Pennsylvania Recap
After being swept on their two-game journey through Pennsylvania, the Isles and coach Ted Nolan must take a hard look at some of the reasons these two games felt like two of the most agonizing defeats. Even though these were only two games out of an 82 game season, they highlighted what the Isles need to do in order to take that leap from a competitive blue collar team to a true Stanley Cup contender. And don’t think that is too far beyond the capabilities of this group—the 2007-2008 New York Islanders might be 2-3 players away from actually being an elite team once again.
These two games first highlighted that Silinger is at best a 3rd line checking center and a PK specialist, although his recent play suggests he might actually be best suited for 4th line duty. What this guy is doing out there on the power play, I don’t think any rational hockey fan can fathom. Silinger almost hit 30 goals in each of the last two seasons, yet after 15 games this year, he has a mere two goals. It’s not as if this guy is even getting chances that he’s missing (shout out to Andy Hilbert). Rather his play is uninspiring and consistently lackadaisical. I think he’s the goat of the offense this season and he’ll be lucky to hit double digits in goals.
Once again the Isles got a PP opportunity in the final minutes of a game in which they were down by one goal, and once again the Isles failed to register a shot, let alone a decent scoring chance. Say what you want about MAB’s defensive lapses, the Isles PP looked lost without his poise and shot threat. Berard is not some magical PP wonder boy who can immediately ignite a faltering PP by simply showing up. Nolan should have MAB and Berard work the points and rotate his two top scoring lines at forward. This Silinger nonsense is quite pathetic for a very good NHL coach.
For the past two games, the Isles offense let them down. And this isn’t because Snow failed to sign a top rate sniper. It’s more because the Isles seem content to throw outside perimeter shots at the opposing goalie while hoping some freak play goes their way. It took Vasicek knocking a puck down out of midair, then maintaining control of the puck before flipping it over a flopping Biron to get the Isles back in the game. Nine times out of ten, that play does not lead to a goal. In addition, I rarely see Trent Hunter crashing the net. He’s too busy cycling the puck along the boards with Fedotenko and Comrie to realize his value is in front of the net, as the three continute to work over the opposing team’s D only to settle for a low percentage shot. Times like these make me long for Mark Parrish—at least he could take a beating if it meant scoring a goal.
Brendan Witt did make a bone head play last night and it cost the Isles the game. But it’s hard to come down hard on Witt who is undoubtedly the heart and soul of this franchise. He represents everything the Isles should represent: sacrifice, determination, motivation, hard work, etc. One accident doesn’t make the player. The Isles should have found a way to make up for this lapse.
Bill had it dead on: Ben Walter showed in his limited ice time that he was willing to crash the net and pay the price. It’s pretty much a waste to have both Tim Jackman and Chris Simon in the same NHL lineup. Why have a 4th line at all? Why bother holding onto Tambellini if Nolan is determined to never give him a fair shot?
Tim Jackman. Tim Jackman. Say it to yourself repeatedly. Tim Jackman. Speechless.
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7 comments:
The most frustrating thing about these past two games is that we SHOULD have won them. It is early in the season still so I can somewhat understand why certain players are seeing time in areas that by the end of the year they will not be playing (Silly on the PP). We all know what he brings to the team and he has not lasted this long in the NHL because of his superb powerplay play. Guerin-Comrie-Tank, and Satan-Vasicek-Hunter should be the powerplay lines.
Witt did make that bone head play but this team had plenty of chances and time to get themselves back in the game and take the W.
I would really like to see Nolan move Hunter back with Silinger and Guerin back with Comrie. I think it will help get Silinger going again. I guess that is what Nolan is trying to do by putting him on the pp?
Hey guys- what are your thoughts on Hilbert this year? I know, I know, he should be in B-port, but you all know I was not nearly the Hilbert-Hater everyone else was during the off season. That said, and Justin your comment in this post made me realize this now- in my memory, he hasn't even been getting chances this year.
