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Around SBN: Why Hockey Fans Should Root For Devils Vs. Kings

Islanders Gameday: Derby Day has McCabe in the wrong colors

Jack Capuano is a swell guy because he's going to start Al Montoya against the team that drafted him -- well I mean he all but had to, right? Not that the Isles have gone with anyone else lately, starting Montoya six consecutive times on a 4-0-2 run. (4-0-3 for the team, when counting Nathan Lawson's March 1 OTL to the Caps.)

Nyi-4stick_medium                    Nyr-ge_medium
New York Islanders (27-32-11, 14th/E) @ Short Island Smurfs (36-30-4, 8th)
[
family empire] Garden
7 p.m. | MSG+(HD), MSG2 | audio -
WRHU 88.7
Path of the Fallen:
Blueshirt Banter

Of facing his original franchise, Montoya told Newsday [$5 please]: "I had no hard feelings. It was great to be drafted by such a great team." I can only imagine immediately after saying "great" team, our Inigo faced the mirror and uttered: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Star-divide

Such a weird line the Rangers have, at +27 goal differential yet only 76 points on the season. As discussed last week, much of that has to do with a bizarre number of blowout wins -- as in, by six goals(!). Plus, there was the 7-2 drubbing of the Isles the last time these two teams met, in late December.

In truth, the Rangers are probably deserving and likely holders of a 7 or 8 seed; they're likely better than the teams below them but not as good as the ones they're chasing. Still, the margin isn't so wide that they can't end up just barely on the wrong side of the playoff line again this year. But their in a good spot: Four points ahead (76) of Carolina (72), who plays Buffalo (76) tonight. Carolina has a game in hand, but otherwise the gap over the have-nots gets bigger after that. New Jersey (68) has two games in hand, but I don't believe in their impossible dream, impressive as it's been so far.

In any case, the Islanders can make things harder for their derby rivals, and that's about what they have to play for now. Tonight's game and the March 31 game at the Coliseum present two opportunities to muddy up their rivals' playoff hopes. And when your own playoff hopes are all but mathematically gone, that's where you go for extra motivation, no? Certainly that's where the fan motivation is.

The Rangers are only 15-16-3 at home. Of course, the Islanders are only 11-17-6 on the road. And then beyond all that "home" and "away" rarely means much in this series. No matter what, hopefully tonight lives up to the billing in a game that "matters."

 

Matt Martin, Regular-Shift Winger

Dyan LeBourdais of the official site got this out of Jack Capuano, on the thus far pleasing move of Matt Martin to the line with Blake Comeau and Josh Bailey:

"At the start, I didn’t know how it was going to work out," Capuano said. "He’s making the best of his opportunity. He’s probably not used to the minutes, playing 16-18 minutes a night. Some nights I thought he looked a little tired, but I think he’s maintaining where he has to be right now to contribute and play those minutes."

A refreshingly honest assessment. I'd love for the Islanders to eventually have someone more dangerous in that spot -- but I'd also love for Martin to be capable of filling in there when needed. That situation has been and should continue to be fun to watch. Tonight's the first time that Martin takes that role into a "rivalry game" where the emotions and energy are amped up to 11. Can he play with an edge without going over it, while creating space and protection for Comeau and Bailey? That's the assignment.

 

Links

FIG Picks

Leave your FIG (First Islanders Goal) picks in this FanShot, according to the format explained there. Ooh-la-la, Sassoon.

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Who else remembers at NVMC...

I don’t wanna be a chicken…
I don’t wanna be a duck…
THE RANGERS SUCK
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

by edavidmorris on Mar 15, 2011 11:50 AM EDT reply actions  

I still like

“If you know the rangers suck, clap your hands.” verison better.

Now, kids, being eaten by a crocodile is just like going to sleep; in giant blender.

by meigs1414 on Mar 15, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree

“If you know the Rangers suck, 54 years without a cup, if you know the rangers suck, clap your hands”

by Hockey2219 on Mar 15, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

I CANNOT

respect fans who still celebrate a Stanly Cup won 17 years ago as if it happened yesterday. 1 Cup in 67 years!!! This is mind boggling especially when you consider that the Islanders have 4 Cups in 38 years!!!!

