Islanders 2, Kings 1 (OT): Nabokov Again a Rock, Mark Streit the Winner
by Dominik on Feb 11, 2012 4:39 PM EST
in New York Islanders Game Recaps
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PrintThe Islanders were outplayed by the Kings in this one, particularly in a scary second period. But ultimately it came down to a goaltending battle between two of the lowest scoring teams in the league -- a tough slog made possible by NHL officials who sleepwalked through the afternoon as two teams engaged in an increasingly dirty war.
While Evgeni Nabokov made at least one standings point possible with his 34 saves, Mark Streit grabbed the second point with a delightful 1-on-3 rush into the Kings zone, slipping a backhand through Jonathan Quick's legs for the OT winner.
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We'll have to check the medical tent before tomorrow's matinee against the Panthers, as several players took knocks in this one: Mark Eaton collided noggins with Anze Kopitar (but took his next shift), Matt Martin smashed his chin on the dasher boards after checking Trevor Lewis (but returned), and Matt Moulson left briefly as well but would log 21:29 and assist on the winner.
With the officials calling nothing except for a random trip and obstruction per side, it could have been worse.
Michael Grabner opened scoring, picking up a redirected Mark Eaton shot and slipping it far side past Jonathan Quick. Quick was good all afternoon. He wasn't tested nearly as often as Nabokov, but he was required to make saves on several good chances, most memorably by Josh Bailey (shorthanded and at even strength) and on a pretty P.A. Parenteau-initiated passing play in the third.
Despite that early lead, the Kings were the ones with the better of play in the first (shots: 12-8) and especially in the second (12-4). The Isles had a lot of breakout passes picked off in their own zone early on. Dangerous passes to get out of the zone are okay if you complete them, but they erred on the side of danger rather than on the side of getting the puck out.
The third was much more even (11-12), every bit as physical, with moments where either team looked like they might steal a winner before getting to Bettman Bonus Point time.
Then in OT, Mark Streit (who was also physical today) ... a beauty [bunch of replay angles here]:
Game Highlights
Heh, from the Kings perspective though: Pretty sure that shouldn't be allowed to happen.
Game Notes
* If our updates are right, the Islanders are 8-2-1 when entering the third period tied.
* According to the official stats, the Islanders threw 48 hits and the Kings 41 -- with every Islander except Michael Grabner (who scored the first goal) logging at least one. Gentlemen, inter-conference games are not supposed to be this brutal. Not only do the Isles play tomorrow afternoon at home, but the traveling Kings actually play in Dallas tomorrow afternoon. Credit to both teams for not resorting to energy conservation mode, but yikes, you'll feel it tomorrow.
* On the afternoon they honored Kenny Jonsson (the guy who doesn't like public-speaking but gave heartfelt remarks in the pre-game ceremony), captain and defenseman Mark Streit wins it in OT with a slick rush that would make Jonsson proud. Nice.
* Seriously, Nabokov is in a zone. More calm play under pressure, decreasing the odds that the Kings shot barrage would yield a result. The lone goal was off a nice deflection after Dustin Brown picked up the rebound of a shot and had Andrew Loktionov with him and only Milan Jurcina covering (or trying to cover ... Brown's rebound went off Loktionov's stick and in).
* Brown may have inadvertently set the tone early when he laid out Matt Martin in front of the Islanders bunch. That woke Martin up and also amped up the physical play from both sides. The curve of liberties continued upward and unabated; it was a "let them play" afternoon.
* Jordan Nolan had a nice NHL debut, was robbed late in the first after Evgeni Nabokov held strong on a rebound off the post -- and also did a drive-by elbow to John Tavares' head down low. It was that kind of game.
* Brian Rolston returned to the lineup to log 10:38 next to Matt Martin and Josh Bailey, with a cursory second-unit powerplay appearance and some hits. Bailey logged 14:57 including good PK work, a final regulation shift and brief OT appearance. The search to complete the Bailey-Martin combo continues. Maybe old man Rolston and young prospect Rhett Rakhshani will vie for that spot for a while.
* Trent Hunter returned, logging 7:09 via 11 shifts with two shots and a minus-1 on the Grabner goal.
Finally, They Call Something: After a first period filled with nicely executed yet uncalled picks and interference, the officials dinged the Kings halfway through the second for ... tripping. The Coliseum organist responded by playing the first notes of White Stripes "Seven Nation Army" [er, I'm a fool: Rather, they played the first notes of "Hallelujah" before moving on to White Stripes.] Doughty's trip on John Tavares was real but minor; it's just alarming when officials focus on "easy" accidental stick fouls like that, which come via battling for the puck, rather than the constant dangerous head-threatening plays going on all around them that are largely unrelated to the location of the puck.
Naturally players on both sides got downright ticked off in this one, which evolved as a result of no dirty deed going punished. Some people love that kind of game though; it's also a good way to create injuries in an inter-conference game.
[Note: Apparently Doug Weight reminded his troops during the second intermission that games down the stretch and in the playoffs -- "February, March, April, May, June" -- are gonna go that way.]
This is not a tinfoil argument about Islanders as victims; rather, it's just another day in a league where the officiating is inexplicably lax lately. It's something I've noticed in games coast to coast, as if officials are actively trying to avoid using the whistle (which, to be fair, can sometimes make for better hockey). Multiple times today -- I'll include Andrew MacDonald's hit on Justin Williams in the corner -- you could clearly see the official watching the play and deciding ... meh, rather avoid making any calls here if I can avoid it. And really, with what had been let go before that, there was no way they'd suddenly call MacDonald for boarding there; the standard had already been thrown out the window in the first period, and a tight game was in progress.
That, of course, has always been the danger with the "let them play" approach. Guys get angry, they respond in increasingly brutal ways, and the officials are left deciding whether to staunch the bleeding by changing the standard mid-game, or hope they get out of it without any concussions.
Jack Capuano Post-Game
Good stuff in this clip. Capuano too said, "this is playoff hockey right now" and that's the way it goes. (Which by deduction means, of course, that I'm a wimp.)
* * *
A lot of afternoon games in the NHL today, and after the dust settles the Islanders hop back to a tie with Buffalo for 11th in the East, eight points behind 8th-place Toronto. But Buffalo and Tampa Bay face each other tonight, and Montreal is also in action at Toronto. So that picture will change by the end of the evening.
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Why do the Islanders always seem to get the officials who are hungover?
Is the Marriott bar across the street really that good?
"I didn't come out of a cereal box." --Bob Dylan
I used to booze it up after Isles game in the early to mid 90's
My pal Billy Smith thought I drank too much lol. Lady once thought I was a player and asked for my autograph :). Have sobered up since (not a drop since Memorial Day 2003) but that place was pretty cool to meet and greet opposing players/refs after a game, probably still is.
by rickrays on Feb 11, 2012 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
congrats on your sobriety
I never like Champions except for its proximity to the coli; it tends to be pricier and the food kinda sucks. There are plenty of good pubs within a few miles
by potvins_cups on Feb 11, 2012 6:34 PM EST up reply actions
Across the street? You mean across the parking lot :-).
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
lol. Maybe.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Dom if you're interested
I taped the broadcast of the Streit game winner which gives about a minute of multiple angles.
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Feb 11, 2012 4:56 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Headshot
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Feb 11, 2012 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Wow. Seriously. The refs let all this crap go and know we are one of the least chippy/pim taking teams in the game.
It just can’t be all coincidental, the refs seem to know they are letting people play before every game here/with-us now. And they know it hurts us and helps other given our team/game/PP/PK. F’n a.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
I don't think the refs were interested in calling anything in either direction today
Eventually the Islanders adjusted and got away with their share of dirt.
It didn’t feel like, “Oh, conspiracy” but more like, “Oh, okay the rulebook changed again today. Better go back to the locker room for my knife.”
