck could spark the team. I usually think of that as somewhat overrated, but then again I saw Darius Kasparitis do it about a hundred times.
Tavares is Tavares.
by afrosupreme on Oct 23, 2011 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
With Amac
I don’t think his overall speed is so bad, it’s the stop/start thing. His first step is slow and he is reaching. It’s those little choppy steps that seem to be a problem. If he has space to ease into top speed, I thought he looked okay.
Point is, if the D is having trouble getting going, and the forwards have to slow down and hold up in the neutral zone and then need to restart to get their speed, they won’t have a good forecheck on dump-ins because the opposition D can get in their lanes, and they will get stood up at the blue line when they try to carry it in because the opposition D will have time to close the gap.
It may not be their forecheck that’s the problem, it may be their breakouts.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
I'm also curious
if Nino is even going to play with us. I have a feeling they wouldn’t return him to his junior team injured. They may very well just be keeping an eye on him until he’s healthy enough to go back.
Tavares is Tavares.
It's an inteteresting question
if they’re 3-7-1 by the time he’s ready, I could see them sending him back. Why activate the ELC if it looks like the season is going to be more of the same. Although, I think the management still has a lot of hope for this team and would like to build on that.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Right now that wouldn't be a good idea
I just read that the Winterhawks top 2 centers are 16! I don’t know if this situation is due to injuries or suspensions; but if Johansen remains in Columbus and nothing else changes, I don’t want him down there.
Wait
isn’t Bartschi still there? Also Morrow and a couple of other draftees?
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Bärtschi and Morrow are not centers
Bärtschi is also injured, nothing serious though.
With Craig Cunningham gone they had to get younger, it’s in the nature of a junior team.
Thought Bartschi was
but knew Morrow was a defenseman. Point being, he would have help. Bartschi has 17 points in 8 games so far, so clearly there is still some offensive potential there.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Oct 23, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions
He wouldn't be alone
and purely looking at stats the centers don’t look bad. What alarms me the most, is their size.
Stats wise the best three centers are:
Nicolas Petan (1995-03-22, 5’9",153) 13 GP 4-7-11
Chase De Leo (1995-10-25, 5’9",170) 13 GP 1-7-8
Brendan Leipsic (1994-05-19, 5’8",155) 8GP 4-3-7
If the whole league is on the same rejuvenation trip, that’s not good for Nino and his 6’ 2", 205 frame.
Nino
I’m guessing you meant more of the clarity than performance,
Yes, definitely the former. I’m not really optimistic on Nino making a big impact this year even had he come through camp healthy. So what I’m referring to is the sort of “wait for the cavalry to arrive” mentality that might be in place. Whereas if he’d been healthy and playing in these six games so far, they’d have more info about who can help fix the handicap of the third line.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Isles Offense
Streit nifty pass from the point Tavares redirect shot on the PP.
THAT’S IT.
"I'm afraid that I just blue myself." - Tobias Funke
by conorjay on Oct 23, 2011 8:37 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
Tough game to watch
1. Okposo had three very good shifts but most of the game was invisible
2. The third and fourth lines are a complete mess. It’s only 6 games in and I keep reminding myself that
3. Is there a possibility that Bailey just isn’t that good? Or to put it another way, he’s not worthy of a 1st round selection?
4. How can Eaton be so big and hit so little?
5. Matt Martin has improved greatly. If his skating improves a little more he could be a real solid power forward.
The team needs a spark. Maybe Haley and the nat Dibo. I have no problem sitting Pandolfo and Gilles (he can play vs. Pitt, Bos, and NY only)
Only 6 games in, Only 6 games in, Only 6 games in
Take a chill pill folks
As Mulligan said it’s only been 6 games … looong way to go yet and a million things can change.
The team is good overall but there’s always room for improvement here and there no question about that.
The only major issue in these 6 games so far has been the inconsistency in performance by the majority of the players .. why is that. Well one can only guess
I am confident however that things will turn around for the better as we progress into the season and then these snags of a couple of games will quickly be forgotten.
