ISLANDERS AT LIGHTNING, 7:30 PM
The return of Walt Kowalski
Point Blank guest contributor
CB is back today and you can listen to him as usual on ESPN Radio 1050 AM at 5 PM. He will also be around during the game to join us in the comments.
(UPDATED: ESPN Radio show could be at different time because 1050 might move things around in light of the A-Roid news. Latest I heard was maybe 7:00 pm, or it could stay at 5:00 pm. Either way, I’ll be around the laptop for in-game Commenting with you…CB).
A huge thanks to CB for giving me the keys to the Gran Torino blog during the last week. It’s really been a lot of fun! And thanks to all of you for giving me such a warm welcome and putting up with my Islander rantings. It really means a lot. Now about that hockey game…
What a difference a few days can make. When the Lightning visited the Coliseum on Tuesday, they came in winners of 6-of-10 and we’re looking like the team we all thought they could be. After four straight losses in which the team looked listless, including Tuesday night, the Bolts are reeling. In their last game on Wednesday, they took a 3-0 lead into the third in Pittsburgh and wound up losing 4-3 in overtime. That’s the game Evgeni Malkin reportedly offered up $1,000 to his teammates if they made a third period comeback. I’m not entirely sure Malkin even needed to do that, as he was involved in three of the Pens’ four goals. With the loss, the Lightning have now lost four in a row but are still eight points up on the Islanders in the Tavares/Hedman sweepstakes.
As for the Islanders, they’ve played well of late but haven’t gotten off to good starts. In each of their last two games, they’ve come out sluggish in the first period, getting out shot a combined 21-13 during the opening frame. On the flip side, they’re actually out shooting their opponents 39-35 over the final two periods.
In today’s game, look for Yann Danis to get the start in goal. Coach Gordon has said that he would start each goalie on the team’s two-game Florida road trip and if that thinking hasn’t changed, Danis would start tonight.
The Islanders’ dads will join them once again tonight in Tampa Bay, as they did on Thursday in Sunrise. It’s a classy move by the organization and has really given the MSG broadcast team something to talk about. I’m putting the over/under on camera shots of the dads on the MSG telecast at 10 1/2. Any takers?
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Injury notes: Isles’ official site reports that Nate Thompson was placed on injured reserve yesterday and Sean Bergenheim has been activated. Greg Logan reports that Bergenheim will be on the fourth line along with Richard Park and Tim Jackman. Mark Streit practiced today but will not suit up for the game.
Your textual opinions are appreciated.
32 Responses to ISLANDERS AT LIGHTNING, 7:30 PM
The return of Walt Kowalski
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Mike from Oceanside says:
I’ll takes the over. 20 times.
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dennis d. says:
welcome back wally pipp! Sorry! I meant to say Chris. Great job by Kevin! Hope we see more of him in the future.
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kevin says:
o and good job kevin
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MT says:
Glad Bergie’s back
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Jim says:
Our guy Botta bad mouthing Eklund and calling him a fraud? This coming from a spokesman for the Islanders pretending that he is being objective when it comes to the team, LOL. Pom Pom Botta is his game, pretending to be objective is his game.
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dmen77 says:
new bet on the table – what’s the over/under on the minutes it takes for Jim to be removed from this site?
Jim – go back to Ek’s site…..he needs people like you to give him your $20. His comments about the Isles being up for sale came straight from his a$$ after eating both white castle and taco bell.
Chris had every right to call him a fraud, objective or not.
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isles316 says:
I know from experience that all you have to do over there is write that he completely made up the rumor and that you hope the Islanders take down his site. You’ll be gone for months in minutes! It was a lot of fun I have to say.
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ed says:
At least I know who Chris Botta is and where he worked. I have no idea about Eklund except he makes crap up. When CB was put in a timeout by the Islanders, he explained the situation to his readers. I guess if that is not the journalism you are looking for, hockeybuzz is your place Jim
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wow it was about 30 min!
