No Doubt
Let last night be the last time we doubt the New York Islanders and of what they are capable. In the first meeting of the year with the Ottawa Senators (on paper a far superior team and a team that has dominated the Isles over the years), the Isles stuck with the Sens and managed to pull out a 3-2 shootout victory. The Isles not only competed with the Sens, but they finally looked like they belonged on the ice with the perennial Canadian powerhouse. The Isles are among the top defensive teams in the league, and if Rick DiPietro continues his solid play, there won’t be many teams that the Isles can’t handle.
The Sens had the Isles running around for the first 10 minutes or so, but after the Isles were able to withstand the barrage of shots, they were able to regain their composure and implement Ted Nolan’s strong fore-checking defense-first system. DP was solid in net, but he did not have to be spectacular until the shootout. He allowed two strange goals, but was more than solid over the course of the game. There are few goaltenders I would trust in a shootout over Rick DiPietro.
Silinger has had two good games this season: his 1,000th game a few weeks back and last night’s contest. Silinger looked at ease on the rink, his skating looking smoother, and his shot harder and more accurate. He actually looked more adept than Mike Comrie as the center on the PP because he was successfully moving the puck to his teammates and getting quick shots off on Emery. He chipped in a go-ahead goal and scored the deciding goal in the shootout. Yet what most reflects that Silinger had an edge last night was his dominant faceoff percentage that saw him win 17 out of 23 draws, good for over 70% faceoff percentage. It’s not like I don’t like Mike Silinger—it’s more that Isles fans became accustomed to consistent solid play last season and thus expect that consistent play to carry over into this season.
Simon is a waste of a 1st line forward and I was happy when Nolan reduced his ice time and sent him back to 4th line duty. The 1st line cannot seem to get going, having expelled all of their magic during the first weeks of the season. By first line I mean Mike Comrie and Bill Guerin, both of whom cannot find the score sheet on a consistent basis. The Isles are desperate for a new first line winger, one who can skate and finish on a more regular basis.
It has now been 10 straight games in which the Isles have scored 2 goals or less. I repeat that’s 10 straight games in which the Isles have not had at least 3 goals in a game (last night’s shootout ceremonial goal does not count). Even more strange is that the Isles are now 5-4-1 over that stretch. Most teams that manage a mere 17 goals over 10 games without scoring more than 2 goals in a game would probably have a record of 2-8 or worse. This is a tribute to the Isles strong defensive play that has seen them only allow 20 goals over that same span.
I thought MAB looked particularly strong in his own end last night and I am hoping Nolan will reward him with more playing time. Last night MAB received more ice time than Sutton, Gervais, and Campoli and look for Nolan to continue to ride MAB until the latter causes Nolan to decide otherwise.
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This may sound crazy but having Bates return to the lineup enables us to roll 4 lines all game long. This does two things that I noticed. Saves overall team energy as Nolan can put all 4 lines out compared to 3 with using the 4th sparingly. With the 4th line currently, Bates-Park-Bergie it allows almost like a 2nd 3rd line that the team can use for defensive matchups.
My question of the night is...
When will the Islanders start getting some respect from the media. We all realize that if the Sens blew us out ESPN and NHL network would be praising the Sens and laughing at us. Yet when we finally beat them (even though it was in a shootout) we see nothing on ESPN and NHL network only showed game highlights and played it like the Sens had an off night. Anyone who watched that game realized that the Isles just plain outplayed them and if not for some weird/lucky goals by Ottawa the Isles would have won in regulation.
While we maybe hard on the boys to produce we can not knock their work ethic and hardwork. Hopefully Guerin's shootout goal will remind him of what is like to hit the back of the net. Would anyone else here like to see Bates or Park play with Guerin and Comrie? I know I would it couldn't hurt as both are sound defensively and the way they have been playing could spark the two out of the rut they are in.
I got a feeling tonight is the night we break this 2 goal per game scoring streak we are on.
I agree with you about playing all four lines. That line once it gels could be very dangerous. They all have speed, and can handle the puck.
I don't think the Islanders will get any respect for a long while. I was thinking about this the other day. DiPietro will never get the respect he deserves because of his contract. And short of absolutely dominating wins, GAA and save%, I don't think he'll be considered for the Vezina anytime soon.
