Recap: Blackhawks 3, Islanders 2, Sharp nets OT winner
by Dominik on Dec 8, 2011 11:13 PM EST
in New York Islanders Game Recaps
Email
Print
The New York Islanders' 3-2 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks was an uneven, at times dull yet at times quite entertaining affair.
Difficult to describe, so we'll just start with the facts:
GS | ES | H2H | Shifts | Corsi | Zones | Recaps: NHL | Isles | LHH+/- | GT | SBN
Ray Emery, swallowing his rebounds all night, was no Corey Crawford. John Tavares, facing Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook all night, was held scoreless but hardly ineffective. Brian Rolston, he of the "still has that shot," put seven shots on goal but the two hardest ones missed the net on a lengthy 5-on-3. Steve Staios heroically tie-eth (with 9:08 left...though it's now credited to Michael Grabner), and Steve Staios giveth away (in OT).
The aforementioned 5-on-3, a 1:56-long bonus that straddled both sides of the second intermission, felt like it would e the turning point in the game. In a close game where the Hawks frustratingly held the edge, a shutout felt possible as late as 18 minutes into the second period -- when Travis Hamonic's blast brought the Isles to within one and changed the game.
The November Isles might have folded after wasting the 5-on-3 that came right after Hamonic's goal. The December Isles held on and made a game of it.
"We’ve come a long way since three weeks ago," PA Parenteau said. "We’re playing as a team. We’re desperate out there. We battled back from a two-goal deficit against probably one of the best teams in the league."
Game Highlights
Pre-game Injury Updates: Arthur Staple at Newsday with updates on Grabner (who returned tonight), Nino Niederreiter, Andrew MacDonald and Evgeni Nabokov.
Feel-Good Things
(Not to be confused with the post-game plus/minus, where everyone shared their pros and cons in the game's immediate aftermath.)
* Well, this makes another third-period comeback (albeit by just one goal, although by two goals total) against the Blackhawks, who despite their aesthetic funk are still, you know, at the top of the Western standings. (Technically they are second to Minnesota, but Wild fans have a persecution complex about that perch, so might as well feed it.)
As noted, the Hawks not named Dan Carcillo played with discipline that required patience and persistence from the Isles. Shift after shift played to a draw while the Hawks held on to the lead and pressed for more. It was a good forecheck, turnover and heads-up pass from P.A. Parenteau that sprung Travis Hamonic free to step into a shot from the low-point/high-slot to bring it to 2-1.
* Getting by with injuries: With Mark Streit (27:08 overall) each logging nearly 20 minutes of EV time, the other pairs consisted of Milan Jurcina and Steve Staios, and Mike Mottau and Dylan Reese. I wouldn't expect that group to hold the Hawks to two regulation goals (with Al Montoya's help) as the Isles outshot Chicago 33-28 over 61 minutes.
* John Tavares was worked like a dog as Capuano strove for a tying goal and then strove for the winner. (If you like shift charts made available by Vic Ferrari, Tavares' green bar at the end of the game looks almost like an uninterrupted goaltender's shift.) The idiotic late Carcillo penalty (first he was upset that Frans Nielsen backchecked around his own net, then he was upset that Kyle Okposo stepped in to keep him from tooling it up with Nielsen) should have been a good opportunity, but Tavares looked winded and the point combo of Streit and Rolston was uncreative.
* Penalty Kill: Grabs is back. If the 5-on-3 and the late powerplay were wasted, the penalty kill did well to kill Chicago's dangerous third-period powerplay after Staios backhanded the puck over the glass. (Note: He was also boarded on the play with no call. But that wouldn't exactly even the ledger anyway.) Grabner and Frans Nielsen did good work and also nearly hooked up to spring Grabner. But completing that kill and helping to preserve the regulation point was enough.
Jonathan Toews, faceoff monster, was 9-9. John Tavares was 12-9. I recall Toews winning at least one big one over JT though in his own zone, with the Hawks D pair tired but kept on the ice after an icing.
Straight Outta Compton: Sharp on the Isles, as quoted in nhl.com writer Brian Compton's recap:
"They're a good team with young, exciting players over there," Sharp said of the Islanders. "We were in that situation a few years ago and they're a dangerous team. We've played them twice now and they're hungry to win. They're on their way. I remember coming in here with Philadelphia years ago, and it's a much different team. They've got things going in the right direction, for sure."
Feel-Sour Things
* As great as it was to see Staios get create that goal (it's now Grabner's on the deflection), his OT misplay, his "breakouts" whipping the puck around the boards in crunch time, and the delay of game penalty were all nearly killers. Mottau was part of the penalty, as he and Staios maddeningly held on to the puck in their own zone without pressure.
* Milan Jurcina too had moments of head-scratch. Generally Jurcina played well -- using the body, getting hard shots off from the point, blocking a painful one at the other end -- and that's why it's so frustrating when he makes plays on the puck in his own zone that do not increase the chances of getting it out. Again, Jurcina had a game of several swell plays; it just makes you want more.
He, Staios and Mottau make you nervous when they play the puck behind their own net and around the boards. They invite pressure and don't always have the hands or anticipation to evade it.
*"Bro Hymn" returned? For one goal? An accident?
* All of the special teams play and comeback push kept David Ullstrom under 10 minutes of TOI, which was a shame because he's been fun to watch during this callup. He had one fast-break chance created tonight.
* Rolston's wide shots from the point. With a two-man advantage. Particularly damaging for how they caromed away. I'd frankly take the puck-savvy Reese in that role instead.
* Al Montoya: Oh, actually Montoya did little wrong, other than some bold and sometimes risky puck play that reminded me too much of alpha Rick DiPietro. On the three goals, one was a fluke bounce on the Hawks powerplay, another was a lethal one-timer by Sharp, the OT winner was a rebound, but one created by Marian Hossa getting Montoya moving laterally on the 2-on-1.
* Overtime Hex: The Islanders are now 0-2 in shootouts, and 0-4 in overtime. Over the long haul that's generally a crapshoot, so it should level out a bit. Chicago looked more dangerous in the 90 seconds of OT, but that's hard to separate from the game-ending 2-on-1 which was Sharp's second goal on the Staios-Jurcina pair.
Parenteau again, who's been vocal (or at least a frequent quote) through thick and thin and has played every game this season like a leader:
"Overall, we have to bear down when it’s time for overtime or (the) shootout, these points are important down the road," Parenteau said. "But I’m real happy with the effort tonight. Overall the boys showed up and we showed a lot of character."
Going 3-3 instead of 0-6 in extra time would have them three points out of eighth right now, with three games in hand on Ottawa.
The Isles dug a big first-quarter hole, but the East is a weird mix of blah right now. Continued results like this 4-0-2 run could inch them back into interesting territory at least as they play three games per week through the end of 2011. The next challenge is Saturday night's visit by the Penguins, who will be without some guy whose name escapes me.
233 comments
|
Add comment
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Something Crosberry?
Check with Butchie.
Support Movember: http://mobro.co/YourUncleNops
by Uncle Zenon on Dec 9, 2011 7:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This actually happened to me once
My post disappeared. Then reappeared twice, with two different posting times seperated by several hours. Then when I refreshed the site…back to my original post. I think best bet is to refresh.
I just look at their forward talent, and then have joy that we came away with 1pt.
Aside from JT, I’d take Toews/Hossa/Kane/Sharp(maybe) over any other forward we have.
Not to mention, at their current NHL statuses, I’d take Seabrook/Keith over any D-man we have (longterm, Hamonic may beat Seabrook).
It feels much better to realize this when we came away with 1pt.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
I dislike Hossa
And that Chicago got him a Cup after he pulled that BS with Pittsburgh/Detroit is rather annoying
"I really wouldn’t wish rooting for both the Isles and Blues on anyone." Dominik
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Dec 9, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I hear ya, he's still a great 2-way forward though. Top line material offensively and defensively.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
by OzzyFan on Dec 9, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Truth.
There is a problem with outliving your enemies, it usually means that you have outlived your friends as well...
Honnor thy father - D. Vader (Robert Asprin, Myth series)
by burpchelischili on Dec 10, 2011 6:21 AM EST up reply actions
Kind of disappointed not to get the win
When we get that many power play opportunities we really need to capitalize on a few and ice the game. This would probably be more likely if we took Rolston off the power play but I’m preaching to the choir.
You wouldn't believe how good the Corsi is for my NHL 12 Be A Pro player.
by ArsenalLI on Dec 8, 2011 11:41 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
yea but WHY WAS SANTOS PLAYING AGAINST OLYMPIACOS?!
"It don't make you a bad person" - Ron Bennington
ha
Decent Arsenal following on this site it seems..nice
Only saw the 1st against Chicago, Okposo with a couple strong plays
by British Isles on Dec 9, 2011 12:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
haha great question
on the bright side we’ll be starting 4 centerbacks tomorrow no matter what, so set pieces probably won’t be an issue for once
You wouldn't believe how good the Corsi is for my NHL 12 Be A Pro player.