Sure, one here or there that he has missed, but I recall last year for instance, he literally had a scoring chance a game that he didn't convert. That, along with the numbers he put up in the AHL made me more supportive about him than the rest of the folks here, but at this point, I'm slowly coming around :). If the guy isn't even getting chances, it's a hard sell for anyone to keep him up. We need scoring, obviously, and though he plays a solid PK, he's not the guy making the PK as good as it is. Plus, when we get Bates back, thats actually an upgrade over most PK forwards (who ever would think that) except maybe Park, so unless Hilbert scores a hattie in the next game, he needs a 'reconditioning' stint, perhaps for the rest of the season.
Also, I think everyone is in agreement- Walter is the man. I like him a whole lot better than Tamby, who I think we should wrap up with one or more surplus Dmen, and a draft pick, to trade for Vinny L or Marty S from Tampa. That team is crippled with their big-3 salaries, and will HAVE to trade one of them soon. Just no Richards- I think he's overrated. We can take on Lecavier's salary, and I'd even be willing to give him an extension. He'd be the face of the franchise, instead of withering away in crappy trampa (I can say that, because I live here).
I think we would all love Hilbert IF he was on the 4th line and saw 4th line minutes. He is a great penalty killer and can keep cycles going in the offensive end but thats about it. We can not knock his work ethic as we all read he is usually the one of the first on the ice and one of the last off the ice during practice. The reason we all are so hard on him is because he sees minutes that we all would rather see a player like Walter have instead.
After 15 games so far look at this breakdown...
Games 1-5: 3-2-0 (6pts)
Games 6-10: 3-2-0 (6pts)
Games 11-15: 3-2-0 (6pts)
if you project that over the 82 game season we end the season with roughly 98 points, which should be enough to make the postseason
I actually don't mind Hilber as much as I used to b/c he is an effective penalty killer and he rarely makes mistakes that lead to goals.
Nyisles,
What's the scoop out of Tampa regarding Vinny L. Are they looking to dump him? Isles should jump on that boat right away.
Thats the rumor. Their big three have so much of their salary locked up they can't afford a defense or goalie. Dan Boyle was injured to start the season, and its been a mess ever since. They're playing tough, but rumors here, and my general feeling, is they need to trade.
Vinny is probably the most marketable guy in the NHL that no one knows about. He's also leading the league in scoring, and everyone keeps talking about Crosby. The NHL needs Vinny in a bigger hockey market, and trust me, any market is a bigger hockey market than a place where it never dips below 50 degrees.
HockeyBuzz has indicated a big trade involving Tampa a number of times this season already, which makes me think they're actually shopping. Of course, to get Vinny would be costly.
Marty might be also be a good fit. I saw him once in Circuit City down here- the guy is so flippin short, yet has the biggest calves I've ever seen, on anyone. No wonder he's so fast...
Isles 1 Devils 0
Another snoozefest. The NHL needs to open up the game. There is nothing worse than boring hockey. Either that, or both teams are so pathetic that they can't score.
If the Devil Dman doesn't do a back flip, no one would have scored. I gave him a 9.5 for that move. Damn, that ice is slippery!!
Andy Sutton has really improved his game. he is turning into a very solid player.
Campoli looked horrible on the PP. During the final PP he failed to get the puck into the zone 4 times in a row. Bring back MAB.
Jackman spent more time in the penalty box than on the ice. Why is he on this team?
Vasicheck is the player the Isles should try to resign longterm. He is all over the ice and has already scored more goals than he did last year. He should be Snow's first priority. He has really impressed.
Guerin looks all out of synch. He hasn't had a decent scoring chance in a few games now.
Hate to say this, but DP played much better tonight because of Broduer. He seems to always step up against the Rangers and Devils. The challange of playing the other two top goalies causes him to play much better. He has to learn to play with that intensity against the rest of the league.
Hilbert is still 0 for the season. How long does this go on?
Ben Walter come home. We miss you.....Bill
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