Youth WILL be served!!
The REBUILD marches on!!
LHH: Where venting your spleen is not just encouraged but expected...

by upstateislesfan on Mar 15, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

OOPS

1 Cup in 71 years…even worse…

Youth WILL be served!!
The REBUILD marches on!!
LHH: Where venting your spleen is not just encouraged but expected...

by upstateislesfan on Mar 15, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

lets be honest

The Rags won half a cup IMO

Any team can win a cup when you take the key pieces from a team that won 5 cups in 7 years. Messier, Lowe, Graves. Tikkanen, MacTavish, Buekeboom, and Anderson all played for the Rangers during that season. All they did was sprinkle in a few of their own guys and voila, they won the cup.

Not impressed with that as much as I am for teams like Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, who built their own core and then added players at the end to get to that next level.

James T Paulson

by Jtpdolphins2009 on Mar 15, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

in the rangers defense

Leetch and Richter should count like triple lol

"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992

by Zhora on Mar 15, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ladies and Gentlemen

Please welcome your 1993-94 Edmonton Rangers.

by sayvillelax94 on Mar 15, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

I hate the Rangers, but I never bought the argument it was Edmonton's sixth Cup

The Rags mortgaged much of their future to get those guys so whether you like it or not, they were Rangers.

Sarcasm is my permanent font.

by Hockey1919 on Mar 16, 2011 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions  

Also added

Larmer, Matteau and Noonan at the deadline right?

"Gervais...he looks danger in the fist with his face!" JPinVA
Website: Lighthousehockey.com Twitter: @KeithLHHockey

by Keith Quinn on Mar 17, 2011 7:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

I think Larmer came earlier

He broke his iron man streak during his holdout against Cheap Man Wirtz.

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 17, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

I getcha upstateislesfan....

….but coming from a Jets fan, I actually have more respect for fans who root for a team with very little success over such a long period of time.

On the other hand, I have NO respect for any fan who thinks of the Islanders as “THEY SUCK! THE COLISEUM SUCKS!” without realizing that we have a history that is very rich.

There are a lot of educated Ranger fans (haha I know) who know about our history, but the young ones who don’t can go scratch!

But man….1 in 71 years….that is pretty poor!

Thank you Matt Moulson!
It doesn't hurt being an Islander fan....but it sure hurts playing for them...get well soon, um, everybody....

by CharlieIsles on Mar 15, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

I miss this chant.

Hunter said he was just finishing his check.

by Turgeon1992 on Mar 15, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

The Modern MSG Hockey experience

Three to Five “P*tvin Sucks” chants per period. All occuring at the most inappropriate times. Rangers ready to go on a Powerplay, chat “PS”, Rangers getting ready to kill a shorty chant “PS”. Instead of getting the team pumped up they chant about their own inglorious history.

Every Ranger Powerplay someone will yell “Shoot the Puck” about every two seconds. Doesn’t matter if the player is shooting right into the other teams pads or if the guy with possession of the puck is directly behind the net. You’ll also here a reference to “Shoot the puck Barry, Shoot the Puck”, which means the last time a person in the stands watched a hockey game on TV or even thought about what to do on the PP was the early 80s.

Sarcasm is my permanent font.

by Hockey1919 on Mar 15, 2011 12:00 PM EDT reply actions   2 recs

They're jacking up ticket prices

So I guess soon the experience will be pro sports’ accelerating march toward gentrification.

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 15, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

I've just forgiven Maloney

for his high-stick goal in ’84 and the gift of Rosival for Wolski to the Rags, if he really did suggest to Snow to take a shot on Montoya.

by 4PeatSake on Mar 15, 2011 12:14 PM EDT reply actions  

YES it does!