As far as the team as a whole, I think they could win the Cup and the media would say we got lucky or it was a fluke. They don't like when people like Wang who have a different idea of how a team should be run succeed, but will be quick to point out every short coming. Like Bill was saying in another post, if Toronto adapts the committee approach, does anyone here really believe the media will credit the idea to Wang? No way.
Once Bates gets his legs back, why not try him out with Guerin and Comrie? That line could surely use an infusion of speed and defensive responsibility.
The Isles never get respect. Last year we were counted out, and when the Isles made a huge run to make the playoffs, the focus was on how the Leafs and Canadians collapsed. This season we were again predicted to finish last, and once again we are surprising the league. Instead of ESPN admitting they were WRONG AGAIN, they put out predictions that the Isles would now begin to stumble.
Personally I'm tired of every hockey analyst who ACTAUALLY GIVES CREDIT to the Isles to attribute the success entirely to Ted Nolan. You never hear them mention DP's stellar consistent goaltending, or Guerin's leadership and influence, or Witt and Martinek's outstanding defensive play. Unless Nolan practices some ancient voodoo form of possession, then the hockey world should give credit where credit is due.
Actually, Barry Melrose of ESPN is a constant Islander booster. If you watch his weekly podcast, he always gives the Islander the credit they deserve and has predicted that they will not only make the playoffs, but go deeper than anyone expects.
Everybody else in the hockey media are hosers.
The Canadian media has always shortchanged the Islanders because
of the great 1980's teams. How dare we take the Cup from them? Resentment has always run high in the Great White North against those upstarts from Long Island.
I don't think that Bates is quite ready for first line duty yet, but he may be a good fit once he has played a few games. He should have scored on that breakaway, but fumbled the puck in Hilbert fashion.
Beware of Straka tonight! He makes Jagr better and he is one of the premier Islander killers in the league.
On a side note, does anyone think that the committe is running this team? Or do you think that Snow has control? I think that Snow is running the contractand business end and that Nolan has the final say on players...Bill
OK, I wrote this in a seperate post, because I would like opinions from different hockey minds here.
Let's set the scene. The game last night is in OT and the Isles take a penalty with about 2 mins. left.
Since NHL rules require three skaters on the ice as a minimum, what was to stop the Islander players killing the penalty from tackling, holding and hooking every time an Ottawa player was in a position to score. All they would do is lose that particular player for the remainder of the OT if he was called for a penalty, and he is allowed back to participate in the shootout.
In reality, there is no penalty at all againt the offending team. I think that the NHL has to look closely at this and change the rules. There should be no free penalties.
My own response would be to have the penalized team lose one shooter in the shootout. So instead of 3 shooters you only got 2.
Any thoughts on this?......Bill
Haha check out my last post on the previous blog entry guy- said the same thing about having the 4 lines. Great minds think alike...
I ranted about ESPN power rankings earlier this season, and you all calmed me down by saying the following...so I will repeat.
The Isles are better off not having the pressure to win. They fly under the radar, and are eternal underdogs. A Ranger is on the front page of ESPN's hockey site every day; and look at them. Their big names have the same stats as our guys. Underdog status is good, and it gives Nolan some bulletin board material to cement the team together and come out with fast-paced defensive hockey.
I like what I see, and I'm fine with the Isles not having respect...keep playing like they did last night and no one can beat them.
Lets get 2 tonight! Lets go Islanders!
Ok, false alarm- bergie wasn't on cruches. Whew- 4 lines again tonight!
Bill,
If the Isles were to take a second penalty, then the Sens would have gotten a 5-3 PP. Once they had a two man PP for the rest of the game, it would be indeed tackle time.
First three goals on DP need to be stopped. First goal was a wrist shot from 40 feet out that DP just dropped on. 2nd goal DP got over excited and attempted to make a kick save on a shot that was heading at least 3 feet wide. After making the kick save Drury was given a gift. The 3rd Rags goal saw DP flopping around the net like a fish out of water--this mostly has to do with the fact that DP is exhausted from playing every night. Look for Dubie on Saturday night.
DP was anything but sharp tonight and that combined with our inability to score goals and horrible power play as well as a few other things contributed to this loss. Straka makes a huge difference for the Rangers. Not only is he a very talented and underrated player, but maybe even more importantly he makes Jagr feel much more comfortable. Jagr was all over the ice and was definitely the best player tonight. We desperately need to figure out a way to score we have now scored 2 or less in 11 straight and have some serious offensive problems. Andy Hilbert once again missed and empty net goal. I understand he is valuable on the penalty kill but simply cant score.
