Kings 1, Islanders 0: Stymied by Quick
by Dominik on Mar 21, 2010 1:57 AM EDT
in Game Recaps
1 comment
There was a stretch in the latter half of the second period where the Islanders got chance after chance but could not buy a goal. Jonathan Quick was making acrobatic saves, and the Kings defense and forwards were diving and sprawling to block or get their sticks on rebounds. Justice would say the Isles at least deserved the equalizer to force the Kings to score at least two goals to win this one. But justice and the Colin Campbell NHL don't work well together.
Game Sum. | Event Sum. | Corsi | Recaps: nhl.com | Isles
We were speaking of Corsi after the third-period fumbling in Anaheim? Well tonight's ledger looks totally different, as the Islanders poured it on for the final half of the second period, and continued with pressure for lengthy chunks of the third. As a result, thought shots were even 26-26, Jeff Tambellini was the only Islander finishing with a minus in that department, largely because he only got two shifts after the first intermission (three only if you count his five-second trip from the box to the bench). The forced Scott Gordon-Tamby co-existence probably can't end soon enough.
Can't say Tambellini didn't get his chance though; he just has zero margin for error. He got a few more looks with Blake Comeau and John Tavares, but his boarding penalty -- essentially an in-close check from behind -- on Rob Scuderi probably sealed his fate on this night.
1 comment | 0 recs |
Islanders-Kings [game thread]
by Dominik on Mar 20, 2010 10:00 PM EDT
in Game Threads
193 comments
Next Game
New York Islanders (29-32-10, t-11th/E) at Los Angeles Kings (40-24-5, 6th/W)
10:30 EDT | [we make paper clips fun] Center | MSG+, radio
Playoffs?! Playoffs!?!: Jewels from the Crown | Battle of California
Good grief this game is late. And I have a EPL watching party in the morning. Come on, make this worth my while, Isles.
Dear Kings: Thanks for Butch Goring.
193 comments | 0 recs
Islanders Gameday: Back-to-back in SoCal
by Dominik on Mar 20, 2010 4:04 PM EDT
in Previews
10 comments
New York Islanders (29-32-10, t-11th/E) at Los Angeles Kings (40-24-5, 6th/W)
10:30 EDT | [we make paper clips fun] Center | MSG+, radio
Playoffs?! Playoffs!?!: Jewels from the Crown | Battle of California
If you didn't see WebBard retrieve it in comments, the Islanders season-long Corsi measure when tied or leading in third periods is, well, bad. In truth, ranking in the bottom five in this category is hardly surprising when the Islanders rank in the bottom six in just about every measure (5-on-5, PP, PK, attendance on the week of full moons...).
Corsi is a plus/minus measure of shots attempted at either net, with the theory being that over time, bad bounces and bad goalies happen ("Sure I was minus-2, but I can't close our goalie's five-hole for him!"), so this gives you another picture of who might control the run of play, score be damned. But even with the good ol' trusty measure of goals, the Isles record in the third -- whether leading, trailing, tied, or thinking about California beach drum circles -- is not good. As stat man Eric pointed out, the Islanders have been outscored 78-40 in the third this year (74-36 if you exclude empty nets).
I didn't see the post-game, but by all accounts it's pretty lame for Scott Gordon to walk out of the one-on-one after taking another question about third periods. Even if there is a brilliant explanation (and honestly, I'd take youth development as one factor), perception is reality when your coach is talking to fans. As an ambassador, speaking via the generally softball-tossing rights holder's broadcast, it's generally wise to explain your stance rather than walk away, baby walk away.
Like it or not, the third period goblin is going to be hanging over this team's head, via the media and our general fan zeitgeist, until the Isles become a better team who flops in the third less often. (And to be fair -- last night aside -- I do think they're improving.) For a coach, the more thoroughly you explain your thinking, the less likely fans are to riot for your demise a few seasons down the line when some very important game is lost through the very normal hockey occurrence of a third-period lead lost, and everyone freaks out and recalls 2008. Or 2009. Or 2010.
10 comments | 0 recs |
Ducks 5, Islanders 4 (OT): A late-night stabbing.
by Dominik on Mar 20, 2010 1:55 AM EDT
in Game Recaps
23 comments
File this under "another third-period collapse" or file this under "that's hockey." However you spin it, giving up the tying goal with 32 seconds left, then the OT winner just 42 seconds later, that feels like a firm knifing.
Game Sum. | Event Sum. | Corsi | Recaps: nhl.com | Isles
As in Vancouver, the Islanders entered the third period with a 4-2 lead, but this time it didn't hold. Though the Ducks' third goal came on the powerplay and the equalizer didn't come until the final minute, the third period was filled with plenty of shots and close calls for the Ducks. The 14-2 third-period shot tally might be overselling it, but not by much. The Ducks spent the period loading traffic in front of Martin Biron -- who made several sight-unseen saves -- and Scott Niedermayer alone set up several should-be tap-ins.
Yet the Isles almost survived. Almost. Jason Blake saw one powerplay shot bounce in off him -- garnering a fist pump, of course -- and brilliant deadline acquisition Lubomir Visnovsky tied it with his second blast of the night through traffic, this time with the Ducks net empty. A Bruno Gervais turnover early in OT sent Saku Koivu in for a breakaway on which he beat Biron stick side.
