Game Recap: Isles Get Streit Back At It in 6-2 Win Over Devils

but that was crazy encouraging to watch.

I think I forgot just how great a player Streit is.

They both suck

Check out this article on the team’s site re Bailey. The article (and Capuano"s quotes) makes it sound like Bailey’s spot on the team is very much up in the air – not that he is fighting for a roster spot (though he’s sort of lumped with Staios) but that he doesn’t seem to have a claim on last year’s spot on the third line.

Young players get better; old ones decline…that is part of the formula when you decide to rebuild from the draft (it takes patience). Last night, JT looked significantly stronger, faster and more confident than last year. JT is going to have a HUGE year. I expect the same from Grabs, Hamonic, Como and even Franz (who’s hitting his stride). Let’s Hope Bailey and Nino show significant improvement. Isles may suprise this year…Buy your tickets now.

Performance – I think for the most part we all saw the same game (pending restrictions) and came out with the same observations.

Thuggish Isles – Did anyone mention what a great 2nd fight between the “Stache” and Janssen? Yeah … that was a real good bruhaha. On the 1st fight… as expected as witnessed on “In Lou We Trust” … the same ole same ole whining about Trevor Gillies not belonging in the NHL … blah blah blah. Saw it in the game thread too. Look … we all saw the same thing … and we saw Trevor chucking in a half hearted jab at Janssen, who by the way blew it off … and acknowleged that happens… However I didn’t see any Devil / Anti-Isle fans mention that when Trevor fell back … Janssen was still throwing punches … hey … it happens.

No MSG / Web Streaming Blackout – The only thing we can definitively blame MSG for is not airing the game on one of MSG network’s 2 full time channels… I’m not sure what they aired … perhaps Red Bulls Soccer and college football. I’m sure us Isles and Devils fans would of rathered the game air on MSG or MSG+. Had Fox Sports NY or Sportschannel still existed I’m sure we’d of seen the game. I just don’t think MSG wanted to have to pay for the production and talent required to air an exhibition game between their two biggest rivals. Sure it sucks for us, but it is what it is.

As far as the Web Blackout for out of market viewers goes … That’s the NHL. Not MSG. MSG has nothing to do with blacking out the webcast for a game it’s not even carrying. The NHL and it’s franchises (included the Islanders) restrict viewership of out of market teams to NHL Center Ice package and NHL Network … whether the game is available or not on those media networks. It’s part of protecting territorial rights. It sucks … but as the federal government tightens restrictions of internet to also include broadcast rights via recent FCC expansions, they must honor those blackout restrictions … and trust me … they (NHL and member clubs) aren’t complaining about it. That’s the way they want it.

Perhaps as someone suggested a Center Ice Package subscriber will be able to log onto their account online and view any game if they are out of market … for perhaps an extra $2 a month would be fair.

Broduer Not in Last Night’s Game – So What? Troutwig is a tool. Brodeur is NOT the same Marty Broduer that terrorized a team’s GF stat. Not that I think he wouldn’t of done better … he’s just not the same goaltender he was, with that same stingy defense that played infront of him. As a huge Devil fan (former Islander fan trader) told me 3 weeks ago … He was concerned about Brodeur… He feels Brody is in the same place in his career where Smitty was in 86-87 as the Isles became more Hrudey’s team. He just don’t see Hedberg as the guy who can take the team from Brodeur.

Well… aside from all the questions surrounding Brodeur … The Isle’s “A” squad out played the Devil’s “B+” squad… They pretty much did all the little things right … and when needing a big play … they executed, while at the same time keeping the fires set by the Devils to a minimum.

JT actually looked stronger, smarter and faster than last year. He was noticeable on every shift winning races to pucks, refusing to be knocked off of puck possession and making outstanding passes to create scoring chances. What is more amazing, is that he did all of this in 14:36 of ice time. There were points where he reminded me of Jagr skating through the entire Devil zone.

This sounds so good, so very, very good…

Sounds like a guy on the verge of an….EPIC BREAKOUT…[cue fanfare]

The entire FnGO line was also outstanding. Grabner continued to generate turnovers and scoring chances with his speed (which if you can believe it, looks improved). Kyle Okposo didn’t hit a post, and Frans Nielsen finished with a three point night also (all on that new fangled power play).

Ya got me, Baby! Ya reelin’ me in! Now hit me with more! I GOTTA HAVE MORE FnGO!#christopherwalken

Travis Hamonic looks like a stud still

Bringing the thunder! Turn it up!

Nino Niederrieter had a nice debut on the top line, but for me, it was difficult to tell if that was him, or the fact that both JT and Matt Moulson looked so good. Nino certainly didn’t do anything to hurt himself and perhaps he was helping to open up some space for his linemates, but I would like to see how things go with some others before making a judgement of where he belongs.

Not sweating it. He’ll get more time going forward, we’ll see how he does.

Ryan Strome did not do much and looked a little sloppy and tentative, but again, linemates can come into question here as he was centering Tim Wallace and Jay Pandolfo tonight.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Strome’s just getting a look this year before heading back to juniors to bulk up for next year, like Nino last year. I think the Isles are in a position to actually let their first round gold develop a little longer before bringing them up to the show and that’s a great place to be.

Kevin Poulin and Al Montoya both looked solid but not spectacular in their debuts, but I didn’t think they were tested much.

Right now, the only thing that matters is that their knees look healthy. If their movement looked fluid and nimble, that’s all that matters.

Throw it all together with Streit showing well un-freakin’-believable in his first game in ages and it sounds like everything’s coming together to me.

And now, a selection to countdown to the season to…