Islanders vs. Maple Leafs, Take II: Incentives
by Dominik on Jan 24, 2012 12:51 PM EST
in New York Islanders Previews
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PrintThe great thing about home-and-homes, and why older fans miss them so, is they carry such easy, built-in psychological incentives. They're mini-series within the slog of a long regular season where 29 mostly inoffensive teams dot the schedule at random.
Familiarity manufactures contempt, and there's no kind of manufactured contempt like the thought of being swept by an opponent in the span of 30 hours. The enticing chance to own an opponent -- the Leafs are 2-0 in the season series -- meets the fear of heading to the All-Star break with the taste of being swept by the Leafs of all teams.
Islanders (19-22-6, 14th/E) vs Maple Leafs (24-19-5, 9th/E)
7 p.m. | MSG+2 (twice the plus!) | Audio: NHL - WRHU
Nassau [gloriously unsponsored] Veterans Mem. Coliseum
Preventing Parenteau's Progress: Pension Plan Puppets
For the Islanders, a team that has beaten the Red Wings again and finally kicked the Flyers monkey during its recent run of feel-good results, that kind of step back isn't acceptable. Much like last night's performance.
John Tavares' 12-game point streak was stopped last night, which predictably meant a team that relies too heavily on its top line -- both for production and for minutes -- was shut out for the eighth time this season.
Quickly, last night's loss dropped the Islanders back to 14th in the East and kept them nine points back of the eighth seed -- and ninth seed, which Toronto continues to occupy on the tie-breaker with 8th-place Washington.
They wanted to go into the break feeling like they'd climbed back into a position of meaningful games? Then this is a meaningful game they have to have. Can't come out, as they described in Newsday, "flat."
Last night's otherwise dreary game was interesting on a couple of levels: One, even though they were down 1-0 for most of the game on a fluke goal, it could've easily been worse. Two, while most teams are wary of the Islanders' speed (if they're wary of anything), the Maple Leafs are not one of those teams.
In fact, I think the Leafs' own speed poses problems for the Islanders: While other teams are clearly more talented than the Isles, those teams also try to slow the game down and possess them to death; the Islanders try to catch better teams out of their comfort zone and, if they grab a lead with that approach, hold on. That hasn't worked in two tries against the Leafs.
Capuano touched on their approach in that Newsday piece:
"I just thought they played better than us," Jack Capuano said. "They used their speed to chip pucks and get behind our 'D.' We ran into a good team tonight."
It's not groundbreaking insight nor much beyond good old hockey cliches, really, but it's a thought. The Leafs coaching staff has discussed, and lamented, how they score off transitions more than off sustained zone time and pressure.
More Capuano comments [MSG video] here.
From the Isles official site preview:
Capuano suggested last night there could be lineup changes. If he does change lines, they will be posted here after morning media availablity.
One imagines there will be a change in goal with Al Montoya dressing again lately, but we'll see. A lot of psychology is riding on this game.
Additional Reading
- Fornabaio's Bridgeport chat today at 1:30 p.m.
- Speaking of prospects, what are we to make of Brenden Kichton?
- The latest GVT for this season is out, if you're down with GVT. No shock the Isles first line is in the top 100.
- The crush for NHLPA swag when visiting Toronto.
- IPB mulls how much of PAP is because of JT.
- Roundup of the Lighthouse youth tourney, which is frankly a cool thing the Isles do.
- How Jeremy Yablonski got the KHL to re-instate him.
- Bunch of Tim Thomas links on him skipping the White House visit (please don't use this as an occasion to talk politics): Thomas' statement (boy, the man likes his capital letters if not his capital visits, amiright? | Neely Statement | Puck Daddy defends his right | Hockey in Society discusses | Haggerty on the distraction
- Retribution delayed: Chris Stewart vs Brad Stuart, Jan 23, 2012 - Blues vs Wings - hockeyfights.com
- Ovechkin gets three games for a head shot.