One key injury to any of the teams ahead and who knows. What happens if Lundquist goes down? What happens if Ward goes down for CAR. Not to wish them harm but, any team is one injury away from missing the playoffs. The Isles have to continue to win and be there just in case. The Fat Lady is NOT in Long Island yet.

by Russel Ginart on Mar 15, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yes, and importantly:

If the Islanders were to beat the Rangers twice, they would only have to make up 7 more points in the remaining 10 games. Assuming alas that no other team surged past the Rangers in the process, of course.

But it can – theoretically at least – be done.

by Paumanok on Mar 15, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

Oops, 8 points of course to actually pass them if they remain ahead on ROW.

by Paumanok on Mar 15, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

Anything's possible

…Except a COZO-free month.

The challenge is not only points to make up, but also teams involved. Looking at the schedule, all these teams play each other a lot. (Go ahead and include Florida in the mix, since they’re even on points with a game in hand on the Isles.) So points will be collected by all the combatants. The Rangers at least play several teams not in this bubble (PIT, PHI twice, MON, OTT).

I’m not smart enough to game out the scenario, but it would probably take a precise sequence for all of those teams to drop below the Islanders — or Devils, for that matter.

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 15, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

The only solution:

Win all remaining games. That should just about do it.

by Paumanok on Mar 15, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

(That is, all remaining 28 games, of course.)

by Paumanok on Mar 15, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

Haha

Also: Ex-lax in the gatorade. The other teams’ gatorade, mind you.

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 15, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

I mean are you actually *talking* about this, or are we just...

>>No, we’re just…
We’re just “talking” about it.
>>We’re just speaking about it. … As an idea.
As an idea.
>>Yes.

/Glengarry Glen Ross’d

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 15, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Interesting notes...

6 of our remaining 12 games are against teams currently seeded 13 through 7. That can do a lot to help to Isles jump a few spots if they win 5 of 6 or 6 of 6 of those games.

The teams seed 13 through 7 need to lose to those seeded 4 through 1. This way the teams gaining points don’t have any effect on the Isles chances on making the 8th seed.

The teams seed 13 through 7 need to lose to any games played against teams from the western conference to help keep points out of the east.

Personally, I am not writing the Isles off unless 1) they lose their next 4 out of 6 games or 2) until they are mathematically out of the playoffs which would be a direct result of 1). LOL.

Signed,

by kcNYI on Mar 15, 2011 1:09 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

I hear you

But those three point games by teams ahead of the Isles can be a killer.

by Russel Ginart on Mar 15, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

Tonight's games

ATL@ NJD: don’t know how I feel about who wins this game: One thing is clear: NO THREE POINT GAME
CAR@BUFF: CAR: MUST win this game to keep Buffalo at 76 points.
NYI@NYR: Isles must win this game in regulation!

by Russel Ginart on Mar 15, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

RICK DIPIETRO IS STARTING TONIGHT?!?!?!?!

just kidding lol. Did your heat just race?

Signed,

by kcNYI on Mar 15, 2011 1:34 PM EDT reply actions  

Elizabeth, I'm coming to join you, it's the big ONE!

Sanford and Son anyone? kcNYI, don’t toy with me like that! LOL

by Russel Ginart on Mar 15, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Thanks RG!

Now I have the opening theme song (the solo on the bass harmonica, or mouth organ, if you will) running through my head. Please, somebody help me get it out of my head!

by 4PeatSake on Mar 15, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

some of Quincy Jones' best work!

But ok. I’ll fix your earworm.

YAKETY SAX.

You’re welcome.

Fast strikers, give the defenders difficulty!
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog

by mikb on Mar 15, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

heheheheheh

Hey I said I’d get the other song out of your head – not that I’d make it better. =D

Fast strikers, give the defenders difficulty!
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog

by mikb on Mar 15, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yes it did....

but fortunately I recovered before they applied the paddles ;-)

This just in: DP to attend Ed Hospidar School for Fisticuffs, film at 11

by Timtropolis on Mar 15, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

I thought my own cold-hearted joke in my head...

and my heart even still raced even though it isnt true LOL …at some point he will return…

Signed,

by kcNYI on Mar 15, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

That just proves to me that I have no confidence in him anymore

I feel sorry for the guy because he has scratch, killed, and clawed, his way back only to end up back in the IR, due to a stupid decision…That guy has no luck

by KO21 on Mar 15, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

my bad lol ...just stirring the "fun pot" a little

plus today is the last day at my internship and ive run out of work to do so I’m bored as hell.