Back your team, back your players and hope they will return your faith in them.
To your fourth point:
See: Oleg Kvasha
You should've seen her face. It was the exact same look my father gave me when I told him I wanted to be a ventriloquist.
MORONS
……So who here still thinks that the lame duck Isles are in the same class as the Sabres? In fact, who here still thinks that UFA offseason signings are overrated? The Panthers just schooled the Isles last night, but I guess Tallon doesn’t know what he’s doing signing proven players. MORONS!
Adam?
How have you been?
Tavares is Tavares.
by afrosupreme on Oct 23, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This cry out for attention brought to you by
Valium, empty Sunday mornings, and our good friends at the misplaced anger institute where yelling at the internet is not only supported, but encouraged.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Oct 23, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
That's it! The team's problem is too many MORONS!
…..My point is so important it deserves two ellipses.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Oct 23, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
No, the isles are in the Atlantic division and the Sabres are in the Northeast. Everybody knows that.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
What was I reading the other day?
Oh yeah, this:
The most dramatic change of note is the shift of $27 million off season acquisition Ville Leino to the 4th line.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Ville Leino, one of the many players whom has made money out of great chemsitry from playing with proven nhlers(briere) overinflating their numbers and worth.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Solution: Instead of telling us, go and put all your money on the Panthers if youre so confident in them
Then perhaps you will not be able to pay your wireless bill as a result.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Listened to the game on the radio...
By the way the broadcaster does an awesome job! I don’t know what everyone’s problem was with giving it to Hofstra. Anyways, from what I gathered, the powerplay was terrific. We almost had another in the 3rd but Markstrom played very good and then there was that post, the sound of the puck ringing off the post on the radio hurts way more than actually seeing it happen!
I only heard Bailey’s name on the broadcast once it seemed where they said he only had 3 shots total for the season at the time. And Comeau was only really mentioned on a single rush where nothing happened. I don’t know what it wrong with these two but they really need to get it in gear fast. Granted it’s only 6 games in but we’re starting to fall to the bottom of the pack.
Okposo turned it on in the 3rd and generated some chances, as did Grabner. If only he could capitalize on all those breakaways!
Overall it didn’t seem to be a terrible game. The powerplay was good, as was the penalty kill, and Nabby played well. We just need to throw things on net sometimes and hope for a lucky bounce here and there.
We have a bunch of kids and old foggies...
The only quality veterans we have are Nabby and Streit….The Devil droppings aren’t providing the leadership we need and they just aren’t very good…We need vets that can be out there during important ice time…Guys that will go out there and bring intensity and play with confidence…We need guys out there that will threaten to take away ice time from everyone else…We don’t have that…Garths job as Isles GM is to finagle the salary cap so we can reach the floor…I wish our GM’s job was to actually make the team a winner…I drank the fucking Kool Aide all off season…
I drank the fucking Kool Aide all off season
I Hear Ya Dude!!
by Niagara Islander77 on Oct 23, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Really??
After 6 games we know what kind of team we have?…and 3-3 after 6 btw, not 0-6.
by Nobody77 on Oct 23, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Im sorry to be all doom & gloom...
But so far we’ve been abysmal…KO looks like is doesn’t want to play anymore…They have no fire or visible passion…Maybe that’s why we needed guys like Konoka…To instill pride…Not sure how much of a difference its made without him in the line up…But he did instill pride and passion…
Still...
Way too early to draw conclusions about ANY player..KO or otherwise…and I don’t think Konopka would make this team, or any team for that matter, better. Let’s just see. NO 6-game stretch tells anyone anything about a team or a player..we all need to get off the ledge just a bit.
it's been bad though
I agree in principle, some conclusions are definitely drawn prematurely. And fire, passion or pride are certainly not the issues.