FIG Picks
Leave your First Islanders Goal picks for tonight's game here. Anyone choosing shutout?
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Brenden Kichton
If I’m doing the math correctly he was drafted a few days after his 19th birthday. He should be available for BPT next year.
His overage status should also be taken into consideration for his performance against chilrens. His performance last year was even better(INCREDIBLE, 64GP 23G 58A)… maybe he’s feeling the affects of old age.
I wouldn’t mind him replacing Dr. Defense next year when Matt Donovan is promoted to an NHL spot.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Ahhh
Thought maybe it was referencing CDH’s propensity for MD visits.
Now that I know, I like it.
You think he passes Katic on the undersized defense chart?
CDH = Katic
at this point. I think MD is going to surpass him on the EARNED depth chart real soon. Matt plays with a little more of the GRITZ, and has excellent vision. As the AHL game slows down for him (and you can see it happening now) he is going to be considered a top 5 prospect in the organization. He’ll be top 10 in the 25U25 next year.
Prospects with >50 NHL Games
Nino, Ullstrom, Strome, Lee, MD, Rhett, Kabanov, Petrov(?), Katic, CDH.
I think once Strome, CDH, Kabanov and Petrov get some games in North America against ADULTS that list could change… a lot.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
No GRITZ, please.
it’s the Islanders.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
I guess
Donovan is up over 200 now (per Isles site), so it’s not really fair to put him in the undersized pool. Be nice if CDH could find his way into 10 more lbs and leave that group behind too.
Matter of perception...
Hamonic=203lbs, Jurcina=253lbs… who plays bigger?
Eaton=215, Matt Martin=210
Now if we could find a guy with Jurcina’s size that plays like Hamonic.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Right
I think once you’re up over 200lbs you are physically capable of playing that way if you so choose. When you’re 5’10" 185 you can still go against the big boys, but it’s a major effort at that point, and very few guys are successful at it.
it's all about leverage and picking spots
But yes, it’s difficult to do. You could just bounce off guys the way Turtle bounced off Tavares.
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
Tavares is listed as 206 now
So he isn’t a kid any more.
No Sleep 'til....We Find Some Secondary Scoring
206?
On ESPN’s list of the 205 Best NHL players that Weigh Over 205 pounds.
"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 Jan 24, 2012 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Donovan is at least even with CDH on the prospect scale IMO
And that isn’t a knock on CDH. Donovan is just developing faster. CDH’s injury propensity doesn’t help either. His injuries have cost him at least a season’s worth of development.
No Sleep 'til....We Find Some Secondary Scoring
Donvan v CDH
You may not realize this because of draft position. Donovan is a draft class older 2008 v 2009.
Donovan spent 2 years at the U of Denver playing against a generally older, though [possibly] less talented competition.
He’s a draft slider (though I don’t think he would have ever been a top 2 round selection) because of the development track. The kid is from Oklahoma, so he had to do two years in Cedar Rapids away from home. But he’s had good coaching, including Mike McEwen and his dad.
CDH was the guy feeding JT the puck in his draft year. That’s not to say that he doesn’t have talent… but it might have been a little blown out of proportion… especially on draft day when most experts had him going late in the first round, while the isles wheeled and dealed to get him with the 12th overall pick… now they have to justify that.
So I think it’s CDH that has to catch up to MD… and that has not happened yet. Maybe because CDH has had more than his share of injuries. If that’s true we should be in for a treat when he heals. I’m not holding my breath.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Ronnie Lott?
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Feelin' all of the above
The age, and his changed role, have to enter the equation — but you have to think this one won’t be Spurgeon’d.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
THE LIST
If they planned the Spurgeon deal on the class of defenseman entering their AHL availability this year, and their organizational needs it makes perfect sense. They had three puck movers (deHaan, Donovan, Ness) in their rookie years, and maybe they put too much in the Ness basket, but a minor oversight when they really needed more size.