Signed,

by kcNYI on Mar 15, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

NICE!

You forgot the slot that states “screw the Isles again”

by Russel Ginart on Mar 15, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

I cannot take credit for creating it.

Just saw it this morning and decided to share with others, as this topic comes up quite frequently.

by O.Bender on Mar 15, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

Inconthievable!!

I love the Princess Bride reference Dom! LOL

by DieHardDyingHard on Mar 15, 2011 1:49 PM EDT reply actions  

I agree Rangers are better than team behind them and ....

that is why it will be so awesome if they miss the playoffs. They may actually have a decent chance against the Flyers too, if that winds up being their first round opponent

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Mar 15, 2011 1:59 PM EDT reply actions  

I watched game 2 (10/11/10) yesterday...

It was interesting how different this team is now:
Lineup:
Comeau-Bailey-Parentau… two RH wings and Bailey… this is when Bailey was BOOMING. 13 SOG for the line!
Moulson-Nielsen-Hunter… Moulson proving he can play with anybody
Grabner-Weight-Nino… Another Gordon “three lefties” … cause that’s good for the two rookies. Also putting cement skates between fast and fastest was a good idea as well.
Gillies-Konopka-Sim… Konopka got into it with Proust, but the Gillies v Boogard experience didn’t materialize.
Eaton-Martinek… best pair.
Mottau-Wisniewski… except for the Avery Gesture this pairing blew. Wiz got glut of special teams time and led with 23+mins.
Jurcina-MacDonald… not very good. Jurcina pinching too much… not in sync.
RDP: shakey.. looked like he was having problems moving laterally, but made big stops, especially the penalty shot on Gabby… because Father Time Weight had to pull him down.
Tavares out due to injury from first game. WIN 6-4 with three unanswered goals in the third.
DIFFERENCES NOW
Moulson-Tavares-Papineau… tavares essentially replaced his landlord in that lineup. This has been a solid #1 line, and a stabilizing force of the turn-around.
Grabner-Nielsen-Okposo… Gordon didn’t have Okposo, but he did have Nielsen… I wonder if Nino is still in the NHL if he played all 9 games with Nielsen and Grabs. Essentially Okposo has replaced Nino in THAT lineup.
Martin-Bailey-Comeau Martin has replaced Gillies in THAT lineup and has gone from a 6 min wing to a 16 min wing. He’s contributed in both roles and Bailey and Comeau are starting to get back to their Octoberfest.
Dibenedetto-Konopka-Haley… Dibo has replaced Sim. He is Sim, only younger and greener… this is a good spot for him. Konopka has changed somewhat, in that he doesn’t seem to be the fightshow monkey he was in the first 20 games of the season. He’s being more selective, and he is showing a ton more value than he did early. Haley replaces Hunter… well.. this isn’t such a bad trade, all things considered… but with a $2M price tag Hunter will be back. If Hunter can’t earn a spot higher on the food chain next year that position will not be just given to him. Haley plays more physical, stands up for teammates and can take a draw from the right side. Hunter would have to generate offense from 4th line minutes, and I just don’t see it. If he does…EXCELLENT PROBLEM TO HAVE.
The defense is completely different… Eaton was not playing up to his price tag, and I think the system did him in. Mottau might be better in a more stable defensive setting as well… neither had a chance to find out. Their replacements, Hamonic and Hillen have been playing in top four rolls, with less “offensive” rolls and have made more of them. Amac has been much better than Wiz inhandling the top minutes.
In summary… THIS IS A MUCH BETTER TEAM. The parts are better, and the way they are being used are better. The rangers are a better team as well. This should come down to a battle of style, and goaltending. The isles now can create offense from their top three lines, and the rangers have the queen.
3-2 either way.

Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA

by JPinVA on Mar 15, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

holy crap...

I did the papineau thing again… I need a therapist.

Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA

by JPinVA on Mar 15, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

lol!

“You have to get over me, JP… its for your own good!”

Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)

by TheMetalChick on Mar 15, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

it's better this way

“Me and Justin Mapletoft are happy. It’s all right to move on!”

Fast strikers, give the defenders difficulty!
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog

by mikb on Mar 15, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

I can't figure it out...

It may just be the PAP vs Pap thing… I may have to start calling PA Parentau PBR.

Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA

by JPinVA on Mar 15, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

Heineken!? Fuck that shit! Pabst Blue Ribbon!

I believe that’s PAP’s face when somebody tries to fistfuck him.

by Fabtraption on Mar 15, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

Nice memory lane trip

Didn’t even notice the Papineau. I remember they were lucky to win, and I was just fine with that! Weight didn’t strike me as having concrete boots at the start of the season (his tradition: good training, come out on fire, then age catches up). I thought having him babysit the two puppies was a fine call. Those two kids were green. Easy to forget Grabner took a little while to find his feet.

Hunter has smarts, but yeah I don’t know about him post-op either. Guys who are limited in certain ways can be quite productive (or at least quite useful) next to a more skilled guy, but then on a bottom line when it’s three limited guys, all suffer, drag each other down and look worse. Most teams have that problem with their fourth line. If Hunter lessens that problem at all, hooray! ROI! But as with Martin, I won’t know until it happens.

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 15, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

Weight...wait...way too... SLOW!

In that game Grabner and Weight had a 2-on-1 and Grabner slowed at the circles to pass to a wide open Weight… completely fumbled it like an old man with soup running down his chin. He did the same thing at the PP point. He said in a between period interview… “I was gonna stop it and flip it to the net for a tip in, then I just wanted to get it up the boards, and Gaborik stole it… I’m not going to catch him from a dead stop… so I gave him the penalty shot… you know… freeze the kicker”
TRANSLATION….
I’m a feable minded old man… put me in a home before I burn down the house…. and kill your children!

Dougie went on to have a nice couple of games… bouyed by those two… but I honestly believe they were both beyond his help and could have really helped the team had they had the full 9 with Frans.
If Weight is on the roster next year… I’m sending a letter to my congressman about the MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE!

Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA

by JPinVA on Mar 15, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

A bit harsh, no???

Im a Weight fan…Hes the most positive player to play on the Isles in a long time

by KO21 on Mar 15, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

not at all..

I think DW was a tremendous player… but his prime has passed him by. His injuries are not making him stronger and faster. He needs to let go and hopefully fill a position with this organization.
The "feable old man" thing might have been a little "harsh"… but in reality… it was one big clusterfutz… they had DW trying to assimilate two "rookies"… while Gordon crammed hockey-calculus up their collective arses. It would have been better to have gone back to basics with the whole team and let them operate with somebody who could skate with them… (see Frans Nielsen).

  • and to conclude, it takes one to know one… I originally missed the reply button because of the auto-update moved it!
    - JPinDimensia!

Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA

by JPinVA on Mar 15, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hunter License...

For Hunter to earn his $2M he needs to at least score 10G and play be available for 65 games…
That is the very BOTTOM of my expectations for him. He should probably play mostly with Dibo and Haley. I really hate to say this, but as much as I want him back on the team, I don’t think Konopka is going to be there. But if they do, then it’s Dibo-Konopka-Hunter… and that is a 6-8 minute line. They have little talent to get through the nuetral zone, and they don’t have the recovery speed to play a 2 deep forecheck… so dump and trap… they aren’t going to create much there either.
That line brings more with a touch of speed with Dibo and Haley on the wings… and all three DISRUPTING. The last thing Hunter disrupted was his shaving schedule.
Well… if cappy is still there, then maybe we get a Hunter rebirth… let’s keep our fingers crossed because he isn’t going anywhere for $2M.

Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA

by JPinVA on Mar 15, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hunter would be a very good 4th liner, better than any we have right now, imho

This 4th line rarely creates scoring chances like when Jackman was here along with Hunter…Hunter will bring some skill to that line along with Haley…Konopka can create some space because that guy doesn’t handle the puck much…

by KO21 on Mar 15, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

We'll see...

… but I find it hard to believe he will earn $2M next year… and the year after… but who knows… I don’t think anybody thought Molson would be earning the NHL min before last season.

Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA

by JPinVA on Mar 15, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

I hope Konopka does get resigned

but if he doesnt its not the end of the world like Bottas making it out to be….

by KO21 on Mar 15, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

No way Hunter (or anyone) gets 10 goals playing with Haley and DiBo

It just can’t happen. No PP time, and 10 minutes per game in spot energy duty? I’d be pleased if that combo merely went out and played “hit someone and don’t give up a goal” hockey.

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 16, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

Martin Should Get Occasional Shift With Tavares and Moulson

In the old days, Al Arbour used to occasionally throw Gary Howatt out there with Trottier and Bossy, especially during playoff games, just to keep the oposition honest. If you were going to take a cheap shot, you never knew whether Howatt – or Gillies on a reunited Trio Grande line – might be out there just for that shift. Al might do it anytime during the game, so you never knew. I’d do the same thing with Martin, just to occasionally create some space – and fear.

by rmblifn on Mar 15, 2011 2:25 PM EDT reply actions  

Interesting

I like this idea under the If Al Did It Then It Must Be Great clause of my fan manual. (Section 3.3, right after, If Billy Did It, There Was a Reason.)

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 15, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Oh man I missed that clause!

I thought it would be in section 2.1 – How to be Bi-WINNING

Signed,

by kcNYI on Mar 15, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Not at all..

I think DW was a tremendous player… but his prime has passed him by. His injuries are not making him stronger and faster. He needs to let go and hopefully fill a position with this organization.
The “feable old man” thing might have been a little “harsh”… but in reality… it was one big clusterfutz… they had DW trying to assimilate two “rookies”… while Gordon crammed hockey-calculus up their collective arses. It would have been better to have gone back to basics with the whole team and let them operate with somebody who could skate with them… (see Frans Nielsen).

Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA

by JPinVA on Mar 15, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

talk about old and feable minded...

this was in response to a totaly different post.

Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA

by JPinVA on Mar 15, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

Indeed

To be honest, I was a big Gordo, supporter, and was not happy to see the “over speed”, system, go-go, but now my eyes are open…This system allows these players to be creative, to be hockey players…You’re right, that system was too friggen complicated…Under Gordon, it was all about the system, system, system…Now its about playing hockey…

by KO21 on Mar 15, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

Did you guys see this?

He’s still whining. OMG.

http://post-gazette.com/pg/11073/1131984-100.stm

"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."

by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Mar 15, 2011 3:08 PM EDT reply actions  

The real beauty of this is the many levels of hypocrisy

It isn’t bad enough that he employs Cooke but has no trouble calling other teams out for thug like behavior.

Now he sees fit to fine teams who may be struggling financially, small market teams, teams with crappy records who have trouble attracting crowds, teams that are insolvent for one reason or another. Yes, this is fine now that the Pens have re-established themselves as contenders and can pack the house and make rake it in.

He should just sell his share, recoup what was owed to him, and get out of hockey.

I watch hockey because I love the game...I watch the Islanders because I hate myself. ~JPinVA

by NYI_22 on Mar 15, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

This line gets me!

He pointed out that under his proposal, the Penguins would have been fined $600,000 this season because of suspensions to Eric Godard and Matt Cooke.

Im I missing something? Has Godard and Cooke been fined or suspended yet? So, if they have not, then Mario is admitting these two weasels have been given preferantial treatment?

by Russel Ginart on Mar 15, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

They have been suspended

But it tooke Cooke almost killing somebody and Godard’s was automatic. I think he just wanted to whine about the Isles some more.

