THE PRE-GAME SHOW: NYI at Tampa Bay, 7:30
News, Notes and Score-O!
4:30 pm - With three hours to go before the game, a few notes and a prediction. We’ll have a lot more to say after, and maybe during, the game.
Takin’ Off The Fritz: In a move bound to be popular with many PB readers, enforcer Mitch Fritz will likely be a healthy scratch tonight. Why no Fritz? My take is, Scott Flash Gordon is giving a few of the non-productive wingers one more game to shoot-that-puck and score-that-goal. And if one of them doesn’t even come close, the foil will be put on Saturday. Also have a theory Fritz will play Saturday anyway. That piece of genius thinking will be explained in my game story.
And Tonight’s Starter Is…I don’t care! Rick DiPietro left the ice first today after the morning skate, but Joey MacDonald was off soon after - choosing not to take the extra ballistics backups usually subject themselves to after the 25-minute workout. (I’m mostly kidding about the I don’t care part). If the Islanders are cool with playing Rick after minimal on-ice time the last week, go for it. And if it’s Joey Mac, expect to see a good rebound game.
Olli in: The backup goalie parade continues, as Olaf Kolzig - one of the NHL’s best persons - should get the nod from Barry Melrose against the gritty-gutty Isles tonight.
Melrose Place: Coach Barry to Islanders Radio on the difference between coaching in 2008 and his last gig: “Back then, I maybe had three millionaires. Now, I maybe have three guys who aren’t.” Check out more sound from the Mullet on the Mears & King show.
Major Line Shake-up Tonight!: Now that I’ve got your attention, there isn’t. At least not to start. Gordon is wise to not turn the thing upside down after one oh-geez-that-was-hideous 7-1 loss. Show your faith in the boys and hope they reward you for it. As for the second period…
Malik? No: We told you in This. Week. Stuff. that Tampa would tinker with their defense some more! However, Rangers fan favorite Marek Malik will not play tonight. He is working out with the team but has yet to sign his contract. Word is he’ll see his first action after he gets a few practices in.
A big thanks to Steve Mears of Islanders Radio for passing along some information from Tampa Bay. Like me, Steve is on Facebook. Unlike me, Steve is young, single, handsome, hip and very kind in a Western Pennsylvania sort of way. Join either or both of us on Facebook. I’m way behind Mearsy in Friends.
SCORE-O TIME!: Every time it appears the sky is falling with a League de National Hockey team, they come back the next night and win. That’s hockey. Sure, there is the minor concern of the Lightningesesess’ offensive stars firing away at either Joey Mac or a fairly rusty Rick. But for tonight, we believe.
ISLANDERS 4 TAMPA BAY 3
Point Blank Record for ‘08-09: 2-0
We want to hear from you! Place your Guess-of-Score in the Comments area.
29 Responses to “THE PRE-GAME SHOW: NYI at Tampa Bay, 7:30
News, Notes and Score-O!”
Please Wait
No Fritz… why bother bringing him up then?
Maybe Snow wanted him to get a better look at Melrose’s mullet!!
Is Koci in for Tampa, if so i would have like to see Fritz in there; a big fight can turn a game. 4-3 CB! and your 2-0 (getting alittle cocky are we)Ha! I say 3-3 tie with the islander coming from behind to tie in the 3rd. Hmm!
Paul: would you like to make a pick for the overtime or shootout? CB
Isles lose shootout
T.B. 5 Isles 2
I like that prediction, CB!
Isles 3 Tampa 1
We win. Weight, Streit, Bergenheim, OCK chip in big contributions.
On the subject of laying the lumber and dropping the mitts… how is Rechler (the wrecker) doing at B-Port. Fight card results only please… thanks.
3-2 Tampa in OT
Koci is out, no reason for Fritz. He better be in Sat.
3-2 ISLES in a defensive game with 2 special teams goals for the Islanders.
4-2 Isles, PP puts two in, and the PK has only a couple of penalties to kill
I JUST HEARD THE NEW COACH SPEAK FOR THE FIRST TIME HE SOUNDS LIKE A REAL FREAKIN WEIRDO…DUDE GET A PERSONALITY ITS NY.. HE HAS NO VOICE INFLEXTION I AM A ROBOT I AM THE ISLANDERS COACH WE ARE GOING TO REST RICKY …I AM A ROBOT
PREDICTION ISLES SCORE FIRST
Nice 1st period.
This is going to be a Jekyll and Hyde season
I know it’s only 4 games in but they have 2 good periods then a bad then a good game then an awful game now another good period…That’s the breaks when adjusting to new style I guess
Oh boy…I did say 3-2 Tampa in OT
and I’m wrong
ok so I was close haha…WOOOO!!!!
CB!! No Way OMG!! You called it again!Sorry i missed your reply i know you would have said Hunter….right!
W.
nice prediction CB
Hunter stepping up this year finally??
where oh where have you gone tambs… oh where o where
Nice hard win tonight and it is great to see Hunter getting back to old form. Team played well and did not need an enforcer! Hmm!
First one to give credit for CB’s 4-3 prediction… way to go!
I guess I was 3rd,,, too many molsons
CB,
Quick question …Okposo looked great tonight, but only had about 10 minutes …was he hurt or something?
Good game. Can’t fall asleep during game to let teams back in it. Thumbs up for Mac in the pipes tonight.
Sweet prediction!
Newf from The North
Drives me nuts when they give a conference team a free point but at least we got the second one
give trent hunter the c jersey