I don’t think they have anybody else coming in as a professional rookie on D next year. Pedan isn’t eligible until 2013-14, and Mayfield is eligible (NCAA) but he’s better off playing at least another year with a good Denver staff.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Yeah, I'm not fretting over letting Spurgeon leave through the doggy door
To me it’s like Hillen and Martinek (who I think was worse last year than people realize, albeit healthy): You can only hang on to so many “maybes” of similar attributes at the same time. Sometimes you end up wishing you’d kept one or the other, but not in some huge way like, say, if they let 51 or 15 walk.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
As you've pointed out before...
those guys (including Comeau) are reasonbly inexpensive depth options. This team has had NOTHING for so long that when we let a few get away it’s agonizing.
I may be the worst example of this.
“doggy door” is this a coincidence?
Sometimes you end up wishing you’d kept one or the other, but not in some huge way like, say, if they let 51 or 15 walk.
This would be a HUGE mistake in the realm of POOR ASSET MANAGEMENT. If either is not an Islander next year they had better get something for them at the deadline. They are the two most valuable “expiring” assets the Islanders have had in quite some time. I’d obviously prefer that they resign both of them, but if Snow loses one of them to free agency and says that he didn’t get an offer that was sufficient at the deadline I’m boycotting the team until November 2012.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
if Snow loses one of them to free agency and says that he didn’t get an offer that was sufficient at the deadline
Honestly, that’s close to firing territory, no? That’s when it slams us in the face again that right before he was GM, he was a backup goalie. I don’t think it will happen, because I think he’s generally done a decent job, but as you say, that mistake would be HUMUNGOUS.
He's done this before
Last year it was Konopka. Before that I remember Federtenko (did I spell it right?) and Satan (despite the spelling, not to be confused with my ex-wife; they pronounce it differently) going and nothing being returned. Sometimes if all you get is a #4 or 5, you have to take it.
Of course, I’d expect more for Nielsen and Parenteau. I expect them each to sign three year deals.
Whoa there
I liked Konopka, Fedotenko and Satan. But they weren’t anywhere near as valuable, or irreplaceable, as Nielsen or Parenteau. Plus, for the latter two, the team was a different situation back then. They had to clean house for the rebuild and neither of them was going along for the ride anyway. Satan retired a year later, I think.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Right
It’s completely different when you have every reason to believe the player is declining. The offers Feds and Satan got afterward give a pretty fair view of how other teams saw them.
Different quantum entirely with Frans, and I’d argue PAP is in that ballpark for this team at least.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Miro Satan had a NTC.
I said I cant tell you how many times back then, in response to the daily complaints throughout the e-universe that Garth was not trading him.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jan 24, 2012 4:56 PM EST up reply actions
Firing offense...YES!
But that’s not going to happen. He’s not going to do it, and if he did Wang isn’t going to fire anybody because he can’t hire anybody.
This is a team of dichotomy…
Wang: He’s the reason there is still a team on LI, he’s the reason that I pound my head on my desk most often.
Snow: He is the captain of SS Rebuild, he has a Minaya-esque nationalistic agenda… and NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
Capuano: He turned the ship around last year, but has no power in the organization. Excellent teaching ability(I assume), and lacks authoritative discipline.
Tavares: Maybe the best player drafted by this organization in over 30 years, there are nights where he must dream of playing for the Maple Leafs… in front of 20K fans who absolutely love you. I bet he barely gets asked for an autograph if he walked through the Hofstra campus.
Nabby: Number One Goalie, if his agent could get him on a playoff team he’d play the rest of the year for free.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
by JPinVA on Jan 24, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
"Team of dichotomy," yes
This is it. THIS is why we have so much, “Hey, only I can say that about my sister!” going on. Every yin has a yang with this team, but to outsiders it looks like pure yang. Or Wang.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Win and Wang
The white represents the WIN… this is when the Islanders were sold to somebody with pockets deep enough to keep them in a poor revenue market while he improved the team.