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Feb 11, 2012 5:12 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
After the 1st period, the Kings seemed to see the refs weren't calling anything at all.
By the time the 3rd hit, we realized or decided to hit back. And even when we did, it was mostly a couple players, a-mac with his crosschecks obviously, and not really everyone.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
by OzzyFan on Feb 11, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Nothing underlined the refs' approach to me like the body language after AMac took Williams down
He literally raised both arms 25% of the way in a half shrug and gestured like, “Well we can’t exactly calling that now.” Then he motioned for him to get up and move along.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
lol. I didn't see that. It was good to see us get away with stuff after that circus started.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Perfect!
"Oh, okay the rulebook changed again today. Better go back to the locker room for my knife."
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Feb 11, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
With a name like Quinn
I would have expected you to go more along lines of
Isn’t that just like a [excised racial slur]? Brings a knife to a gun fight.
http://www.hark.com/clips/pnfxhmpbjt-brings-a-knife-to-a-gun-fight
Voted worst Irish accent in the history of movies.
"...I was here on Day 1 when Garth decided to do the rebuild, and I really want to see it through." -- Frans Nielsen
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Feb 11, 2012 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
What accent?
He’s Sean Connery! He didn’t bother to sound Irish for Darby O’Gill and the Little People, so Brian DePalma can suck it.
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
He also a Scottish accent when he played a Russian in Red October and a Spaniard in The Highlander.
Sean Connery don’t give a shit.
by Les Beaver on Feb 11, 2012 10:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ha that movie rocks.
He sees me as a rabbit. Hahaha
by Torch7 on Feb 12, 2012 12:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Got 'em linked
Thanks. I both hate you and love you for that video title on the winner.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Had to be done
taking you all done with me. It’s been stuck in my head since the pregame.
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
down
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Every time I get it out
Somebody quotes it and puts it right back in.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Clearly a head shot, from behind too.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "The arsonist has oddly shaped feet." - Ron Burgundy
Blueshirt Banter
Me thinks...
Streit changed Jersy’s with Tavares. That was sick how he deeked, puck dragged through 3 defenders and threw a perfect back hander. Beautiful shot.
"If it felt good saying it...it was probably the wrong thing to say."
by partagaspete on Feb 12, 2012 9:06 AM EST up reply actions
it’s just alarming when officials focus on “easy” accidental stick fouls like that, which come via battling for the puck, rather than the constant dangerous head-threatening plays going on all around them that are largely unrelated to the location of the puck.
This is disturbing
by KO21 on Feb 11, 2012 4:59 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
You ain't kidding, I was seriously worried for our players health. Especially PAP who seemed to be enemy #1 after they "took out" Martin.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Wow
The Streit goal provides material for a week long clinic on how not to play defense.
=d
by AP77 on Feb 11, 2012 5:02 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Not sure why that matters in this particular case . . . he still basically walked through 4 guys untouched.
=d
by AP77 on Feb 11, 2012 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
4 on 4 creates interesting situations
You have players playing out of the ordinary positions on the ice. It was a great play by Streit regardless. I don’t think the Kings have a issue with their defensive corp it was just a great play.
he still weaved through 4 players like they were flags on a ski slope
whether its 5 on 5, 4 on 4 or even 3 on 3, that is bad defense to let a defenseman do that
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 5:34 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
That explains it..
there are allot of ski slopes in Switzerland, just a relaxing run down the ALPS.
In loving memory;Dad thanks for making us Islanders fans, ACC 1918-2011
by bossy2219 on Feb 11, 2012 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
During the game
I yelled “Streit your gonna get caught again!”
Well… He made me look like an idiot.
Love it.
by Bleuchz on Feb 12, 2012 1:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It's seriously time to call-up haley and throw him on the 4th line.
This “let them play” thing by the refs is getting out of hand. PAP was crosschecked in the face by Doughty, PAP was slashed by Doughty, PAP was shoved to the ice by Quick, PAP was a human punching bag today and the refs didn’t call 1 penalty against the kings for this. BS. And to make it worse, everytime someone checked Greene he’d throw a 2 handed slash back at them, and he got hit multiple times. Hey Matt Greene, hockey is a contact sport you frigging idiot! lol. It even surprised me that Dustin Brown took offense to checks, you have to be kidding me right?
Enough with this crap, if people wanna play chippy, throw Haley on the 4th line over Wallace or Pandolfo(who has looked like he’s playing much better lately). Seriously.
And is it just me, or did Rolston destroy almost all “clicking”/“chemistry” martin-bailey had today? Just try Nino in their if you don’t like Rolston or Rakh, which is all too apparent by now given the Rakh experiment and Rolston comeback. Rolston brings nothing to that line besides an unaccurate slapshot and half-assed play(checks, pokes, etc).
And does anyone have a clip or photo where Nino got hit high in the 1st or 2nd? I could have sworn he got punched/glove-to-face on that check. Anyone confirm or have pic/clip?
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
I thought they responded to it all fine, honestly
Maybe if a divisional opponent were coming in and regularly doing this I’d feel differently, but to me it was a good sign that they punched back without needing a less talented enforcer in the mix. (Though Haley vs. Wallace might be worth entertaining, I don’t know.)
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Feb 11, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I hear you, but these little non-calls cost teams games, especially teams who's bread and butter is their PP and who obviously had taken more chippyness then given it like the isles.
Calling a loose/low-penalty game obviously helps every other team in the NHL but us. Maybe a couple it won’t, but it obviously hurts us a lot. I’d even exchange opportunities now rather then go with 1 PP a frigging game.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Agreed
It definitely doesn’t play to the Isles strength.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Feb 11, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Actually... Haley is turning the corner again...
As I type this BPT is up 6-1 and Haley has two goals. I haven’t been watching, but he has been contributing offensively with the opportunity afforded him.
The thing is getting Rolston out of there. That line was really starting to buzz with Rhett… he just doesn’t have the wheels anymore.
By the end of the year:
Moulson-tavares-Okposo
Ullstrom-Bailey-parentau
grabner-Nielsen-Niederreiter
Martin-Reasoner-Rakhshani
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
by JPinVA on Feb 11, 2012 9:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And NABBY WAS A BEAST!!!
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Anyone suggesting Nabby be traded
Vill be shot. Eight points out eighth with two in hand; 10 out of 7th with four in hand and no points today from Tavares.
Thanks. I wasn't sure if I was seeing things or not because Nino got up quick.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
If they call up Haley it'll just raise a flag and the refs will make it even worse
Let Martin take care of the dirty work
BS
Call up Haley
How do Islander fans spell hope?
T-A-V-A-R-E-S
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Feb 11, 2012 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Then the Isles will lose focus and have to kill more PP's
Get more physical players with talent like Martin.
That's the long term goal, certainly
But also need more standing up like even KO, Tavares and PAP did today.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Isles lose focus? Haley is just 1 player and knows his job. Noboy else's job changes with haley in the lineup
I’d love another Martin, but there ain’t 1. And the choices right now for that 4th line are Pandolfo-Wallace-Nino
And I’d rather Haley than Wallace right now.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
He's so much more important on the ice though. We barely have a half-functioning 3rd line as it is with him and Bailey + 1.
Haley can throw the big hits, shadow the players he needs to shadow with big hits, and fight when he needs to fight without taking anything away from our top 9. Even if Haley takes a 5min every game, we can have some other top 9 players take those minutes.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Just tell the naysayers he makes good cupcakes, and that's why he got called up.
They might buy it.
How do Islander fans spell hope?
T-A-V-A-R-E-S
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Feb 11, 2012 5:15 PM EST up reply actions
forget naysaying
Go ahead and call up Haley. He may have much better chemistry with Bails and Martin than Rolston does. I would also accept David Ullstrom’s return in this spot.
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 Feb 11, 2012 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Did you just say call up Haley?