Except one of those backs is Djourou
Santos can’t defend for shit but he sure does get forward awfully well.
"It don't make you a bad person" - Ron Bennington
Djourou looked good at times last season
let’s hope he can find that form again. The real disadvantage is we aren’t going to get that width from the full backs.
You wouldn't believe how good the Corsi is for my NHL 12 Be A Pro player.
Finally someone ...
sees it the way I do.
They failed to convert on a 5 on 3 almost 2 full minutes long. Good teams would be disappointed to not get 2 goals on that, nevermind 1.
They failed on a PP late in the 3rd when it was all set up for them.
They started this game the same way they played all those games when they sucked until 2 weeks ago. No jump, no energy, back on their heels. Why?
Tavares couldn’t convert on several great chances, including 2 virtual breakaways.
Guys totally missed the net from good spots throughout the entire game.
They played pretty well and even outshot them, and still lost a game they SHOULD have won.
Another one.
Are things less bleak than they were? Yeah.
And, oh well, we did a point out of it.
That’s a losing mentality in my book.
I completely disagree.
It was a little sloppy in the beginning, but I didn’t see a lack of energy at all in the beginning. We out-hit them, out blocked shot them, out-shot them, out faced-off them, drew more penalties and we came back from a 2 goal deficit against one of the most high powered offenses in the game. Yes, be disappointed, but keep it real. It was a nice point and to say "WE SHOULD HAVE WON is just not accurate. You can do all the things we did above, but we don’t have Toews, Hossa, Kane, Sharp, and that’s why we lost….and it wasn’t Montoya’s best game, but if that’s his worst, we’ll be fine.
I disagree as well
I think the Isles played a good game. Was it their best game? No. But they played a game that was good enough to win in my opinion. It was the same quality they’ve been putting out the last 3 weeks. Sometimes you play a good game and lose (to a good team at that) and sometimes you play a shitty game and win (see the Washington win). But if they play like they played last night, they’ll win more than they lose.
"It don't make you a bad person" - Ron Bennington
Appearances Deceive
It might have looked like they had no energy, or were not in the game, and created what for the most part was a boring game, especially compared to the last time these teams played. But the Hawks played an especially stingy game, where they focused on defense first and then worked on simple forecheck the entire game. They capitalized on a freak PP goal and pretty much the two rushes they had the whole game. They converted, because you have two guys named Hossa and Sharp who have been doing it for a long long time. 400 career goals for Hossa, it was not his first go around.
Because they played a stingy game with an effective forecheck, it made the Islanders look slow, hemmed in, and made them look not as good in other games. They did not have many rushes and most of their shots were from the outside, which made Emery look good. He just had to show up for those.
The Islanders certainly had their chances, especially JT in the first. He will eventually bat those in, the point is the chances are there. He is not a 10 year veteran with 850 + points to his name yet.
It would have been great to convert on the PP, and like I said in another post, if that 2 minutes of PP time was all int he 2nd they would have more than likely put one in the net then and carried the momentum like they did in the third. I am not really upset with the result as Chicago is a top tier team, I am more upset with losing in OT again on a sloppy play with two defenders who should not have been paired during 4 v 4. That will be learned, and Cappy has to adjust.
Again Nobody is happy they lost, they are just pleased with the comeback effort of the troops. We have to realize what this team is and isnt. Coming in the season I think the fans and the team itself had an inflated view of the team, myself included. We all concluded the Defense was the weak link, but maybe could get by. Team took a nose dive, lost confidence, and has since righted the ship before it was too late like last year. This point will still help us out. I would be more pissed if nobody showed up to play like that losing stretch. That was not the case though.
by ghalbart on Dec 9, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Well put. Spot on.
This was not like many of the flat 1st periods we played during our losing streak in November. Yes, we needs wins, but to acknowledge their effort and the point received is NOT a “losers mentality”, it’s just keeping it real…
Um,
Again Nobody is happy they lost
I am happy that the Hawks won… but saddened that the Isles lost…
Hell, I don’t know.
There is a problem with outliving your enemies, it usually means that you have outlived your friends as well...
Honnor thy father - D. Vader (Robert Asprin, Myth series)
by burpchelischili on Dec 10, 2011 6:26 AM EST up reply actions
I also disagree
Good effort overall, just think of the no-show efforts earlier this season!
The 5 on 3? Well it would have been nice to convert, BUT “good teams would be disappointed not to get two goals”? I guess the Sabers are not a good team then. The Isles stopped their 5 on 3 about a week ago. Point being: sometimes their PK unit outdoes our PP unit.
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Dec 9, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
on the other hand
It’s nice to see that the team is sufficiently disappointing to you. I was missing these constant rays of sunshine you cast our way.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
by mikb on Dec 9, 2011 2:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Isles lost the 1st period, tied the 2nd period, won the 3rd period, and then lost in OT.
Things got better and better as the game went on, but that was gone in OT. I think they need to work on their offense 4 on 4. Isles cant keep losing every single game they get to go past regulation.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
This --^
Especially in cases where it is against a west coast team, maybe they should consider 3 forwards and splitting Hamonic and Streit to be the lone D and spelling them with Reese or something with Nielsen and Grabner.
That extra point won’t come back to haunt us and with the amount of open ice and free skating needed, the bottom of the D bunch looks even slower.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Dec 9, 2011 7:03 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Three Forwards Worth a Try in OT
In OT, there is too much open space – our slow D are even more exposed and even worse there is one less forward to come back and help. With Reese in for Eaton, and better forward support lately, our immobile D-men have been less of a problem, but in OT they just can’t compensate.
Rolston can play point there too??
I don’t think that’s what you were thinking, but it would be fun to see FnGO with Hamonic. Followed by JT/MM/PA and Streit.
How could they be stopped??
Heh, no, that's not what i was thinking...
At all. Rolston should not be playing the point in ANY situation. PP, PK, 5-on-5, 4-on-4, 3-on-3, 5-on-3..did I miss any?
My point is that he should not be at the point.
I like your lines, though.
Agreed, if its one thing our 4 v 4 lacks is
back end speed and poise, especially when you have Jurcina, Mottau, and Staios in the line up. Eaton would not help in this situation either. Reese at least will not get burned. Hamonic and Streit both know what to do and can follow through.
Unfortunately 4 v 4 is way less about position and more about speed and puck control.
I was not really disappointed with the result as much as I was frustrated with losing in OT again, and so quickly off a bad communication play. It would have been great to win the game. I am hoping we can snag win against the pens, but you know they will come out blazing with just losing to the Bruins and the Flyers. I want to get to NHL 500
I'm Learning:
“They’re a good team with young, exciting players over there,” Sharp said of the Islanders. “We were in that situation a few years ago and they’re a dangerous team. We’ve played them twice now and they’re hungry to win. They’re on their way. I remember coming in here with Philadelphia years ago, and it’s a much different team. They’ve got things going in the right direction, for sure.”
What would Botta Say?….someting like: -“That’s a nice thing for Sharp to Say, considering the fact that its not that true”.
He’d Also probably say something like: “If PA Parenteau is voice of reason/leadership the Isles are in trouble”
FB4Feal: Good BounceBack 2Nite….But need to get that Xtra Pt.
Please Garth, Now more than ever: Hang tough and watch how they develop as a group.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano
by FB4Real on Dec 9, 2011 12:01 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Botta's more subtle than that, something like
Sharp’s compliments say more about the classy vet’s diplomacy skills than #Isles on-ice skills.
or
#Isles always more satisfied with pats on the back from opponents than in actual player development.
or
#Isles could use leaders like Sharp. Too bad the only “C” that matters is on the owner’s office door.
"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 Dec 9, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
I miss Fake Botta.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Dec 9, 2011 10:11 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
One thing I keep forgetting... Then remembering
We had a chance to tie this on the 5-3 but failed… We were down 2-0 at first and then failed to convert on a 5-3 to tie it up.
But we still came back to send this game to OT.
That is a remarkable thing for this Islander team if you really think about it. I know morale victories suck but to me it’s evidence that we are truly on our way back this season. Obviously, we need to score on the 5-3 (Get off the PP Rolston…. Or at least hit the net) but still I’m impressed that we were able to send tis game to OT against a strong Blackhawk team
by BaltimoreIslander on Dec 9, 2011 12:50 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I think it would have
helped if the 5 – 3 was all in one period. They were pretty close to getting something in at the end of the 2nd period, one or two more bounces toward the net and I am pretty sure it would have gone in.
The Chicago face-off victory to start the third period and subsequent dump-in
killed about 30 seconds of the Isles’ 5-on-3 PP.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
They also won
the one that started that PP at the end of the second.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
And you should win a 5-on-3 offensive zone faceoff...
…about 75% of the time. (Just prevent a clear win and outnumber for the scramble.)