The black represents the WANG… that’s the owner who showed loyalty to Mike Milbury even though he depleted the core of the organization, made some of the worst decisions in hockey history and even kept him around to bungle the tranfer of power by forming a committee.
They are going to WIN again someday, but thanks to the WANG I’ll be dead by then.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
"doggy door"
Ha! Yes, coincidence. I was picturing doorways Spurgeon could fit through that Donovan & Co. could not.
Agreed it’d be a high crime to mismanage the PAP and Dane assets. And it’s two extremes really, but I’m more just mentioning them because there should be no debate on them, whereas no matter what kind of Hillen or Martinek fan one is, one should at least be able to channel Chris Rock and say, “I’m not saying what Garth did is O.K. … But I understand.”
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Garth: "I take care of my free agents."
You’re supposed to, ya dumb mothafucka!
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Jan 24, 2012 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
What I've been wondering is what these contracts will look like
Theyre both obviously older than TEH rest of TEH CORE, as have outperformed their current deals. The current core contracts are backloaded to cover “prime years” and keep immediate salary low.
If I’m Garth, I front load these guys on 3-4 year deals so in case they become less productive, they can still be moved for assets. Also keeps us from having to cap mule it up for the next couple of years.
Not talking about Ehrhoff proportions mind you, but a 4.5, 3.5, 2 wouldn’t be so bad. (or something like that)
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 24, 2012 3:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I agree
plus it evens out the actual payments for Wang a bit.
Although I’m sure he thinks he’s going to be raking it in whenever the go to Brooklyn, Ontario, Hawaii, etc.
Do you really believe that?
He’s been so resistant to any alternatives to that damn property. Not that any of them are truly viable, but I think he knows the real value is in the real estate development. He may have grown to love the Islanders, but they were the girl with the nice personality you go out with, so your buddy can score with the hot gymnast.
Now he’s married to the girl with a lazy eye, they are about to have invitro-triplets and they can’t get mortgage so their stuck in a two bedroom apt in Hempstead…
…and it turns out his buddy was gay anyway.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
No
Sorry, should have sarcasmed that one. I’ve all along said the team isn’t going anywhere no matter what. I think the Town/County may even call his 2015 bluff because they know that he knows there’s nowhere he can put the team and have it be more valuable. MAYBE Brooklyn, but even that might not be true.
Also, you didn’t mention-was the gymnast a dude? Because he might have seen that one coming then…
You can't tell sometimes...
Also, you didn’t mention-was the gymnast a dude?
It’s pretty obvious she’s a she… but they spent the whole date installing track lighting.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Holy monkey foot
That thing’s like a hand.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 24, 2012 4:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Olga, you have an awesome body...
and those feet may come in handy some day.
Cheating: I’ve used this picture before in an email to a friend, and that was the caption I wrote.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Do you know anything about her?
Not much. Just that she’s an Olympic gymnast, and it’s the best sex he’s ever had.
/puts back in files of Police Squad
"Seriously that's the last time you guys f#@%ing won?" -RSH (about beating the Penguins in '93)
by Bryan2112 on Jan 24, 2012 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I would at least try the backloading option, if they're game
They still get their money (barring buyout), but a big-budget cap-ceiling team can still take them on at a later date.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Another reason I like front loading these guys
Is that I could see them still making real valuable contributions in three years. If they’re doing it for almost free (hyperbole), and that $ can get us “the piece” etc., that would be great.
Again though it will all have to do with that still unclear “internal $ management” that we can’t tell if its real or circumstantial.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 24, 2012 4:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, no doubt
The unclear internal budget mucks this up. Who knows where they picture expenditures going — and if the floor drops, well hell.