But we have to admit it’s not been just a 3-3 start of the usual kind with some inconsistent play. It’s been much worse than that. Four performances were somewhere pretty close to awful and, if not for the excellent special teams, the record could easily stand at 2-4 or even 1-5 now. All that while the schedule couldn’t have been any easier with four of six games at home and against teams who don’t belong to league’s best and have played poorly as well as had various issues, such as the Euro trip for the Rangers. Or a depleted roster, as the Panthers yesterday, who were without Santorelli, Bergenheim, Sturm and Samuelsson (or Booth respectively) – four guys capable to outplay the Isles’ bottom-6 dramatically.
And I think we can’t just hope that a couple of (relatively unimportant) players come back soon, some rust will fall off and the play will get more consistent. It needs to get much better in the first place. In that sense I really hope their focus will be on figuring some stuff out, changing some things maybe, just improving their game – and not complaining about a lack of urgency or something when instead so many basic hockey things were costing them much more on this trip.
Great Post. This. And when I saw the players they were missing, I thought it was the perfect team to turn our luck around against. But I was wrong.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Drawing conclusions right now about KO being so bad
Is just as misguided as drawing a conclusion LAST YEAR after 6 games that Bailey would be one of the Isles top goalscorers.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Im not drawing conclusions...
I’m just worried…I was looking forward to them coming out with something to prove…So far they haven’t…Before I wrote that I just got done reading Pointblanks comments and maybe the negativity got to me a little, lol…That’s why I rarely go there…
Im just pointing out that we just dont know WTH is going to happen based on 6 games.
The Isles can go 4-1-2 and then everything can go to hell.
The Isles can lose their first few road games and still do well- the last time the Isles did that was in 06-07.
Its just to early to proclaim whats what.
But worrying? That I can understand- Im doing it, myself.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And Detroit can start 4-0 and then get destroyed by the Capitals
These are the things that remind me every team looks like dogfood several times a season.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Yeah but Detroit outshot the Caps in that game 33-25, and it wasn't a score effect, they outshot the
Caps 10-8 in the 1st, and 16-6 in the 2nd and were actually outshot only in the 3rd period. That game looks like one of those where the puck was just going in for the Caps and not the Wings. The Isles were badly outshot through the 1st 2 periods.
It actually just looks like a game where Ty Conklin was in goal
Of course then two nights later, Detroit loses to Columbus.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
This is the cap's year though.
With Vokoun and the addittions they made, I don’t see how they aren’t the East favorite barring a major injury(ies). They’ve done all the right things in the offseason.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
I agree
But we really won’t know until the playoffs roll around. Big monkey to get off their backs there.
Tavares is Tavares.
A lot of pressure to build up waiting to see if the experiment works in April.
The entire season means absolutely nothing to the Caps and they know it. They have to win at least 2 playoff rounds for the season to have any meaning and there isn’t a damn thing they can do about it for 5 long months,
I apologize for the above rant...
It is indeed extremely early and when all is said & done it we’re a 500 hockey club after only 6 games…
i
Cappy needs to show some fire.
Everytime the camera cut to him it looked like he was posing for a Mens Big and Tall ad, while the Panthers guy was screaming at his guys. USE YOUR BODY CAP!
Stainer of mountaintops.
by Chairman Meow on Oct 23, 2011 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Gillies
No doubt, they were bad overall and most likely would have lost anyway, but Trevor Gillies was such a liability last night. He had four shifts – one ended with a Florida goal, twice they couldn’t get out of the own zone and both times they were forced to take a penalty.
I’m sure they neither planned to play him 39 games last season nor 3 of the first 6 this time around. And I get the situation was unfortunate yesterday with no one else available to fill in for Rolston. But it just can’t happen anymore. At a point where they need to be at their best in order to be competitive and the bottom-6 is kind of a mess anyway they just can’t afford that. I thought I wouldn’t mind Gillies hanging around as the 13th forward and playing some games against the division rivals, but now I think they need to do something else. Obviously, with two games against the Penguins coming up the timing is bad, but I really want them to create a different dynamic around the bottom-6 as soon as possible. (It’s clear they need to work on many other things regardless.)
Agreed. I don't mind Gillies when he isn't being a big liability, but his leash has been too long and he's been plugged into games he shouldn't have been while making noticable mistakes.
