Islanders 1*, Flyers 0 (*SO): Evgeni Nabokov Provides the Salvation, $11M Man Nielsen Delivers the Judgment
by Dominik on Feb 7, 2012 10:06 PM EST
in New York Islanders Game Recaps
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PrintThe New York Islanders survived the first game without their best defenseman Travis Hamonic, the mid-game loss of Dylan Reese, and the careful debut of rookie Aaron Ness to hang on for dear life through 65 minutes of scoreless hockey.
That endurance test passed, Evgeni Nabokov made two more stops in the shootout while Ilya Bryzgalov couldn't stop Frans Nielsen and John Tavares, resulting in the Isles' second consecutive win in Philadelphia and a well-earned shutout for Nabokov.
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The big news (leak) of the night, which the Islanders were planning to announce with appropriate fanfare tomorrow, is Frans Nielsen's four-year, $11 million contract extension. But despite Nielsen authoring his patented Backhand of Judgment move to get the shootout winner, this night was Nabby, Nabby, Nabby.
The first period, with the team at full strength (sans Hamonic, of course), wasn't bad in the aggregate, with the Islanders creating multiple odd-man rushes they failed to convert. But the Flyers started the second period off strong and once Reese went down and the Islanders leaned mostly on four defensemen, it was a lopsided, hold-on-tight affair: The Islanders were outshot 31-10 in the final two periods.
The Islanders lost Reese midway through the second period on what looked like a disturbingly awkward torque of his knee (or possibly groin update: Staple reports a "pretty serious leg brace" on Reese afterward, so initial guess is probably right). Reese gamely carried on until he could change, but he didn't return to the ice. With Ness making his NHL debut, that meant a switch to playing mostly four defensemen, and the Isles continued careful man-to-man defense in their zone.
On that note, the John Tavares line played conservatively and saw few scoring opportunities. Chicken or egg there, but they didn't mount much against frequent match Matt Read, Maxime Talbot and Jakub Voracek -- though the pairing of Braydon Coburn and Kimmo Timonen were the key to swinging that battle. Regardless, Tavares is suddenly scoreless in three games, though his shootout conversion provided breathing room tonight.
Meanwhile, the Nielsen line saw a lot of Claude Giroux and Giroux alone had chance after chance, including one while shorthanded.
Le Pant, Le Pant, Le Pant
With the Islanders holding on for dear life throughout the third -- and Evgeni Nabokov and his shot blockers patiently staying square and blocking the low stuff -- the Islanders broke out with Tavares leading the rush through center. A quick one-on-one move on Andrej Meszaros got him in the clear enough to force a hooking penalty out of Matt Carle (how not Meszaros exactly?) with 5:15 left.
That burned some much-needed time off the clock, but the Islanders still managed to give up scoring chances, almost as if they'd taken the PP as a chance to catch their breath but forgot their opponent was frustrated as hell. Mark Eaton and Steve Staios taking turns on that powerplay tells you what kind of manpower situation the Islanders were in. (Why you wouldn't use young Aaron Ness there, when stable puck movement on the PP should be his strength, I'm not sure. Could've been a rotation thing I missed, since I clearly missed some Ness shifts.)
It goes without saying there was no conversion on that powerplay, but it may yet have given the Isles the rest they needed. Overtime was a little more even, though there too they needed a timeout after an icing race that Tavares reasonably thought he'd won.
Game Highlights
Game Notes
... Have to say it was a fine night for Josh Bailey's line with Matt Martin and Rhett Rakhshani. They matched up mostly with Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and Danny Briere and it was a quiet night for that Flyers trio. Bailey himself almost single-handedly created an OT winner with time running out by a good forecheck and drive to the net around Matt Carle.
... Star of the night was Nabokov, who played smart and calmly hung in there all night as the team in front of him went into prevent-and-survive mode. He also made a fine skate save on a good Danny Briere move in the shootout, which coming directly after Nielsen's conversion -- well that just felt good to see in so many ways.
... Seriously, Nabokov was just steady and technical, moving side to side and anticipating the Flyers' desperate heaves and wraparounds all night as the Flyers continually controlled play but attacked the net like a team that feels snakebitten. It's a fun sight when a goalie is in a team's head and you can see that team's interior battle between "We'll get one, just keep doing this" and "You've got to be Averying kidding me with this guy."
... Tough to evaluate Ness in his debut with the juggling of the pairs, but I didn't notice any glaring rookie mistakes and he somehow logged 14:25 and 21 shifts -- including seven shifts in the third and two in OT. (I swear, he's so elusive I didn't even notice he had that much ice.) From what I saw, he played contained and fundamentally, a good approach for his debut.
... Which is funnier here: That the Islanders now have a "two game winning streak in Philadelphia," or that Bryzgalov also gets a shutout for his night of duty as the Maytag repairman? (To be fair, Bryzgalov was good when needed in the first period, when the Isles had several chances to score an actual goal.)
... But this is why the shootout feels so wrong to me. The Islanders got by under trying circumstances -- so great for them and certainly Nabokov deserves his shutout -- it's just crazy to watch that game and say the Isles deserve the extra point because their guys converted two extra time breakaways. Alas, that's the reality, and they've certainly been on the other end. So bravo.
* * *
It's been remarked at times that the Islanders haven't had a goalie steal a game yet this year. Well Nabokov stole one tonight, and it's the game that finally puts the Isles back to the NHL's quasi-.500 in their 52nd game of the season. Temporarily they also hop into 11th place in the East with Tampa Bay losing to the Kings.
So be it. Nabby's impressive 45-save-plus-shootout clean sheet deserves at least that.
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Comments
How do you do these write ups so quick?
And they’re like well written. Not sloppy and in need of editing. Bravo, sir. Bravo.
he writes
47,000 versions based on who he thinks will do what.
I was impressed he foresaw the Eaton game winner like he did the other night.
by Bleuchz on Feb 7, 2012 10:21 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Pretty much
Basically I pre-fill a form that says, “Frans Nielsen is so lovely and just the best and I want to have his baby” and then I change a few details here and there like “Oh yeah Nabby was there tonight too.”
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Feb 7, 2012 10:27 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Dom has templates from 3 years ago
He was folders on his desktop labeled as follows:
Squeaker win
Squeaker loss
Blowout win
Shootout win
Shootout loss
Frans Nielsen key to victory
and then a WordPad doc that says : Note to self, leave all other write ups to other authors
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 7, 2012 10:30 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Friday Night Fights
Greatest Recap ever.
"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 7, 2012 10:44 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I wish i could read it again
For nostalgias sake lol
"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992
That one didnt go up until the morning
bc after scouring his templates for 2 hours, he realized he didn’t have anything remotely close to cover it lol
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 7, 2012 10:48 PM EST up reply actions
Are you bragging?
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 7, 2012 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
Me, Brag???
Nooooooo…
It’s actually funny. I have the 2 most commented on stories, Friday Night Fights and the Game preview/Thread for the followup game against the Sabres
"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.
I got off the plane in Denver
Listened to a voicemail from Mark, “It’s crazy, Haley fought Talbot, then Johnson! it’s 6-0! Everybody’s going insane!” and I thought, “Whatever. Nice try. Not falling for it.”
Then I got up to the mountains, logged on, and saw the insanity I missed.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
btw Dom
you know your closing in on roughly 2,000 stories if you go via the editor and nearly 3,000 posts if you go by your profile?
I think the difference is one counts Fanposts/Fanshots and one doesn’t.
"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.
It's a little frightening.
