POINT BLANK PRESENTS: UP ALL NIGHT
Saturday, 10:00 pm - 1:00 am-ish, NYI at San Jose

At the suggestion of a few readers, we’re going to try a semi-all-nighter tonight. Beginning at 10:00 pm and continuing through the Islanders-Sharks 10:30 EST matchup, we’ll be here at our laptop responding to your civil Comments during the game.

 

I think we can all agree that doing this on a late Saturday night, when the No. 30 Islanders are playing at No. 2 San Jose, is one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had (and second place is a battle among many doozies). But that’s what I like about it.

 

So whether it’s just two of you or perhaps a few more, drop your questions and thoughts in the Comments area on Saturday night and I’ll do my best to be informative or at least entertaining.

 

Just about the only thing I won’t turn it into is a “_____ sucks!” “Yeah, _____ sucks”! conference. Other than that, there aren’t any rules beyond the usual guidelines.

 

RSVP in Comments.

 

*

 

Way too early in San Jose to find out if Rick DiPietro made it through last night’s game healthy enough to back up Joey MacDonald tonight. Or, heaven forbid, start against the Sharks. (Can we all agree that would be, um, unnecessary?). I’m heading into the city for a while. If any news breaks, we’ll try to get it on here and, as always, check out the mad bloggin’ Greg Logan.

 

I wonder if the Islanders had the energy for their comeback last night because, at the half-way mark of the third period, everyone in the lineup had each played at least 10 minutes?

 

*

 

“New York Hockey This Week” with the “informative and entertaining” Don La Greca (so said Phil Mushnick) and me will be on 1050 ESPN Radio on Saturday from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Scheduled guests include Jiggs McDonald and Doug Weight.

 

 

RSVP in Feedback.

65 Responses to “POINT BLANK PRESENTS: UP ALL NIGHT
Saturday, 10:00 pm - 1:00 am-ish, NYI at San Jose”  

  1. 1 kjh0517

    Great idea CB, I would love to be a part of the PB up all night, unfortunately I will be at a stuck at a wedding, maybe this could be your fist question to respond to. Why would someone have a vegetarian wedding?? Isnt the best part of a wedding the open bar and great food? Enjoy the game tonight everyone, go Isles!

  2. 2 Mike from Philly

    Sound like fun C.B, have you checked out Newsday.com when they do their live conversations with Greg Botta, they use some sort of forum. I though that might be an easier way to go rather then post comments and having to refresh 10 times until you respond. Either way, sounds like a blast. Lets Go Islanders…Lets Get Tavares!

  3. 3 Cain

    Sounds fun, CB.

    Vegas oddsmakers have this one pretty bleak for the Islanders. Either way, it’s still our Isles.

    I know it is early, but play armchair GM: What are the triggers for your decisions at the trade deadline and what would you do?

  4. 4 ISLESFAN999

    Trade trade trade. Trade all the vets such as weight, sutton, witt, martinek, park, waive sim. Keep all the young guys under 30 who are decent.

  5. 5 Nick

    I’ll be in and out, since I should be back from the city by then. Let’s hope they play with reckless abandon tonight, since they have nothing to lose against an excellent team that hasn’t lost at home in regulation.

  6. 6 Netminder39

    Sure I’m in for this one. Break out the Red Bull C.B….

    I think the Islanders may surprise us tonight since most won’t be watching on the east coast.

  7. 7 Brian G

    I’m in - lets talk hockey. San Jose is another model of building through the draft the Isles want to follow.

  8. 8 Dmarie

    Hopefully I remember to check back, and I know there’s a blog about this from yesterday but I’m so thrilled for Weight, and I thought that was really cool that it got acknowledged on yotes ice, but doesn’t suprise me with Gretz, he’s another class act in the NHL.

  9. 9 Chris TMC

    Sounds interesting, Chris… I dont know if Ill be in but if I am, Ill stop by!