"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."

by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Mar 15, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

Fined?

So I guess our $100,000 fine for the “Night of the Penguin Slaughter” makes the Isles look like choir boys! The Pens must be at least 6 times more thugish than the Isles.

by Russel Ginart on Mar 15, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

Excellent. Mario's gonna speak with Shero next, right?

In SI:

“Is [Cooke] a dirty player? Yeah, he’s a dirty player,” Shero sais. “[Former defenseman] Ulf Samuelsson was a dirty player. But there’s value in that. Is there value in injuring players and getting suspended? No. But there are football players in the Hall of Fame who were dirty. There are brushback pitchers in the Hall of Fame.”

[snip]
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma has actually met with the winger this season to ask why he had turned down the opportunity for more heavy hits, which Cooke explained as a hangover from Rule 48—the Cooke Rule. … “The biggest thing for me is that on the ice, there’s a persona,” Cooke says. “It’s what it is because that’s what’s made me successful. But that has nothing to do with who I am.”
Great to hear Mario is taking an interest in the conduct of our game again. I trust he’ll start by cleaning up his house.

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 15, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

I wondered where Mario's 2nd scathing letter to the NHL after the Patch incident...

then I remembered that he’s a self-serving, hypocrite.

Hunter said he was just finishing his check.

by Turgeon1992 on Mar 15, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

I wish Ladouch would use his power to get rid of the inconsistent ruling by Campell

This bullshit, he proposes, just give the assholes, ruining the league, more power to do more damage….

by KO21 on Mar 15, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

The problem with the idea...

is that it assumes a fair and objective decider when in reality we know the Scale of Justice slides all over the place.

Before Mario proposes a new fine system, let’s get the punishment system in working and objective (as possible) order.

Hunter said he was just finishing his check.

by Turgeon1992 on Mar 15, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

I wrote this on Kuklas' when I saw the intitial report

I think we should take Mario’s name off of the proposition and see if it has any merit. At this point who cares if he is a hyporcrite or not or if his actions are self serving as long as the NHL comes up with a reasonable solution. My major problem with his suggestion is that it negatively impacts low revenue teams far more than high revenue teams.

For teams like the Penguins, Sabres and Coyotes that were barely solvent this type of fine could have put them further over the brink. For a teams like the Rangers, Leafs or Flyers the extra money is easily made up the next season with a slight increase in ticket costs.

They have to find a penalty that affects all teams equally, cap hit is a good place to start, but if you are a low payroll team like the Islanders than so what if you take a cap hit, you’re already icing a team below the salary cap floor. Now if you take salary cap, reduce the number of players on the roster for the duration of the suspension and a fine you start to hit everyone across the board in a more equitable manner. Even that doesn’t go far enough because the NHL will suspend some players for 2 games for the same infraction another team or player gets 4. So no matter what they do they will need to have hard fixed guidelines on their suspensions.

Sarcasm is my permanent font.

by Hockey1919 on Mar 15, 2011 3:18 PM EDT reply actions  

On that note

With the financial stakes so high for some teams as you mention, I wouldn’t trust them until they cleaned up the league office’s approach to discipline. Suspending by the act, or by the player? By the act, or the severity of the injury? By the act, or their impression of intent? I wouldn’t want my team fined based on the luck of the draw.

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 15, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

That is what I meant by my last line

No system will work without a fixed and defineable standard. The NHL has NO standard and therefore NO credible disciplinarty system. This could be fixed by clear guidelines and a panel made up of a league rep who chairs the meeting, a GM who in theory keeps the process honest since it may be his team that another GM is ruling on the next time, NHLPA rep to ensure suspensions are legitimate and an suspendable offense and a league official so that someone that actually knows the rulebook is present when deliberating.