How do Islander fans spell hope?
T-A-V-A-R-E-S
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Feb 11, 2012 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Heh
I’m not against self-defense; I just don’t want them to rough it up to the detriment of the team’s skill, or results.
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
My friend and I voted Rolston's "break away" as the worst break away of all time.
I was so irked when I saw him out there today.
I was half expecting
Howie to say ‘There goes Rolston on a breakaway. We’ll be back to see him get closer to the net after this message."
Amateurs practice til they get it right. Professionals practice til they can't get it wrong.
by Torgo on Feb 11, 2012 10:59 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
You're absolutely right-- bring Haley up.
I don’t like fighting, but I can’t watch the franchise take another cheap shot to the head and it goes unpunished— by going a man down via a 2 min penalty or by Haley’s haymakers. What if JT got a concussion on that hit— or the one from the Toronto player?
by Potvin's Cups on Feb 12, 2012 2:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
wow
I don’t think Quick expected Streit to work his way through 3 LA players like that.
"Mark D: the internet's foremost chronicler of Milburian insanity" - Pretty Good Idiot
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Feb 11, 2012 5:13 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
The backhand is one of the toughest shots to face
It was a awesome play by the captain.
by rickrays on Feb 11, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
'The backhand is one of the toughest shots to face'
Is that you, Frans?
by barry_hal_oliver_24 on Feb 11, 2012 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Excerpt from a goaltending "textbook" i have been reading
The difficulty in stopping a backhander is the fact that they are relatively rare and when they do happen they usually catch the goaltender by surprise. The release of the backhand also makes the height of the shot difficult to judge.
That second part espcially
There are a lot of hand, arm and stickblade cues to where a forehand shot is going. Backhand shot’s release is more of a smokescreen — for many reasons, not the least of which is even if a guy is trying to go high with the backhand he might not pull it off and instead it squeaks low.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
No one expects
The Neutral Inquisition.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Feb 11, 2012 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
our main weapon is streit...
streit and tavares, our TWO main weapons are streit, tavares and moulson, our THREE main weapons are streit, tavares moulson and nabokov…
amongst our weapons are streit tavares moulson nabokov and a fanatical devotion to the danish backhand of justice.
by gregaaron on Feb 11, 2012 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Penalties
Oh come on now. These guys aren"t 12 anymore. Would you rather have the game decided by some incidental half-trip/hold thing? This game was well refereed and yes, it was a bit chippy, but would 15 marginal calls be better? I think not.
Nino, JT, and PAP all took headshots today. I'd rather we have a game policed then lose one of them to a concussion.
And calling a game loose is playing against our strengths if you didn’t realize it.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
by OzzyFan on Feb 11, 2012 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, it's more about protecting players' brains than it being one-sided
AMac had that semi-boarding, and PAP definitely threw an elbow at Brown. Call the dangerous stuff and the stuff that gives an unfair advantage. The rest you can let go.
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
I somewhat agree with you
the game was not well refereed to that point
I like the chippyness of the game, but the dangerous hits need to be penalized and they weren’t in this game. That is where I fault the officials.
At the same time I think it is fair to say the players need to police themselves a bit better as well.
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 5:40 PM EST up reply actions
Well
Would you rather have the game decided by some incidental half-trip/hold thing?
Um, no. And if you read the post you’d see that’s not the type of non-call I was complaining about. (In fact, I complained that the only four calls were on those types of penalties instead of the ones that are dangerous.)
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
And if people didn't realize I'll point it out. But Eaton bumping heads with Kopitar was from Juice throwing Kopitar into him.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Maybe because Cappy told him, "You need to stop throwing people into Nabokov."
“Okay, Coach.”
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 11, 2012 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Poor Quick man
Jesse Spector @jessespector
Jonathan Quick now has lost more games than he has won this season. He’s the #NHL leader in SHO (6), third in GAA (1.91) & SV% (.934). Wow.
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
lol. Poor guy. And he still isn't getting paid yet. Only 1.8mil/yr on this contract.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
bring him to the Island
I heard he has family here
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
UFA in 1 and a half seasons, it is actually a real possibility. lol
Especially if LA doesn’t get his ass any offensive help.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
He is from Hamden, CT
Or at least that area. I actually play hockey against his little brother.
by mnroy33 on Feb 11, 2012 7:23 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
Originally from Milford, I think. But he did move to or from Hamden, I believe.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 11, 2012 7:30 PM EST up reply actions
I believe that makes you a Moulson in-law.
Contributor for Lighthouse Hockey. Definitely neither the Sniper nor the Enforcer.
by ICanSeeForIslesAndIsles on Feb 11, 2012 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
.....that would make Quick a Connecticut Yankee.....
…..in Queen Hank’s Court:P
In memoriam: Virginia Ariel Cayon 1927-2011 R.I.P. Mom
by ogam5 on Feb 12, 2012 4:57 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
That said. Nabokov is 7th in the NHL in save percentage among starters and backups now with a .927.
Quick is 3rd, Lundqvist is 2nd(.939), and Elliot is 1st(.940).
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
This is amazing to me..
That Nabby is actually playing for the Isles…The fact that hes playing well isn’t that big a surprise…He’s always been a very good regular season goalie…
He's not so bad in the postseason either
Against overall stronger competition, his sv% is the same (.913) playoffs and regular season, and looking through his game logs, he’s had a number of strong series, including ones where he wound up the loser. I wouldn’t call him Patty Roy or anything, but I don’t doubt that he’d do well in the postseason should the Isles manage it.
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
Bruuuuuuuuutal.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "The arsonist has oddly shaped feet." - Ron Burgundy
Blueshirt Banter
We were at the colisem around 8:15 this morning
and around 8:30 am Quick went from the Marriott to the Arena with several other players to practice. The guy is doing the time if this is his practice mode.
The way this is going the Captain of the next Cup contending Islanders team is still in grade school......RESULTS DO MATTER..
FWIW
NYIslanders @NYIslanders
In the locker room the team was singing the praises of the game’s first star, Evgeni Nabokov. #isles
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Feb 11, 2012 5:46 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I'm so glad we have him now. He's really stealing us the last couple games, and defintiely stealing us a lot of points and pissing off opposing teams fans to no end.
I don’t want to trade him, but he’s sending his trade value through the roof. At least a 1st rounder given how hot he’s been. .927 save percentage is crazy and given his playoff experience + how hot he’s been recently, it should only be high.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
by OzzyFan on Feb 11, 2012 5:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Instead of trading him..
I’d love to see him resigned and say that he wants to be a part of the turnaround and be here when this team starts winning, like Nielson did.
Some guys want to be the reason a team gets good instead of just going to an already good team. Those are the kind of guys you want around, just don’t know if Nabakov is that kind of guy.
I'd love to keep Nabby, but he is 36 and who knows what he wants for the future.
If he wants a cup shot asap, it won’t be to stay with us unless we make some big offseason moves. If he doesn’t mind waiting a couple years, then maybe he stays. He doesn’t have a lot of chances left at a cup, so it’s all dependent on his priorities. Maybe he loves long island? Who knows.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Yeah, kind of forget he's 36
he’s been lookin like one of the youngsters out there.
even better
Roloson was 40 when we got him
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think it's a question of if we should, but if he wants to.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
by OzzyFan on Feb 11, 2012 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I wonder if his wife & kids have moved out
His kids are small (just reaching school age), and he and his wife Tabitha do love San Jose, but I wonder if they moved out. If she can be sold on the area, that would be a big boost to him resigning—we also have beaches, and our schools are better. She and the kids actually accompanied him to St Petersburg during his KHL days, so if she’s willing to do that perhaps she moved out here for the year. That would be great if we could keep him.
yeah, he aint stayin...