Strange Stat of the Day-after the Islanders loss tonight they are 11-2-1 against teams who made the playoffs last season. We are 2-7 against teams that didn’t make the playoffs.
Justin. It's 4 on 4 in OT, so there is no two man advantage. That's my point. There is no disadvantage to taking a second penalty......Bill
Bill...
The rule in overtime is that if a second penalty is taken, the team going on the play gets its 5th
player back for the 2 man advantage. Therefore we would be on the 5 on 3 before we could take penalties without it effecting us.
Yep that's the rule. Thanks Pick...ya rat
Rangers 4 Isles 2
Did you really expect to win all 8 games against the Rangers? The Isles played hard but got beat. Not by much, but they got beat.
DP looked like Flipper out there. It's time for Dubie to grab a start. In fact, when DP plays both ends of these 3 games in 4 nights,
Dubie should get a start. 17 games in a row is way too many and Nolan should realize this.
Once again, Hilbert misses the wide open net. How long does this go on?
I am so sick and tired of hearing how hard Hilbert works. He has no TALENT. Scoring that goal, early in the third, would have changed the tone of the game dramatically. This guy flat out stinks.
What makes anyone think that Walter or Tambellini would not work just as hard? Nolan needs to be taken to task for justifying Hilberts ice time.
Did anyone catch Sillingers reaction to Hilbert missing his perfect pass? He looked like he wanted to slap him.
Once again the PP fails on a 5 on
3. This is unacceptable. Perhaps a coaching change is needed here. Early in the season Gallant, had the PP humming. Now it is stagnant and lethargic. Something needs to give here.
Check out my Straka prediction on a previous post.
Berard had another horrible game.
Getting 3 out of 6 points against top compitition is not bad. However, it could have been better.
All in all the Islanders could have won this game with a little luck and a more talented winger.
We need two from Atalnta.....Bill
Nolan on Hilbert (paraphrased):
Deb: Do you share Hilbert's frustration?
Ted: "I didn't score much when I played but I'm pretty sure I can put it in an empty net."
Ouch!
-Frank
Justin and J....Thanks, I did not know that.........Bill
Yeah that's what I meant to say. If you take the second penalty they adjust the man power and you now must kill a 5-3. When the penalties expire it would become 5 on 5 until the next whistle, at which point the on ice man power would adjust back to 4 on 4. And like you said if the 5-3 would carry past the end of OT, then penalties could be taken for free.
Was there a rule in talks that said someone who was in the box at the end of OT couldn't partake in the shootout? I'm not sure if I just made that up.
Silinger looked ok again, but is awful on the PP. Hilbert...no comment. Maybe Santa will leave us a forward for Christmas.
Frank,
I heard that and almost died. That was hilarious and a low blow to Hilbert. And then when Deb interviewed Butch, he was like "wow well I did score some goals in my time but I still missed some empty nets."
"It's just one of those that have to be put in," Nolan said. "I wasn't a great goal-scorer when I played, but I'm quite sure I could put that one in."
Looks like we could be seeing the end of Hilbert as Nolan seems to be getting tired of his pointless streaks.
DP needs a game off, that was clear about halfway thru the 2nd period yesterday.
I honestly believe we would have had that game if it was not our 3rd game in 4 nights.
I really hope that Nolan will go back to 4 full lines. I don't understand the scratching of Bergs as him, Park and Bates we a huge factor in the win over Ottawa. Maybe Bergs was a bit injuried after all.
It's pretty obvious that Nolan scratched Bergy because when things go wrong, then the young kids pay in Nolanland.
Never mind that Hilbert is not an NHL player. Nor is Simon any more.
Johnson? Jackman?
I have my doubts about Bates.
They are "Nolan type players" which translates to grinders who can't score.
Has anyone seen Garth Snow lately?......Bill
That loss to the Rags certainly has quieted us. The Isles need a strong showing tonight and I'm not sure who will get the start in goal. DP probably will want to bounce back, but Nolan might think it's time to give him a rest.
The fans have been lacking at the NVMC and personally I have been finding it hard to sit through an entire Isles game. And that's coming from one of the most passionate fans around, so imagine how the casual fan feels. This 2 goals or less in 11 straight games streak NEEEEEDS to change. It's rather pathetic.
Justin I could not agree more. This team is BORING. I can not remember a time in my life when I would think to turn an Islanders game off. But, I am running out of patience with this crew.