The scariest is still the comment total though. I try to tell myself that’s just game threads with us talking to each other.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Does it count Fransposts/Frans-shots as well
I’m guessing over 1K for each.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
by JPinVA on Feb 8, 2012 3:52 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
:)
Speaking of which, you all can still get to the FransPosts through the FransPosts links, they’re just not on the front page at the moment due to the people who were sacked today.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Oh ok, I didnt think you would brag
but ….wait a minute?!?!! That sounded like more bragging!
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 7, 2012 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
Don't worry
I’ll google my webbard username and find the handful of Pen responses bashing me. That’ll deflate me.
"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.
Don't like this point system either
But it’s the same for every team and they have to take the points any way they can get them. Meanwhile, the Isles have only two more teams to pass before Ottawa and also will hold three in hand on Loseapeg after tonight. The playoffs- perchance to dream – are doable. OT, but the Devs are closing fast on the Rags, who could easily fall to fourth or fifth if their goalie – can’t remember his name – has a bad stretch.
So Nabby's first star and Frans is 2nd star
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
fine night for Josh Bailey
Bails made some great plays in all three zones. Funny — most people say he passes too much. The one time he should have passed (with Molson cruising to the net), he went for the stuff.
by Bryan's Pop on Feb 7, 2012 10:22 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
That was some crazy irony there
I suppose long term it wasn’t a bad sign. He busted his tail for that one and wanted the winner.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
dont blame him
I was yelling pass, but he is a big boy and knew what he was doing. Bryz probably, reading this site, thought he was going to pass too, so that is why Bails made the move.
Backward headed passes in 4-on-4 always have a higher danger factor too
With him working to get that, he might have defaulted to “stuff this and see what happens.”
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
this sounds serious
Arthur Staple @StapeNewsday Close
Dylan Reese in a pretty serious leg brace after game. If Milan Jurcina isn’t ready for Thursday, Matt Donovan may get call from BPT. #Isles
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
Brutal
That poor Reese does not catch many breaks.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Can we keep him?
Please! I think this team would be much better if we had either the Fearless one or Jack Hillen on the squad. They were consistent. Something most of our defensemen are not.
From the view point
It looked like an MCL Sprain or even an ACL with that kind of movement. Or possibly tears on either. SUCKS.
i can attest from personal experience
MCL tears blow, ACL tears blow even more
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
good luck with your recovery
PT was a pain in the ass
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
irony is
Im starting PT school in late May, haha.
Thanks, at least it will let me even more time to sweat over the Isles and coming on this site.
I guess you'll have the whole patient empathy covered
Brutal. Good luck with it.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Knee injuries suck
Get well soon, man.
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
Whats Pierre Turgeon have to do with it?
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 7, 2012 10:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
you dont know
he puts you through bag skates while shooting slappers at you to work on agility, speed, and turning
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
That does sound like a pain in the ass
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 7, 2012 10:47 PM EST up reply actions
when your done, you feel like this guy
by ghalbart on Feb 7, 2012 10:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Why are you posting a picture of the Columbus Blue Jackets goalie?
You should post a picture of one of those net covering goalie things that you practice picking your spots on.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock...
This is obviously a photoshop
The holes are way to small to really be Mason.
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 8, 2012 1:25 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Woah
I read for the 17th time at first. Was thinking “you need to stop walking.”
by afrosupreme on Feb 7, 2012 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I am having
Quadruple bypass surgery in the next three weeks, so there. I kid you not. On the other hand, these Islanders can’t catch a break with all these defensemen getting banged up. But the new kid acquitted himself quite well last night. Hopefully, Donovan, if he is next on the ferry, will do the same.
by kennyboy13 on Feb 8, 2012 6:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
whoa
How are you even alive watching this team?
Seriously – be well and take care of yourself.
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 8, 2012 10:07 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Maybe the Isles are the reason for the quadruple bypass?
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Feb 8, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Actually
I have been feeling pretty good the last few months since my doctor told me to lose 20 pounds. I’m in pretty good shape considering. I walk every day and all that, don’t feel short of breath, heart rate and blood pressure OK. Just have to make sure I don’t get too excited, even when I watch Staios mess up. Of course, if a certain goalie were still around… The prospect of the Isles making a run at the playoffs after such a long dry spell is a reason to keep going. Good to see them playing as well as they are. Know what I mean Garik?
Walking and cleaning up your diet are the best things you can do for your body.
There are tons of studies out there that explain just how much of a difference walking more can change your life, it’s incredible. The average person walks around 1-1.5miles/day and a study found you should walk a total of 4-5miles/day for optimal health. That’s a huge margin and really shows how sedentary people have become. Even walking an extra 2miles/day is supposed to cut most cardiac and other related death risks in half.
Good luck on your surgery.
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
Thanks
I was walking five to six miles a day – have been for years – but the cardiologist told me to cut that in half, especially with how cold it gets here in February, and I hardly take any alcohol at all. My diet has always been pretty healthy.
Good luck with the surgery!
I think you have all of us here trumped … until a certain goalie creates an account and says, “yeah, well, I’m about to have three organs removed.”
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Can I dream about a miraculous finish to the season that nets us the 8th seed and a first round date with the Rangers and a first round WIN. The look on Ranger fans faces in my dream= PRICELESS.
by Metzfan22 on Feb 7, 2012 10:26 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
The only thing that would make that better
is if the Rangers dump a bunch of youth getting Ryan Smyth, then we beat them.
"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 7, 2012 10:28 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Pfft, the Rangers can't even offer O'Mara or Nilsson
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
by garik16 on Feb 7, 2012 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Channel the Giants 6 game run to the championship.
7-7 to 9-7 and Super Bowl Champions.
Isles: 22-22-8 (NHL .500)… one can dream. JT does remind me of Eli.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock...
Just for
Johnny Tortilla’s post series press conference tete a tete with Larry Brooks:
T: We know what we did.
B: What did you do?
T: Brooksie if I wanted ta explain it to ya I would. By the way, have you ever gotten laid?
B: Well, um, uh, a few times, uh, I don’t know…
T: Well then get the f—- outta here.
B: Well, uh, OK, I will.
by kennyboy13 on Feb 8, 2012 6:58 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Nabokov was AMAZING TONIGHT!!!!!!
Holy crap… AMAZING.
He completely stole this game for the Isles!
Actually a lot of the Isles looked pretty good tonight- but the Flyers just took it to them from the midway point onward. It is amazing that the Isles won.
AND THEY ARE AT NHL-.500!!!! Whoooo! :D
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
I think youre right
Unless you count the first games of the season.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 7, 2012 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
i know this has been reported everywhere, but it's wrong
At least if you go by games played.Through 52 games in 09-10 they were at 23-21-8. They fell below .500 three games later and never reached it again that season, though coming close at just one game under through 79 games. Anyway, technically it would be their best record this late if they maintain their .500 this season through 55 (or more) games. As those games in the 50’s were played earlier in the year in 2010 due to the Olympic break, they indeed have never been at .500 in February since 2008 and I think that’s why it’s been reported as their first time at .500 this late since 2008.
Great points!
I am pretty sure I read that over at Forever1940- your explanation makes a lot of sense :)
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 8, 2012 8:49 AM EST up reply actions
Ahh, memories
I remember that 20-save 4-0 DiPietro shutout of New Jersey.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
me too
You know I miss the kind of hockey they played back then a little… I know it might not always have worked, but when it did, it was so great to watch. And in that game against the Devils there it sure did. They were so sharp, all over the Devils with their speed and pressure. Actually, not sure if you can call it the best game they’ve played in years because obviously the Devils didn’t seem to ready to play that night, but yeah, as far as I can remember that’s the most dominant game they’ve played over the last few years.