But thats ok…Just ride him for the rest of the year…Lets see what this team can do this season w a grade A goalie, for once..
by KO21 on Feb 12, 2012 12:31 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Here's what's funny
Look at these sv% standings http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/stats/bycategory?cat=Goaltending&conference=NHL&sort=112
Last year, there were 11 guys above a .920, this year, there are 17. Last year, of those 11, 2 had in the .930s, this year, of the 17, 4 have .930+ and 1, Elliot has a .940.
That’s a hell of an increase…so my thinking is that you can either expect some higher scoring games soon, or goaltending is just on a dramatic upturn again. Since this season is still young and injuries and fatigue will be creeping into the equation, I expect some of these numbers to normalize, but if this is in fact the new “normal”, it becomes even tougher to gauge what “good” is.
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Feb 11, 2012 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, even from game 50 to game 80, it should level out more.
Seems logical that if you take the top 10 goalies in save % right now, odds are most of them are going to drop a little by the end of the season.
I know it’s impossible to say (because of butterfly effect and whatnot), but how good do you (anyone) think Columbus would be doing this season with .940 save %?
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 11, 2012 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
They just keep going up. It's getting crazy. It's just insane to think just 10yrs ago .920 was an elite save percentage number.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
IMO, It's Not Just The Goaltenders
Goaltenders are bigger and more athletic, and they’re technically better than ever.
But on top of that, every team now plays with so much more structure and discipline. You just can’t seem to get a clean shot away anymore, and if you do, it’s tougher and tougher to get a rebound chance since the defensive zone coverage is so darn good.
by rmblifn on Feb 11, 2012 11:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Elliott scares the hell out of me
Everyone in St. Louis is saying, “We finally have a good goaltending tandem!” while I’m fearing that once again by playoff time they will turn up Turek.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Quick +/-
-Do they Kings have a reputation as a dirty chippy team, or did we just bring out the best in them?
-I also had no idea Doughty was such a little bitch baby.
-Refs. I usually don’t complain, but that call on Staios was abhorrent after everything they let go.
+Nice to win another we didn’t deserve. In between our two goals it was tough, though there was a lot of bend not break defense again in our own zone. They didn’t have a ton of great chances, but when they did, there was:
+Nabokov. Another big time game by him. He’s earned his way off the Island if he wants it. I hope Garth can really hang someone out to dry.
General Observations:
Anyone notice with 2:30 left in the game, Rolston and Hunter lined up next to each other on the faceoff. This great moment in Salary Cap History brought to you by Geritol.
I know they were clicking last month, but I’m starting to think I’d like to see PAP back on the first line. KO was a good finisher in January, but just can’t figure out how to gain the zone they way PAP does, or set up his linemates as well. I think JT is having to work that much harder, and carry the puck way too much, and it’s hurting the line’s overall effectiveness.
Big Islander weekend for me-tomorrow I’ll have the boys in tow for Superhero Sunday. Hoping JT can trump Spider-Man et al.
by afrosupreme on Feb 11, 2012 5:49 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
Yeah, Staios call was strange.
Even in tightly called games, refs haven’t been calling those little hooks late in 3rd periods. He had pretty good position on his man, just had his stick up a bit too high.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 11, 2012 6:03 PM EST up reply actions
Only one comment here...
-Do theyKingsall teams coached by a Sutter have a reputation as a dirty chippy team, or did we just bring out the best in them?
It’s the Sutters that appear to bring that out in a team.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
by JPinVA on Feb 11, 2012 10:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That Geritol line made me fall out of my chair!
I’d like to point out one more thing, though… If the refs actually called penalties in this game, and if the Isles converted on only 10% of those power plays, they would’ve won by five friggin’ goals. So maybe they did actually play well enough to win, but it only looked that bad because it’s hard to see the goal when you don’t have a head.
Contributor for Lighthouse Hockey. Definitely neither the Sniper nor the Enforcer.
by ICanSeeForIslesAndIsles on Feb 11, 2012 11:42 PM EST up reply actions
Is it just me or does Okposo seem to disappear in these types of games?
He really needs to use his size more, he is supposed to be a power forward, isn’t he?
And P.A. seems to get more involved, btw.
Ness hasn’t looked out of place either, has he? He got overpowered and pushed off the puck once behind the net but other than that I think he’s been fine.
by SJG in NJ on Feb 11, 2012 5:50 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Okposo was almost invisible
He’s pretty small for a power foward and doesnt play with an edge. I think he and Bailey are gonna take another season or two honestly.
When I go out on the ice I am at peace. This is my best element. No one can talk to me. No one can bother me. I just go play. That is why I love it so much - Chris Osgood
I think Bailey is getting into a nice groove now,
and will only get better. He’s taking the puck to the net and shooting more. He’s also more involved physically. He should be the 2nd line center now in my opinion.
Nice anticipation on that steal of his also.
Okposo really need to learn how to use that big frame of his, don’t try to stickhandle the puck from an opponent, knock him on his ass and take it from him.
He’s not the only culprit either, this team needs to learn, if you consistently finish your checks with authority, the other team will start getting happy feet and thats when turnovers happen. That leads to more puck possession and scoring chances.
Woo, just got back
Got to try out a friend’s seat from his dynasty package in 108—and wow, was that a game. One of my favorite games in recent memory, as I usually tend to see bad losses or blowouts. And I got to hear Kenny Jonsson utter more words in 90 seconds than all his interviews in all the years as an Islander put together!
Bailey looked great—so much confidence, he’s taking it to the net more and shooting, but the poor kid just can’t find the back of the net. Ness—he’s young, but damn if that kid can’t have ONE SHOT actually make it on net. The passing on the whole wasn’t great, the Isles only seemed to have a few stretches where they skated well and moved the puck methodically, and I felt LA came out with more fire and more talent on the whole. The ‘let ’em’ play’ attitude is nice as long nobody gets injured in the roughhousing, and it looks like we dodged a few shots there. Quick’s sucker punch of PA was just abominable, though.
Nice to cheer for Trent Hunter again, and I was glad to see he had a typical Trent Hunter game—he played hard, had no points, and won a few faceoffs but lost a few in his own zone that mattered the most.
by brother_rat on Feb 11, 2012 6:13 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Ha
I got to hear Kenny Jonsson utter more words in 90 seconds than all his interviews in all the years as an Islander put together!
No doubt. Fun to hear him talk, albeit a little rough around the edges.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
A story from the game
I picked a good game— or at least a good ending.
I found a Stubhub ticket for $40 in the section behind the LA bench. Row C. I said, "Great, 3rd row should be high enough to see over the players and mostly over the coaches. I didn’t realize that row ‘C’ is actually the 2nd row. Silly me.
So less than 2 minutes into the game, LA chips the puck off the glass and high into the air. I lose sight of the puck and tilt my head down. I hear a “Crack!” The puck landed on a ten-year old (or so) girl’s head— she was sitting next to me on her dad’s lap. They were from LA. Her head starts bleeding— not like Hamonic’s thankfully. A towel comes over the LA boards, an ice pack from the Isles’s bench. The medic takes about 5 minutes to arrive while the ushers are doing their best (don’t know why it took so long to get a medic there)…. I wish I had the presence of mind to put a hand above her head, but the girl’s head ended up okay— she walked it off after medical attention— and she gained an autographed Quick-stick, and I used that opportunity to move up to the 6th row, which ended up being a good place to see both Isles goals. (I know! I should have put my head above hers! I could have held out for a signed Jonsson stick. “I’m not signing there until Jonsson signs here.”)
Oh, the game. I knew we were in good shape when I saw that LA only had blue Gatorade along their bench. Another good sign (2nd period?) was when Brown shook his head in disbelief after coming to the bench after a shift. (“I fake shot, and no snow angel. Damn scouting report!”)
Parenteau’s skills looked even better in person than on TV— at least today. He’s very smooth with the puck. I take back what I said before. Sign PAP five years. Six. Fifteen. Whatever he wants.
