ISLANDERS 3, PENGUINS 2 (shootout)
The audacity of hope
In the wake of my post on the forward depth chart for next season, I heard and read my fair share of, “Geez, thanks a lot” and “Well, that’s depressing.” Although I don’t share the depression, I’m not in the business of sugar-coating anything for Islanders fans. For as long as this lasts, my goal is to provide as straight-forward a read as possible on the team.
The Islanders are in the home stretch of a season where they may finish 30th in a 30-team league, as many “experts” predicted. They are in Year One of a complete rebuild, a rebuild they were so un-shy to talk about, they held monthly Town Hall meetings at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum with, essentially, this theme:
We’re really going to struggle, we’re not going to patch-work the lineup if there are injuries or we stink, we’re going to build through the draft and we believe if you stick with us there’s a great chance in a few years we’re going to be really, really good.
The Los Angeles Kings, depending on whom you ask, are in Year 3 or 4 of their rebuild. They drafted 2nd overall last season, took stud dman Drew Doughty. Consider this your West Coast reality check.
The Islanders, absolutely, do not have to stink next year. But they need to get younger, much younger. Oh yeah, and bigger. Some more speed would help. Yep, tenacity…some younger, faster, bigger guys who actually want to go and get the puck would be kinda important. Did I mention skill?
It seems Islanders fans are starting to find aspects to hang their hat on. Most of the joy surrounds the development of Kyle Okposo, who’s mighty fun to watch. He was exceptional in the overtime this afternoon. When he stopped Crosby in the defensive end and then gathered speed as he skated toward the Islanders’ net, I admit to being on the edge of my seat.
Much of the rest is based around hope – hope that Rick DiPietro will make a full recovery, hope that Josh Bailey becomes a No. 2 center on a contending team, hope that all the kids in college and junior take the next steps. Hope that the Atlanta Thrashers grab at least 2 out of every 5 points they’re eligible for.
If it seems like I’ve been writing “It’s Going To Take A While” since Friday, so be it. I know it’s been a long time (oh boy, do I know). I can’t tell you not to be depressed. But there is plenty to cherish, plenty to be excited about in the next few years. And after the performances by the kids like Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Sean Bergenheim today, I doubt you need me to tell you that.
More notes late tonight about the game. Comments. Guidelines back on, grandfathered begining at 6:45 pm.
121 Responses to ISLANDERS 3, PENGUINS 2 (shootout)
The audacity of hope
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Jax says:
God I hope Jackman doesn’t have to fight Godard.
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CB- Why does just about every team in the league feel they need a HW on their team except the bobbleheads? I just don’t get it. I’m not evn talking about Fritz. He is barely an AHL player. Why does the bobbleheads think we are idiots? I remember when they signed Fritz. Bobblehead said he was a guy we targeted from the beginning,lol. Targeted for what exactly? Next year we could have a very young team. Who is going to protect these kids? The guy who wears the Gold wigs at the home games?
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Joe says:
I hope Godard runs the whole team into the parking lot, they returned the only other decent hitter too in Callahan.
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I’m guessing Striet is back?
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wow an ex islander coach is now head coach for the pens ..islander fans you know what that means
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drew says:
Michel Therrien did a nice job with the Pens, but you can’t really argue this move. They have the talent to be the best team in the league — which you would expect after a trip to the Finals — but that’s not the case. They needed a shake up.
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Jerky says:
How could they have returned Callahan? He had an excellent game on Saturday and is one of the few players on the team with some size. Maybe we’ll see Pock back in the lineup to help ensure another loss.
As mentioned by others, we still need an enforcer on this team. I don’t think anyone is delusional in thinking Fritz is the answer but do we have another option at this point? A trade for an enforcer doesn’t make sense at this stage, so it’s Fritz or they look like little girls on the ice afraid to hit back.
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Not that I am a fan of sending Fritz back down, especially with the Rangers coming up on Wed, but Fritz had a really good game down on the Bridge last night. He had 5-6 shots on net and had 2-3 scoring chances. He played probably one of his best games of the season down there. He was playing on a line with Pascal Morency and Tomas Marcinko.
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Justin Marques says:
Therrien was a decent coach, but he was meant for a younger team that needs discipline and a defensive system in order to win. With a maturing team featuring all-stars Malkin, Staal, Crosby, etc, you need a more open minded coach who lets the players demonstrate their offensive abilities, as well as their two way game. Creativity is a necessity with teams that are as high-powered as the Penguins. Imagine Detroit playing a trap?