I do too
I was excited by the experiment. Still wish Gordon had better pieces to try and make it work. When it was on, it was great fun.
That night sticks out to me because DiPietro’s shutout required so little work, they played so complete.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Ya gotta Believe!!!
Now we need old Willie Mays to pinch hit
"This season is a serious misallocation of valuable hockey resources"- Saving Private Tavares
by FireGarthSnow on Feb 7, 2012 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
suitable?
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 7, 2012 10:46 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
OMG the Tugger! Tug McGraw, wat cool.
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Feb 8, 2012 1:09 AM EST up reply actions
Nabby stole it alright
Just finished watching a condensed version of the game,lol. Nabokov had one of those calm, stand on his head performances. Too bad there is almost zero chance of him re-signing. Thought the Flyers would really take it to the Isles after their embarrassing weekend against the 666er’s and Rags. Hope Reese isn’t that bad. We need another D-man out long term like we need another old ex-Devils player making 5 million dollars a season.
"This season is a serious misallocation of valuable hockey resources"- Saving Private Tavares
haha
Not Jack Capuano @Capuanos_Hair Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
It’s 120 miles to Uniondale. We got a full tank of gas, a .500 record, it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses. #isles
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
by DarthDoyle on Feb 7, 2012 10:40 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
pretty sure
he used either Just for Men or somehow had Frans Laser off all his Grey Hairs once he was signed .
by ghalbart on Feb 7, 2012 10:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Brad Dalgarno being a definite exception.
That man looks GOOD. :)
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 7, 2012 11:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The Isles are on a mission from God!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Feb 8, 2012 1:11 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
It's got a Zamboni motor
Zamboni shocks, Zamboni tires, Zamboni suspensions. It was made back in the Original Six era so it runs good on regular.
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 8, 2012 1:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh wow
In the tradition of the Battle of California, it looks like Philly has just been Tri-State Raped.
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Sweet
It seems so much more laid back when it’s California.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I wouldnt worry about Tavares...
He is human and will have his streaks…
Not worried at all
Even the immortals will have their streaks.
I really liked how he forced that penalty in the third.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
That was a nice power move...
He getting frustrated ya know hes pressuring himself to score for his team…He’s just gotta relax and just “do what he do”….
You call it a power move, which it was...
…but his skill/timing was just as important there as his skating strength. If the defenseman gets a piece of the puck, there is no call that late in the game.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 7, 2012 11:28 PM EST up reply actions
And in the Goalie Stole One for us Dept....
Well, finally.
We finally got one…in Philly, outshot 2 to 1, injuries to 2 dmen (one of them the best we have), down to 5 dmen in the game (really 4), and a critical 2 points.
It does not get any better than that.
Its been a long, long time since we saw one.
Special aside to Nabby: you may have to do it again.
They have a lot of games coming up
5 in 8 days?!!! So, yeah – they’ll need another one from him AND Montoya.
Success was survival and, kid, it still is
by IslesFanInNJ on Feb 7, 2012 11:01 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
And one more thing for Nabby:
He got a hockey goalies version of the “double”- Shutout in the game, and shutout in the shootout.
Just outstanding.
Hope Al took notes.
Yeah.
I doubt that has happened many times since they introduced the shootout.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 7, 2012 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
His save on Briere's attempt really was lovely
Great to see cocky Briere go in all slow and confident and be denied as close as can be.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
And just without Hamonic ... now maybe Reese's injury makes it worse
If Jurcina isn’t ready to go, it will be interesting what they do. No sheltering the rookie callups, right? Or will they bury them on a protected third pair?
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
every time we get a legit nhl goalie
Who can actually steal games, we have to trade him for a prospect/pick. Rebuilds can really be discouraging.
by randyboyd on Feb 7, 2012 11:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Bailey
I’ve complained often about him, but he was particularly sharp tonight. In addition to a couple of “almosts,” he made a couple of very good defensive plays.
And Eaton was great also.
by JackandAce on Feb 7, 2012 11:10 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Been following for awhile but this is my first post on here..
credit to glubrat at hockeys future for this one. :D
Also nice to meet everyone :D.
by Chris Goldman on Feb 7, 2012 11:23 PM EST reply actions 9 recs
Welcome!
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 7, 2012 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
Wow, Chris Goldman...you are going green on your first post. Quite an achievement
by Metzfan22 on Feb 7, 2012 11:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
haha thanks!
saw that image and I instantly realized it needed to be posted here.
by Chris Goldman on Feb 7, 2012 11:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Welcome, sir
And even a citation with your comment. That’s working OT.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Ha, nice! :)
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 7, 2012 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
Wait a minute- whats with that weird-ass hat????
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 8, 2012 12:34 AM EST up reply actions
that would be the hat from the meme Scumbag Steve
http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/scumbag-steve
however, whoever made the photo did it wrong
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
by DarthDoyle on Feb 8, 2012 12:37 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I… OK. Wow. OK.
But why is it on Nabokov lol?
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 8, 2012 1:00 AM EST up reply actions
because whoever created the pic doesn't understand memes and the internet
If anything it should have been good guy greg (look it up on the same site) with something along the lines of “Team didnt play well, still won us the game” or success kid saying the same thing.
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
by DarthDoyle on Feb 8, 2012 1:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think
It’s done from a philly standpoint. Hence nabby being scumbag steve.
I, myself, prefer bad pun racoon.
by Bleuchz on Feb 8, 2012 1:10 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Didn't even notice the hat. Woops.
But I got it from the hockeys future Islander board so I doubt it was a philly fan but who knows.
by Chris Goldman on Feb 8, 2012 1:15 AM EST up reply actions
for me it's insanity wolf
just some of the wonders that is this meme
http://www.quickmeme.com/Insanity-Wolf/popular/1/
SOMEWHAT NSFW
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
That was surprisingly pleasing
Man, the more you know.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Thanks for the explanation.
You are surprisingly meme-knowledgable!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 8, 2012 1:36 AM EST up reply actions
you have just confirmed my fears that i spend too much time in the internet
time for me to try and get a life…wait…its pulling me back in…NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO
damn you internet
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
Don't worry.
I got this.
Somebody stop him
Please somebody stop George Lucas, HE’S RAPING ME, HE’S RAPING MY CHILDHOOD
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
realy
Why yes, I do have a man crush on Bailey and Martin, and no, I don't care what you think about it
THE ATLANTIC DIVISION
is fierce. (but we all knew that)
5th place. DEAD LAST. DEAD LAST IN THE ATLANTIC DIVISION. Is yours truly, the New York Islanders… and we sit at NHL .500… at 22-22-8.
The 4th Place Cindy Crosbys are a remarkable 30-19-5.. 4TH PLACE TEAM IN A DIVISION. Just not far.
If we win the next games… our PPG % will put us into 10th.. The last place team in a division in 10th.. nevermind that we are already in 11th…. anddddd that one division (the always miserable Southeast) currently (at this rate) will only have its division champion in the playoffs as an absurd #3 overall seed.
by BaltimoreIslander on Feb 7, 2012 11:25 PM EST reply actions
When was the last time all 5 teams in a division made the playoffs?