Honestly, with Nielsen you could almost see a frontload being an enticement after years of toiling for minimum wage.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Tim Thomas
Heard this on XM this morning. No politics here, but I will say, as an american born player he should at least repect the presidency… no matter what your politics are. Not to mention, it gives you once in a lifetime access to the President of the United States… where you might be able to engage him in some conversation that could change the world. What Thomas has done, unwittingly, is create a lobby for people who would like to federally mandate the size of goalie equipment.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Seems like a missed opportunity
But I guess principles are principles. Personally it doesn’t appear to me that the complaint (all of “big” government, and all of its branches) quite fits the action. But then again the whole mix of sports and the White House is an odd juxtaposition (as is the national anthem being sung poorly before football games, honestly).
One thing about sports is it can bring people together who otherwise would not dialog. I think there’s great value in that, and I think in that way it’s an opportunity missed.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
If I was a Bruins fan
As long as Thomas continued to stop the with great acumen, I wouldn’t care what his politcal stance is.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Puck
Stop the puck. Sports/Political analysis fail.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Golf Digest-shun
I know that during the Clinton administration there were a few golfers that didn’t want to be seen with him. I find it funny that guys worth 8 figures can’t figure out that he’s not “stealing your money” because he’s a democrat. Meanwhile, maybe the richest of the lot, Greg Norman (Aussie) has him as a house guest. The other angle is that most of them are bible belt christians and they don’t really like the fact that he did have sex with that woman.
You can’t buy a cure for stupid.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
A football player didn't go either
a few years back but I can’t recall who. Chumura, maybe?
He had to go to the prom that weekend.
by afrosupreme on Jan 24, 2012 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
You've earned a rec, sir
Enjoyed that.
Success was survival and, kid, it still is
by IslesFanInNJ on Jan 24, 2012 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
I heard there were some baseball players that didn't go, too
No idea if it caused a stir, or if we live in a hockey bubble. I don’t really read baseball news (and avoided the Thomas news, honestly).
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Honestly
I think that people are so used to hockey being so PC and guys saying the “right things” and taking one for the team and “team win”, “team effort” yada yada yada, that this stands out like a sore thumb and really shouldn’t.
Same type of “team first” media crap thrown at Burke for visiting troops during the draft.
My thought was always this; my friends (who I equate to “his teammates” would never be angry with me over something like that. They would probably miss my presence, maybe have a slightly worse time, but enjoy themselves anyway. I would ask them about it and we’d all be cool.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 24, 2012 4:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Right
I enjoyed your Twitter threads yesterday. I think the act itself is somewhat silly and incongruent to his list of greivances, but I certainly don’t begrudge him his right to do it. Nobody should be required to shop at Wal-Mart or eat chicken or watch ESPN or whatever if it violates what they hold dear and isn’t essential or contracted to the job. As a teammate/friend I wouldn’t be angry but I’d sure as hell razz him about his politics.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
James Harrison skipped the WH, I think
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
Agreed. The President invites you, you show up, regardless of party.
Thomas comes off as blaming the executive branch or the acting president for his perception of large government and infringement of personal liberties…all this while the current # of govt. employees is at a level not seen since the 1980’s…..but whatever, everybody is entitled to their facts. Perhaps Thomas could have used this opportunity to voice his opinions to the Pres.
Not true
You never have to accept an invitation. Subpoena, yes; invite, no. Obama is not King Barack I quite yet (although he wants to be). When he makes himself king, then I guess you’d have to go, right?
Damn magna carta always screwing up best laid plans
I swear.
(Before we go too far off into hyperbole … let’s not.)
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jan 24, 2012 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I believe those two are indistinguishable
Thank goodness they made the two-week gap before the SB permanent. How else could they hope to fit it all in?
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I disagree
I am guessing he didn’t want to be used as a propaganda opportunity in TV ads this fall – “hey look who supports me”. I give him credit for his integrity.
Meh
Most Americans tune out anything having to do with the NHL. Probably work against the candidate to implicitly support Canada.
Success was survival and, kid, it still is
by IslesFanInNJ on Jan 24, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah...
that’s the whole reason Michele Obama started a relationship between the White House and the NHL… so they could get a couple of white guys to endorse the ticket.