  10. 10 19 ISLE in NJ 22

    CB … I’ll be a sleep .. gotta get up at 4am … but I’ll catch up with the comments from Isle’s fans tomorrow morning sometime.
    —————
    Here is a portion of my previous post from the previous thread…. felt I should repost this to get LI fans some ammunition when calling Cablevision to complain about the signal … it’s a local issue from what I can extrapulate (sp) from the posts.
    *************
    The whole cablevision quality issue. I live in NJ … and I always here about issues with the Isles’ signal on the MSG +/- or even sometimes just the regular + channels … since last season. I have to say … my Cablevision of NJ and Direct TV provides pristine quality video for the broadcasts 99% of the time … I never see the issues that you guys speak of. I work in the TV injury and my job is quality control … the worst part of my broadcasts is usually Howie Rose’s rants … so last night I had an awesome quality Isle’s broadcast with Jiggs doing PBP…. Cablevision on Long Island must be having Headend problems (where they receive and re-distribute the signal on their cable network) … they probably have a VDA (video distribution amplifier) that is sensitive to high whites and it messes with the video gain being distributed … or it over compensates … it is Cablevisions’ engineering and quality control people that need to get on that … it seems like a cronic issue. Not at all the fault of the people in the truck …. oh … and the reason it looks better in digital … is because the signal is resequenced from analog to digital before hitting the network … but if their receive is bad at the headend … then it’s a matter of “garbage in - garbage out” …. they need to check their analog demod … or digital decoder outputs at the headend… I hope this helps my LI Cablevision subscribers. Sorry for the long post … but I wanted Isles fans in LI to enjoy a game without that BS.
    ***************

  11. 11 19 ISLE in NJ 22

    LOL!!! Correction … should be “I work in the TV industry” … vice “I work in the TV injury” …. you can tell I’m an Isles fan … injury on the mind … or maybe injury of the mind ;)

  12. 12 19 ISLE in NJ 22

    I find it kind of symbolic that one of the NHL’s best alltime setup men gets his 1000th point on the same night that the Isle’s future star setup man gets his first NHL goal … kind of a passing of the torch moment … don’t ya think?

  13. 13 Joe

    Ill drop a comment or two later.

  14. 14 Larry

    my friend works at the head end on long island. due to the fcc they are getting rid of the analog equipment and broadcasts and are going entirely digital. for that reason they have old equipment on the analog. possibly reason for the bad broadcast? soon it will be gone and all digital

  15. 15 Darthziggy

    I should be around CB. Sounds like a blast, getting to share the late-night antics with some great fans. I may try to go to a local AHL game first (7 pm start, and I don’t live near the Island, unfortunately), but even if I go I should be back before puck drop. Looking forward to it!

  16. 16 kevin

    who will have more pts at the end of the year or before weight gets traded, streit or weight? will streit finish with most pts for dmen? if he gets the most pts, will he get the norris? my dad says no and i agree since we will come in last. ill ask and talk more later but want to pace myself. see ya’ll l8er

  17. 17 hextall72

    cool ideachris.. great work as always.. your time is very much appreciated here. i drop a question or 2 tonight

  18. 18 Willis

    Damn. I won’t be here. And I would have definately been here. I hope everyone behaves so we get to do it again sometime.

    Enjoy the game, all. I like the “play with reckless abandon” suggestion from above and hope they can at least give us something to cheer (and talk) about.

    Go Islanders!

  19. 19 isles316

    sounds fun. ill be at a wedding tonight and home about 10:30-11 so ill be here.

    why cant dp play in bridgeport for two weeks? he looked worse than not ready last night.

  20. 20 Swan

    Great comment about the need to spread the minutes, CB.

    This system really depends on fresh legs and this Team is much better when everyone is getting at least 10 min of ice time by the 3rd period and involved in the game.

  21. 21 Jax

    4:30PM Falcons @ Cardinals

    8:00 PM Colts @ Chargers

    11:15 PM (DVR Delay) Isles @ Sharks

    Thank god I’m married with a 9 month old. This is a great saturday night of sports!!!!!

    Falcons 31 Cardinals 27

    Colts 34 Chargers 31

    Sharks 6 Isles 3

  22. 22 Jax

    How awesome was last nights game? Weight gets his 1,000th point. Bailey scores his 1st NHL goal. The kids continue to raid the scoresheet and we lost while the Thrashers won. 1 game closer to the end of the season with an eye on the big prize!!!!

  23. 23 jon

    All this talk of the youth and the youngsters “raiding” the scoresheet……do you guys realize the point production of Islander players 25 and under is almost dead last in point production?

  24. 24 Pete DeBenedetto

    bring back Jiggs

  25. 25 Devon

    Sounds like fun! I’ll be here unless I get a life in the next 6 hours.

  26. 26 Alex Kinkead

    IM IN

  27. 27 Lighthouse Hockey

    @Devon (25): Getting a life is overrated!

    I hope to pop in here between SBN game threads, domestic bliss permitting.

    Since someone mentioned it: God I look forward to these Jiggs fill-in stretches of the schedule, usually forcing my wife to listen in to appreciate. Sweet sounds for the soul.

  28. 28 Steve

    I’m in, I’m a night owl so this is perfect for me. Dunno if the forum thing will work but it is a better idea than the posting of comments and refreshing thing. We’ll see

  29. 29 Jack L

    I’ll check in. I’ve been watching the World Jr Classic and John Tavares looks good. He’s a superstar in the waiting. I think last place this year will make all NYI fans happy for 20 years. I’m rooting for last place and John Tavares.