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 7, 2012 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
Under the current alignment (1998 and then the addition of the Thrashers, Jackets, and Wild)
Never has every team in a division made it to the playoffs.
by sayvillelax94 on Feb 8, 2012 12:05 AM EST up reply actions
Atlantic has had 4 teams make it
And the Isles werent always the team that didnt make it, either.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 8, 2012 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah I just went back and looked on Wikipedia at all the final standings in the seasons of divisions three.
There have been plenty of four-team playoff divisions (especially with the weakness of the Southeast up until like four years ago) but no division ever sent them all.
by sayvillelax94 on Feb 8, 2012 12:12 AM EST up reply actions
It just feels that way.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 8, 2012 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
Screw the Atlantic
Isles-Philly? Devils-Rags? Both games 1-0? This was old school Patrick Division, baby.
Alas, Washington and P’burgh both played, but not each other. Then we would have been absolutely set.
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
Fenwick tied is up to 50% now
And Fenwick close is at 49.38%, low middle of the pack. I’m gonna bet tonight’s game knocks that down a little.
Weird team with the heavy imbalance in lines, but maybe 5-on-5 is better than the goal differential looks.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
The playoffs are all fucked up because the Southeast sucks
Seriously, it’s unbelievable that division leaders, the Washington Capitals, are in 3rd in the playoff race while the Florida Panthers, second in their division, are 9th in the conference. The Atlantic Division is ridiculously competitive.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Feb 8, 2012 8:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Interesting stat
The Isles have about the 12th best road record in the NHL. (.500) Not going by points, just by who is .500 or lower. Don’t want to talk about the home record though.
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
wow...what a game...lots goin on...
Dom, you must more excited than Frans when he signed the contract…
glad Fransie is locked up. makes you wonder if PAP is gonna get an offer or what happens with Nabby?
tough to see Reese sidelined. it probably makes my previous Bryan McCabe argument look a whole lot better and still not happening. Isles barely kept it together on D, but with a little bit of fortune, they actually did their part. i wanted to kill Streit and A-Mac on their bonehead puck carrying. hopefully Juice is ok to play thursday. isles could use him and seems likely they will call up another body from bridgeport. they can’t play like this every game and it showed tonight. Nabby is great, but it’s foolish to think he’ll bail out the isles every night when something like this happens.
Josh Bailey looks like a man on a mission. loved his effort and his improvement on making things happen.
Nabby…I’m a big believer. Awesome performance! i would love to see him re-sign, but understand that’s not likely to happen. either way, another great move by Garth. he deserves the gratitude of the fans whether he gets dealt or sticks it out til april.
very excited to see how this all plays out on our way to 2-27.
"Redemption? Sure. But in the end, he's just another dead rat in a garbage pail behind a Chinese restaurant."
by gukid17 on Feb 7, 2012 11:28 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
If the Isles keep winning...
…I don’t think Nabokov will be moved.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 7, 2012 11:36 PM EST up reply actions
Ottawa, Florida and Winnipeg can be caught with 30 games to play
Even Toronto can slip but the Isles only have to catch three teams to make the postseason.
Isles need about 40 points in 30 games.
So, for instance, 19-9-2 would have a good shot at Isles getting in.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 8, 2012 12:25 AM EST up reply actions
Listening to Garth in his recent interview made me pretty confident Nabokov isnt going anywhere
From what he said, it seems to me someone would have to make an absolutely insane offer for him.
Of course he is playing so well right now that a team desperate for a goalie might do exactly that?
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 7, 2012 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
Hard to believe that some club wouldn't offer Garth a 1st round pick for Nabokov
I want Nabokov to stay a Isle as I believe they still have a chance to make the playoffs but it is tempting to get value for him while you can.
It would be a real tough call if someone offered a first rounder right now for Nabby. I'd probably say no. Playoffs are realistic now, Islanders are legitimately no longer sellers.
11th in East, 9 points out with 30 games remaining and 4 games in hand on 8th place Ottawa. Those are realistic playoff chances.
Chicago could use Nabokov
and they could make a offer Garth can’t refuse.
No. No they're not.
Especially because you’re looking at the wrong 8th seed. Florida is 7 points ahead of us, with 0 games in hand (They’ll easily pass Ottawa in their 4 games).
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
Florida has been doing really poorly lately
I don’t think they will finish the season strong
by Binghamton Islanders on Feb 7, 2012 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
NOW they are. But with 4 games in hand on Ottawa, they'll make up the 2 point gap in those 4 games easy.
If not go farther.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
also
I think Florida is very difficult to catch. Tough to tell how much they’ve been declining due to the various injuries, but fully healthy I think they’re a legit playoff team. Goc, Bergenheim, Samuelsson, Sturm, Upshall have all missed between 15 and 25 of the last 35 games each. Upshall and Sturm are still out – Jovanovski, Kulikov, Skille have been hurt recently. All are scheduled to be back by early/mid-March at the latest. I guess thanks to the return of Bergenheim-Goc-Samuelsson they’ll play at around .500 through the next four weeks and then might be in for a strong finish if they indeed will get healthy and/or active at the trade deadline.
The schedule should surely permit them to have a decent finish. They’re playing Carolina at home twice (four times in total), Ottawa at home twice, Buffalo, Edmonton, Anaheim at home once each as well as Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Minnesota home and away each. So many winnable games. And they’ve been good at home (13-5-7, 11th at 52.72 % in Fenwick close). I think the Isles would need to beat two out of the trio Washington, Toronto, Ottawa.
By the way, Gabe’s shot chart telling the story of the game last night.
No. No it's not.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
Hate to be cynical
But i have to agree with Garik. Is it possible?yes, but hes right, its not realistic. making the playoffs would still require a hell of a run from a team with a shoddy defense unbalanced scoring and overall poor 5 on 5 play. I want to believe they can, but to say its a “realistic” possibility is being overly optimistic
"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992
I'm not saying making the playoffs is realistic (although it is very very possible)- I'm saying there's no way you can say they're not in the race right now.
I’ve waited a long time- it’s not like they’re getting some slam dunk prospect; they’re likely getting a third round pick back, who is unlikely to ever make it. I’d rather go for it and have an interesting, meaningful March.
by Metzfan22 on Feb 7, 2012 11:57 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Actually
that’s exactly what you said
Playoffs are realistic now, Islanders are legitimately no longer sellers.
I’m not saying I’m not excited about the winning, and rooting for them to make the playoffs, but you still have to focus on the long view here. Playoffs this year would be gravy, but it’s not the main goal. Another first round pick could go a long way to this team being a playoff regular down the road.
I’t just odd to me that when Nabokov had no value, everyone wanted to dump him as fast as they could. Now that he might actually have some, we should hold him?
Here’s what’s exciting about maybe trading him. Right now Garth can point to almost a month-long period where Nabby has been lights out, starting January 14 against Buffalo. 7 games, 6 wins, 2 shutouts and a 922 sv%, no game lower than 916%. The rust is off. I think we might be excited about what Garth could bring back for him, Either a first or second, or maybe as part of a package with one of our picks for a high D prospect.
It really wouldn't be a tough call at all
If someone offers a first rounder for Nabby, Garth does his best Heath Ledger Joker voice and runs screaming hysterically to the bank with it.
This is of course why no one in their right mind would offer a first rounder for a 36 year old rental goaltender.
"The truly good man does nothing, yet leaves nothing undone. A foolish man is always doing, yet much remains to be done."
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Feb 8, 2012 9:15 AM EST up reply actions
Hey, you never know.
What other good goalies playing excellent hockey are available?