As almost everyone on this board predicted before the season started, this team is filled with fourth line players who can't score. The truth is coming home to roost, now.
Before the mindtrust goes trading away the young talent in Bridgeport, how about giving them a 10 game tryout here. And I mean serious ice time, not the Ted Nolan 3 minute drill per game.
Give me a 3 rd line of Walter, Tambelli and Bergy and lets see what some speed brings to this dull, dull team.
Lets have Hilbert, Simon, Bates and Berard upstairs in the Luxury Box like the kids from Bridgeport were the other night.
Again I ask? Has anyone seen Garth Snow ?........Bill
Bates is injured AGAIN. If you had the third period in the over/under on Thursday, you are a winner.
If this wasn't so sad, it would be funny....Bill
10 minutes into the game and we are down by 3. Being that we never score more than 2, maybe Nolan should just take this team off the ice and call it a day.
This team is making me sick. I've been watching the game on mute, glancing up every now and then? Who wants to write the weekend article? Post it up and I'll publish it on the homepage.
Poor Dubie. 5 breakaways in 2 periods. I cant' blame him for any of those goals except for Kozlov's. For the first 3 there were Thrashers behind the D-men.
We Stink ! We Stink ! We Stink!!!
Rather then look at the bad(way too much from that game) lets look at the good.
Sutton seems to be playing better and better each game. With that fight tonight please sit Simon and let Tamby play with Guerin and Comrie.
Bergs was our best player on the ice by far tonight. I would like to see him used more with Hunter and Silinger. Berg and Hunter seemed to have something going and Hunter didn't seem as flat footed as he usually is.
I would also like to send Doobie down to the Bridge to get some games under his belt. Joey MacDonald can sit on the bench nicely for a few games.
Bill...Maybe its a good thing we don't see Snow. Hopefully he is working those phones
So much for averaging 2 goals per game. We have now averaged 1.7 goals per game for the past 10 games. Over that stretch we are 4-5-1.
1.7 goals per game!!!!!! For 10 games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the season we have scored 56 goals in 24 games which equates to 2.3 goals per game.
LAST SEASON WE AVERAGED OVER 3 GOALS PER GAME.
Its hard to look at the good side of a team that can't score goals period.I said it a few weeks ago. By the all-star break we will be under .500 and by the end of the season not in the playoffs. We are by far the worst offensive team in the league and are foolish if we don’t make a change soon.
Justin,
I'd be happy to write something.
Where do I send it?
-Frank
e-mail it to me at islesrok@yahoo.com
Somewhere in Russia, Alexie Yashin is laughing his head off.
Bergy had 7 shots in the first two periods and hardly played at all in the third. He finished with a bit over 8 minutes of ice time.
Isn't it about time that someone took Nolan to task for his mismangaement of these kids?
Will Bill Guerin ever score again?
The one time MAB cut loose, he rang one of the post. If ever there was a guy who had his confidence destroyed by a coach, it is MAB.
He is this year's Campoli.
Berard contiued his terrible play.
He needs to sit. He made this team to run the PP. It stinks and so does he.
Hilbert kept up his torrid pace. He is still on track to score 4 goals this year.
Alexie Comrie disappeared again. This is a disturbing trend. Anyone who thinks that this guy is a first line center....raise your hand.
I watched the Rangers dismantle the Sens this afternoon. How is it that they can play Callahan, Dubinsky and Staal, in such a veteran lineup and we don't have room for Tambellini, Walter or Comeau? Perhaps because they have a real coach in Tom Renney who understands the value of working new blood into the line up?
If I was Dubie, I would sue for non support. The entire defense was HORRIBLE. It looks like they don't want to play for this poor guy. He was absolutely deserted out there.
What happened to all those games in hand? Oh, yeah. We lost them.
Calling Garth Snow. Calling Garth Snow. Your team is in freefall.
You have to start acting like a GM.
Send Hilbert down, put Bates back on the I/R. Tell Ted it's time to sit down Simon. Bring up Tambellini, Walter and Comeau or Neilssen.
The ship is taking on water and it's time to DO SOMETHING, Garth.
Just bringing up ONE PLAYER (Tambellini) for window dressing is not the answer here. This team needs wholesale changes and it needs them NOW, before it falls off the map.
Is anybody listening? Does anybody care?....Bill
J. said
"Rather then look at the bad(way too much from that game) lets look at the good."
The only good thing about this game is that it's over.......Bill
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