Time to bring up an AHL guy to plug in when need be, or even now.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
You think with upcoming back to back Penguins games that its time NOT to put Gillies in???
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
"Time to bring up an AHL guy to plug in "when need be", or even now."
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
But you said THIS was the time to do it.
I dont agree that “this” is the time to risk losing guys this team will need if/when other guys are injured by putting them on the waiver wire just because you feel like seeing them.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
For everyone who thinks big hits are the 'be all and end all' check out Gillies hit on the Panther's right
wing right before the go ahead goal (he didn’t really get much of him). The winger saw Gillies coming and let the puck go past him to the point man who had all day to make a play because Gillies took himself out of the play trying to plaster the winger. That led to the goal. A different play there and maybe we get that puck out of the zone. At least we put pressure on that D-man when he gets it.
Id rather see Haley against the Penguins
Then have Gillies in the lineup
They both can fight, but Haley can take more than 3 shifts a game
"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992
Hell yeah.
I agree with this. I can’t figure out repeatedly dressing Gillies over Haley.
Haley is not waiver exempt!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Since you all like him so much I dont know why you all keep calling for him to ride the wire.
I like him and I dont feel like losing him.
PLUS, he has been suspended!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
And I don't want him fighting MacIntyre
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Have the Pens actually played Macintyre at all?
I havnt noticed him in the bits and pieces of their games that ive caught
"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992
I thought he was exempt from waivers
Whoops. and i assumed his suspension was over
"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992
Pretty sure Haley IS waiver exempt
He was reassigned this month without being put on waivers. By my count he has about 30 NHL games left in this, his last year of exemption.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I am uninformed on this.
Someone please tell me why Haley not being waiver exempt – if he isn’t – means he can’t play.
The risk of recalling a non waiver exempt player
is losing him to another team (without compensation). He can still play, but every other team of the league has to pass on him first.
Exactly- thats what Im afraid of.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I came to the same conclusion using the capgeek waiver calculator
Furthermore I don’t think an AHL suspension has any effect on the NHL. BTW he already sat out his two game suspension.
I Dont think so Dom- Didnt we all figure this out before?
I thought we had him down as waiver exempt and then changed our tune on it? Im almost sure it was him.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
hmm
Maybe, that might be it. It would be kinda strange for me to mix them up, but there were so many frickin guys last season.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Wishart is who I had wrong
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Any takers
Why are the Islanders struggling to get shots on goal?
OMG it is so infuriating.
10 shots in over 40 minutes of play???
In numerous games, even? Unacceptable.
I do not know why.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe...
it is their passing? Especially when bringing the puck into the neutral zone.
Their passing really has been pretty awful.
But the thing I dont get is that we have seen the Isles have pretty weak teams- who couldnt pass- and they would still get a lot more SOG than that. Maybe they werent great SOG, but Ill take any SOG over none… even the lamest SOG can turn into something.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 23, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that's a part, too
Bit cross-ice passes going nowhere. Failure to adapt to the neutral zone defense they’re facing.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Harping on a theme today
They aren’t passes, they are escape routes. Eaton and Mottau are so slow by the time they reach the puck, there is only one thing to do. Release it to some other direction, they hope an Islander will get to first. Staois doesn’t do much better, but is usually in a better position and his defensive partner can reach the puck or doesn’t have to panic to move it out of harms way. Hamonic has been solid, AMAC not as much. But that is at least half of your defense that is handling the puck like a hand grenade. The forwards are caught flat footed in the defensive and nuetral zones and that is killing the breakout.
by Hockey1919 on Oct 24, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It is easy to point to them.
But I expect less from them so I dont think it is as poignant. What is notable about the passing IMO is how poor it has been inr egard to players like Fransie, Grabs, Okposo, for the most part every forward except JT.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 24, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I think in part, Frans and Grabs have had less room to make the plays.
With so little flow in the neutral zone, hard for the same types of plays. Those that are occuring are happening inside the opposing team’s bluelines.