Only one out of many (10?) starting goalies needs to have an unfortunate injury for the top available goalie’s value to go shooting up. (I’m not wishing an injury upon anyone, but I’m saying there is a possibility in the next couple weeks that a non-Islanders goalie has a bad injury.)
Is anyone available more playoff-ready than our 36-year old?
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 8, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
I would take a 1st rounder in a heartbeat
But I don’t expect any to move at the deadline. Nabby shouldn’t command much. He’d need to play like this for two weeks to get someone to bite that hard.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Exactly, which means if they're not going to get a first rounder, may as well keep him and go for it. The fans have waited a long time; we're actually in the game to make the end of the season interesting. I'd rather an interesting end of the season
than another third round pick.
so the big question obviously is
a 2nd rounder.. what are we doing?
by BaltimoreIslander on Feb 7, 2012 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
Honestly, pass. I want to see them go for it. I'd respect a 10th place finish rather than an extra second round pick.
But again, that’s tonight. If the Islanders lose the next 4 or 5 games, then yes, trade him for the 2nd. But if they’re still playing well and trending up, go for it.
by Metzfan22 on Feb 7, 2012 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Take the offer
I mean you can call up Poulin. Nabokov has been steadying lately, but you can hope for some play like that from Al or Poulin. Thing is, I still don’t see demand for Nabby being that high. The teams who “need” goalies are teams that will be stubborn and patient.
If it got down to a late 3rd or 4th, and the Isles were nudging closer to the 8th seed thanks to Nabby’s play alone — like Nabby was playing like the talisman — then I might stand pat just for the sake of not telling the players in that room, “sorry about your March and April, but we had a chance to get the next Anton Klementyev.” At some point, people management does enter it a little bit and that’s probably the point where I’d let myself take a marginal asset loss to give the kids a better party.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Feb 7, 2012 11:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Not to get all sports psychologist on this
But maybe keeping Nabokov (and re-signing Frans and maybe Parenteau) becomes one of those “message senders” to the team that they are in a win-now mode. Are the playoffs gonna happen? Realistically, no. But I wouldn’t tell that to the guys going out and playing the games and taking the punishment. If holding onto Nabokov means a few more wins and a bump in team unity, I say forget the picks.
"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 Feb 8, 2012 9:53 AM EST up reply actions
Yes, this is def. my concern
But I could see it being mitigated some if, say, Montoya reels off some fine games over the next week or so.
Also Fab’s point below me. I’m down with all this.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Another thing
This was the trouble that happened when the Isles traded Roloson last year – they were forced to rely on goaltenders who couldn’t stay healthy (DiPietro, Poulin) or weren’t ready (Poulin, Koskinen, Lawson) until Montoya was traded for.
Now with Montoya’s health questionable and his play relatively shaky and Poulin still needing some time at the Bridge, I don’t know if I want to get rid of stable goaltending for a future Robin Figren. Nabokov has played lights out the two months or so, I don’t know if I want to get rid of that quite yet, especially if it could lead to a realistic run to the playoffs. I mean, isn’t that where the Islanders expected to finish the season – to challenge for a spot in the playoffs, not to tank and get a #4 overall pick who may not help the team for another 3 – 5 years?
What’s funny is, with Nabby’s excellent play recently, it makes it difficult to evaluate how Montoya’s been. It sucks that he may finish the season a question mark yet again, but Nabby’s making a strong case that he’s an important fixture to the Isles for next season and possibly beyond. This is a tough problem for Garth to figure out, but at least it’s a good problem to have.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Feb 8, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Well, it *was* a scoreless tie
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I'll write a fanpost on this tomorrow probably,
but Garth ABSOLUTELY has to trade Nabakov. His return should be decent, but even if it’s just a 3rd rounder, he needs to do it. Can’t afford to lose him for nothing as a UFA, and he’s not a great person to re-sign.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
won't lie, I'm intrigued to hear the counter argument
I just think he’s played too well.. and it’s playoffs or bust..
butttt it’s also a scenario that needs to be re-examined after EVERY. SINGLE. GAME. depending on where we are in the standings.. luckily enough the 27th is far enough away
by BaltimoreIslander on Feb 7, 2012 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
Are you serious garik? Third rounders are so unlikely to ever make it to the NHL; it's worth it for the vast majority of fans to keep Nabokov and at least try for the playoffs instead of raising the white flag for a third rounder.
by Metzfan22 on Feb 7, 2012 11:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yes I'm serious.
Small market teams need to get SOMETHING for assets that won’t be around the next year, unless they are extremely likely playoff contenders (or are going to be title contenders). We are not.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
It's more beneficial for the team to go for it, especially when they're a bubble team, which the Islanders undoubtedly are right now. They're not 14th or 15th in the conference; they're 11th and have games in hand on everybody.
Fans will show up if they go for it and keep playing well. That will add a little more revenue and add some hope and optimism for next year. That’s much more valuable to me than a third round pick that is so unlikely to ever make it. If they traded him now, the fans would overwhelmingly see the Isles as raising the white flag and think “same old Islanders.”
6% =//= Bubble team.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
I still kind of agree with this
but if we push it to 3-5 points by the 27th… you can’t say we won’t be serious playoff contenders…
and we’ve all seen crazy things happen during the playoffs… and if we make the playoffs I have a feeling it’s b/c Nabokov helped to put us there… goalies=playoff success.
I would not go out and trade him away.. but if we’re looking at 9 points on the 27th.. he’s gotta go.
by BaltimoreIslander on Feb 7, 2012 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
3 Points.
5 is pushing it.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
21 games left from the 27th to the end
(Trade Deadline at 3 PM EST… so the Ottawa game on the 27th does not count) or maybe it’s 5 PM EST.. either way not counting Ottawa
5 points in 21 games is absolutely not pushing it… especially considering we would’ve cut the distance down from now until then, means we will be trending up a bit.
by BaltimoreIslander on Feb 7, 2012 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
Depends upon how many teams are in between us
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
sad but true
The most annoying thing about the damned 3-point games… harder to gain ground because those teams play each other and yo’re guaranteed not to gain at all on the winner, and might only net one point on the loser. Stupid extra point.
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
From Zorak
Assuming teams continue to earn points at the same rate as their last 10 games, this is what the standings will look like at the end of the season.
