Tambellini Gives Isles Life
In what could have been the final nail in the coffin on a downward spiraling stretch run, Jeff Tambellini came through in the clutch to give the Isles a much needed shootout win over the rival Rangers. In the 6th round of shooters, Tambellini made one quick move in the slot and unleashed a wicked wrist shot over Henrik Lundqvist's glove. It was nice to see Tambellini have such an impact on a game, and maybe now he will fall towards Ted Nolan's favorite list. Also, tot to go unmentioned should be Bill Guerin's tying shootout goal in round 2. I found Guerin's attempt to be a wise veteran's move, going for what the goaltender gives him. Lundqvist is so quick laterally you almost have to shoot--and the 5-hole was staring Guerin in the face.
The Kid-line - Again I thought the Kid-line was the most effective throughout the game. Comeau and Tambellini, and even Coliton easily generated the most scoring chances of all the Isles' lines last night. The problem? They saw NO time in overtime. I don't understand how you keep your best and quickest line all night on the side when the game is on the line. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S 4 on 4 and the quicker players are the most dangerous. At one point last night during the OT, Nolan had AJ, Berard, Hunter, and Satan out there together. Does he want to lose? If you want to sit back and force the shootout that's one thing, but if you're going for the W, then Comeau/Tambs should have got a chance to win it.
The PP - One word describes the Isles PP - dreadful. Now not only are the Isles unable to score on the PP, but they now are prone to at least one short-handed goal per game. I think that's 3 SHGs against in 4 games with out MAB. Where the PP should be a means to score, it is now at the point where the Isles should consider declining a PP opportunity because it's more likely they will be scored upon. I have asked all season and I ask again: How does Gallant still have a job with this team?
Shootout - I was very perplexed with the choice of shootout contestants by Nolan last night. In my book, the #1 Isles shootout shooter has to be Miro Satan. The guy is about .500 for his career and has the 3rd most shootout goals in NHL history. Yet somehow, Nolan found 3 better options. Richard Park has ONE shootout goal in his career, and last time he dipsee doodled away and didn't even get a shot on goal. And last night, he looked over matched against Lundqvist. Hunter, who is usually not a good choice, was a fair choice last night being that I thought it would take a good shot to beat Lundqvist. Hunter does have a good shot even though it has failed him and the Isles this season. The 3rd spot should have gone to either Guerin or Comrie, where last night Guerin was the right choice again because Guerin as the superior shot. The top-3 should now be Satan, Tambellini, and Comrie/Guerin. I am spending so much time on the shootout order because it can be the determinative as to whether we make the playoffs. I'd hate to have lost last night with Miro on the sidelines. If you're going to go down, you better go down with your top players.
Dubie - Dubie played a good enough game in regulation to get the win. He wasn't spectacular and often looked uncomfortable, but he did make a tremendous save on Shanahan's breakaway and his rebound attempt. However, Dubie stole the show in the shootout. Shanahan has been an automatic goal, yet Dubie came way out and gloved one of the best wrist shots of all time. He stopped 5 out of 6 to lead the Isles to the win.
DP - Many have pondered whether the Isles are hiding an ongoing DP injury, and in all likelihood the answer is yes. Anyone who heard him during the skills competition knew that he was seriously hurt--and I'm amazed he actually played in the game the next day. DP was too good towards the beginning of the year to simply become a mediocre goaltender now. On that note, if he's actually hurt, then Dubie better be in goal tomorrow. If DP actually is healthy, then you have to go back to him for tomorrow's rematch.
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20 comments:
Nyisles post from last threat...
Nyisles82 said...
A win's a win, even better when "Hank" storms off the ice.
3 pts out of a playoff spot...Doobie in net...seems a lot like last year, right?
At least we have good control of our destiny the rest of this season, with most of the remaining games against divisional foes. Big points at stake, and going to OT is something we need to stay away from.
Someone joked a while back about waiving penalties from now on...perhaps Nolan should work that into the next game plan.
Hey Justin- it could have been worse with the 4:4....I'm assuming Sillinger, if healthy, would also have been out there :)
Good stat on Miro..and Park. I would figure Park would be better than that, but clearly not. Related to your point, you'd think there should be an inclination to include some of the AHLers, who have MORE experience with the shootout than NHLers.
What was the move by Comrie last night? If it worked, I'm sure I'd be saying how tapping the stick on the ice must have confused Lundquist, but right now I'm just thinking Comrie confused himself, forgot he was playing hockey, and thought he was back at home playing drums in Rockband.
Once again my biggest complaint about the game is the lack of net presence. I was watching highlights from games around the league last night, and I'd wager 75% of goals came from 8 feet or less in front of the net, jamming in rebounds, creating havoc, and getting lucky bounces. The Isles on the other hand look like my intramural soccer team- every offender trying to move to the puck rather than driving the net. I saw at least 5 potential opportunities wasted because 2 Islanders were together in the corner, and a 3rd was behind the net. The player holding the puck had no one to pass to aside from the other two forwards within 15 feet of him, and the defender sitting on the blue line, hoping the puck didnt squirt past him.