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Im hoping Fritz is up Wed, that would be terrible if he isnt.
How did Callahan get sent down over Hillen? Hillen is totally undersized.
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Sad to see Callahan go down, but good to see Streit back.
I see the Racing Presidents from the Washington Nationals are there – LET’S GO TEDDY!
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Tamby is in….woo hoo…what a joke
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Wow Kids Day 2 is being sponsored by “Send in the Clowns Organization.” Couldn’t be more proper for this team.
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Tom R says:
Is today’s game being broadcast on the radio? I’ve tried both the NHL and Islanders sites, yet no audio from either.
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af says:
It must be….I’m listening to the Isles’ broadcast on XM.
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TuxTax says:
Another Islander Goal review brought to you by “Preperation H…Always a pain in the ass”
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mt275 says:
Bergy is flying today. He seems to really pick up his games.
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Another quick goal could put these Pens on the ropes – they have to be fragile at this point.
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See what happens when you have soft Hillen instead of Callahan? Does he realize he could hit Malkin
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Who’s the blonde behind the Penguins bench? Besides that decent first period, the Veteran line has turned into the 4th line huh? Guerin has completely disappeared the past month or so…time for a change of Captaincy… My vote goes to Okposo. He is obviously the best and the most exciting player on this team.
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Mario says:
We desperatly need a winger that puts a scare into the defense. No one on this team has the ability to go around a defenseman and score.
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Let’s not go crazy – the captaincy crushed Jonsson and it was a bit too early to give it to McCabe when they did. I’d bet you see Hunter get the C if Guerin moves on.
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Cruicky says:
Hillen can’t let that puck go between his legs. That is just poor defence. The goalie has no chance.
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did anyone notice in the pre game stuff ko playing bailey video games ..bailey had a grey tee shirt on did you see those noodle arms on bailey does he realize he plays pro hockey..maybe instead of playing video games he should be pumping iron..man theres just something wrong with the isles .. get this kid in the weight room. i saw a piece on how hard crosby works out and how strong he is for a small guy
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mjisles says:
hey cb,
the habs acquired 39 year old mathieu schneider for a 2nd rounder this year and a 3rd rounder next year. That seems awfully steep for schneider. do you think this means we could fetch more than that for witt? I know they are completely different players but i mean two early round picks for schneider is steeep. -
C.J. says:
Observations:
1. kids and Bergie responding well to more ice time.
2. trading Campoli would be a mistake — not because he scored, but because he’s got the skillset that will succeed in this league
3. tambellini not looking half-bad. kid needs more ice time to prove himself. i think this next series of games is going to be his last chance. hence the large gap of scratched games as punishment.
4. gervais/witt/martinek — gotta go. they need some serious help.
5. this team needs some serious help. -
Tambellini’s time has come and gone, no reason to keep him around. Hillen needs to go back to B-Port.
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mLem says:
atta boy bergie…sim who?
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Jon #2 says:
Billy Jaffe just said “hopefully Pittsburgh will tie it up on the power play”. Is he rooting for NY to get the first draft pick?
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Nolan was fired over Tambellini so Gordon should be as well.
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Oh please. Nolan wasn’t willing to turn over such a big part of the team to kids, and he wasn’t on board with the necessary rebuild. That’s a lot different than giving a specific young guy every chance to prove he’s a good player…Tamby hasn’t shown that but you can’t say he wasn’t put in a position to succeed.
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blitz says:
Yes, the only reason Nolan was fired was because of Tamby. My lord…
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mrlbem says:
I’m watching this game and realize that Pitt suffers from the same lack of toughness that we do. Hal Gill, for all his size, doesn’t bring the same piss and vinegar as Witt. I’ll say it again. Witt to Pittsburgh makes a lot of sense. Pry away their first rounder, Garth, and take back some salary.
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mrblem, false, the have Godard, they just dont use him.
Our new enforcer: Joey Mac
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Great use of assets by Teflon Don Waddell… Trade for a $5.4 mil d-man, pay bout 70% of that salary, still have a crappy PP, plus remain a lottery team in consecutive seasons, and get a 2nd rounder + 3rd rounder for the ‘future.’
That’s a LOT of $ to waste. How Teflon Don keeps his job is beyond absurd.
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Walygz says:
I disagree completely blitz. The Thrashers were under the cap floor to start the season, and could use another veteran defensemen.
Obviously the season is over for them, so getting two picks for Schneider in return is a good deal. Hopefully the Islanders can do some of the same.
