Brodeur Discredits Isles' Strong Performance
A game in which the Isles took no penalties and gave up merely one goal when Brendan Witt accidentally deflected the puck past DP, Martin Brodeur had this to say:
"I don't think they beat us. Look at the two goals they got."
Wow!
Look at the one goal the Devils got Marty. You're team couldn't manage to score on its own and needed to rely on an Islander basically shooting the puck past DP. Shame on Marty for allowing his frustration of not winning game 500 to discredit a tremendous Isles effort.
Now to the game...
Yes Miro Satan's PP goal was gift-wrapped, but his game winning goal tonight gives him the game winner in three straight games. That's pretty tough to beat. Silinger continued to 'unimpress' me with his lackadaisical play, spotty face off percentage, and poor decision making on the powerplay. (Why does Silinger see PP time?)
The Vasicek-Satan-Park combination produced again, but I still believe this line would be even better suited if a more skilled player were substituted for Park. I'm very disappointed that Ben Walter hasn't been given much of a chance to play above the fourth line. He would seem like a logical choice to fill Park's role on this line, which would allow Park to concentrate on killing penalties. But Nolan probably won't mess with a good thing at this point.
Campoli added two more assists tonight giving him 11 points in 13 games thus far. But after Campoli's rookie year, we all knew he had the offensive instincts to contribute on the PP and the skating ability to join the rush. What most of us couldn't have predicted was that Campoli would bee capable of stepping up his defensive game in order to become one of the most reliable young defenseman the Isles have had in quite some time.
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13 comments:
Walter is a center, not a wing. There is no need to put him on wing and risk a blown defensive coverage in a one goal game. I wouldn't mind seeing them move Vasicek (who I think has played wing) or having Walter take Sillinger's spot on the third line.
I think it's encouraging that the Islanders are 9-4 and really haven't played a complete game yet.
Shinkdew,
I did not mean for Nolan to switch Walter in the middle of the game after the Isles had managed to build a one goal lead. That would be chaos.
But playing a center at wing would be a defensive upgrade rather than a downgrade. Centers are accustomed to back-checking and are usually more defensively reliable than natural wingers.
But I'll agree with you on the possibility of moving Vasicek to the wing perhaps. He doesn't get enough chances to score currently.
And your exactly right with your assessment of the Isles record. We have yet to play a complete game yet still stand at 9-4. Not too shabby.
Moving Waletr: Centers are puck chasers. It is their responsibility to go after the man with the puck. Moving a natural center to wing is tough to do because it is easy to forget that you have a different responsibility. Wings play the half boards in their own zone and cover the points.
I know that in the heat of a game you can forget where you are and revert back to your natural instincts. Believe me, I used to do this all the time. Thats why my ass was sore from riding the pines. LOL LOL.......Bill
There have probably been hundreds of NHL players who have switched from forward to wing and vice versa. Unless Walter is an idiot, I'd like to see him get this shot instead of the 3 minutes on the fourth line.
Bill you have been begging for Walter all year (and rightfully so) but you knew he would be at best the Isles 4th best center. Where else do you suggest he play?
If Guerin is not cleared to play tonight, Walter better be seeing more ice time.
After being on a football schedule most of the year so far, we are finally going to see this team in a more traditional hockey schedule. We have 15 games in 27 days with 9 of those games on the road. This is a big stretch of games which includes 7 games against Atlantic Division foes. The remaining 8 games are no freebies either with games against the Senators, Canadiens, Stars and Bruins.
Guerin is out, he burst a blood vessel in his eye and is day to day. He may be able to play Thursday. Bergenheim is back on the second line, with Park moving to the third line. Fourth line remains the same.
Boooo return Park to the fourth line where he belongs...
Ted Nolan on the upcomming road trip:
"It doesn't matter where we play, whether here or in Africa, if we play like we have been, we'll be fine," he said following yesterday's skate. "Everything's falling into place right now."
LMAO
Justin, You're right. I don't care where Walter plays as long as he gets more minutes.
I was just relating my own experiences in switching positions in the middle of a game. I can understand why Nolan would be reluctant to switch a young player in the middle of a tight game.
NHL calibre players can move back and forth between wing and center with ease. Personally, many times I found myself on the right wing (my natural position) when I was supposed to be on the left side for that game or shift. Old habits are hard to break.......Bill
I realize we are already 6 weeks into the hockey season but Justin and myself were wondering if anyone would like to join a fantasy hockey league with us. If you want to join, just drop me an email and I will send you the information.
I'd be in for the hockey league. I'm in a league now ith 20 teams...can you say "slim" waiver wire options?
frankmazzola1046@gmail.com
send me the info
Poor effort tonight, DP was not sharp and the offense was non-existent. Biron was hardly tested at all.
Comrie is way to fancy for his own good.
MAB looks too tentative on the point. Perhaps Nolan should allow him to go back to firing away. He looks like his confidence in his slapshot is gone. He needs to do what he does best to be effective.
Hilbert flubbed another one right in front of the net with nobody within six feet of him. How long will this go on?
DP looked out of sorts, maybe Doobie should play a game this weekend.
I never played fantasy hockey? I have enough trouble with the real thing. How does it work? Maybe one of you can do an article on how to play......Bill
Bill,
Each league is different some leagues do head to head and others a point system. It depends on how the league is set up.You get points for goals, assists, Save percentage, etc. For positions it depends on league set up. Most have 2 centers, 2 Right Wings 2 Left wings 4 D and 2 goalies. Some have utility players. Lets win this one tonight!
Geoff
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