I can’t stand either party (just to declare my political affiliation), but if I was invited to the White House I’d be there 2 hours early… and I’d be asking the president to ask that the next bill he signed had a stipulation that Dipietro’s contract be voided… and earmark $1B for a new areener next to Belmont. $500M for construction, and $500M for construction advisor (ME).
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
by JPinVA on Jan 24, 2012 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Then vote for me
I’m not running for anything, mind you, but I like getting votes. :-)
I vote for myself...
but if you wanna get on the ticket I’ll be taking resumes in June.
I only vote for people I can trust to do the best for me!
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Seriously, why didn't Wang
hire some K street guys back in 2009 to get a little STIM $$$ for a new areener, along with an LIRR extension and an Ice Girl Lounge in the Al Arbour foyer.
You mean the illustrious and immortal Senator Alfonse D'Amato,
who didn’t have enough political clout to build a model train set around his Christmas tree, wasn’t enough?
"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 Jan 24, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The Pothole Senator...
had plenty of clout… if you needed a HUD house in Island Park.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
JPinVA - favor to ask
I’m very superstitous….can you post the Gigantor pic again…believe we are 2-0 when posted
I was thinking the same thing...
I will put it in the game thread.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Stuart vs Stewart
I can’t believe that the NHL Network voiceover had to point out that they weren’t related… with both names shown on the screen. Maybe they’re both Moulson brothers-in-law to Matt Moulson.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
It’s an interesting angle to play, saying the Leafs success came from dumping and chasing, as Wilson points out they rely on transitional offense and scoring off the rush. The Leafs are a terrible retrieval team. That said, the game could’ve easily gone the other way, with the Leafs offense anemic for most of the game. I think the Islanders played a better game than the score indicates.
"I myself am made up entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions."
by Blinky on Jan 24, 2012 3:55 PM EST via Android app reply actions
It’s sadly true…sustained zone pressure is not the Leafs forte. The top line (Kessel+Lupul) have some serious skills but winning puck battles on the board isn’t one of them.
Grabovski/Kulemin do a good job of that stuff, but haven’t been able to put the puck in the net at all this year.
No no, dig UP stupid.
by nhlcheapshot on Jan 24, 2012 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
I've only seen the Leafs play twice this season
but seems your strength is in the quick counter attack by your Fs with an occasional D jumping up on the play. Positionally, you guys are much more disciplined than us. We looked stonger along the boards and cycling.
I thikn part of his "chipping" point
related to how they kept the Isles from sustaining any pressure — more chipping from their own zone past the Isles forecheck and D.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Between Politics..........
about the game tonight. The way for us to win, is to get some PPs. It is the Leaf strategy to win by playing 5 on 5, they have stated as much. This is particularly true when facing our only threatening line and keeping us off the power play.
So to get some man advantages it will require some hard hitting, that leads to retaliation and often infractions. Go Matt Martin!
In particular
If you can get Phaneuf to take some penalties and get him off JT, that would be great. One of two things (or both) should happen tonight. Either Okposo plays like the bull an takes it to Dion to open up some space, or Martin gets some promotion shifts and hustles out some dump ins to his corner.
If you promote Martin to JT for a while, go with Bailey, PAP, KO or back to FNGO for a while. But somebody needs to tenderize some Leafs D tonight.
Also, I don’t buy that high hit count from last night. Even if it is true though, no islanders we’re really “hit” in those “dirty areas”, because they couldn’t get there too often.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 24, 2012 4:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
This is "the" problem and "my" problem with Capuano......
On seemingly the most important game of the year for your team, your team came out flat. Everybody knows it. It’s been stated in numerous places. “I just thought they played better than us”….“We ran into a good team tonight”? Are you kidding me.
Jack, you had the “good” team. You were on a 3 game winning streak against some very good teams. Your team came out flat and there is no excuse for that. If this is the attitude that is rubbing off on our players then its going to be a looooong road back to the playoffs.