Once the “panel” decides it was a suspendable offense you go straight to the guidelines to determine how many. Taunting (Avery/Wiz Rule) – 3 games, Head shot – 5 games, from behind – five games, repeat offense – additional 10 for each repeat offense, dangerous play(e.g. using the stick, boards, post, other equipment, icing) – additional 10, additional catgories could be for leaving the bench, charging, joing an altercation in progress. These numbers are just a wag and could be improved upon, but the idea is that the Intent and extent of the injury have no bearing on the suspension.

In this scenario, Gillies gets for his first offense 3 taunt + 5 head + 10 boards and then 5 head +10 boards and +10 for repeat for his second hit, this is FAR more than he got this time, but it is quantifiable. Giliies goes from 19 games to 33 games. However you then look at our friends on the Penguins, Cooke in turn would have gotten 5 head + 5 behind + 10 boards + 30 for each prior suspension for his hit on Tyutin. Cooke goes from 4 to 50 games possibly more for the charge as well. Doesn’t seem so out of balance all of a sudden.

Sarcasm is my permanent font.

by Hockey1919 on Mar 15, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

Are you saying that Campbells Wheel of Justice isnt working???lol

Thats my whole problem with this bullshit…Lemuex doesn’t care that Campbell blatantly screws over players for who they are or who they’re not…Fuck Ladouch until he does something proactive with his power

by KO21 on Mar 15, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

It's a sad day in hockey when you can't trust the Campbell Wheel of Justice...

although, I’ve never really trusted it as a wheel… seems more like a sliding scale where the boundary lines shift according to player/team and intention/outcome.

Hunter said he was just finishing his check.

by Turgeon1992 on Mar 15, 2011 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

this is Montoya's real test for me

He’s been playing great since we acquired him, but this is it. Playing against the team that drafted him, that threw him to Phoenix where he was buried in the minors. I really believe in this guy. I love the stand-up/hybrid style he plays and believe it takes a higher quality goalie to play it…ex/ Broduer, Roloson to name a few. Then next year hopefully he is signed and has the motivation of taking the job from a guy who beat him up once. I believe he will be an important part of our future. But for all I know they don’t sign him to make sure that DP has no real competition and at least then we have Poulin.

by themass on Mar 15, 2011 3:23 PM EDT reply actions  

I don't play until 11:15 tonight

But traffic back to Jersey is such a hassle… I don’t think I can help this time. Montoya’s gotta get sick on a Thursday or something.

Fast strikers, give the defenders difficulty!
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog

by mikb on Mar 15, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

NO! :(

Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)

by TheMetalChick on Mar 15, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think that's old info, right?

Strang said “after not feeling well after Saturday night, will face his former team tonight.” Mentioned cramping and dehydration after the back-to-backs.

Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.

by Dominik on Mar 15, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think the whole team isn't feeling well :-(

"Seriously that's the last time you guys f#@%ing won?" -RSH (about beating the Penguins in '93)

by Bryan2112 on Mar 15, 2011 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

he beter recover real quickly

because i cant get to MSG in time to save us from Lawson

by themass on Mar 15, 2011 3:32 PM EDT reply actions  

I found Nino's twitter

hawksnids22 if you want to follow.

You mean to tell me shooting the puck from 70 feet out doesn't earn us extra goals?

by Anarcurt on Mar 15, 2011 3:53 PM EDT reply actions  

I hope he changes it...

to @NassauNino25 next year!

Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA

by JPinVA on Mar 15, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Isles Pregame?!

Its not on?!?!?!

FB4Real

"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"

"A great shot is when you pull it off. A smart shot is when you don’t have the guts to try it." - Phil Mickelson

"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano

by FB4Real on Mar 15, 2011 6:36 PM EDT reply actions  

OK...now it is

FB4Real

"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"

"A great shot is when you pull it off. A smart shot is when you don’t have the guts to try it." - Phil Mickelson

"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano

by FB4Real on Mar 15, 2011 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

This blows

Gotta watch it on Rags feed unless you want to watch it through a dirty window…

by KO21 on Mar 15, 2011 7:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

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Islanders Schedule

1979-80


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


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


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


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.


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