Western Conference
GP W L OTL PTS SO LAST10 W-L PRJ
VAN (NW) 53 33 15 5 71 5-5 7-1-2 +18 117
DET (C) 54 35 17 2 72 6-1 7-2-1 +18 114
SJS (P) 50 29 15 6 64 6-3 5-4-1 +14 99
STL (C) 52 31 14 7 69 1-6 6-2-2 +17 111
NAS (C) 54 32 17 5 69 3-2 7-2-1 +15 111
LAK (P) 54 26 18 10 62 4-6 5-3-2 +8 96
ANA (P) 52 20 24 8 48 2-4 7-2-1 -4 93
CGY (NW) 53 24 22 7 55 2-4 5-3-2 +2 90
---------------------------------------------------
PHX (P) 54 25 21 8 58 2-5 5-4-1 +4 89
CHI (C) 54 29 18 7 65 4-3 3-5-2 +11 87
COL (NW) 55 27 25 3 57 7-1 4-5-1 +2 81
MIN (NW) 53 25 20 8 58 5-6 3-5-2 +5 81
EDM (NW) 53 21 27 5 47 3-4 5-4-1 -6 79
DAL (P) 52 27 23 2 56 4-2 3-6-1 +4 77
CBJ (C) 53 15 32 6 36 3-5 3-6-1 -17 56
Eastern Conference
GP W L OTL PTS SO LAST10 W-L PRJ
NYR (A) 51 33 13 5 71 3-4 6-3-1 +20 111
BOS (NE) 51 33 16 2 68 5-1 5-4-1 +17 102
TBL (SE) 52 23 24 5 51 2-3 6-3-1 -1 90
NJD (A) 53 31 19 3 65 9-2 7-2-1 +12 109
PIT (A) 54 30 19 5 65 7-3 7-2-1 +11 107
PHI (A) 53 30 16 7 67 1-5 4-3-3 +14 99
TOR (NE) 54 28 20 6 62 3-3 6-3-1 +8 98
NYI (A) 52 22 22 8 52 4-3 6-2-2 +0 94
---------------------------------------------------
WSH (SE) 53 28 21 4 60 1-2 4-4-2 +7 89
CAR (SE) 54 20 25 9 49 0-4 6-2-2 -5 88
FLA (SE) 52 24 17 11 59 3-6 3-4-3 +7 86
MTL (NE) 54 21 24 9 51 2-7 5-4-1 -3 82
WPG (SE) 55 25 24 6 56 2-3 4-5-1 +1 80
BUF (NE) 52 22 24 6 50 4-3 4-5-1 -2 77
OTT (NE) 56 27 22 7 61 5-2 2-7-1 +5 74
Amateurs practice til they get it right. Professionals practice til they can't get it wrong.
That would be funny if both WSH and FLA miss playoffs.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 8, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions
Yea
This was in a comment on CopprNBlue, and it’s the biggest reason we won’t make the playoffs:
Just because the standings "look" closer under the current system doesn’t necessarily make them closer. It is very difficult to make up, say, half a dozen points, especially with all those extra points being given to losers of other games. Nowadays you win in regulation and two rivals go to OT, you make up one point on one of them and none on the other.
With all due respect., it is from CopperNBlue
Not saying its not a valid statement, but those guys have to be a little bitter based on their position in the standings the past few years
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 8, 2012 9:01 AM EST up reply actions
Not sure I follow
The Oilers haven’t even been anywhere near striking distance from the playoffs. He’s talking about how hard it is for teams who think they are on the bubble to make up what seems to be a small number of points (6) because of the extra points flying around. They aren’t really on the bubble, because there are usually a good 4-5 teams ahead of them, who are all playing each other, on top of the bonus point, so teams in front of you are constantly earning points. 6 points is actually a whole lot to make up at this point in the season.
I'm not even thinking for the playoffs
Im thinking for beyond. This team hasn’t had stability in goal for almost five years. Five! Now we have a guy who historically has been pretty damn good, playing out of his mind, rarely ever injured that can solidify the position until its certain that someone else can grab the reigns and we want to trade him for the next Jason Clark?
Seems nuts to me. His value to this team is far too big. Did you see the smiles and te glowing reviews he’s getting from teammates? That for a guy who originally turned his back on the franchise is pretty impressive. He’s made believers of his teammates and gives them a chance to win every night now.
When’s the last time “the team was deflated by a soft goal”? I’m all for smart asset management, I just don’t think it applies in this case.
For a guy who is usually so bent on the small sample size goalie issue, I’m surprised you’d be so willing to turn the team back over to the crop of goalies that would still be here. I believe in them too, but Nabby has TEH PEDIGREE.
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Feb 8, 2012 7:29 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah but Nabby also has TEH VALUE
and Garth Snow has TEH EGO
Makes for a volatile trade deadline mixture.
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 8, 2012 9:02 AM EST up reply actions
Speaking of goaltending stability
One of the mock drafts on NHL.com has the Islanders taking Malcolm Subban with the 6th pick.
Steve Hoffner’s logic:
Do the Isles need another goalie? No. Do they need a good one? Yes.
Guess his crystal ball has Poulin and Nilsson already being busts, and no shot of regaining Nabokov or Montoya becoming a number one. That’s exactly what Garth Snow should do, draft a Top 10 goalie (this was too sarcastic to even use the sarcasm font)
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 8, 2012 9:06 AM EST up reply actions
What is your offer, then, to Nabby?
$3 million for one season? $5 million for two? Would that be enough to tempt Nabby to stay?
And what if the 37-year old goalie starts to fall apart next season? Will Poulin be ready? (I’d much rather see a one-year deal than a two-year deal for Nabby.)
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 8, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
Not sure either one matters
If you’re overpaying him to be a backup in his second year, I wouldn’t expect a tremendous drop off…and if there is, He can be waived. I would go as high as 3.5 million per unless internal spending issues preclude it. They are still far below the cap floor and at this point, Nabby is underpaid.
Neil Smith @bigdealneil94 @KeithLHHockey @craigjbutton hey keith GFY
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Yeah, I'm more concerned about Nabby falling apart next season
It doesn’t appear to be likely, but never know when age will catch up to a goalie. (I suppose there is probably more of a chance that we re-sign Montoya and he has nagging concussion issues.)
There are SOOO many variables with the goaltending right now, even ignoring Rick.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 8, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
The key for Nabakov being traded is this:
It has to be done quickly. The market for goalies is tiny – there are teams who will trade for a goalie rental, but there are usually no more than 1-2. The end result is that if you hold on for a better price for too long, there will be no buyers, even if you always had the best goalie on the market.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
Nabokov far and away is the best goalie on the market
If he’s available at the deadline the Isles will get good value for him and most likely a 1st round pick. He’s playing like he used to and that is as a top 10 NHL goalie. Plus you have to remember how cheap he will cost any team with his low salary. Even teams who are near the cap can fit Nabokov in without moving a roster player which is huge.
Thats not what has happened in previous years.
If you wait too long, the teams who need goalies will be gone.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
A goalie like Nabokov was not available
Again with his low salary he can offered at deadline. Garth’s cell phone is probably blowing up right now and it will till the deadline. Snow just has to decide what’s best for the franchise. How smart Garth could look landing a 1st round pick plus a prospect for Nabokov.
He could theoretically get a late 1st.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
Ala the Campoli trade.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
Yes he could
You don’t think Chicago is desperate right now? You think they care about a 1st round pick and a prospect more than going on a Cup run? Chicago has no chance to win a Cup with what they have now in goal. Multiple teams could offer a 1st round round pick for Nabokov but I believe Chicago could make the best offer.
The problem is Chicago was in this same situation in 2010
And they won the Cup. Remember how they were supposed to be desperate for Biron or Roloson, but Snow supposedly asked for too much? Apparently they weren’t so desperate after all.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
They won't have home advantage like they had in 2010
You can’t compare 2010 to 2012 and Nabokov is > Biron or Roloson. Chicago had the talent in 2010 to overcome issues in goal but they haven’t been able to overcome those issues in 2011 and 2012. A lot of pressure is going to be made by the media and fans in Chicago to make a move and Garth should demand a high price.
When he demands a high price
I’m betting Chicago will say, “No thanks, we’ll look elsewhere or stand pat.” This is the conundrum.
(Also, I don’t see why Nabby is clearly > Biron or Roloson at that time. Okay maybe Biron because he was having a crappy season.)
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I think you overrate Nabakov personally.
Yes he’s doing great right now, but teams won’t forget that for his career, he’s generally an average goalie.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
Now that's where I'm not so sure
You’d think they’d remember that, but sometimes they’ll get all “need a steady veteran/playoff experience” on the situation.