Kyle took an offensive zone faceoff (right side) for JT halfway through the 3rd period. (JT wasn’t tossed.) Perhaps they wanted a righty? Perhaps JT was having a rough day on faceoffs? (I saw Isles were around 30% for faceoffs after 2 periods. Also had something like 13-4 lead in giveaways.)
Nielsen and Streit each had key body-checks along the boards. And Grabner was flying.
Staios pinching is one thing. Getting caught behind the other team’s net in the 3rd period is another.
When things were getting chippy, after Martin left the rink, the guy next to me seemed to think there was going to be a fight. Who was going to fight for Isles??? Niederreiter may have been the best fighter available with Martin off, Jurcina’s elbow, Hamonic’s face. It may be time for Haley, even if it means leaving Rolston out of the lineup tomorrow. (Wink, wink.)
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 11, 2012 7:01 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Oh, and one last thing
They really should have practiced the banner-raising a little more. It was rocking back and forth like a… like something that doesn’t sound vulgar.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 11, 2012 7:07 PM EST up reply actions
You are right about that...
From the 334 section it looked like it was taking on some S curves..
The way this is going the Captain of the next Cup contending Islanders team is still in grade school......RESULTS DO MATTER..
Yeah, I saw that Okposo faceoff thing. I wonder.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Puckhead Girl
Hey -
So you were sitting on the aisle next to us then… Yeah, quite a memorable experience for us – my daughter will never forget it! We were totally blocked by the players on the bench and never saw it coming till the last half second.
But it was Bernier’s stick, not Quick’s (Quick is my daughter’s hero – she plays goalie for her ice team here in So. Cal, but she was still very happy to get it). We recorded the game and just watched it last night – it was only a minute and a half into the game! And we paid $62 each for our tickets (that amounts to about $100 per minute of play we got to see). Here’s a few pictures :
http://letsgokings.com/f4/our_memorable_visit_long_island_see-359998.html
by OC Kings Fan on Feb 15, 2012 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
OT but some really horrible headline writers at NHL.com
“Hall and Goals” and “Malkin it Happen”
I guess that’s a reference to Hall and Oates? I can’t even tell.
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Feb 11, 2012 7:07 PM EST reply actions
at least Malkin it happen makes sense somewhat
Hall and Goals?
why not just use “Hall to the chief?”
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions
Hired!
Make sure to give the Isles a bit more screen space while you’re at it.
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Feb 11, 2012 7:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
well first off during January I would have at least put up
Fire on the Island with a picture of JT under it
I mean really this isnt that hard
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 7:13 PM EST up reply actions
If we make the playoffs
April in Tavares
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Feb 11, 2012 7:17 PM EST up reply actions
I thought mine was bad when I said
Sens Thwart Hungry Tavares, But Eaton in Overtime
I’m going to apply.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 11, 2012 7:17 PM EST up reply actions
I wish Schremp was still on the team
my roommate would always say Eaton Schremp and it made me want to go to red lobster lol
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
And a Streit OT winner writes itself
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Feb 11, 2012 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
So 2 key meetings tonight in the East
hope neither are 3-point games
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 7:15 PM EST reply actions
Looks pretty good so far
Florida 2 points
NJ 0
Jets 0
Sens 1
I think main thing to root for is Montreal to beat Toronto in regulation. (If Isles somehow catch Toronto or Ottawa, chances are Buffalo, Montreal, and TB will all be at least 3-4 points behind Isles.)
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 11, 2012 7:28 PM EST up reply actions
Mats Sundin #13 jersey being retired in Toronto
His wife is sure easy on the eyes :)
yea she is
Always liked Sundin, even when I started not liking the Leafs anymore, classy player and I hope he is a future hall of famer
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
He was nearly a Islander
Isles and Quebec tied for the league low 62 points that year but Isles won one more game. Isles selected Dave Chyzowski with the second pick in a weak draft year for the NHL back in 1989.
If the Isles drafted Sundin Torrey might not have been fired by the four idiots in 1992
and Milbury certainly would not have been part of the Isles as he wasn’t Bill’s type of guy. Thank you Don Maloney.
1st Period-1, Bridgeport, Donovan 6 (Cizikas, Backman), 0:55.
1-0 early in Bridgeport with the help of two players soon to be on Long Island.
seriously
he shouldn’t be a hockey player, he should be a guard in a Turkish prison
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 7:36 PM EST up reply actions
2, Bridgeport, Haley 6 (Mouillierat, Gentile), 17:13. 3, Bridgeport, Frischmon 6 (Donovan), 18:28.
3-0 after one over Springfield in Bridgeport. Nillson in goal. Two point night for Donovan so far,
mark streit
was suprised at that moves…. HELL YEAH
2nd Period-4, Bridgeport, Haley 7 (Oleksy, Colliton),
Haley’s second of the night. 4-0 Sound Tigers in the 2nd.
6, Bridgeport, DiBenedetto 13 (Mouillierat, Landry), 14:09 (PP). 7, Bridgeport, Wishart 3 (Cizikas, Ullstrom), 15:43 (PP).
6-1 after two. Time to break up the Sound Tigers. I haven’t seen them play this good since their first season back in 2001-2002.
i'm going to tomorrow's game. ticked off uts gonna be montoya
really wanted to see nabby.he’s hot right now.isles have all kinds of problems with florida.really need an edge with goaltending.hopefully jt will provide some entertainment
by Lakewood Islander on Feb 11, 2012 8:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You have to be careful with Nabokov as he has been hurt twice this year
Two road games coming up so he should see action in those games.
He's played quite a few in a row...He seems pretty strong...
But its good to use your backup and give your starter break when needed…
Snow has some decisions to make
Not easy when you have two UFA goalie’s both fighting for playing time. I would think the wise move long term is to play Montoya and trade Nabokov but the tease of a playoff spot must be tempting for Garth. On the other hand I believe the Isles could get value for Nabokov now and no doubt Montoya is the easier of the two to sign. With the talent the Isles have in Bridgeport I’m okay with Montoya coming back on a short term deal.
Laughs getting their asses handed to them by the Habs
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 9:02 PM EST reply actions
Yeah the Habs look like they are back and might make a run at it
Of course when you play in Montreal you either give your best or off with your head. Max Pacioretty continues to play well.
which is why I say we are not out of this
I look at teams like TOR, FLA and even PIT and WSH and to me they all have flaws and I could see them falling back
TOR and FLA have to prove to me they are ready to be in the playoffs, they have both been here before and fallen out every single time
PIT right now has basically only Malkin carrying them and they have shown in the past that when 1 of the big 2 is hurt it eventually hurts them
WSH does not scare me anymore, Ovie is a great player, but to me this team is less of a contender now than they used to be.
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
I didnt even mention Ottawa
forgot about them, they could fall back too
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
well actually they are already lol
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
Bailey is sooooo close
He looks better each game.
No Sleep 'til....We Find Some Secondary Scoring
Looking good and doing good are 2 different things.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=89753
Bailey “still” is statistically at best a passable 3rd line center that plays against 3rd line competition. But he may just need to lose Rolston and figure stuff out. Still, Martin has been better then him this year, and that’s saying a lot about Bailey’s development/game. Bailey isn’t even the best player on his line statistically. And I don’t think anyone is anti-bailey. I am just cautious about his future. Sure, he looks like he may have a future as a defensive forward, but beyond that I don’t know. And when I say defensive forward, I far from mean the 2nd coming of frans, I mean like the next bergenheim with less shooting, which still isn’t bad even though some isles fans dislike Bergy. Bailey’s offensive game just hasn’t come together and it’s still a little bit of a mess. He either trys to do too much with the puck and refuses to shoot in the o-zone. But he has started to look better lately, still looking better and doing better are 2 different things.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
But he has started to look better lately, still looking better and doing better are 2 different things.