I wonder what would happen if Nolan forbade the players from using the back of the net on offense, during practice. I recall a story about a practice held by the Leafs (I think) way back in the day when their coach got real upset with the team ALWAYS starting their rushes from behind their own net. Even if the puck was on their own blueline, without fail they'd skate behind their own net to start a rush. One practice, he strung a rope from the boards to the net, and didn't tell the players. Well lo and behold, the first eager player jumped out on the ice, picked up a puck, and skated right behind his own net. He got "clotheslined", and got the wind knocked out of him from being upended.
I'd love to see Nolan tie a rope along the goal line for them to practice their PP....GET TO THE NET! Imagine what would happen if Hunter expended the same amount of energy he uses in the corner in front of the net...
Excellent point and excellent idea. Someone fax that to Nolan.
Here is my take on DP. If I am Nolan I send DP to Portland to play in the AHL Friday night. I play Dubie tomorrow and come back with DP on Sat.
I think that DP has lost his mental edge. I do not think that it is physical, but mental. He looks tired and is not playing with his usual swagger.
Send him down for a "conditionng' game and let him play a no pressure game with Bridgeport. Let him have some fun with his game and perhaps invigorate his passion.
My take is that he would be back Sat with a clear head and a new lease on life.
Dubie is inside the Rangers heads. Shanahan admitted as much in his post game interview. Beside, the team seems to play better in front of him. I think that the team feels that DP will bail them out and they do not play as sound a defensive game as the do in front of Dube. I don't think that the Rangers want to see Dubie again.
Is this a radical move? Maybe, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If this team is to make a run they need a clear headed DP.
Can you imagine where this team might be in the standings if Nolan the great would have played the kids from the midway point? They are proving that, along with Bergy, the future is better than predicted. There is a solid core building here. All they need is a sniper and a PP QB to actually become a threat.
Colliton, Comeau, Tambs and Neilsen have all proved that they can play at the NHL level. Bergy is rounding into the player we all hoped he would be. With Walter and Okposo looming on the horizon, I think that the future looks as promising as it has in a long, long time here.
Now if we could only do something about changing the coach's attitude......Bill
There is zero chance they send DP across the country to play in a minor league game. I personally would like to see them come back with DP tomorrow night.
Justin.....Portland is in Maine, not across the country. It's a short hop flight.......Bill
Oh! You were thinking Portland, Oregon. The AHL team is in Maine. I would agree that sending DP to Oregon would have been a bit much.
Sorry for the confusion............Bill
Hahahha well that takes care of that. Funny though.
Just to counter your argument though, let's say Dubie gives up 2 softies early on and Nolan is looking to pull him before the game is unwinnable (not a word).
You need to have DP there to give us a shot at winning the game. Our season is on the line, and DP is healthy. We can't have Joey Mac decide our season.
Justin, Whoever gives up two softies ....we lose. I am thinking that long term we need a clear headed DP to go down the stretch.
Right now, he is not that player we grew to depend on. He needs to get back to that cocky, confident kid that battled through every game, no matter what.
We are not going to win 14 in a row, so I would rather take a chance now and have DP come back on Sat full of piss and vinegar.
Dubie has played well enough to keep us in the game. Just because he plays doesn't mean it's a loss.
Whoever plays, I hope that they are ready. Getting these two points are critical.
My Washington prediction is looking better and better. Watch for them to overtake Carolina....Bill
He better have his head clear. Look for Nolan to name DP the starter tomorrow morning....
Justin & Bill...remember DP's track record against divisional foes. You're right- we do need him clear headed, cocky, and on top of his game, but thats usually where he goes when facing Brodeur, Henrik, etc. He loves showing up the guys that get more coverage...so that would be a (weak) argument to start him.
I predict DP in goal, but I honestly wouldn't be upset with either guys. A goalie in your head is very difficult to overcome...
Lets go Islanders!!
Bridgeport's blogger expects the Islanders to sign Jesse Joensuu, Robin Figren and Tomas Marcinko and assign them to Bridgeport. Joensuu's season in Finland is over, Figren's junior season is over but he's injured and Marcinko's junior team made the OHL playoffs. These signings would certainly help Bridgeport fill out their roster.
Well, it's Dubie tonight, so I guess Ted felt the same way I did.
DP will come back better than ever on Sat..........Bill
I'm not so sure it's a good thing to be in agreement with Nolan, the same man who gave Bergenheim. Comeau, and Tambellini the least minutes as a reward for being the most effective the game before.
Bill,
I hope you're right about DP. If he has a good game and a good stretch, then I will eat my words and this would have been a good decision.
Personally, I think this game could have got DP going. There will most likely be a huge let down after two games against the Rags.
The only thing that needs to be said, the powerplay continues to hold back this team.
And so tell me folks, why does Gallant still have a job? I'm sure Nolan is friends with his coaching staff, but does this guy always put his friendships in front of what's best for his hockey team?
This is a move Snow should have moved in on a long time ago. Snow is making us goalies look bad.
Pitiful, just pitiful. No wonder Snow didn't want McCabe and dumped MAB for that choice 3 rd round pick.
ISLES PP.......Berard brings the puck up to the Rangers blue line. All the other Islanders stand still and watch him. Berard weakly dumps the puck in and the Rangers shoot it down the ice. Repeat as necessary.
Once again Snow the blunderer has left his mark on this team. With the parity in the NHL any team could make the finals. McCabe was just the piece of the puzzle that we needed and once again Snow overestimated his position by demanding Toronto's first round pick be included in the McCabe deal.
Bad coach, worse GM, crazy owner. Not much to look forward to....Bill
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