Cascade of factors, IMO
FNGO haven’t been on form most nights, especially Okposo. Defense hasn’t been good moving the puck, forwards on the third line haven’t been good giving them somewhere to distribute the puck, bottom six has been still out of whack, and Gillies’ four shifts per game keeps any of the bottom six from playing in sync. (Not that double-shifting a forward necessarily screws things up, but when you have a dysfunctional/slumping bunch to begin with, it doesn’t help.)
What’s the biggest factor, I can’t even guess right now since everything feeds everything else. Hockey is 100 overlapping butterfly effects, and two bounces can make everyone feel better.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I really think it's
not moving their feet.
- Guys standing still waiting to receive a puck
- Standing still (or slow) while trying to pass a puck
- Not moving so they are never open
All of that leads to bad breakouts and zone entry and allowing guys to close on them to block shots, steer the player toward a bad area, force shots wide or intercept passes. It looks to me like often, they are getting the puck and trying to get up to speed and they are getting caught by defenders
I think it is a little of all of the bulleted things at different times that are causing the problem. You can’t generate shots it you don’t have possession, and you don’t have possession long if you’re not moving. And it’s different people at different times. Sometimes the forwards are moving and the D isn’t and vice versa.
I also think we have a big problem when Cappy doesn’t get last change to line match.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Yups
I don’t consider myself a very sophisticated hockey watcher but I did notice that with the possible exception of JT, most of the Isles’ zone entries were of the dump and chase variety, which as often as not led to a recovery of the puck by Panthers. The Isles rarely were able to set up in the Panthers’ zone on 5-on-5. You obviously can’t follow Cappy’s advice to put the puck on net if you can’t get close to the net in the first place. In contrast, the Panthers routinely were able to carry the puck into the zone and even though the Isles’ D had success in breaking up their play, the Panthers were able to move enough skaters into the zone so that they were able to recover the puck.
A couple of pluses I was able to extract from a giant mass of minus:
1. Nabby was great. Aside from his one error, he played like the type of goalie who can steal a game for you — and nearly did.
2. Obviously, the PP.
3. I thought the second line showed some life in the second half of the game, including KO.
4. Our conference seems to be full of mediocrity thus far. Bottom line, a 3-3 start after 6 games is nothing to panic about.
Not sure what sort of moves are really feasible or warranted at this point. Is it too early for call ups from BPT? I suppose the return of Nino and Jurcina will force some welcome changes but the fact that we are looking to Nino and Jurcina as solutions to the Isles’ problems is not a good sign.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Oct 23, 2011 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
On the dump and chase
if the D is hesitant and doesn’t gain center ice quickly, causing the forwards to hold up at the blue lines so they don’t go offsides, they’ll never get to the puck first. Any time there is hesitation (either on a dump in or carrying into the zone), the forwards without the puck will have to adjust their speed…the trick of it is not to stop or slow too much, but sometimes you don’t have a choice.
It really comes from everyone being a little tentative and unsure of what their teammate is doing with the puck, or with the puck carrier not knowing where the other guys are going to be…or laziness, either or.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Grabs was certainly a major factor last season, but this season, the defense don’t seem capable of springing him loose because by the time they get the puck, the forecheck has been all over them. It took me a few games of watching to see how often the defense just about reaches the puck in time and then makes a terrible first pass just to relieve pressure.
Add this to the mishandling of the puck at the point and you have even less offensive opportunities. Very few of the Islanders defenseman can hope to pinch in and then recover. Even fewer seem adept at handling the puck at the blueline when knowing if it gets past them, it is a breakaway. Add to having KO or Rolston on the point on the PP and it is even more glaring that the D is not helping generate any offense.