I completely agree.
But in response I quote Nietzsche: He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.
Seeing him do one makes you more optimistic that he can move to that next step.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 12, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
Good point. Agreed. Baby steps it seems.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
LOL, well done Ozzy
Flashing the BTN figures. Those are more extreme than I thought.
Wonder if, ahem, his lack of a better second winger on that line is partly to blame.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Last year Bailey was statistically better. So it makes you wonder.
Slow start, Rolston on the line, the Rolston/Comeau tandem early. I really don’t know what to think of Bailey. Obviously he looks better, obviously he seems to be a step or 2 away, but sometimes a step or 2 away is the difference between a 30pts player and a 40pts player. It could be the difference between a good 3rd liner and an ok 3rd liner. But I find it very interesting, and awkward in all honesty that he is taking baby step by baby step. Martin goes on his line, Bailey becomes more gritty, more of a battler, and more physical this year. He is taking a few more shots recently, but only when it’s sort of a must shoot or you get the guillotine. I see progression, but it’s baby steps and that’s frustrating. Bailey could break out eventually, but 1 thing is definitely for sure. Having Rolston on his line isn’t gonna help him become a better player quicker. I do like the evolution of his game and really do wonder if he can come to life with another gritty/battling hard skating forward. Which could be Ullstrom and actually sounds like Cizikas, Rakh could be a possibility to but doesn’t sound as makeshift ideal as the others. It’s interesting to see and guess though.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Buffalo on the PP down 2-1
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 9:20 PM EST reply actions
Damn
Haley hat trick now and BPT team record 8 goals score up 8-1. Looks like it’s going to start being fight night
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
only fitting for Feb 11th lol
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
3rd Period-8, Bridgeport, Wishart 4 (Donovan, Mouillierat), 9:31 (PP). 9, Bridgeport, Haley 8 (Mouillierat, Landry), 10:23.
Yeah and two goals for Wishart. Manny Legace was taken out after allowing 6 goals. 8-1 Sound Tigers late in the 3rd.
Tomorrow's game is for first place...
and i think first place will eventually be the only one to make the playoffs from their division.
Plus, it’s against The Whale. for some reason they are scheduled to play at the same time as the Isles. Hopefully that will give Ullstrom, wishart and Haley time to catch the plane to WIN.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
HALEY MUST BE CALLED BACK! FATE IS GOING TO MAKE IT SO! :-)
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
We laugh, but
This kind of thing might be the “reward for job well done” factor that gets him the next call over someone else.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
i'm happy they won, but
There are increasing arguments that this team is a joke.
1. They struggle to score goals and the lineup change is to insert the slow old man with 4 goals. Maybe try pulling up your leading scorer from the bridge and let him play.
2. Really, a guy making his nhl f’n debut feels so safe here that he throws a glancing headshot at our franchise and no one even even taps him on the shoulder? Soft, just like jack.
3. Countless unforced giveaways, mostly by our vets on d. If they are old and slow and not even careful with the puck, wtf not play some more kids? Ness looks pretty poised and can actually skate. We should have lost in philly and today, but nabby cant do this forever, especially if hes gone.
I watched the end of the devils game (primarily since i have stopped watching 3rd periods of isles games if they are tied since im pretty sure they wont score, i sneak back when it should be ot, and it seems to be working) and saw kovy smash his stick at the horn. I know it may seem silly, but i wondered why no islander seeems to ever show that type of emotion, passion, etc. They are a soft, vanilla group desperately in need of some personality, identity and, yes, lavy, JAM.
by randyboyd on Feb 11, 2012 9:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions
"I watched the end of the devils game (primarily since i have stopped watching 3rd periods of isles games if they are tied since im pretty sure they wont score"
you must have missed this stat then…
Islanders are now 8-2-1 in games that are tied after 2 periods, cant believe all of those went to OT or shootout.
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 9:37 PM EST up reply actions
most didn't
I went over the schedule, as best as I can tell, 2 wins were in SO, 1 was in OT. So that’s five they won in regulation, against 2 losses and the one OT/SO loss.
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
No doubt this team has lived off the backs of Tavares and Nabokov/Montoya this year
They struggle to score goals because they lack the talent to do so but they are given their best effort most nights. Yes they are soft but they are young for the most part and the few veterans they have are not your tough types. The reason the Isles have to play veterans is because of the cap floor. Sure Garth would like to dump the likes of Rolston and Eaton but they eat up dollars to get to the cap floor. This all will change soon for the better we just have to be patient.
I don't think it's because they lack the talent. Grabner, Okposo, Bailey, Niederreiter, Reasoner, etc. all have the talent to score and just, for whatever reason, have not this year.
The talent to be a very good offensive team is there right now.
It would help if they had more than one offensive defensmen
and of course a sniper to play right wing for Tavares. The secondary scoring has not been there. If they had the scoring from the second line like last year we’d have a serious discussion of the playoffs and maybe win a round. For whatever reason Grabner and Okposo just haven’t held up their end of the bargain.
I see a lot of prospects with “potential” down in Bridgeport but it might be a good idea to move a couple of these guys to land either a sniper for Tavares or a offensive defensemen. The Isles have so many talented prospects in the system but do they really have room at the Inn for these kids? Many of these prospects are close to graduating to the NHL but I just don’t see room for them all so a move to land a quality veteran who can lead might be the best fit.
I think JT needs players that can skate with him, cycle, and battle the boards. A puck possession guy would be a great compliment to JT, as him and PAP in OT are a very deadly o-combo. And size would definitely be appreciated for protection.
But this is an opinion question anyway. lol
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
JT shows that passion all the time.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Sabres lose, Laughs down 5-0, so far so good
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 9:33 PM EST reply actions
Laughs lose 5-0, gained 2 points on them tonight
get 2 more tomorrow and we are getting even closer!!
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 9:56 PM EST reply actions
Im thinking I should have played Smith
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 10:11 PM EST reply actions
Good game today...
against a team that just doesn’t give up goals.
They found a way to win… where they were finding ways to lose. This without their best defenseman.
The games are getting tighter, and the refs are starting to swallow their whistles. The forwards need to be younger so they can double shift a little more to make room for Haley.
for tomorrow… Rolston back in the bleachers, Rhett back with Martin and Bailey.
Starting Monday… It’s time for long range changes.
Parentau decision. If you’re not going to sign him, move him. Wishart needs to be up and playing in front of Staios on back to backs, and as a partner for Macdonald until hammer comes back. Haley needs to be in the lineup regularly, but so does Ullstrom.
Parentau either sigs a three year $9M deal… or start shopping him harder for a second rounder, or a D prospect.
By the time the plane lands in WIN:
Moulson-tavares-Okposo
Ullstrom-Bailey-Rakhshani
Grabner-Nielsen-Niedereitter
Martin-Pandolfo-Haley
Macdonald-Ness
Streit-Wishart
Eaton-Jurcina
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
by JPinVA on Feb 11, 2012 10:11 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
agreed
I like having Haley up instead of Wallace and Rahk or Ullstorm up instead of Rolston
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 10:17 PM EST up reply actions
I hope not...
but it’s time to get realistic. Nino isn’t going to be playing on the fourth line forever. They didn’t pay him NHL scale this year so they could put him in Bridgeport next year.
Rhett has played well enough to take the a roster spot for most of next season, and they are probably going to rush Strome rather than give Parentau 5YRs.
It might cost us games next year, but it’s a decision that has to be made in the next two weeks because they need to get something for Parentau.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
by JPinVA on Feb 11, 2012 10:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think Snow has to make a decision.