I like Rolston less for 5-on-3 than 5-on-4. And that’s saying something. Reese, Nielsen, Bailey, Hamonic, Okposo, PAP— any of those would have been better than Rolston. Heck, Mottau has better close-in puck skills and decision-making than Rolston.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Dec 9, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
To Rolston there are no decisions, only shots
"It don't make you a bad person" - Ron Bennington
by Pauly C on Dec 9, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly
He personally pissed away a lot of the opportunity by missing the net there with shots that weren’t even quality.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
Agreed. Honestly, if yesterday's 5-on-3 wasn't enough evidence of why Rolston should be on the PP, I don't know what is.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
I honestly think if Rolston isn't on the PP, we tie up the game on the 5-on-3. He wasted big opportunities with his high and wide shots, not to mention precious PP time.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
The title of LHH
Lighthouse Hockey – A New York Islanders fan site. A bipolar experience.
Perfectly explains everything about last night.
WTF, WHAT ARE THEY DOING DOWN 2-0
OMG, THEY ARE COMING BACK!!!111
WTF, POWERPLAY
OMG, THEY TIED
[wife] HOLD ME, ITS TIED, PLEASE SCORE, BUT DON’T LET THEM SCORE. I WANT THE POINT
WTF, STAIOS
I'm a mets, jets, islander, and terps fan. Also known as a glutton for perennial punishment.
by longbeach on Dec 9, 2011 6:28 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Still played well
Very encouraging result here. There was about a 5-7 minute stretch after the Hawks 2nd goal where the Isles looked a little listless, but then they turned it back on.
Sometimes you can play a good game and just lose. That happens to good teams when they play other good teams. But the Isles played as they have been over the last 5-6 games.
I’m impressed by Dylan Reese, Ullstrom, and even Wallace. Good depth down there at BPT. Reese may not be physical and will lose some battles, but he’s quick enough to beat the oncoming forwards to pucks and gets the puck moving the other way. Much better than Eaton.
And I’d personally like to thank Capuano for putting Streit and Hamonic together. When they’re on the ice you almost know the Isles are going to drive the play.
And how about the 4th line? Matt Martin is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. They get the puck deep, work hard along the wall, and even create chances. Great all aroudn play from the whole team right now.
Except Staios…..ugh.
"It don't make you a bad person" - Ron Bennington
Reese
never understood all the venom on Reese – as have been saying, he makes a nice 7th D man, has mobility – would have made a nice 5-6 with Katic, who he meshes well with
Reese was not hands down in any way best D at Bridgeport – de Haan is the one that really intrigues me – Donovan & Ness probably are spending the year down there – but both are at least at the same level already – Wishart is, well, Wishart
Reese
was really really awful last year, and kept getting the callup in front of both Katic and Kohn who were about to become Free agents. It was rather clear that Reese was limited, and it would have been nice to get a longer look at Katic and Kohn.
And then add in that last season Wishart didn’t have to clear waivers either way, and Reese was a head scratcher to keep getting called up.
I mean he easily got outplayed by Hamonic last season.
"I really wouldn’t wish rooting for both the Isles and Blues on anyone." Dominik
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Dec 9, 2011 9:17 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That makes a lot of sense....easily outplayed by Hamonic". Well, Hamonic has been
our best Dman and has outplayed everyone since end of last year. Again, Reese is better than Mottau and Eaton. He’s an upgrade especially since he can move puck better than half or current dmen.
well what I mean is that Hamonic was a rookie getting called up as an emergency cause he was the next to last dman left. At that point Reese should be better then Hamonic. Not only did Reese have more experience in the pros, but more AHL experience too.
"I really wouldn’t wish rooting for both the Isles and Blues on anyone." Dominik
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I believe your forgetting though, that Hamonic is the best defenseman of all time
kind of hard to beat that right?
"It don't make you a bad person" - Ron Bennington
Whoahhh!!! Hold on a second there. Mark Streit has still been our best D-man. Despite all the talk around here
about how his shoulder is not 100% yet (which I see absolutely NO evidence of) Streit has outperformed all of the other Isles d-men including Travis. His getting 4% more ozone starts can’t fully account for his Corsi rate being 6.7 shots/60 better than Travis. Their +/- is about the same (Streits is 1 better) and he has 11 more points. Streit has been the Isles best Dman so far.
Look at his pre-injury and post-injury "uses"/stats/corsi-info/numbers and you see he isn't the same d-man, if you can't already see it with your naked eye.
Even Garik said it earlier, aside from facing middle-pair competition still, Streit is being used like an MAB/Ehrhoff type player. 54% O-zone starts for Streit, not like the tough d-zone assignments he had in 09/10 and similar to the ones he had in 08/09 when he put ". He has a similar corsi right now to when he had in 09/10 when he was used noticably more defensively then offensively like he has been used now, and not close to the +17corsi he had when he was used very similarly in 08/09. And lastly is offensive output. Streit is on the verge of a 6goal/47pts season, worse then he had in 09/10 when he was used a lot more defensively, and not close to the 16goal/56pts season in 08/09(which wasn’t even a full season for him). And if we wanna break it down more, it looks like the “major” culprits are streit’s PP goalscoring depreciation and his even strength point production. Those are 2 of the major indicators in his decline. And oddly, they should be his strength’s given his usage, but their not. Streit isn’t the same 2-way d-man he once was. There isn’t really a good argument against that. He’s being used like an offensive/PP specialist and his production isn’t close to the same it was given his situation. It’s not dreadful, but Streit looks to no longer be the offensive dynamo he once was and he’ll likely only age more.
I’m not sure I put this all on the injury, but with how Streit’s been used, he should be putting up a 12-15goal/60pts~season if this is the same Streit pre-injury. It’s obviously not the same streit and it’s hard to argue otherwise right now.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Sorry, I can't see it with my naked eye. What I see with my naked eye is him juking guys out of their jocks
at the point and launching missiles from the point. And stick-handling like a top 6 forward. But he has still been the Isles best Dman so far. The even strength point production drop is concerning but its a small sample so far so I’m not sure what to make of it.
You can make a case because of his offense that he is still our best d-man, but when you break it down, Hamonic looks like the best guy.
~4% less offensive zone starts, ~.3 tougher quality of competition, “only” -6 less corsi, while less then 1/3 of streit’s PP time and playing with 2nd unit Streit’s production/min isn’t blowing Ham’s away, more then double streit’s PK time, and not blown away at all on the ESP pts production. Hamonic could easily be argued as our best d-man out there. Give Hamonic Streit’s roleand I bet you their production and sucess is very similar. Their goal production being similar is what feels the most wrong. Streit used to light up nets with his booming shot and getting 10goal+ seasons like it was nobodies business, but now in a very offensive role where he should continue this, he’s on the verge of a 6goal season. Something isn’t close to right there.
In other words, my main point was that Streit isn’t as effective as an offensive player as he was pre-injury, and his defensive play looks to have lost a step too. Again, Streit is still our 1st/2nd best d-man, but not the same player he once was.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
yea he was bad
and he’s still not great, but he is an upgrade so far. He’s been solid and confident. Maybe he’ll wear down, and I’m sure he’s got some Mottau/Staios-esque plays in him, but so far so good this year.
And even more important, he’s allowing the Isles to leave de Haan, Donovan, Ness down in BPT.
That mid-level depth with guys like Ullstrom and Wallace and Martin and Reese allows those young guys to develop properly while providing some quality play in limited roles up with the big club. Well planned out by Garth.
"It don't make you a bad person" - Ron Bennington
The Crowd was into last night
You know that they are going at it with the opposing fans when the organist pulls out “If you know insert team w/2 syllables sucks, clap your hands”. Even all it was a good game, but it definitely had its defensive lapses.
All Who Oppose Grabner Shall Perish.
You know that they are going at it with the opposing fans when the organist pulls out "If you know insert
team w/2 syllablessucks, clap your hands".
You mean people didnt sing Rangers? They play that song at every single game and its been a few years since I havent heard it turned into a 2nd rate pseudo-replacement for the chicken dance.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 9, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions
still Rangers from where I sat last night
"Seriously that's the last time you guys f#@%ing won?" -RSH (about beating the Penguins in '93)
That is much more expected.
Im not sure if that is what pippup meant, anyway!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 9, 2011 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
We all do :-/
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 10, 2011 12:16 AM EST up reply actions
I just looked at the highights
They look remarkably similar to the Matty Mo 4 goal game against Dallas. Were we playing a split squad game last night or is this just a link fail?
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Dec 9, 2011 7:37 AM EST reply actions
Off Topic
You know you are addicted to LHH when during the course of everyday life, someone says something and you automatically relate it to something said here.
Last night, my little ones basketball coach told me “what a player! He has such grit” and the first thing I thought of was how great that my kid has teh gritz!
"If the bell needs to be answered, we've got the guys to answer it." "If they want to start something, that's fine."- Trevor Gillies
Twitter: JenWillyard
by JW1970 on Dec 9, 2011 7:59 AM EST reply actions 7 recs
OK, on topic
I thought they were flat in the first period but when I saw them coming around in the second, it was a relief.