23 comments | 0 recs |
Islanders-Ducks [game thread]
by Dominik on Mar 19, 2010 9:45 PM EDT
in Game Threads
90 comments
Next Game
New York Islanders (29-32-9, 12th/E) at Anaheim Ducks (32-29-8, 13th/W)
10 p.m. EDT | [car of some sort] Center | MSG+, radio
Generally Fowl People: Anaheim Calling | Battle of California
As it is well past prime time, this game thread may not be suitable for all audiences.
90 comments | 0 recs
What the 2010 Draft MIGHT Look Like: Part 1
by BCISLEMAN on Mar 19, 2010 4:06 PM EDT
32 comments
This is a preliminary view based on likely draft order and what Hockey's Future has assessed as organizational needs for each team. Edmonton will finish last but could go down one peg in the draft via the lottery. Any of the teams on this list could shift a spot or two either way. I expect that this will be the complete list of the bottom 14 but it is possible that Detroit or Boston could slip so I have projected their likely picks as well.
32 comments | 1 recs
Islanders Gameday: California weekend
by Dominik on Mar 19, 2010 3:35 PM EDT
in Previews
18 comments
New York Islanders (29-32-9, 12th/E) at Anaheim Ducks (32-29-8, 13th/W)
10 p.m. EDT | [car of some sort] Center | MSG+, radio
Generally Fowl People: Anaheim Calling | Battle of California
Not sure what to make of matchup #1 in this two-game swing through Southern California. Tonight's opponent is certainly the weaker of the weekend's opponents, but they're theoretically the more desperate team -- "theoretically," because the Ducks with 72 points are actually further from a playoff spot than the Islanders with 67.
Thanks to sporadic interconference scheduling, we don't have a relevant history to point too. The Islanders are 10-6-4 all-time vs. the formerly mighty Ducks. Last season's meeting was one of those ridiculous "that's why they play the game" moments: A team that hadn't won yet in 2009 steals a 2-1 victory despite being outshot 40-14, thanks to good goaltending and a lot of luck. Yann Danis made 39 saves, J.S. Giguere allowed two stoppable goals (one being Kurtis McLean's 1st and only NHL goal), and the Islanders blocked 28 other Ducks shots.
18 comments | 0 recs |
Noon Links: Islanders prospect buzz, NHL discipline fun
by Dominik on Mar 19, 2010 12:17 PM EDT
in Blade Splinters
10 comments
Just some fun links for lunch, before tonight's game preview goes up this afternoon...
- AHL dizziness: Michael Fornabaio has a series of links on recent rumors and efforts for franchise movement.
- Ducks GM Bob Murray has a point about consistency on the NHL's Wheel of Justice. (Hilariously, Gary Bettman described Colin Campbell's approach as "having a consistency and a sound jurisprudential way." You can't make this stuff up.) More on the topic here and here at From the Rink. ... Unfortunately Murray is stuck making his point in the context of, historically, Chris Pronger (Captain Elbow-Stomp-Slash himself) and presently, James Wisniewski, whose hit was so so wrong in multiple ways: Charge. Headshot. Arms up. Left feet. Stick high. (Who taught these players to check with their stick way up in the air like that, anyway?) Even if Wisniewski is being truthful about his intent with the "but we're friends" angle, he has to see why this is a dumb, dumb hit.
- Isles prospect and Denver captain Rhett Rakhshani, Hobey Baker nominee. One of 10.
- We've speculated about this around here, and Chris Botta gives it more weight: Aaron Ness is interested in saying goodbye, Lucia.
- Playoff Races: With between 11 and 13 games left to go for the interested parties, the 8th seed in each conference is still very much up for grabs. The Bruins' tailspin leaves Atlanta and the Rangers (who lost last night to the Blues, baby) with decent shots. It tells you something about the East that the Rangers, with a paltry 31-31-9 record, are three points shy of a playoff spot. Atlanta is 9th in the East with a record that would make them only 14th in the West.
- Lottery Race: The Hurricanes beat Washington in OT last night. The Islanders are as close to 29th overall as they are to 8th in the East (a 7-point swing in either direction).
10 comments | 0 recs
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Featured Stories
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh
|
71 | 42 | 24 | 5 | 89 |
|
New Jersey
|
70 | 42 | 24 | 4 | 88 |
|
Philadelphia
|
70 | 37 | 28 | 5 | 79 |
|
New York Rangers
|
71 | 31 | 31 | 9 | 71 |
|
New York Islanders
|
71 | 29 | 32 | 10 | 68 |
(updated 3.20.2010 at 8:14 AM EDT)
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Saturday's Three Stars: Wings beat clock again; Rinne blanks Jackets
- NHL.com ready to open the Vault for classic games online
- Friday's Three Stars: Dubnyk finally gets 'W'; Nash nets 2
- Puck Previews: Sharks seek turnaround; anger, blame in Boston
- NCAA Hockey 101: Conferences guarantee oddball NCAA field
In Association With
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Shinnimin has hat trick as Tri-City cruises to 8-1 win over Chilliwack
- Cunningham enjoys a five-point night as Giants double Blazers 6-3 in Game 2
- Harper scores twice as Everett Silvertips down Kelowna Rockets 5-2
- Red Wings beat Canucks 4-3 on Henrik Zetterberg's overtime goal
- Beach leads the way as Spokane Chiefs edge Portland Winterhawks 5-4
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