On seemingly the most important game of the year for your team…
You can say that about all the games- especially whatever game they come out flat/bad.
If they sucked in the Flyers game then THAT would ahve been the most important game that they screwed up. If they played great last night then TONIGHT would be the most important game.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jan 24, 2012 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
Doesnt matter which game it was...
That point is really moot. Whether you want to call the leafs or the flyers game the most important it doesnt matter. They were equally important at the time. Bottom line is they came out flat. If you lose you lose, but go down swinging, or at least start out swinging for that matter. My whole point is capuano directs the blame on the other teams success rather than his own teams futilities.
by LaFontaine16 on Jan 24, 2012 5:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
So you expect them to play playoff intensity hockey
from now until they are in the playoffs? I hear what you’re saying to a degree…you hate to see them look flat, but they’ve maintained some pretty nutty intensity over the last 12 or so games…they are due a stinker every now and then.
I just don’t see this team being able to keep up playoff level intensity until they are either in the playoffs or until the season ends. Don’t care if their coach was a DNA clone of Lombari, Arbour and Jesus.
What you’re really saying here is that there is no credit due for upping their game and beating quality opponents, but certainly some scorn when they trip up a bit. If you’ve been watching this team for the last few years, you should know that mindset is not going to lead you anywhere good.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jan 24, 2012 5:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreeed. People need to realize there is a thin margin for error and we have been playing great hockey recently.
At our best, we aren’t supposed to beat other “playoff caliber” teams at their best. We lack secondary scoring and our bottom 3 D is slow and injury prone, and full of 7th d-men (aside from Reese, or the jury is out for now). People need to realize this. A lot of people predicted us finishing in the bottom 5 again, anything better than that is honestly gravy. Just look at our team on paper.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
by OzzyFan on Jan 24, 2012 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But he didn't do that either
My whole point is capuano directs the blame on the other teams success rather than his own teams futilities.
He gave the other team credit, while also ripping his own team’s intensity/failure to get to the net, battles, yada yada.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jan 24, 2012 9:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
El Toyota is in
NYIslanders @NYIslanders Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Capuano says Montoya will start tonight. Same forward lines. Game time decision on d-pairs. Reese in. #isles.
islanders hockey, making a sane person go insane during finals week
About the D pairs
Wonder what Cappy is thinking? Maybe Hamonic/AMac get split up. I thought Reese had a good game in Toronto.
UVa Student. Twitter: @ericdavidmorris
by edavidmorris on Jan 24, 2012 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
The whole advance listing of D-pairs has been odd
Even in a bunch of the games where they used Streit-Jurcina, they’d list it as Streit-Staios ahead of time.
Wonder if this one means Staios might be back in for someone else. (Which, to be fair, could always be “somebody has the sniffles and we’ll see how he feels after his pre-game nap.”)
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
How about
Staios/Jurcina for about 5 minutes, and Streit/Ham and Amac/Reese for the rest. Or something like that.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
I wonder
if Resse gets some run with Streit. I said earlier that Jurcina’s lack of mobility seems to hurt Streit in our end against quicker teams like Toronto.
Of course that leaves Eaton/Jurcina. Oh god…
Good call.
As it turned out.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jan 24, 2012 9:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
EL CUBANO GRANDE returns!
We better score three goals, because EL CUBANO GRANDE will only let up two!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Jan 24, 2012 6:13 PM EST up reply actions
Dom
your link is broken
The crush for NHLPA swag when visiting Toronto.
Takes you to a report on the Bridgeport team.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
Thanks.
fixed.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Holy Shit
CBS Sports has JT “questionable” with a hand injury.
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gametracker/preview/NHL_20120124_TOR@NYI
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
if thats true
do they dress 7 dmen?
by my count, everyone else is injured or in bridgeport.
by Binghamton Islanders on Jan 24, 2012 6:26 PM EST up reply actions
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1979-80
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May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
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May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
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May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