It was a total WTF moment in O/T though. UGH I realize it is still a point, but come on guys, get the win in O/T!
"If the bell needs to be answered, we've got the guys to answer it." "If they want to start something, that's fine."- Trevor Gillies
Twitter: JenWillyard
I actually thought they were only slightly outplayed in the first. We had our chances.
It was NO where near as bad as many of the flat games we played during losing streak.
End the Steve Staios experiment already
I’m sorry, but this guy is an idiot. How many odd man rushes do we give up on the ice because of him pinching in to deep??? Would really like to see a stat on THAT someday. It seems that just about every game I watch, this guy at some point(s) during the game is in WAY to deep or just forgets about his responsiblities as a defenseman all together. Last night was yet another time where is lack of defensive and skating skills cost us a game.
Isles rule, rangers suck... that's just how it is.
don't agree
but they do need to stop relying on him so heavily
sparingly, he can be useful
by Cary K on Dec 9, 2011 8:57 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Steve Statios= Santa Claus
Gives the opposition gifts every night. Hopefully after the 25th, we don’t see him or his elf Mottau any more.
Positive Waves! R.I.P. Indianapolis Racers (1974-1978)
Mottau has to go ahead of him. Staios isn't on the top of the chopping block.
Although he does take a lot of stupid penalties and makes the occassional stupid decision. But Mottau is no question worse.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
I'd like
to see Reese replace Mottau, and Eaton replace Staios when he comes back, and go with:
HamNMac
Streit/Jurcina
Eaton/Reese
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
I wouldn't mind that.
The thing about Staios is that he isn’t completely awful when he’s not pinching or taking a stupid penalty or having his goalcosting mistakes. He has been facing top 4 competition, which is having him in over his head, so I can’t blame him “completely” for everything. If we threw him on the bottom pair, I think he’d do better, but he has to stop doing stupid things. It’s all a question of “would Staios still be taking stupid penalties and making stupid decisions against weaker competition?”. I don’t know the answer to that.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
I'm actually wishing for a need for another Bridge call-up.
I’d rather watch:
Hammer and Ness/Donovan
Streit and Amac
Reese and Staois, Jurcina, Mottau… whoever can get injured.
Right now, if Jurcina went down (he’s the most likely candidate to get injured), I’d say bring up one of those two kids.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
I feel like Hammer is too young to have him babysit a call up
let him get his game going with Streit on the other side. Let Streit help him bring his game to the next level. THen let him soak in that awesomeness for the rest of the year. Then next year let him take on a caddy.
"It don't make you a bad person" - Ron Bennington
But if you recall from last season when Hammer was just a call-up...
he played alongside Amac (another young guy), and it worked out really well.
I just want to see someone other than Mottau, Staios or Jurcina… it’s awful with those three.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
It is really a crime that Mottau hasn't been replaced yet.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Is the atomic weight of Cobalt 58.9?
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
by Turgeon1992 on Dec 9, 2011 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I like something like that
down the road, but I’m not sure Ness or Donovan are ready, or even close yet. I’d probably give Wishart another chance before them.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
I'm so relieved.
This team looked like they forgot how to play hockey in the early part of the season. Many of us were calling for Cappy’s head. It looks like this team has re-found their game and regained an identity…If they are down a goal they will keep coming and work to get back in the game…They have confidence in that they can score goals and it makes it easier to watch the games…When they were in a funk it was hard to watch when they gave up an early goal because it felt like the game was already over when it actually just started. They gave up a quick goal last night but it didn’t feel like the game was over already. The Isles are back in the swing of things…I hope they can keep it up!
by KO21 on Dec 9, 2011 8:35 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed. They finally have that competitive fire back in their game that they are gonna need to win games. Great to see.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Am I supposed to be satisfied with a loss? Well, they came back against the #2 team in the west. They came back, period. This isn’t the same team as 2 or 3 weeks ago. If they keep this up for the rest of the season, they won’t win every night. We all know that. But they will compete against anyone. It was frustrating to see Emery stop shot after shot. Still they persisted with good results. Tavares is so strong down low with the puck. He looks like a running back sometimes breaking tackle after tackle without fumbling. Fun to watch. Jurcina has a hell of a shot. He should use it more. There were lots of hard shots from the point. Unfortunately, many didn’t hit the net. Oh, and we clearly have a #1 in net.
How about that weak call on Bailey?
Bails seemed to disappear after that play…That has to drive a coach crazy…You preach “finish your checks and play physical” and then when a guy finally gets it and does it the refs decide to penalize the guy for checking someone too perfectly…So now the player is afraid to make a hit because he will get penalized…That has to really piss off a coach…The NHL’s officiating makes me sick…I hope Bails doesnt allow that to stop him from playing that way anymore…
awful, awful call
I think they ended up giving it back, so to speak with that Kane elbow, which was pretty weak. But when Staios through the puck into the crowd, the check on him was harder.
I think it was more of a really stingy defense that made it much tougher to see any break through. Then the hawks kept it to a simple forecheck the entire night and with our D pairings, who cannot get the puck out, made it extremely difficult for any offense to be created, hence less seen of the third and fourth line, who were generally hemmed into the zone.
Yeah, but...
…didn’t PAP get crosschecked from behind going for a rebound? Refs weren’t too bad, and probably evened out, but inconsistent calls can drive a fan crazy.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Dec 9, 2011 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
I just hate it when a one of our guys gets called for making a good, hard, legal, check like that one Bailey made...
I’m afraid it discourages them from making those types of hits which are what hockey is all about….I hate NHL refs…There is no other league where the officiating is allowed to be so negligent and have an effect on the outcomes of games…
I don't know about that
I’ve seen some pretty brutal officiating in D1 college games.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Dec 10, 2011 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
the NHL is supposed to be professional.
But maybe thats why these refs suck…Do they come from Collegiate ranks?
I thought Bails had a pretty good game throughout., Yes, no where near his dominant game against Lightning.
Yes, that penalty was bogus.
But didn't he look more noticeable before that penalty?
He was good but his 1st 2 shifts he was looking really good.
noticeable yeah
thinking about it, he played a solid overall game, he was just not noticeably good (like last game) or noticeably bad like other games in the past. I think he had a tougher time, against a better team. It will only make him better though.
Officiating was horrendous for both sides
Staios was boarded, no question. Reese was boarded during the third, no call. Kane’s elbowing penalty was weak. Parenteau’s tripping penalty was a blatant dive (Butchie even called it, saying the blackhawk skater was stronger than that). Also, Carcillo and Bolland do not know how to check without getting their hands up – very aggravating to see them driving guys’ heads into the boards on every check.
I keep waiting for the refs to start giving Tavares the same benefit of the doubt that other superstars get. You can’t breathe on Crosberry or Ovie w/o drawing a penalty and Johnny T can’t get through the offensive zone without at least one or two opposing players draped on his back like a cape.
Reminds me of Yashin – refs seemed to hate him so much that guys could do everything including take his wallet without getting a call.
I agree with everything, but PAP's was a tripping.....somewhat inadvertent, but still a decent tripping call IMO....and,
NO, Butchie did not say that, he said" that wasn’t enough for me" or something like that. I don’t remember him saying anything like that was a dive. In fact, the impression I got, was that it wasn’t enough for him because it would not have been called back when he was playing. It didn’t look like a dive to me and no one else seemed to think that that was a major bogus call.
actually Butchie did say what you quote above, but he never implied that it was a dive...and, it didn't look like a dive to me....it was one playing coming across the zone with PAP coming across the zone in the opposite
direction with the stick out…as PAP reached out he caught the players skates coming through just enough to trip him.
I think Butchie initially thought that
the call was going to be called against Tavares.
In Yashin's case it's a little different
That was Dead Puck Era hockey. I remember one game against the Blues where Czerkawski carried in the St Louis zone, and he was hit dead center of the chest with a two-hander – seriously, it split the N and Y on the logo – no call. That was the life back then.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
Bailey had a really impressive stickhandle across the front of the crease early on where he lost the handle to for a nice close shot.
Bailey has turned it up, and we gotta pray he can keep it turned up, because if we wanna have an effective 2-way 3rd line, he’s gonna be the deciding factor for that.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Thats what I meant by he was more noticeable before the weak penalty...
You just hope that he doesnt shy away from making hits like that just because of a fucking asshole in a zebra costume….If i were Cappy I would’ve gave him a pat on the back and said “nice hit, keep it up”…Don’t let the refs get into his head..we know hes a head case already….
Good effort against one of the league’s best. This is the kind of play that wins games, builds identity. A great team and a hot goalie and still they came back and tied it. Losing in OT sucks no matter what happened in regulation. JT is an animal down low. So strong with the puck in the corners. He looks like a running back carrying the ball thru traffic without fumbling. Jurcina needs to use that shot more. And other d-men need to hit the net with theirs.