They’ve talked and some , Snow knows what PAP wants to get a contract done. Snow either negotiates and gets a deal done or should seriously consider moving him. Yes we have a shot at the playoffs(what are we at 8% now? I haven’t checked), but PAP is a player that can bring a big return. If the phone has been ringing off the hook for Tuomo Ruutu, PAP should fetch a really nice return. I’d love to have 2 more months of PAP, but if the question is 2 more months of PAP and then he leaves for nothing or 2 less months of PAP and a 1st round draft pick, I’m taking the pick.
Snow knows what he needs to do to resign PAP, now it’s a question of if he wants to sign that deal or not. If he doesn’t, I say put PAP on the trading block. PAP is tied for 23rd in the league in pts right now. He should be able to fetch a 1st rounder, and losing a 1st rounder and PAP in the offseason would be a terrible management decision.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
That's my point...
plus you’ll get a chance to have Ullstrom and Nino playing more important minutes, win, lose or.. bonus point.
I’d still rather have PAP for 2 or 3 years… but no more than that. WAY TOO MUCH BEHIND him. Snow has to make decisions for 2014-15 right now. A high draft pick, or a young 215+ lb defensive D would really help right now.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Yeah. If those "I want 5yrs" rumors are true, ship him away.
I know we shouldn’t be letting players of his caliber go, but if he wants a contract that’s gonna end when he’s 35yrs old we should definitely weigh the consequences. These are the the “theoretical” best years of his career. Who’s to say he isn’t putting these points up coincidentally in his career year? He’s still racking up pts on one of the top PP’s in the nhl. Who’s to say how he ages? For all we know he could be a shell of himself at 35? Players slow down with time, and skating is a lot of his game(not all). PAP could realistically be a 30-40pts player at the end of his contract. And even though PAP produces away from JT and MM, he still has them on the PP, meaning he still plays with 2 30goal scorers. I really don’t wanna take away anything from PAP, but playing with JT and MM and that effective PP on the 1st unit has it’s advantages. And then there is all the players we have coming up and maturing. Nelson is labeled as a should be nhler. Strome has top 6 skills, Nino has top 6 skills, Lee/Kabanov/Petrov/Cizikas/Ullstrom(rakh too) will all be in the mix. There’s no reason to guarantee PAP that many years.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
by OzzyFan on Feb 11, 2012 10:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If I felt confident that the Isles could move Parenteau after a couple of years if he signed a 5 year deal I'd be okay with signing him
but I don’t. He’ll be 29 soon and last thing this club needs is for someone who eat dollars especially now that the young core is starting to cost more. Isles just have too many prospects in the system to allow P.A. to take up a spot on the top 6 long term and as was mentioned this club needs to get bigger.
Parenteau packaged with Nabokov could land a sweet return.
.....the problem, though, with that reasoning is THIS:
…..while it IS true that there’s no shortage of prospects now knocking hard on the door (Haley is fulfilling the promise i saw in him last year handsomely! He NEEDS to be up here on a regular basis next season as much as anyone) PAP is JUST hitting his prime of late and I suspect he’s got a solid 4-5 years left in him…..3 years is a good deal, but to my way of thinking 4 is even better if it can be staggered as with K-O and Grabs’ contracts…..Strome is going to push fast and may even end up doing the 9-game tryout, we know that CC and Ullstrom should be up as well…..Rolston, Reasoner and likely Pandolfo are off the Island at this time next year, so here’s the mix I think we’ll be looking at then (barring major injuries) with a real shot at the 8th seed:
JT – Moulson – PAP
K-O – Frans – Grabs
Bails – Martin – Nino
Cizikas – Ullstrom – Haley
By NO means are these line combos set in stone, either, and Rahk certainly isn’t out of that mix yet…..it gives Strome a chance to indulge in adjusting better to major league shinny in the Bridge, while Nelson, Lee and KK all can refine their skills as well…..as for D-men, Ness is quickly proving his mettle while Dono’s defensive instincts have improved since BP went on their torrid tear – I’m of the opinion Mayfield, given his size, will be up for a 9-gamer himself either next season (yes!) or in 2013-14; Wishart may be trade bait…..as for Nabby, I believe a 2-year commitment would be a very good hedge against future goalie shortages and allow both Poulin & Nilsson to transition more rationally to the big club; Monty’s a potential 20-25 game winner and as for DiP, I do believe the wishes of many will come true when he retires to another capacity in the Isles’ organization (but imagine there’ll be plenty of groaning to the effect of, ‘not ANOTHER goaltender in management’!)
In memoriam: Virginia Ariel Cayon 1927-2011 R.I.P. Mom
(I neglected to add as to Montoya, 'with a better defensive corps in front of him.....'
…..team needs to be crafty in selecting another 2 or 3 defensemen come June (depending, of course, upon where they finish – playoffs are looking quite realistic and, depending upon defensive performance…..no; I WON’T p*o*e*t:)
In memoriam: Virginia Ariel Cayon 1927-2011 R.I.P. Mom
The line I want to see is Ullstrom-Cizikas-Rakhshani as a second line with PP time
I think that would be fun to watch and energize the offense.
I agree Wishart needs to be called up. Wishart is a RFA after the season and Garth should give him a long look to decide if he wants to invest additional money.
Maybe in BPT...
or if you have patience and a horseshoe. casey and Rhett need to show more as bottom sixers before they become top sixers. Ullstrom would need more support than those two to warrant a top six spot. They pretty much sewed up cizikas as a transitional fourth line center when they signed Frans.
eventually, Rhett will find a home somewhere on the fourth line with PK time, and a injury fill in time in the middle six. The team needs to get bigger (Nino, Lee, Nelson) in the top nine, and more productive (Casey, Martin, Rhett) in the bottom six. All in time.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
I think it would be a mistake to use Cizikas as fourth liner
I don’t know why so many think of Casey that way. Cizikas has been effective on the PP and best forward for Bridgeport in his rookie season. Casey has worked well in Bridgeport with skilled players like Ullstrom and Rakhshani so I don’t see him as a fourth liner. The present group of Islanders hasn’t shown me secondary scoring so the like Frans, Grabs can move down to the 3rd line with say Nino. Bailey, Martin and say Haley could make a interesting fourth line.
People would like Cizikas on the 4th line because his defensive IQ and abilities appear to be great.
So as a 4th liner he should at least be reliant defensively at minimum. Obviously he looks to have offense too, but he sounds like a guy that could excel on a 4th line with Martin next to him. But he defintiely has more upside.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Reading all the stuff above.............
and I mostly agree with you and JP about PAP and age and long contracts and getting something in return. Where I have an issue is assuming that Rhett, Cizikas, and even Srome and Nino are going to be forwards on a play-off caliber team next season is a stretch without some first rate vet help at F and D. Bailey say what you will has not shown the deveopment that was hoped. So we really have one great line, one very promising line, and 2 lines with question marks for next season. Then there are only Streit, Hamonic and Amac who are first rate, Sounds like another rebuild year, when with the Arena issue looming that this is not an Rx for the teams future in the area.
Losing PAP could delay the rebuild a year, or even two.
If Isles don’t re-sign PAP, I want to see something immediately useful in return. If Isles trade him for a low 1st round pick, I will be disappointed.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 12, 2012 12:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well looking at what Frans did at the AHL two years older than Cizikas is now you have to impressed at what Casey has done
Cizikas has already worked with skilled talented players in the juniors and the AHL and succeeded. I see no reason why he should play minimal minutes with lessor skilled players. To me his performance merits he gets a opportunity to play with offensive gifted players and he’ll only make players with him better. He’ll be a better overall Center than Nielson and Bailey but he needs a chance to prove it sooner than later. Cizikas could be the one of the best players not playing in the NHL now.
.....it's likely that Cizikas will steadily work his way up, possibly to even the 2nd line.....
…..IMHO, Bails has earned himself 1 more season with the display of these last 2 months or so…..but he could get bumped down dependent upon CC’s progress…..as for Parenteau, he’s nipping at JT’s feet at 6 points behind him in the scoring race as we speak even with only 11 goals, so if he gets traded it had better be for a REALLY elite player….