Great job Chris (or Kevin). Anyone who sticks up for that bum Eklund has no business posting a comment here.
Once again, both of you do a tremendous job!
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I was stuck on the last post and missed Jim’s comments. I’m sure it was pure drivel. Glad to hear Danis is starting tonight. Should be 50/50 the rest of the way unless one of them gets hurt. I’ll take the over at 13 on the Dads. Guess it is Kevin that has been handling the moderating duties. Good job last night sir.
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admin says:
I have no problem with “Jim’s” post. It was taken down and now I have put it back up. That’s what he does. He’s one of the guys who, every time I write something basic about a prospect, says I’m calling them the next Crosby. What I am done with is That Site and everything about it…CB
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MSA says:
If Danis does start, I’m in for the Under.
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Bob says:
I guess just from the fact that Sim & Tamby are the healthy scratches again we know exactly where they are in the pecking order, neither will play until either more injuries or the trade deadline; and it looks like neither is being showcased for the trade deadline.
Just curious why did the Isles not claim Jussi Jokinen off of waivers he would seem to be the kind of wing and proven shootout performer the Isles could have used especially at 25?
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Chris, I want to thank you for your dedication to this site. Before it, we really didn’t have anyone blogging with such extensive connections not just to the team but to everything important to us Islander fans. Basically, we had to take Ektard’s word for it.
I really hope this blog stays for as long as possible, because you tell us what’s going on, who’s telling the truth. We trust you, Botta, and as a fellow blogger that is the most important thing.
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mm30 says:
War CB! But seriously can we get back to talking hockey here?!?!?!
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Jokinen 1.8 mil salary is why? he’s a grinder…I rather see jacko/hillbert etc…avery is probaly going to hatford first beforehe see the rags and that will give them time to clear cap.
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Quick note: Jokinen was traded to Carolina for Melichar and Brookbank. Im sure both guys will go right to Norfolk.
Anyway, Ive enjoyed how the team has been playing lately and whenter we win or lose, hopefully they can bring the same game they’ve been bringing of late. Go Isles!
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Jim M says:
Thursday nights game vs the panthers Bailey led every single foward in TOI with 15:53. He is rewarded with 2 points. Good stuff lets see more of it tonight
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IncarceratedBob says:
Hey chris whats up buddy, its me incarcerated Bob from the Boomer&Carton show on Wfan, i see that Eklund Crap has stained your site. Eklund is a fraud & most of us know his deal so come Monday Morning i will go on Boomers Show & will speak out against his lame attempts to be a true Media person like yourself, i also will announce on there show the scam he runs on his site by charging people $20 for utter non sense. no facts just BS
Rember Chris you have friends, even some that are willing to drop the gloves for you…Listen for me on there monday show
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Is anybody else having problems geting the audio of the radio show from the WEPN website?
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YES, I only get replays of last summer radio
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I got nothing until 5:20 and now late july 2008 radio (talking about the trade deadline and Posada’s injury).
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Islander505 says:
I can’t get away from thinking about some kind of over/under on the Ice Girl posted here today.
But that’s just my opinion.
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Nick says:
Jim is a clown…happy to see bergenheim back, but eventually I would like to see Tambellini get another shot.
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Rob says:
Is Tambs done?
He was playing better and now has to sit…
How is he supposed to get better on the bench?
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Lawrence Teller says:
Chris,
Hang in there – I love this site – and I thank you endlessly for providing it to us. Be strong in the face of stupidity and work dilligently to combat the morons. You have mine and many others extreme gratitude.
All my best,
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Why were my posts about the rangers salary cap and Avery? I was hoping they would waive Prucha but it looks like they were taken down. Was it because it wasn’t relevant to the article?
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hector marini says:
what about ridderwal? why dont they sign him and bring him over to north america,what do you have to lose at this point?
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thats a great idea!!!!
good for danis to get the nod. hes been playing well.