It is too easy to say that the forwards have sucked, but I started looking away from the opposing team’s net and started to look at the Islanders net outward to see where the offense is failing. When the forwards do cheat, it winds up in the back of the net, like it did against Tampa with KO leaving early and being intercepted by Purcell.
main problems are
1) the 3rd line really sucks – we have makings of a reasonable 4th line – if we had a 3rd line that wasn’t terrible, we’d at least have more balance – Grabner not being as good as last year hasn’t helped as well, but its time to cut ties with Bailey & Comeau – trade them for anything, or simply cut them
2) And of course Eaton-Mottau are an abysmal pairing – Mottau should be waived and sent down, Eaton benched
as some have pointed out, the schedule gets harder from here
You're much too negative.
Trade Comeau? FOR ANYTHING? He scored 24 goals last year. He skates like the wind and his shot is a cannon. Trade Bailey? I’m starting to think Bailey may turn out to be a bust but it is just plain too early to tell. He’s 22. I know its frustrating watching them right now but they are both better players than they’re showing. With Comeau especially we know this for sure. Eaton is decent. Not good but decent. Mottau has been terrible but we have to live with him and hope he plays better. We don’t have a better option. Maybe Wishart. Maybe but I’m doubtful. You are always so negative. You can’t just get rid of anyone who isn’t performing. If you can’t find better players you’d be making the team even worse.
by TMS71 on Oct 24, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Grabner is a notoriously slow starter, if he weren't, he would not be an Islander.
In six games you can’t judge a players season, never mind an entire team. I do not think the Islanders have had a strong start and this worries me because all points earned at the beginning and end of the season are worth the same.
Eaton and Mottau, it is hard to say we are going to see much improvement, based on a pretty well defined careers. Bailey may not be what many hoped he would be, but that is an expectation based on draft position, not on his strengths. Comeau is streaky as hell, he may ignite for a few goals. Until guys like Nino, Strome etc are ready you would not be dealing from strength and getting less than what you already have.
Agreed on all points.
They’ll be waiting a long time to get the puck, since even a dump in means a scrum along the boards if you hope the defense will reach it in time to move it cross ice and out of the zone.
Slow while passing the puck, because they are deer in headlights mode. They reach the puck, turn and fire since they don’t even have the room to make a move and pick up speed. That leads to forwards constantly chasing and not having any idea where the puck is going.
They are never open, because if you do move, chances are the puck is behind you. The defense rarely ever beats the forecheck so that the offense has the advantage in numbers. They are pressured low and then the opposing high forechecker is just waitng for that bad pass up the boards. Forwards will have to skate back low to help the d outnumber the opposing forward if they want o regain possession.
You have these huge gaps between the defense and the offense throughout the game. The forwards when moving are all clogged along the offensive blue line in the neutral zone hoping the puck moves up. The defense is hoping the forwards are inside their own blue line so that they can chip it into the neutral zone. Neither way are they going to generate any offense.
Yeah, I got an answer! The more things change the more they stray the same!
Why not enough shots? NOT ENOUGH substained pressure in the offensive zone. Really, who can you point out that is digging out pucks from the corners and behind the net? Answer: No one. PAP? Okposo? Mr. COZO? who? one dump into the offensive zone, and that it, its coming back the other way. That’s why we get 3 shots per period.
Conversly: we get bottled up in our zone quite frequently with no way out. Why? Our players are chasing in our D-zone instead of checking and eliminating the man.
ALSO: when is this team ever going to learn to show up for the first period! This has nothing to do with talent but determination and will.
WELL that my rant, and my two cenat worth!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Oct 23, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Flat footed becasue they are chasing the play
I was thinking as to why this team looks flat and why they aren’t in pursuit. The game is going by them too fast to react. Instead of chasing all night and being a step behind, they are hoping to be in the"right" spot and have the play move to them. Guess what? It ain’t happening.
The defense is still not very good.
With a slow and shallow defense things are not going to get better very quickly. This was a glaring need in the offseason and won’t be addressed until the AHL defenseman get some reps. Not that there were many young offensive defenseman that could skate in the UFA scrap heap to begin with. Snow tried to get Erhoff, but he chose more dollars in Buffalo.