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Michael says:
I really want to see Bergenheim develop more of a physical edge. He needs to find his niche with this team and I think he could be a real good pesky grinder with some good hands. In my opinion its becoming more apparent hes not going to score the 15-20 goals a year some people predicted him too. You watch Ryan Callahan of the Rangers and he doesnt score often but hes very effective. I think Bergenheim can be a better version of Callahan.
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ATL was not $5.4 mil under the cap. Rather, the Ducks were over the cap and in bad position to deal.
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Terry says:
Great overtime…two good plays by bruno, ko playing like a man possessed, good stuff.
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Willis says:
WOW what a great effort!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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HilbertSnipe says:
I’m listening to it online and sitting on the edge of my seat. GRRRRRRRRRR sometimes I hate going to school in Mass and not having MSG.
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b-ri says:
TAMBELLINI!!! WHAT?!?! that wassome shot, where has that been his whole NHL Career other than that goal in Calgary?
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DAMNIT@ Now Tamby will be up longer!
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SteveWebbClapClap says:
Great win by the kids.. I see I’m not the only one who noticed the blonde sitting behind the Pens bench.
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This was easily the best glimpse into the potential of the kids.
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Guerin must be real pleased to be consistently passed over as one of three shooters in the shootout…
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Gordon must have seen something out of Tambs today to merit that beautiful shot. If only he could do it more often. Good goal Tambs, Keep playing.
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pollard park says:
cant wait to read all of the yahoo posts about how good TAMBELLINI is!!!! lol
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I noticed the dirty blond myself.
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lets trade tamby and bruno for 10 first round picks!!!!
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Give Tamb the rest of the season to prove himself…. Can’t really hurt the team.
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RE: Blitz — No, Atlanta was not $5 mill under, but they were under for sure. Coming into the season, I’m sure they didn’t think they would have been this bad, so they went after Schneider to help the team.
Getting two picks for ANYONE has to be considered useful I would think.
Tamby with a laser…Hopefully he can build on that, everyone knows we need some snipers. Go ISLES
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I’m gonna yahoo Tambellini.
Get this…..WORLD CLASS WRIST SHOT.
Not many guys can do what he just did in a shoot out. That’s really freakin hard to do. That wrister is a bullet.
Tambellini is gonna be fine.
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jbranny says:
I too am surprised they kept Hillen over Callahan, but Hillen was +1 today and +1 on Saturday (in a 5-1 loss). That Malkin goal today was on MacDonald. Hillen had good position.
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ya you where same guy saying they should release him 3 hours ago!lol
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We have just trade the veterans and keep all the young guys. Let them play and see what happens. I wanna see a young, fast, energetic team!!!!!!!
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hey dont get me wrong i wanna see the kid do well, but the shootout is a skills competion. i wanna see him create scoring chances in the game, then he will be doing something!!!!!
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DanNOLA says:
Oh, great. Now people like Tambs. Guess he’ll be here a while still, huh?
Remember when he scored in the shootout for the win at MSG a year ago? I guess that means his average is one nice shootout goal a year. Glad to see the contribution. Now if only he could actually do something worthwile the other 364 days a year…
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Tamb has no trading value. He is in contract for another year. We don’t have a ton of prospects waiting to be in the NHL. I would rather see him than Sim in the lineup. Also, because we are in such dire need for a sharp shooter, it really doesn’t hurt to give him another chance.
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isles72 says:
nice to see the youth shine for 65 mins
nowhere to go but up
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Strummer's Army says:
I am happy to see Jeff Tambelleni have some success.
Glad Bergy and Nielsen are doing so well.
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part of developing prospects is letting them play thru rough times…..I remember people booing the heck out of Todd Bertuzzi and calling for a trade. I also remember him being a goal scoring monster a few years after the trade and everyone was saying how he shouldn’t have been traded. Tambellini has another year left on is contract. Let him play and see what happens. Patience patience patience
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thepolishprince says:
Tambs has a WICKED shot. It’s just that when there are oppossing players on the ice he can’t seem to get in position to use it. Damn that whole “other team” thing!
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Tambellini has a hard time setteling a bit in real game situation. He has an issue thinking shoot when he should focus on receiving a pass.
He gets one step ahead of himself. The trick to getting him going that he needs to learn how to slow the game down in his head.
The ability is definitly there.
Folks who are ready to throw Tambellini under the bus don’t really understand what they are in for in the next few years. There are gonna be lot of players who struggle to put their game together. It’s called development.