In memoriam: Virginia Ariel Cayon 1927-2011 R.I.P. Mom
- more accurately, Nino would be vulnerable to a line demotion.....
In memoriam: Virginia Ariel Cayon 1927-2011 R.I.P. Mom
Well looking at what Frans did at the AHL two years older than Cizikas is now you have to impressed at what Casey has done
Cizikas has already worked with skilled talented players in the juniors and the AHL and succeeded. I see no reason why he should play minimal minutes with lessor skilled players. To me his performance merits he gets a opportunity to play with offensive gifted players and he’ll only make players with him better. He’ll be a better overall Center than Nielson and Bailey but he needs a chance to prove it sooner than later. Cizikas could be the one of the best players not playing in the NHL now.
Bridgeport
is playing at a very high level now
the more of these guys we could bring up, the better
Donovan, Cizikas at minimum – and yes Haley for the 4th line as well
please cut Rolston already – please
Isles can't cut Rolston as he helps them get to the cap floor
You are so ungrateful. Don’t you understand we need to dedicate large percentages of the payroll to the useless?
Signed
Isles bean counter department and fan of DP as well as Yashin, Witt buyout
According to Cap Geek, we can cut Rolston
Unless I read this wrong, the estimate is that NY can shed 7,000,000+ salary today and still be at the floor. Closer to 10 million at the trade deadline.
http://www.capgeek.com/trade_deadline_tracker.php
"This season is a serious misallocation of valuable hockey resources"- Saving Private Tavares
by FireGarthSnow on Feb 12, 2012 4:00 AM EST up reply actions
This is correct
either way, sending a player with a “35+ contract” (which Rolston has) would count toward the cap anyway.
The problem we will probably come across now is that the team won with Rolston in the lineup. That probably means that they won’t view his play as a detriment. Which to some degree, it wasn’t. He didn’t cause many problems, he just didn’t enhance anyone’s play.
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Feb 12, 2012 8:20 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
nothing against snow
But cant jpinva at least be co-gm? Isn’t that what wang wanted in the first place?
by randyboyd on Feb 11, 2012 11:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think we should have least tried the Sumo Wrestler thing
but Garth Snow’s shoulder pads sure came close.
smith better not get a shutout or I wil be really pissed lol
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 10:21 PM EST reply actions
then again if he does I get a GWG
cuz I have Vrbata too
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 10:23 PM EST up reply actions
Hawks have very low Goalie rankng............
see TSN.ca and they have some top ranked D prospects and they have high expectations for the play-offs and beyond. We get a 2 pick and a prospect and they get Nabby and a 3 pick from us?
Nabokov will be a Black Hawk soon
Well I hope he will. How smart will Garth look in the eyes of many if he can turn a waiver wire pick that everyone joked about last year into a high end prospect in return one year later. These are the type of moves that will help in the long run. The 2011-2012 Islanders aren’t winning a Stanley Cup but it would be sweet to have the last laugh on Nabokov after getting trashed in the press by many over picking him up on waivers.
Chicago is in all out panic mode
5 points from missing the playoffs along with a 8 game losing streak. They don’t need all their high end defensemen prospects. THEY NEED TO ENSURE THEY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS TO KEEP THE FAT CATS WHO BUY SUITES AND CLUB SEATS HAPPY IN CORPORATE RICH CHICAGO. That fan base is pretty fickle and it took nearly 20 years to fix things. Nabokov may not be the answer but he sure looks better than Crawford/Emery who combined can’t steal a game for the Black Hawks. Nick Leddy sounds about right in return.
He was traded once before so it's not impossible
He’s #2 for them on offense but one of their worst plus minus guys. If I were Chicago I woundn’t trust a guy like Leddy who will probably run out of gas anyway. Chicago can fill the void of his loss through FA as they will be 10 million under the cap in July. The Hawks seem pretty happy with four of their defensemen and all signed long term Seabrook, Keith, Hjalmarsson, Montador ( recently put on IR). If they want to stop the bleeding they’ll need to have to overpay for the best goalie on the market.
Besides which, Chicago is said to want defensement themselves, not a goalie
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
"The Coliseum organist responded by playing the first notes of White Stripes "Seven Nation Army.""
Are you sure that wasn’t the Halleluiah Chorus, Dom? I thought it was, and that would appear to make more sense.
Contributor for Lighthouse Hockey. Definitely neither the Sniper nor the Enforcer.
by ICanSeeForIslesAndIsles on Feb 11, 2012 11:06 PM EST reply actions
Well I'll be
That would certainly make more sense, but I swear that’s not what I heard after that whistle. Huh.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Ah, they did it again today vs. Florida
I follow now. Totally missed that part of the organ (Hallelujah before the White Stripes). Heh, duh.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
didnt play Smith against Chicago
and he got a 38-save shutout!!!
cries
James T Paulson
by Jtpdolphins2009 on Feb 11, 2012 11:14 PM EST reply actions
The only one's who feels worse than you is Steve Yzerman and Bolt fan
Lightning let Smith go just to keep Roloson. Duh Steve Yzerman, Mike Holland you are not. To think the Lightning traded Brad Richards to Dallas for Mike Smith but of course that was pre Yzerman.
Interesting thought
makes you wonder why they never got Montoya in there.
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Good teams find a way to win games even when they don't play theyre best...
Thank to good goal tending and timely scoring we are only 8 games out with 4 games in hand…Seems like they are getting points at a decent pace lately. Knock on wood… It’s been so long since we had a bonafide NHL starting goalie…Especially one that is a work horse… This guy is our best puck stopper…I’m no stats guy but his stats are obvious…He’s just doing what he normally does.
Lets Go Islanders!!
Is it just me, or has Moulson seemed dead the past couple of games?
I don’t know what it is, I mean I know he was never the most swift guy ever and he was never all about finesse. He goes to the dirty areas in front of the net and puts home rebounds, and finishes great.
But in order to finish, he needs to be able to make and receive passes, and in my eyes he’s always been good at handling a bad pass or making a quick tape-to-tape pass. But I don’t know, recently he’s just looked a little softer, a little more tired or pained lately. There were a few times today (and in the past few games) where he tossed a puck softly in the direction of Tavares or Okposo, not enough to reach them, but through a ton of traffic, and the play was dead.
Perhaps this is nothing new, and my “astonishing-top-line-incredible-impossible-to-maintain-production-blinders” with gold rims are off because JT, KO, and MM have been shut down as of late. For that reason, maybe I’m just nit-picking things that I might not have necessarily noticed as much before because their production has slowed and I’m looking for answers as to why. I don’t know, anyone else notice this?
Why did this comment start getting intensively psychological toward the end there?
Wyshinski
Isles fans should be used to this sort of laziness from hockey media by now but still manages to get a rise out of me:h
Bolts’ win elicits this comment: “The Bolts are on a 7-1-2 roll, moving eight points out of the No. 8 seed” whereas Isles’ win elicits this: “Evgeni Nabokov made 34 saves in a trade audition, er, strong effort for the Isles.” I assume Wyshynski has the same access to the NHL standings table that the rest of us has that show the two teams tied in the standings with nearly identical records over the last 10 games but, hey, maybe I’m wrong.
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Feb 12, 2012 3:13 AM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Let it go
Wysh is sore that the Devils got owned by Florida yesterday.
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
Weird note from the game
These two kids sitting a few rows behind me were screaming for Staios every time he was on the ice.
Way too young and enthusiastic to be ironic. Wonder what the story was there.
(I was also laughing pretty hard at the guy behind me telling someone on the phone the Islanders got a 3 minute power play. ’Cuz you know…)
Maybe they met him at a function and he was so cool to them that it made a mark? Staios seems like a really a nice guy, I could definitely see that.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 12, 2012 5:54 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.