  30. 30 JPinVA

    I’m in… right after I point out the guidlines to 19.
    :-)

  31. 31 Mikey G

    It’s so difficult to want them to lose. I saw Tavaras at the WJC and he is nasty. Sick goals. As much as I hate them losing, it is what’s best for the organization. Can we lose out but just beat the rangers??

  32. 32 Mark

    Giggs and Billy are perfect, they should be the Islander’s anouncers. And lets hope we get the first overall pick and select Tavares. Mark

  33. 33 Viney Boom Box

    going out for an early movie and then hopefully the wife will be sleeping….should be stopping by eventually

  34. 34 mjlisles

    count me in.

  35. 35 Chickendirt

    I know we are in the Tavares sweeps and I really don’t want to screw that up. With that said, I’d love it for our guys to really stick to San Jose tonight. They need one of those “hope building” wins.

    Couldn’t ask for a better game to do that than tonights. Especially after nearly coming back last night.

  36. 36 Kristie

    I’ll be around.

  37. 37 7thWoman

    Have fun Islanders Country. My days of all nighters are long gone replaced by days of waking up at 5 am. If they play the game in Kazakstan… I’M IN! Crossing my fingers for Josh’s second!

  38. 38 Peter Puck

    Off Topic
    But has anyone noticed that if the season ended today the Penguins would miss the playoffs despite having arguably 2 of the 3 best offensive threats in hockey?

  39. 39 Andy

    Sounds good. A late game far from home… having a late night discussion should be fun.

  40. 40 NickyL

    CB,

    How long left is the Isles deal on MSG? I’d love to see them go to SNY. I’m tired of sharing the HD feed with the devils, who play in NJ. On SNY, the Isles would get the coverage they deserve.

    Nick

  41. 41 Devon

    Is Jiggs doing the entire trip? Maybe it’s cause I’m younger, but I hate his commentary.

  42. 42 Chickendirt

    Maybe Devon;

    But for us fans that have been around for awhile it’s like a revisitation to better times. Not that it’s bad to be an Isles fan these days.

    I think this is one of the more exciting times to be an Isles fan as they are building the right way. I’ve enjoyed watching Bailey, Okposo, Bergenheim, Comeau, Campolli and even Tambellini go through the motions. What a great time to really get to know your players!!!!

    Not to mention get a glimpse of what the team will look like down the road than when they are young.

    Having Jiggs along the ride only connects the past with the present.

    I miss hearing his voice. He is the voice of the NYI in the same way Bob Murphy was with the Mets or Harry Carey with the Cubs.

  43. 43 Devon

    Oh yeah, I should mention that towards the end I also found Bob Murphy intolerable. My bad.

    Howie Rose is just so awesome, ANYONE would be a step down. At least Jiggs knows everyone’s name this year, a few years back he called like three different people Hilbert.

  44. 44 Chickendirt

    Yeah, Murph was gettin old towards the end. Even so, I still wish I could here more “happy recaps”.

    I was sad the day he left just as I was when I foud out Jiggs was no longer doing Isles games on a regular basis.

    As far sports goes, those two were a major part of those franchises as well as fan experiences for those that grew up listening.

    Both are hall of famers as well.

  45. 45 Brian1976

    This sounds like fun, hopefully it will be a big isles win tonight

  46. 46 BrassBonanza

    Great point Dirt. Its exciting watching these young talented players devloping at the highest level of competition. I think it was a good move keeping Bailey on the big club instead of watching him at the WJC.
    Speaking of the WJC, Tavares has really been great, and I know there are a lot of Isles fans out there hoping to see him at the NVMC next season. However if the #1 overall pick should befall to the Isles I still believe Hedman would be would be a more effective piece to the rebuilding process. Let us not forget that although Hedman isn’t dominating the highlights, he still has his club in the Championship game (for the 2nd year in a row). I think you always have to build a team from the net out. Tavares would be great, and you can win a lot games when you score a lot of goals, but you can’t lose when you don’t give up any.

  47. 47 Danny from Va Beach

    happy new year all!
    see ya later,
    danizzle~

  48. 48 Matt in Massapequa

    off topic: Will the Islanders get represented in the all star game?
    I’m a newbie hockey fan and was just wondering as there are no Islanders listed in the East opening lineup

  49. 49 Danny from Va Beach

    i believe every team gets at least 1 representative:)
    streit?
    weight?

  50. 50 Mike from Oceanside

    Love post #25 above…

    Post #48 - Every team gets at least one player.

    I’ll pop in and out throughout the game.

    Anyone care to take a guess who’ll get the first goal for the Islanders before the game starts?