Completely OT
But I’m watching TSN right now and it looks like there will be an announcement that the Ontario Teachers are going to sell their shares in MLSE, which includes the Laffs.
"Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom?" ~ Death
Basically
37.5% to each Rogers and Bell (who happen to own Rogers Sportsnet and TSN, respectively.) The teachers union owned something like 75% of MLSE, and they’re getting $1.32 billion for the sale. Dreger joked about telling Brian Burke that he’s now his boss.
"Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom?" ~ Death
There you go, Jonny
We sold our share of the Leafs, so we are no longer responsible for Tie Domi or Darcy Tucker. NOW will you listen when we tell you not to crosscheck your classmates?
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
Did PA look a little sluggish last night?
I mean, he played fine, but he seemed like he had a little less zip when carrying the puck into the zone
Hoping that Haley comes around more than once every 75 years.
YES
I saw him skating backwards heading towards the opposition zone, making passes facing our end. He was not his usual self.
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Dec 9, 2011 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
I think the passes were behind him and the rest of the team was just too slow so he had to slow up so they can catch up so he he didnt go off sides...
That why he was facing back to the line that way…idk
Sorry if someone already mentioned this
I did notice a decent amount of Hawks fans in the building but I gotta say, the crowd was noticeably bigger/louder.
Not sure if it actually was or not but it was nice to see and hear the fans for once. During the 5 on 3 they were especially noisy.
I just realized
how stupid and general that post was.
My apologies.
Commenting on the crowd isnt stupid at all.
Every comment doesnt have to be a balanced analysis of the entire game, you can comment on any aspect you want. Its definitely nothing to apologize over.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 9, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
Haha
I know. I reread it and saw I probably could have elaborated a little more.
But they did show more life and have better attendance right?
Next time we expect a 5 page essay on your postion regarding tabula rasa :>
"Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom?" ~ Death
Or and answer to the question I posted yesterday............
ARE ICE GIRLS FRIDIG?
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Dec 9, 2011 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
I meant FRIGIG!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Dec 9, 2011 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
I meant FRIGID! damn spell check!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Dec 9, 2011 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
GRIFID!
DRIFIG!
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
by Turgeon1992 on Dec 9, 2011 5:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The answer is no
We currently have no Ice Girl named Fridig. You may want to check the Swedish Ice Girls.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
What was the attendance? Coming from CHI is a much bigger commitment than PHI, BOS, WSH etc and of
course NYR and NJD is hardly more than a home game.
Couple of thoughts
I mentioned in the game thread that we’re doing pretty well for playing with 4 #6 defensemen. Jurcina, Mottau, and Staios have become hard to watch. Reese, on the other hand, has actually been significantly improved from last year (in all two games) and offers some hope for that bottom pair. To me there’s a difference between a guy who is hungry to prove he can make it (Reese) and a guy who is desperate to hang on (Mottau/Staios). I’ll be disappointed if Reese isn’t still in the lineup when AMac comes back.
Additionally, they’re doing a great job on all of the cliches right now (effort, discipline, focus, physical, hustle, etc), and are playing 60 minute games. Last year they did that quite a bit against the better teams in the league-and we saw that again twice this week with the Hawks. However, it was nice to see them do it against a struggling team like TB and blow them out. Hopefully this kind of play is here to stay.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
Looks like Jurcina's taken a step back
I like his game last year (when he played), but now he seems out of position and chasing the play a lot. Maybe he has a nagging injury.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
True
Just looks like a lot more bad this season than last.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
That's cool, but he looks the same to me. He is what he is.
Has a good slapper, can use the body some, but is slow as shit and sometimes has poor positioning….he’s inconsistent with decision making too. He’s fine as a 5-6 guy, problem is, we have 3-4 5-6 dman.
This is a change over previous seasons
When we had 3-4 bottom-pair D AND 11 bottom-six forwards.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
Yeah
He looks just a touch slower this season to me. But perhaps Hillen or Martinek covered better for him last season.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Dec 9, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
I agree
I think he’s generally bad, but makes some solid plays once in a while.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
loving the 180 this team has done lately but...
wow, we need a top 4 dman baaaad. I know they don’t exactly grow on trees but if we want to contend for the playoffs this year, we need to play staios and mottau much much less, and play amac and hammer play against weaker opponents more so they can properly develop. any suggestions? I ‘heard’ tim gleason from carolina might be available…someone like that would be a big big help, me thinks. fun times tho.
by DirtyIsle on Dec 9, 2011 10:25 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
If Tim Gleason is available, snatch him up. He's a solid top 4 shutown d-man still. Nothing spectacular, but he can get the job.
He’d look a lot better next to Streit then Staios has.And he is a physical machine, loves to throw the body.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
That would be money
I do not know how Garth can just watch this team night after night and go to bed soundly with the Defense the way it is. I have nightmares about the defense and I am just an “armchair” GM. I mean it is just unacceptable. Its fine to have Staios, Jurcina, or Reese on the 5-6 pairing, but not any other.
2nd round pic for a 3 – 4 defender is what we need. Its a bit tough right now as most teams still believe they are in the hunt. Maybe he can persuade a team with a 3rd or 4th rounder as well.
Its fine to have Staios, Jurcina, or Reese on the 5-6 pairing
but you can only have one of them, combining even 2 out of the 3 and your defense is weak. Add Mottau (who has played better) and it is a disaster waiting to happen.
by Hockey1919 on Dec 9, 2011 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Right
that’s the problem-right now four of our defense spots are filled by guys you’d prefer to only have one of.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
If Garth is really serious about the playoffs, not just BS talking, he will bring in a "legit" shutdown/top 4 d-man to fix this hole.
Because if we don’t plug it, it’s gonna be a really rough long season for our defense. If A-mac going down, our #3 d-man, for a month isn’t enough of a red-flag that we need depth at the top of our D, and Staios’s mistakes for that matter, then Garth isn’t seeing the same game we are. It all depends on how much Garth thinks the playoffs is a real goal or not. If we have “no” outside addittions to this team and defense specifically, I don’t think Garth really has a playoff goal this year and it was just lip service.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Before the season started many of us saw the gaping hole on defense.
Garth tried to upgrade on defense and couldn’t do it (Erhoff). I’m not going to say he failed, because it really isn’t 100% under his control. He did fail to bring back Hillen, which is sort of biting them in the ass right now. Whether it was lip service or not I don’t think there is much Snow can do at this time without creating a new hole or impairing the re-build.
I doubt Snow doesn’t see the need for an upgrade on defense (he made his living hiding behind it), but I also think he is cautious to not overpay to correct a flaw in the team. To me it isn’t lip service if he is really trying to get defensive help, but cannot find the right deal.
As much as I liked the go for Erhoff
I didnt quite understand why we did not go after a shut down guy instead. We really just needed a 3 – 4 shut down guy. If we were all money then yeah, a top offensive defenseman and defensive defensman. But a 3 – 4 shut down guy would have gone a long way.
I think they wanted to have a successor for Streit. But given A-mac/Hamonic/Streit's puckmoving abilities last year(streit earlier), they by all means should have went after a Bieksa type instead of a Ehrhoff type.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
There was nobody available
Christian Ehrhoff was really the only FA defenseman worthy of a top 4 D money.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Dec 9, 2011 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But, still Garth should have signed a top 4 minute crunching d-man!
@ What is “available” shouldn’t matter when making sweeping statements. @
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
by Turgeon1992 on Dec 9, 2011 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Well,
Brian Campbell from the Hawks was being shopped, and I really liked his ability to shut down other teams. The problem was his 7mil contract. That was hard to swallow.
There is a problem with outliving your enemies, it usually means that you have outlived your friends as well...
Honnor thy father - D. Vader (Robert Asprin, Myth series)
by burpchelischili on Dec 10, 2011 6:40 AM EST up reply actions
"The right deal" is the problem.
If he is waiting for some no brainer, then that’s the wrong way to look at it. Hillen/Martinek could have been broughten back for depth, and it seems 1 of them would have been a breath of fresh air as a bottom pair d-man vs Mottau.
The big thing is that Garth/everyone needs to realize, is that we are already a team with a thin line for failure if we wanna win a lot of games. Taking that into mind, “any” little upgrade would be big here. Bringing in a Franson or even Hillen type bottom pair d-man would have been beautiful, a smoother skating bottom pair guy that can rackup 25-30pts with minimal PP time would have been bank right now. Not even a top 4 guy would have been necessary, but garth did the minimal and brought in Staios, whom is by all means looking like a bottom pair d-man(although possibly a decent one). That wasn’t gonna fix the whole, plug it temporarily? Maybe. But a top 4 d-man that can eat 20min/gm would be the world for this team. A Gleason(since his name is possibly on the block) would be huge. A guy that can reliably eat 20min/gm against middle-pair competition while being a physical force would be a gamechanger. It would mean Mottau gone, it would mean Staios/Eaton/Jurcina on the bottom pair where they belong. Even if it costs us a 2nd or 3rd round pick, if it means the difference between the playoffs and a 10th place finish, would you do it? I would.