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kevin says:
awsome game, just got back. lots of energy in the coliseum. first,good to see malkin get beat up.second, great game. third, why cant tambs do that in a game? 4th, had okposo pulled that move off then he would get number one on top 5 plays on nhl network. too bad.o and i wouldnt say i always liked tambs but i never bashed him. just said i will wait and see. i hope he has more success in the future.
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Gary says:
Unless they are going to show the Metro Ice Challange standings during the game like they did in prior years please Howie Rose, dont even mention this thing!!!!!!!
Wspecially when the Islanders have only one win combined this year vs. NJ & The Rangers
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This was a great game to go to. This was my 20th game out of 27 home games so far this year. It was definitely the loudest I’ve heard the fans this year and I’m not talking about the high pitched kids, the Let’s Go Islanders chant during OT was…invigorating. (I’m not counting the Canadiens game on 11/1 when the Habs fans were louder than us)
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toorude says:
k.o. is fierce. so many pieces of potential are displayed each game for weeks now. if he can put it all together……oh boy.
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when the chants and noise are going -i always think that there is no need to tear this place down. they just need to win. Lets Go Islanders!
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Dan from Westchester says:
Best home win of the season today.
What a showcase by the kids – Neilsen, Bergie, Kyle were great. . . And Brendan Witt was a beast today!
In OT and the shootout the Coliseum was louder than its been all season. Even the parking lot was alive with the
“beep beep beep – beep – beep” after the game.Actually felt good about the Isles leaving the building for once today
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Best move of the day was Josh saving a goal on Joey as he laid his stick in the crease and deflect the puck. Good game, Good crowd, Good effort, Good WIN!
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Alex Kinkead says:
I was ripping Penguin fans today after the game about MICHEL THERRIEN! How do you let your coach be fired and then the next game continue to lose to the worst team in the NHL! It is beyond me
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usnabatman says:
Long time reader first time poster. I truly believe that Tamby needs to play center in order to succeed at the NHL level. Too often he takes the puck out wide in the O-zone and gets himself out of shooting position. He doesn’t have the moves or hands to deke defensemen outwide and then drive the net. He needs to get himself in that slot in order to fully utilize his wrist shot. Playing center will force him to play north-south and in the middle of the ice instead of east-west. It will force him into better shooting lanes, plus he has the quickness to get back on defense. You don’t need to be a playmaker in order to be center – joe sakic and joe Nieuwendiek (spelling???) come to mind. Putting him at center will allow him to shoot the puck from the center of the ice, whats the worst that can happen, we don’t finish in last place …
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i dont know if he can just go to center. first off we have too many centers and second, i think he just needs time. he could just be a late bloomer. the skill is there but well he just needs time. its a rebuild so personally i am in no rush to jump the gun and get rid of him. and personally, sakic is a playmaker to me but i see where your going and its not a bad idea just not for tamby
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Joe (37),
I meant the Pens have no Dman who punishes other team’s forwards when they venture near Fleury and the crease. They could use Witt in a bad way.
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Tamby looked good with that shot because it was in the shootout when no other players were on the ice.
Tough score…real tough…
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Joey Mac was excellent. Sim didn’t even play bad. Well done.
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ISLESFAN999 says:
We really need size. This is the biggest thing we need along with SKILL.
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Dean Lombardi (THE Kings GM)interviewed and apparently really wanted the Isles job. He started the rebuild right away. He made some very astute trades like getting O’Sullivan for Demetra and Jack Johnson for Gleason. He’s acquired extra picks (in first round and others)and most importantly has drafted (it appears) well. He inherited some very good players too. So yes, there is hope for the Isles but I wish the rebuild would have started long ago!
Also, let us be real honest here. The Kings GM understands the need to have a big, aggressive team and numerous dudes who can throw hands and play the game and a big time HW like Ivanans. Garth Snow despite citing Ana winning the Cup with a huge rough team when he signed Andy Sutton has gone in the exact oppossite direction. He went for small, timid, not so skilled guys all over the ice.
To this point I believe (until his actions tell me otherwise) that Snow is still building his team for the “New NHL” and is the only GM with the philosophy.
I hope the Isles are very active at the deadline. If prospects are brought back then I’d like to see some size and intensity to add to their skill. Guys don’t fit get rid of them. I’d like to see his draft philosophy from now on reflect that. No more need to draft small guys no matter how talented.
Same with the free agents let’s see some size and skill and CHARACTER!