I mean, heh, what if it’s Philly who wants him? Their record in this situation is … unsound. (Not that I’m expecting a 1st — I’m not — but they might overrate him.)
But if Chicago and Detroit are the playoff teams with goalie issues I don’t see either one accepting the hard sell. And I don’t see any other bubble or contender teams that could see themselves in need.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
If Philly didn't just pay that amount for Bryz, I'd agree.
But not now.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
He isn't now
and in many a dumb GM’s eyes. lol. Sell high baby :)
Seriously people, Islanders' odds of making the playoffs are currently under 6%
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
I didn't realize Correlians were Islander fans.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
by garik16 on Feb 7, 2012 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd; I do love the Star Wars back and forth lol but those odds change by the minute. If the Islanders win the next game and Ottawa loses another, I'm sure those odds would go up to 10%.
The Islanders are in the race and could make this finish really exciting and really up the confidence for next year. That’s more valuable to me then another third rounder.
You have to realize
that 6% includes those games in hand?
I’m not saying we won’t make it but to hold onto a goalie who may just walk and get nothing in return….
I'd rather him walk and get nothing then wave the white flag again for a third round pick that will never be anything anyway. Another "Anton Klementiev," as someone wrote earlier.
These kids have played their way back into the conversation. They’ve earned a chance to go for it. That will be better for the future than some third rounder.
Frans Nielsen
Was a third round pick.
Just sayin.
by Bleuchz on Feb 8, 2012 12:52 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Yes, one thing Garth has proven is
his ability to draft value in the later rounds, which is why I’d likely take a 3rd rounder for Nabby, if offered. I don’t see a 2nd round pick being offered, but you never know as the deadline approaches.
Two years ago I swore (and still believe it to this day) that had the Caps made a trade for Roloson, they’d have reached the SC Finals.
I don't mean to be a douche here
Yes, Snow has definitely shown he can steal a gem in later rounds in the draft, and yes, Nielsen absolutely qualifies as a steal… but Fransie was a Milbury draft pick. I KNOW RIGHT?
We’re really lucky that Mad Mike stepped down when he did, because odds are he would’ve traded him for a sixth round pick and used it on some Japanese player or something.
by sayvillelax94 on Feb 8, 2012 10:01 PM EST up reply actions
Mad Mike's problem
was not a lack of an eye for talent.
It was a lack of focus.
What I like about Snow is for better or worse he has stuck with a plan.
by Bleuchz on Feb 9, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
They wouldn't go up to 10%
They barely budge on a daily basis at this point. It won’t be until the very end of the year that they start to move drastically game to game (for teams still in it).
chances we could get an actual player for Nabby?
LIke a Red Wings D prospect, similarly how we got Wishart for Rolli, albeit that seems like it could go both ways, but at least its a tangible asset, and D men take longer to get to NHL level anyway… thoughts?
In all honesty, I'd rather a draft pick.
Actual players will have lower ceilings than the draft pick (due to the lower risk). With a decent prospect system, I’d rather have more picks because we have a decent number of lower risk assets in the system, and we can afford to shoot for the moon.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
Not exactly thrilled with Wishart
I don’t even think Wishart will be with the organization next year. I’ll take a 1st round pick and a prospect because Nabokov>Roloson.
These kids are playing with a lot of heart right now. I know we make fun of the IPB crowd for "TEH HEART" and "TEH GRITZ," but these kids are playing their hearts out right now.
I think it’s much better for the future if Garth and management shows some faith in them and let’s them keep their goalie to go for it. That experience will be more valuable than a third round pick. Again, first rounder? You probably have to do it. But history says they likely won’t get a first rounder. Time to support JT and the guys. They’ve earned it for me.
by Metzfan22 on Feb 8, 2012 12:02 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Wait and See on Nabokov
Patience. Patience. He’s had a stellar, game stealing performance tonight, but the next 8 or so games before the deadline will give us all a look at where we stand with regards to the playoff push. Yes, as Garik mentioned, we are at a very low percentage chance of making it, but those odds improve with every point picked up in those games.
Nabokov’s trade value has (slightly) improved as a result of tonight. But if he continues this stellar play and the Islanders go something like 5-1-2 or 4-1-3 over this next 8, you have to keep him. I’m in agreement that the team’s push for relevance is more important than another pick who may or may not contribute to the team in the long run. The only offer I would consider hearing if I was Snow at that point would have to involve at least a late 1st round pick.
However, if we know by the deadline we have fallen out of contention, cut him loose and get the best asset that will help the team moving forward. You have to figure the team will be better overall next year with all of the prospects maturing and the veterans gone, so we’ll see.
9th in GAA and 7th in Save %
SELL HIGH GARTH :)
From Isles Facebook account
Official New York Islanders
The Danish Backhand of Judgment helps the Isles to 1-0 SO win over Flyers.
Recap http://nyisl.es/8WcDl
Photo gallery – http://nyisl.es/8WcPA
(Stick tap to Lighthouse Hockey for the nickname.) — at Wells Fargo Center.
You should've seen her face. It was the exact same look my father gave me when I told him I wanted to be a ventriloquist.
by mikefromVA on Feb 8, 2012 12:31 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Just think Frans will be with the Isles the first year they are in Brooklyn
We can say FAWGETABOWTIT when he scores in the SO.
By the way when do we see the new logo with Brooklyn and Queens added to it?
No, it actually isnt.
The Islanders logo only shows the Nassau/Suffolk portion of Long Island.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 8, 2012 1:37 AM EST up reply actions
OT
One nice thing is Crappy hasn’t pulled the goalie with 3+ minutes left in the game for a while.
#brightside
=d
by AP77 on Feb 8, 2012 12:40 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
haha I like the emphasis on now, like this is AP's first journey into Troll-town
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 8, 2012 9:08 AM EST up reply actions
I definitely understand AP77's sense of humor
but c’mon, Capuano didn’t do anything in that game to merit such a silly response. The defense was abysmal, but what else do you expect when
1) Dylan Reese goes down with a serious leg injury
2) Aaron Ness plays his first NHL game…ever
3) your best defenseman (Hamonic) and biggest defenseman (Jurcina) are out with injuries
4) the team was forced to essentially play four defensemen the entire game
5) Staois and Eaton are forced to play important minutes
Nabby was a beast all game, but I’m going to give some credit to the defense for playing a relatively decent game given all the limitations they had. The fact that they helped manage to keep the game to a 0-0 tie through OT was impressive.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
Or maybe I'm just bored at work and wanted to write a long thing
O.o
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
Unless there is a great offer...
…keep Nabokov unless/until Isles fall off of the recent .667 points percentage pace. His trade value may go up or down in the next couple weeks. That’s fine.
If Isles fall out of contention and end up trading Nabby and their 2nd rounder for another team’s late 1st rounder, I would be happy with that.
But I would be even happier if they could re-sign Nabby and Montoya.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 8, 2012 12:42 AM EST reply actions
happiness
is the danish backhand of justice
Wondering if the Islanders will start calling their goalies Cerberus ...
Happiness would be someone getting me a danish
to go with my coffee while I read all these comments about the backhand
The Rangers have Jeff Bloemberg in the lineup tonight, why are we not dressing Mick Vukota?!?! This team is unbelievable.
by Chris McNally on Feb 8, 2012 9:09 AM EST up reply actions
Ness
I can think of two plays where I yelled for him and no plays where I yelled against him.
17 minutes he played I think?
The whole team looked kinda shabby tonight tho any thoughts from the more observant?
I was watching Ness pretty carefully.