Not to be a conspiracy guy either. But it’s clear as day that Ullstrom should have been starting on this roster opening day instead of pandolfo. And Nielsen/Grabs as the top PK unit, and Rolston not on the top PP unit. These little decisions make a difference too. So cappy needs to mend the problems as best he can to make up for our thin line of error too. He’s been looking a lot better recently, but some “minor” changes could be made(Rolston on the top PP is that).
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Not disagreeing with the premise, but ...
What would it have taken to get Gleason? Would Corvo have been a better option for the PP point , would he have signed with the Islanders? We can only wonder. I agree and stated Hillen walking was a mistake considering there was apparently no plan B. Continuing with Mottau (with Reese, Eaton and Jurcina remaining) is not a plan B.
Ullstrom has looked pretty good since his call up, but we could just as easily be saying, good thing Ullstrom had those AHL games so that he is ready to play in the NHL when called up and not being “Bailey-ed”. Rolston was worth a try as a cap mule for the first few games and I don’t see much improvement, but I still take a long term view. IF you believed the Islanders were a playoff team going into this season, than Garth and Wang sold you a bill of goods.
I’d like to see them be competitive for a season and not just a 20 game stretch first. You cannot jump any of the steps in the re-build unless you are going to be given a magical 1st pick overall coming out a of a lockout. This year and next are going to be the most frustrating of the transitional years. Expectations will rise faster than the team’s ability to meet them.
One of the big problems with signing Hillen (and Martinek perhaps) is that Jurcina, Eaton and Mottau were all under contract.
Who would have guessed that Juice would play poorly, but there isn’t much a GM can do when you have guys under contract. If he can find a trade partner, then maybe one of those contracts can be moved, but until then, you have to work with what you have.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
We could always have waived 1 to the minors or carried 8 d-men.
We started off last year carrying 8 d-men, so why not again?
And it’s not like losing Mottau to waivers would have killed us.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
You saw how long it took for some call-ups to "shake-up" the roster?
Mottau is still not waived.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
Gleason was/is only recently available, but there was a list of other d-men that moved during the offseason "cheaply" that would have been great to have.
Think, anyone over mottau would have been a decent upgrade, add that to the names of Liles/Franson/Regehr/Campbell/Hamrlik/Burns/O’Brien and it’s beating a dead horse since you agree, but RFA hillen would have been great to have. I can’t just look at everything and think Garth did his best. Did he try? Yeah. Did he try hard to improve our D? I can’t really say but I don’t think so. Bringing on Staios for cheap isn’t a W in my book, it’s barely a C+ given we could had Hillen for cheaper and he would have had just as much of a positive impact overall, maybe more paired with Streit. Trading for Ehrhoff’s rights was nice, but other then that I can’t fathom Garth did his job to fix this D which was in dire need of help last year.
On the playoffs, I admit there is already a thin line. Do I think we are gonna make them now? Only with a lot of luck. The thing is though, if Garth “really” addressed the D situation in the offseason, we would be talking more positively about making the playoffs instead of hoping against a top 5 draft pick.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Wasn't Burns traded?
Wasn’t Campbell traded, too?
Available but at a cost.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
Campbell waived his NTC to re-join Tallon, not coming to the Island.
To get Burns the Sharks gave up the dialated one eye-jack which is more than the Islanders had to offer.
similar thoughts
- I would have liked to keep Hillen, bad move on Garth’s part. He reliably put up 25 points a season. Obviously not a big man, but no one complained, because he could skate, would take the hits, but get the puck out most of the time smoothly. Obviously he could get manhandled, but it was a poor decision to let him go. He is better than Reese, also he could throw a hip check.
- I was more ok with letting Martinek go.
- I do not think Ullstom should have started the season, we knew he could play at the AHL, but when he started off the season there, he definitely built on from what he had last year and continued to gain confidence. I think that was big and his timing was perfect for coming up. The type of prospects we need and with the correct development path.
- I agree on Rolston on the PP, should be on the second PP if anything.
- It really comes down to one or two changes on D for this team to really be a consistent challenger for the playoffs. A bit more development and this team is playoff team every year, and hopefully a challenger eventually.
we really do not have any shut down guys in the system near....
Mayfield and Pedan are not anywhere close to stepping in, and the rest of our prospects down at Bridge are not Defensive defenseman who can play 20 minutes of shut down defense.
- Donovan
- De Haan
- Wishart
- Ness
are not defensive defensemen.
We don't need a shutdown defenseman if we have guys playing smart positional hockey.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
maybe I should change my wording up then
a Physical defensemen who is a bit more defense minded then surging up the wing. Would I like it all in one player yes. But I do not see it all in any of those players. I am fine with a player who is a good positional player, but if he cannot stay on his feet then he is not helping out even though he might be in a good position.
Mainly along the boards and in front of the net.
For some reason, our D refuse to annoy opposing forwards in front of the net right now.
I don’t know the reasoning why, but it’s getting annoying at times.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
we do have some nice pieces in the A
but of those, only wishart comes close to what we’re looking for. I think it’s unfair to keep throwing Hammer and amac out there against 1st lines. i fear for their development.
"a "legit" shutdown/top 4 d-man" But who, Ozzy?
Who was available who would fulfill your demands? How can you call it “lip service” unless there was some top 4 dman looking for a home who would have signed here?
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 9, 2011 6:22 PM EST up reply actions
its true, the but who?
Tim Gleason might be on the block since he is UFA this summer, and the canes arent going too far this season from what it looks like.
Well it looks like this summer there are a bunch of good defensemen that will become UFAs. Will it be Trade Season during the summer of 2012 for Garth.
I would preferred "any" of these players: Liles/Franson/Regehr/Campbell/Hamrlik/Burns/O’Brien
Even Hillen I’d beg for over Mottau. I’d take almost any upgrade over Mottau, but we never got it, still didn’t. If you read my whole post, I wrote " "any" little upgrade would be big here". So I’d even take a decent bottom 2 d-man given our situation(pre-season too). It won’t break the bank and it’d be a noticable improvement if we wanna keep the kids in the minors.
Right now, Gleason is rumored available, and given the Canes situation, I’d guess it’s a legit rumor.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
Here's the thing
Mottau is definitely awful, but a lot of those guys wouldn’t be great fits for a number of reasons. For example, Campbell has had a nice comeback, but that contract is abysmal, and i think it eventually would have blocked some kids from the NHL roster. Regehr has faced tougher competition but his CorsiRel is TWICE as bad as Mottau’s! That’s frightening. And then I think guys like Hamrlik would impossible to bring in.
I do agree that picking up Liles for as cheap as he went, or retaining Hillen would have been a good move. Letting Hillen walk was just confusing.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
by afrosupreme on Dec 9, 2011 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I'd still take Regehr over anyone not named Streit/Hamonic/A-mac. Regehr is declining, but he is still a decent top 4 guy. Don't let the numbers fool you, he's being used like a bull against top competition.
He’s expected to have -corsi in the situation he’s thrown.
On Campbell, “but that contract is abysmal, and i think it eventually would have blocked some kids from the NHL roster”. If I told you Campbell can be Streit’s successor(PP QB/mid-pair competition d-man) and was a lock for 7goal/50pts seasons for the next 3-5yrs@7mil/yr. Would you take it? Remember, we are barely spending to the cap right now, eating 1bad contract for a player that can produce and play like Campbell can would be excellent. Barring a major injury, nothing looks like it’s going to stop Campbell’s o-efficiency for the next couple of years. It’d take Campbell’s contract knowing that.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
-Corsi is one thing. -20 is another. And the guys at Matchsticks and Gasoline seemed pretty happy to see him go. But you’re right, still better than what we have. Though who knows what we would have had to give for him…
I still don’t want Campbell. I know we’re at the floor, but we’re also budget. With the FAs we have coming up, someone like Campbell would almost certainly rule out make a big run at a Suter. I’d rather bide our time for the big score, than a guy who’s play and physical state are declining.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
by afrosupreme on Dec 9, 2011 9:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
i don't want campbell...
just way too expensive, for way too long
I can definitely see your viewpoint. I'm just not sold right now on Garth spending that $7mil/yr wiser then Campbell would bring for the next few yrs.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
I'm wondering...
i don’t know the Canes d all that well, but i’m thinking the deletion the offensively minded Kaberle for the more defensively minded Spacek, could help support the moving of Gleason? I see alot of very defensive minded defencemen in their line up. Probably just a pipe dream, but it makes sense to me.
Gleason
has had a good year, much better than his past three. At 28, maybe he’s figuring it out, but maybe it’s something else.
Either way, the problem with bringing him in is he’s on an expiring contract. I’d hate to see us give up anything of value for a few months of a guy in a season where we are very unlikely to make the playoffs. I’d rather them target him as FA in the offseason if he’s a guy they like.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
by afrosupreme on Dec 10, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'd rather we throw a 3rd or 2nd rounder the Canes way to give us some push for the playoffs.