You can’t generate any offense if the defense barely outraces the forecheck and the forwards are constantly being asked to carry the puck out of the zone or wait for a puck to be banged off the boards just to get it out. There is a reason the PAP,Tavares, Moulson line is looking so much better, they have Streit moving the puck and compensating for a slow Staois. Eaton and Mottau or 6/7 defenseman at best, AMAC has regressed so far and that leaves only Hamonic picking up any of Streit’s slack.
If the Islander D is able to support the rush, there may actually be more opportunity to generate secondary scoring, and their lack of foot speed means there is no hope of them challenging pucks to keep it in the zone and get additional offensive zone faceoffs. Note how Hamonic still gets shots on goal.
There were, in my opinion, 3 factors in the Islanders pulling out of their 22-game swoon:
1) Grabs. 2) Haley 3) Montoya.
While ‘The Gremlin’ isn’t playing terribly, he’s NOT cashing in on his breakaways, probably because he’s more or less a known quantity, the subject of any number of film segments. ‘El Cubano’ has performed admirably, pretty much picking up where he left off at the end of last season…..
But none of us can deny just how very much of an inspiration, how thoroughly Haley changed the dynamic with that Penguin slaughter. While there’s no question both Gillies and Konopka are/were heart-and soul guys, nobody will ever accuse them of being dynamic! Haley, however, IS, and DYNAMISM is what we most desperately NEED right now – it’s been in very short supply ever since the Rangers game…..
In memoriam: Virginia Ariel Cayon 1927-2011 R.I.P. Mom
Hamonic coming into his own.
Without Hamoinc picking up the defensive slack, the slide would have continued even further. The kid has amazingly done everything asked and more. Play solid defense, put the puck on net, fight, you name it , he has done it.
Haley is a better hockey player than Gillies but he is very very very very far from dynamic. He's good -- for a fighter.
by TMS71 on Oct 24, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Doesnt seem like he has been dynamic in the AHL so far this season
For whatever thats worth.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Oct 24, 2011 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
another thing to watch
Moulson-JT-PAP may be a better line at home than on the road – Cappy can get the matchups he wants at home – not so when travelling which perhaps helps explain the terrible time they had in Florida
perhaps try Moulson-JT-KO as a road pairing – something’s worth trying as the team is playing poorly and very fortunate to be 3-3
Can someone explain to me
this idea about not being able to match lines on the road?
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Oct 23, 2011 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions
The visiting team
has to send their lines out first. The home team can say “oh, it’s Tavares, send out Malhotra…oh it’s Reasoner, send out Sedin etc.”
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Much easier in the first and third when you can change on the fly.
Second period is the long change to your defensive end. Islanders have looked particularly bad in the second on the road. Coincidence? Maybe, since it is too soon to tell. I didn’t think they started as slow against the Panthers compared to the Bolts.
Gaining the Zone
It seemed to me, especially last game, that the Isles’ top two lines are most successful at gaining the zone 5-on-5 by passing the puck over to Parenteau or Okposo and having them use their speed down the wing. The reason may not be that these two are particularly dangerous, but that other teams are protecting against return passes to Tavares or Nielsen because they know that either center is dangerous heading into the zone with 3 or 4 different options. (Free refills on the Pepsi all night long, but you’ll have to pay a price for the milkshake.)
The other two lines aren’t allowed this luxury because (my hypothesis) neither Reasoner nor Bailey are particularly threatening (I know, I know: it’s a crazy accusation) and they also lack the speedy RH shot on the RW (not to point any fingers directly at Comeau). So the opposition can shut down the wing and not worry so much about the return pass. I think this is part of the reason we see the 3rd and 4th lines dumping the puck into the zone a lot— they just don’t have the confidence and/or ability to carry the puck in when under pressure. (Add in the less-than stellar passing from the defensemen, particularly with AMac/Hamonic looking shaky when the ice is choppy, and Eaton/Mottau when the ice is cold.)
Isles need 3 lines attacking with speed. When there are only 1 or 2, the other team seems to have the momentum and even those 1 or 2 lines are ineffective because they have to go 180 feet more often than not.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Oct 24, 2011 10:16 AM EDT reply actions
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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.