It was certainly a good 1st game. Not as outstanding as de Haan’s, but a totally different (higher pressure) situation, and he didn’t make any glaring mistakes, it seemed. He was better than I thought he would be along the boards. Still has to be careful there, because with his (lack of) size, if he gets pinned on the wrong side of the player, he won’t be able to get back to the goal in time. But that’s where his team mates need to help out a little. (And a larger defenseman can run into the same problem— just seems more likely when you’re smaller.)
He made one nice, physical play along the boards— I actually thought he might get called for boarding. But perhaps he didn’t get called because he was much smaller than the opponent. (We see that a lot with guys like Gionta and Gerbe. Almost like refs are saying to themselves, “No way he can commit a boarding penalty at his size.”)
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 8, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
My favorite play of Ness's last night
was seeing him pinning Maxime Talbot along the boards.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
This, yes!
because with his (lack of) size, if he gets pinned on the wrong side of the player,
That hadn’t occurred to me before last night, but I noticed it even on the whoa-whoa-almost scramble in the neutral zone where he broke up the play well but it took a few bad bounces and for a moment it looked like he’d simply be boxed out. This is a concern.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Goalie Stole a win.
I’ve watched this happen against us year after year so the league owes us another 199 of these before I’ll feel guilty.
Hey I love this sight Dom your so great . obligatory rant against the Islanders
Oh wait I’m not trying to post on point blank!!!!! Do love the sight and Appreciate all the work from all the writers…. Thank you for the forum
this comment is awaiting moderation
by Scoobahgee on Feb 8, 2012 1:27 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Flyers looked like they were going out of their minds last night
Dom had me nodding my head in agreement with this observation:
It’s a fun sight when a goalie is in a team’s head
OH, YES IT IS! The best demonstration of this came when Scott Harnell did a quick shot on the net after he stole the puck from an unsuspecting MacDonald in the Isles’ defensive corner. After Nabby nonchalantly caught the shot, Hartnell just stood there staring at Nabby with a look on his face that I interpreted as “I give up.”
Comic Book Writer by day; Islanders fanatic by Gameday
That look of frustration was priceless.
Also, did Cappy get a haircut so the 1st row fans would stop taking pictures of his coif on their I-Phones?
There must have been a contest.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 8, 2012 7:35 PM EST up reply actions
I'm going to throw out one possibility for a huge return on Nabby
I’m firmly of the view that as an asset, he’s not worth much, no matter how well he plays for us in the next 7-10 days. I’d love to see meaningful games the last two weeks of March, but I recognize the odds against that. However, I think that if Nabby’ not going to fetch a significant return, we keep him to the end of the year, kick his tires to see if he’ll sign a one year deal for 12-13 and move on.
For a SC contender to make “an offer Garth can’t refuse”, they need to be a little desperate and there’s only one team that fits that category right now: Detroit. With Jimmy Howard down, they’re relying on Joey MacDonald and Ty Conklin to keep them in first place in their division — and make no mistake, we jke about how competitive the Atlantic Division is. It’s a pillow fight compared to what’s going on with Detroit, Nashville, St Louis and Chicago. The one thing that a contending team in that Central Division wants is to finish 2nd or 3rd in that division. If you look at the “Projected Standings” up above, the 4-5 playoff round could easily be between teams with 111 points each. Think about that for a second.
Right now, Detroit is 3 points up on Nashville and St Louis. If that lead starts to slip, because of good, but not great goaltending, then there will pressure on Holland to make a move for an upgrade. Right nw he’stalking al calm and stay the course but if he’s looking at a playoff series with a 110 point team, especially one without home ice advantage, that could shake something loose.
"The truly good man does nothing, yet leaves nothing undone. A foolish man is always doing, yet much remains to be done."
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Feb 8, 2012 9:31 AM EST reply actions
I have to learn to proof before posting
“The one thing that a contending team WANTS TO AVOID is finishing 2nd or 3rd in that division.”
"The truly good man does nothing, yet leaves nothing undone. A foolish man is always doing, yet much remains to be done."
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Feb 8, 2012 9:34 AM EST up reply actions
As we float down from the cloud...
it really doesn’t make any sense to keep nabby off the table if they are not going to sign him for next year.
1. Just like PAP and [formerly] Frans, there will be trade value for an expiring asset. Unlike PAP Evgeni can be adequately replaced to give them only slightly less of a playoff chance.
2. With 30 games left I’d like ALL of the goaltending questions to be answered in that time frame. 2a. There is now a debate between whether Montoya or Nabby is the better choice as a number one next year. Hammer that out by signing one and trading the other.
2b. Is Poulin ready to be a backup NHL goaltender. Do you want Poulin being a backup, while Nilsson and/or Koskinen(?) get the bulk of work in BPT.
2c. What the heck is up with Montoya anyway. Is he fully healthy, has he been?
3. What is Nabby looking for in dollars and terms. If you’re not going to meet that in July you should get something for him in February.
4. Can this team get to the playoffs with Montoya (health?), Poulin (youth) and Nilsson(youth) as their three main goaltenders?
5. What is montoya looking for and are you willing to meet that price? I’m guessing his price is dropping, but you never know what somebody will offer him in July.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Some considerations:
1. Snow’s proven ability to get value with 3rd round picks
2. Snow’s proven success in signing FA goalies (Roloson, Nabby after tolling his arse)
3. Terrible chemistry between Rutgaizer and Nabby….those interviews are so awkward, they’re painful to watch.
My response
(1) The question is whether the value of having Nabby play the last 6 weeks is greater than the value of a late third round pick (80-90 overall) — I think it quite probably is.
(2) I don’t think there is any question that Nabby is a better choice for #1 than Montoya. I’m not even convinced that Montoya is a good choice at all. The only way we go into next season with no questions in goal is with Nabby/Poulin.
The rest is all questions.
"The truly good man does nothing, yet leaves nothing undone. A foolish man is always doing, yet much remains to be done."
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Feb 8, 2012 7:37 PM EST up reply actions
I watched one of last couple Wings games
MacDonald looked good, but Wings still lost against Coyotes. I heard from a big Wings fan that Howard was playing amazing hockey for them this season, so I’m guessing Wings are collapsing their defense more without Howard, and that probably leads to less scoring chances for Wings. (Like how Isles collapsed all 5 skaters in the 3rd last game, to make up for defensemen, but not to that extreme.)
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Feb 8, 2012 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
Another way to look at it...
This year v last year:
This year
52-22-22-8-52-122-147
Last year:
52-17-29-6-40-126-166
This is better news than worrying about how we can make the playoffs. Over the first 52 games they have 12 more points than last year, have scored 4 fewer goals, but have chopped off 19 goals against. It would be hard for them to continue the FEB/MAR 2011 pace, but if they did they would have 84 points. A very good improvement over last year’s mark, but not quite in the playoff race in April.
NYI 2008-09(61),2009-10(79),2010-11(73), 2011-12(?)
TOR 2008-09(81),2009-10(74),2010-11(85), 2011-12(?)
This is where TOR was last year, and look where TOR is this year. We have better forwards, and they have better D. So guess what we need to do ASAP. We were probably a year behind them because Milbury left the organization in complete disrepair, and the Isles tried for two years to make things wiork with scotch tape and Elmer’s glue.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Next Day Hangover...
Why are the Sabres on NBCSN/Versus almost every night? They are 1 point from being tied for last in the Eastern Conference.
"I'm afraid that I just blue myself." - Tobias Funke
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1979-80
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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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.