I really want to see the playoffs happen this year. I’m sick of hearing “good young developping team”. I want to see results, and even if acquiring Gleason means finishing 9th in the East vs finishing 11th/12th in the East, I’m all for it. But I honestly think Gleason brings stabilitiy, a quality minutes eater, and things our Blueline really doesn’t have a lot of (toughness/physicality/good-fighting-abilitiy/etc). He really is a great fit for what we lack, especially given our blueline injury situation.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
I’m sick of hearing "good young developing team". I want to see results…
I understand why you feel that way, believe me- but you also have to understand that this feeling permeating from fans to management is a big reason why most rebuilds are not successful!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 10, 2011 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
Sure
I could live with a third. Maybe even a second (though even that is a little steep for a rental, mostly because I feel like we’re probably picking in the top 10 again w/ or w/o him).
And I feel you-it would be great to have some tangible results this year. We didn’t get those in October and November. But I still think next year and thereafter is the target. Anything good that happens this year is gravy to me.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
OT
Does anyone have any desire to watch the Winter Classic in a few weeks?
Me? No. I do usually watch it, but I have no interest this year. I don’t care for either team, I don’t care how NBC will basically pump the tires of both teams, I don’t need ‘94 rammed down my throat, don’t need Legion of Doom BS. Just don’t need to watch. Sad, cause if you change any one of those teams, I’m basically going to watch.
Go ISLES!!
by barry_hal_oliver_24 on Dec 9, 2011 10:53 AM EST reply actions
I wont be around to watch it,
but I would watch it honestly. It is a pretty good rivalry beyond all the media hype around the event. While I hate the Rangers and the Flyers like any other Islander Fan, does not mean I do not like watching hockey. Its much like the Eastern Conference Playoffs that usually feature the Bruins, Flyers, Pens, and Caps playing each other.
The Rangers have a pretty good young core, better to watch in the past, and if they lose all the better. I really like nothing about the Flyers in anyway, but their offense is dangerous and fun to watch as well. Should be a pretty good match up, and as Islander fans we can only hope a massive volcano suddenly erupts underneath the ice.
I think the Winter Classic is great
Dont really care who’s playing, I’ll watch anyone play hockey, I won’t want either team to win but I still think it’s a great event.
I also love 24/7 and I hate the pens and dislike the caps, might be a little different with the rags but it’ll still be interesting with Torts at least
by BaltimoreIslander on Dec 9, 2011 11:59 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'll watch, it is still more "hockey" than the All-Star game and I watch that dopey thing every year too.
As a “hockey” fan I’ll support the new tradition of an annual January 2nd hockey game that draws positive attention to the sport. I tend to beat up on the sport and especially the NHL management for most of the year, but I’ll grant them this one overhyped predictable in team selection NBC commercial each season.
Shoulda been
Isles vs Rags at Yankee Stadium
"I really wouldn’t wish rooting for both the Isles and Blues on anyone." Dominik
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Dec 9, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But the isles have "sucked" the past couple years in the standings.
We are having trouble selling tickets in our own arena. No way the league would give us that right now. Maybe after a couple years of isles playoff hockey though.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
And it was just as likely that the Flyers were going to suck this year. Rivalries are always better.
"I really wouldn’t wish rooting for both the Isles and Blues on anyone." Dominik
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
werrd
we will get the classic one day. we have excellent tradition and excellent rivalries, but we have to start winning before that happens. i can see us against any of: Rangers, Flyers or Oilers. In a few years, both us and the Oil should be good…that would be fun.
The big problem with this
and why I think it will never happen is it is only one market. It’ll have to end up being Isles against some other city.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love it, but I don’t think it would do well ratings-wise on a national level and that would take a second city.
It’ll also take the Islanders not sucking, JT really bursting out, and the Isles generating some serious buzz.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
An argument against that
Is that the NYC media market is so large, it’s double 3rd place (15 Mill for NYC vs 7 Mill for Chicago) and Nassau is 18th in media markets at 2 million. Last year was Washington Vs Pittsburgh, Washington has 4 million and Pittsburgh has 2 million (and is technically behind Nassau by 300K).
So the gamble would be that so many people in NYC would tune in to watch it that it carries the national rating.
Going off of this list: http://www.radio-media.com/markets/main.html
"I really wouldn’t wish rooting for both the Isles and Blues on anyone." Dominik
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Ahhh
But don’t forget the numerous band wagon fans that live out of market (which was sadly evident last night seeing the copius amount of Blackhawk jerseys at the Coliseum). A larger market the NY area may be, but a national draw the Islanders are not.
It could even be argued as a knock that the Islanders should have much higher ticket sales and ratings based on the size of the market they are in. Of course there are good reasons behind that (recession, team’s recent history, the general diaspora of Long Islanders across the nation). But those are currently reasons the NHL doesn’t see us as a draw.
Here’s to the time when that all passes us by!
It seems to me that there’s a general rule that if you’re going to a hockey game, you have to wear whatever hockey gear you have. At the Coliseum, I’ve seen Whalers, Nordiques, Jets (old school), as well as Rangers, Devils, Flyers, Hurricanes, Kings, Penguins, Blackhawks, Lightning jerseys even when those teams are not playing. Even worse, last year, I saw a fan wearing a Thrashers jersey to a Rangers vs Caps game at MSG.
I have no problem with local stuff or Soundtigers jerseys, but at least wear gear from a team that’s actually playing or just come in regular clothes.
by dunnowhat2type on Dec 9, 2011 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
not always necessary
If your a hockey fan and going to a game, where the hockey gear of your team, where ever you are. If I am in LA and going to an LA game, I would probably wear an Islander’s shirt.
That’s not the way I’ve done things with my sports travelling, I either wear something for the home team (unless I have some connection ie fandom to the opposition) or just normal clothes.
by dunnowhat2type on Dec 9, 2011 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
as a kid before I had an Islander sweater
I would wear my team sweater from when I played. I see tons of kids doing that as well. Or its like when you see guys wear Chiefs sweaters from the movie. Its all hockey.
see Yankess vs Mets World Series for the television reason Rangers vs Islanders is likley not to happen.
Pittsburgh and Bufallo are smaller overall television markets, but bigger hockey television markets than Long Island.
I think if the Islander's were on par with Pitts
they would bring them into a winter classic and even perhaps even against the Rangers. Hockey is Hockey, I would like to see the numbers of new fans that watch the game on Television, if that is a number that is attainable. I do not think they would suffer ratings from this market if they played each other.
You would get every New Yorker between Westchester and Montauk watching this game if it happened. You would then get any hockey fan who likes hockey watching this game too. I think it would work.
Minnesota
It’s about the markets that NBC likes, it’s a disgrace that Minnesota hasn’t been considered a site for a Winter Classic, it’s the state of hockey in the US.
by dunnowhat2type on Dec 9, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
I haven't had a desire to watch it since the 2nd one. It ceases to be a "classic" and becomes a showcase of two heavily marketed teams.
Until there is some lottery system or other way of determining the participants, it’s a fucking joke and a chance for NBC to make gobs of money.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
doesn't help
That NBC is now owned by Comcast, who won the Flyers
"I really wouldn’t wish rooting for both the Isles and Blues on anyone." Dominik
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Of course it's a chance to make gobs of money, that's why they have it
They would have to be brain dead to accept a perennial last place team to play in the regular season’s biggest stage. Sorry, but it’s true. The Isles need to earn the right to play in this game.
I'm not arguing it should have been the Isles in the classic.
But the decision of who participates is determined by potential viewership and ad dollars rather than anything connected to the sport. Imagine if the Stanley Cup final was determined by execs who felt a particular match-up would bring in bigger dollars than allowing teams to fight for the right to play the final.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
They lost me when the switched it to Jan2
It was the making of a very nice tradition, waking up hungover on New Year’s Day and plopping down on the couch to watch the Winter Classic while recovering from the excesses of the night before. Now that its on Jan2nd I don’t care about it at all.
It was great
That they came back after looking a little sluggish in the first period. OT is basically a coin flip, so I can’t be too disappointed. The Hawks are the one of best teams in the league and being able to stay with them not one but twice in one week says a lot about how good the Isles can be when they work as hard as they did tonight despite being undermanned on the back end. That said, a win against Pittsburgh is nearly essential. Keeping up with the big boys from the west is nice, but they have to beat the top guns (Pitt, Philly etc.) in the east fairly often in order to be competitive overall. And the Pens will be without Crosby so they’re ripe for the pickin’. Meanwhile, Tavares has raised his game tremendously this year. He is obviously a lot stronger and he has clearly figured the game out. But he has to start burying his chances. Reese, by the way, has been a pleasant surprise these last two games. Let’s hope the tank has enough left to carry until AMac gets back. I am beginning to ramble. Bye for now.
A couple things I nearly forgot
Ullstrom had a bad defensive zone turnover in the 1st, which may have limited his ice time.