    I’ll pick….Bailey

  51. 51 Paul

    Nicky, I am pretty sure that the Isles Cablevision deal goes for about another 15 years. It is what basically been keeping the team on LI. If they can get a new building then maybe they can look into switching channels, but until then…as for Rose, and those who do not think he misses any Mets’ games, I think you better do some research. He does take time off during the basbeall season. Just not as noticable, because it is on radio.
    The problem that a lot of Islander fans have with Rose is that he was an admitted rag$ fan growing up. That being said, when asked about the “lack” of Isles’ fans, he always supports Islander fans, by accurately stating that the fan support is just dormant, and not non-exsistent. That Islander fans are just waiting for an excuse to support the team. Need a comparison? I give you exhibit “A” in Chicago…Black Hawks’ fans, were even more “abused” than Islander fans, and now that they have made some good moves and have started putting together a competitive team, you can not get a ticket.

  52. 52 Ian

    The signal quality was horrible on DirecTV too. It was almost unwatchable.

  53. 53 Darthziggy

    I do like hearing Jiggs on the call, but it can be a tad painful at times hearing him leave some dead air because he’s just not that familiar with the players anymore. Not that he should be expected to be, when he’s a vacation fill-in (a damned good one at that), but coming from Howie’s constant gameplay chatter, it’s a bit of a change at first.

    Mike from Oceanside, I’m going with Weight.

  54. 54 Nick

    I can’t stand Howie, and it has nothing to do with his possible past Rag fandom. I just don’t think he’s a good broadcaster, and he’s too prone to tangents instead of concentrating on the play and relevant comments about the action. I love Jiggs; hearing his voice brings me back. I’m a Billy Jaffe fan, but the only thing to make it better would be if 18 came back for a few games.

  55. 55 Nick

    And I say Streit.

  56. 56 Potvin

    chat sounds great…assuming Colts-Bolts doesnt OT!
    I dont understand the lack of physical play on the Islanders. Do you agree? We dont need money or free agents to play a tough game…its been a long time since we were the bullies

  57. 57 Darthziggy

    As much as we can go back and forth about Jiggs and Howie, I’m pretty sure we’re all glad that Joe Michelletti (sp?) is off our airwaves and polluting the ears of Rangers fans everywhere!

  58. 58 Joe

    Good points on Tavares and Hedman. The ONLY way the Isles can’t mess this up is if we finish with the 2nd overall pick and take whichever doesn’t go 1st. At least we don’t have mad mike sitting there with the first pick waiting to take a goalie!

  59. 59 James

    Billy and Howie are among the best in the business. If you ever have the opportunity to meet either of them, go up and say hello. Met Billy one night at Champions after an Isles game, gave him the standard hey-how-ya-doing thing, and he proceeded to stay and talk hockey for ten minutes. The guy is enthusiastic and loves what he does.

    **

    For talking points tonight, anything on Justin DiBenedetto, who is now #2 in the OHL in scoring, between Taylor Hall (projected #1 overall in the 2010 draft) and John Tavares… whom we all know. He’s with the Isles… why no buzz????

  60. 60 Chickendirt

    I don’t hate or dislike Howie Rose. I think he is excellent at his craft. He also sticks up for Isles fans when they get kicked in the gut.

    But Howie just ain’t Jiggs. When Jiggs calls a game you get the feeling that what’s happening on the ice is the only thing that matters in the world. I don’t often find myself walking away from a game for a few minutes when Jiggs is calling it. He has a talent for keeping people locked in.

    But Jiggs is a fan of this team. And there is something special about having a guy call games that loves the team as much as you do. In other markets you can really see it reflected in their fans enthusiam as well.

    Buffalo’s announcers are annoying to an outsiders ear but they mirror the fans emotions. Same with Rosen when he calls a game at MSG.

    Rose not so much when he is calling an Islanders game. Though Rose’s skills a play by play guy are freakin top notch.

    I just find myself on most nights missing the enthusiam of Jiggs.

  61. 61 Nick

    I think you hit the nail on the head with the enthusiasm point. It’s the same reason we Yankee fans loved Phil Rizzuto even though he would fill 1/3 of his box score with “WW” (Wasn’t Watching). Jiggs is far more entwined with the history of the team than Howie is, and his skill is unmatched, that could very well be why I enjoy him as much as I do.

  62. 62 mjlisles

    i say witt gets the first goal…

  63. 63 Steve

    No pre game show tonight?

  64. 64 Paul

    Chicken & Nick, but it is TV you can see what is going on despite the “tangents”.

  65. 65 Terry

    I like Howie,but being a mets fan also it’s Howie overload. My pet peeve is he will not stop talking about some unrelated story even when the action becomes frantic around the net. Howie..CALL THE GAME.

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