It looked like Okposo got a hard shot off with one hand while driving to the net— hit Emery’s mask but looked close to scoring. Did I see that correctly? Didn’t know anyone could shoot that well with one hand on the stick.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Dec 9, 2011 11:13 AM EST reply actions
I was pretty impressed with that too.
pretty good one handed shot. Kyle needs to do that every game and he will score. That is his game.
Dom- props for pointing out JT's over-use
by Cappy late in the 3rd and carrying over into OT. What up with that?
Kaberle to Montreal for Specek
Jeez are the Habs that desperate?
No Sleep 'til....Belmont?
Apparently, yes
Via Puck Daddy (and because it contains a Ghostbusters reference)
Montreal is now collecting toxic contracts that some collect molds, spores and fungus. Kaberle is on the hook until 2014 at a $4.25 million cap hit. Markov is signed through 2014 at $5.75 million. Scott Gomez is signed through 2014 at $7.357 million.
Ouch.
"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 Dec 9, 2011 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, that's very fascinating to me.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
Blowing up the outside world...
I’m in Indiana to see Chris Cornell. Saw the show last night, and a hockey game broke out.
Anyway… If anybody knows a place that shows hockey in Louisville KY… well.. I’ll just check in Sunday morning before my flight.
It looks like another one of those really good one point efforts against a team with more aggregate talent. That’s okay in the context of a 6 game point streak. They’ve also been consistently outshooting opponents. I like their chances against Pitt. This is very muck like the post 12/16 team… and they will play with this penguin team… and a win on Saturday will go a long way towards shining a light on their season… But instead of allowing the outside to start creeping in (with these, “oh, aren’t the Islanders playing hard” BS comments) it’s time to…(as my SUBJECT) suggests… BLOW UP THE OUTSIDE WORLD… GO ON A RUN BOYS… BLOW IT UP!!!
The one observation I’d like to add from watching the highlights… What’s up with that burst of speed from Rolston. I know he HAD it, we just haven’t seen it in 25 games… was he SAVING IT for that one play? Are things going his way now, so he’s going to skate hard to pucks? I know you can spin anything when you have a prejudice… but there was a reason this guy was on the wire twice last year. Maybe efforts like that out of him in October and November and they’re not in such a deep hole… and I’d have quashed my prejudice.
LighthouseHockey: We saw this coming!
@JPinVA
Why highlights don't tell the story
As you’ve probably read, Rolston wasting two point shots on the 5-on-3 is enough to give him a minus even if he has finally acclimated to playing at alttitude in the NVMC and capable of an occasional burst of speed.
Welcome
to my state! i f you are that far south (lou-ah-vel), you need to travel 1 hr north for ANY hockey and at least another 1 1/2 hours to find any real coverage!
Positive Waves! Indianapolis Racers (1974-1978)
Murat?
Did you see him at the Murat? if so, wish I had knew. As a member of the Rite I can get discounted tickets for events there.
Positive Waves! Indianapolis Racers (1974-1978)
My friends saw him there,
And they drove down Thursday night and we met for the show at the Brown theater in Lou-ah-vel. The rest of the weekend will be at the Horshoe casino in Indiana(Which is just across the bridge).
If you’re in this area, I had lunch at the Bluegrass Brewing Co…. Awesome. Tried to bribe our waiter for the recipe for sweet potato/jalepeno soup, but the bastard refused a 100% tip for the ingredients. I hate people that put the secrets of others in front of their personal gain.
Hopefully someplace at 4th Stree Live will have the hockey package and I can get them to turn ONE TV off of the college basketball game.
LighthouseHockey: We saw this coming!
@JPinVA
Had the last comment in the other thread.............
Which no one responded to, so I will repeat it here. I believe the Isles should have played a more defensive OT instead of pinching which led to the Hawk score, because in a SO the Isles had the big advantages which would have favored their scoring and winning 1. as home team they had the advantage of picking the shooting order and 2. they had the better goalie. Comments?
Probably because there is less to lose by giving up a point to the West.
Not sure teams even look that far ahead, to say play more defensive at home in OT to let it go to the Shootout unless of course you are the Rangers who’s game plan should alwasy be – rely on Lundqvist whenever at all possible.
We lost a shootout to them last week?
Maybe we don’t have an advantage?
I’m not sure what team we would have an advantage over. Our guys (Frans aside) haven’t been particularly good in the SO. The Hawks first three aren’t as good, but aren’t far off.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
The way I saw it
The Hawks had us back on our heels last night and the goal to me looked inevitable, in an OT can the coach call a time out? If so he should have if only to try to blunt the aggressive Chicago attack. At that point he might of settled on either a more offensive strategy or push for a better defensive posture. Statistically the home team has the advantage in the SO, except when the teams are miles apart in talent. In SO people, I think we are on a par with the Hawks and as said previously way ahead in the goalie position.
I agree
I don’t think we’re a very good 4 on 4 team. But at the same time, once you get the point I say go all out and try and get the extra one. It’s a crap shoot at that point. I don’t mind Staios pinching and the team being aggressive, but I also don’t care if they lose in OT, so I’m probably an edge case in that regard.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
JT is a scoring threat everytime the puck is on his stick in the offensive and even neutral zones.
The kid is a beast but I expect him to have pointless nights at this time because he is going up against the opposing team’s #1 D pair every night.
Another half to full step of development and I see multiple Art Ross and/or Rocket Richard trophies in his future.
Off Topic
I’ve noticed some of you like football (or soccer some of you may say). Here is a funny link with some former Norwegian professional players.
Defensemen Grades
Kyle 3, Post 2.
The running averages for defensemen will be up tomorrow, in the +/- post.
Streit: B+. Another good game from Streit.
Staios: C. A mixed bag— similar to Reese of two games ago. The goal (assist?) saved him from a ‘D’. (But I question whether he should have been out there in OT. Better than Mottau or Jurcina 4-on-4, I suppose.)
Hamonic: A-. Very good. The goal bumped him up from B+.
Jurcina: C. A typical ‘C’ game. He has the ability to be a C+ (even B-) player on a regular basis, but hasn’t shown it yet this season.
Mottau: C-. No awful mistakes, but a few minor ones.
Reese: C. I have him down for one bad play early on and one good player later. Overall not quite as good as his first couple games, but he’s more mobile than the other three bottom-pair defensemen.
Not in action:
Eaton
AMac
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Dec 9, 2011 3:38 PM EST reply actions
Tavares pass back to the point in OT was risky.
I think JT was too tired when he got the puck in the corner in OT. He just stopped moving his feet and threw a tough to handle saucer pass back to the point. If he had been fresh I don’t think he would have made that pass. I think he should have changed when the Isles gained the zone on that entry. Fatigue leads to mistakes.
On that same play Kyle made a heroic effort to come back and block the pass but he was on his stomach as the rebound of Hossa’s shot bounced right to Sharp. Too bad. Good hustle back. I think Jurcina already had the pass blocked so maybe Kyle should have stayed on his feet and looked to cover Sharp in case of a rebound. If he had done that I think he could have tied up Sharp’s stick before he got to that rebound.
Tavares pass back to the point in OT was risky.
I think JT was too tired when he got the puck in the corner in OT. He just stopped moving his feet and threw a tough to handle saucer pass back to the point. If he had been fresh I don’t think he would have made that pass. I think he should have changed when the Isles gained the zone on that entry. Fatigue leads to mistakes.
My feelings exactly.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 9, 2011 6:23 PM EST up reply actions
agree
Good coaches #1 job in OT are very short shifts, the art involved is making them without risking getting caught with an odd man rush particularly in 4 on 4 OT play.
Its gotta be reeeeeaallllllly tempting to keep JT out there....
Great conditioning, motivated, skilled, hungry, but he was simply out of steam there.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Dec 9, 2011 10:19 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
Dom’s link to the line shifts showed that JT played about 65-70% of the last few minutes, as I remember seeing. No forward in the NHL should be called upon for that.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Dec 10, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
(Not line shifts. Player TOI chart, I mean.)
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Dec 10, 2011 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Lighthouse Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Islanders Schedule
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- NHL Playoff Beard Watch: Blood, Sweat and Beards of unsung unshaven heroes
- Devils guarantee they’ll downplay 1994 conference finals for Game 6 vs. Rangers
- Dodger Stadium Winter Classic; 10 worst NHL fans; ‘While The Men Watch’ debate (Puck Headlines)
- Lightning GM Yzerman suggests he won’t be trading for Luongo, strengthens position for Luongo trade
- Marek Vs. Wyshynski Radio: Ron Hextall, Luke Richardson and Rangers/Devils
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Cataractes romp to 6-1 win, eliminate Oil Kings from Memorial Cup
- Despite loss, Phoenix Coyotes build solid foundation in the desert with run to West finals
- Coyotes finish off best season ever
- Maple Leafs sign defensive prospect Petter Granberg to entry level deal
- Talented Sea Dogs show they can defence as well as attack at Memorial Cup
SBNation.com Recent Stories
1979-80
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