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Geez CB, stop adding to the “depression” with your veiled messages regarding the potential end of NYI Point Blank. This is the Islanders “fix” for the diehard. We need you.
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Mark3454 says:
This is a bit off topic but someone else commented twice about the subject and their post is still up so here I go. I can’t believe the posts about the “heavyweight” theory. First off I’m sick of hockey “fans” who ignore all of the big moves we need to make and decide to only concentrate on signing a “heavyweight to protect the kids”. That is the most ridiculous reason to sign a cone that I have ever heard. This team is rebuilding and cannot afford to waste a roster spot on a player who can’t contribute to,,you know,, the actual game of hockey. Having a fighter on your team in NO WAY protects your kids! The fighter isn’t on the ice when the kids are and if one of them gets hurt he will come in and do what, fight the other teams tough guy? How does that protect the kids? Do you think all of the sudden the other teams defensmen are going to stop checking our younger guys because they’re afraid? What a joke. Small guys always get pushed around and having a fighter on the team does nothing to stop that. If he goes up to the player doing the pushing to start a fight, that player can simply refuse to fight. No, the real reason these “hockey” fans want an enforcer is because what they love most about hockey (the fighting) is the same thing that holds our sport back from being taken seriously by the rest of the sporting community.
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Terry says:
Stanley Cup Final 2013
Kings-Isles..just a random thought. -
Isletry says:
I was glad to see that Gordon gave Tambellini a shot in the SO. Next, I would like to see him play RW instead of LW, preferably on a line with defensive forwards so he can cheat a little. The guy obviously has talent, and it is a shame that he can’t put it to use in a game. Perhaps he is too concerned about being a liability and it is preventing him from producing.
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beatlebailey says:
Great game – the coliseum was close to a sell out i think. and the skating presidents were funny. Best home game of the year…go thrashers i want the day to be a complete win/win by us not losing ground for Hedvares.
Totally off topic question – Does anyone remember the last time the isles got the back page of the post or daily news for purely a hockey game event( not a coach firing or criminal owner announcement etc.) I can’t remember the last time.
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UIF says:
Jeff Tambellini pulls up when racing for pucks against defensemen, and avoids fighting for ice in scoring areas. Until he changes that, he probably won’t find success outside of shootouts.
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Swan says:
Mark, completely agree. This is the worst team in the NHL currently. They have many more holes to fill than worrying about an enforcer slot. Like you know, quality wingers and defenseman. A HW is definitely something I like to have. Maybe a final piece down the road. Absolutely not something this Team has to worry about now with all the holes it has to fill.
It is kind of like griping about the design of the 3rd jerseys. Maybe important to some fans. Definitely not pertinent to developing this Team into a winner, with a winning attitude.
Please let’s not add more responsibility to Tambellini. He clearly does not is a center, even if there was room for him on the roster. He is not a playmaker and he is still learning his defensive responsibilities as a winger in the NHL. No need to add to it by forcing him into a center position.
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Chris A says:
Good game from what i saw up in sec. 322 good to see the traveling penguin contingent silenced 4 most of the game and leaving with just a point
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Andreas the Badger says:
If you analyze some of the bigger moves Snow has performed during his tenure so far it’s pretty obviuos he hasn’t lost track of the physical aspect of the game. He resigned Witt, added Sutton and Guerin and traded for Smyth. These are all gritty players with big bodies. So what, he picked a few smaller D men with 2nd and 3rd round picks, but he also added Petrov, Hamonic and Martin with later picks. Anyway, the draft history of Snow is impossible to judge just now.
Watching this team I have a feeling the turnaround will be quicker than that of the Kings. I don’t know why, maybe the Dynasty history influences current players.
Another note on the lack of fighters. Yes, the Pens have Godard, one of the league’s better at fisticuffs. But who received a double minor for roughing sticking up for his pals? Malkin, the leading point getter in the NHL. -
Chris M says:
Everytime the Okposo-Bailey-Comeau line steps on the ice they are greating scoring opportunities, whether its K.O. putting on a one man show or its Comeau digging a puck off the boards and feeding the slot or Bailey threading a pass to a charging player. And their defensive intensity is there, which is nice to see. Gordon better leave this line alone for the rest of the year. Every game I find myself waiting for line shanges just to see these kids play
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303Joe says:
Isles gotta get lucky and get the 1st overall and get Tavaras if not Hedman isn’t a bad consolation prize. Get one of these guys sign Colton Orr and give yourself a reliable 4th line guy that is one of the top 5 fighters in the league. Also go sniff around Chris Neal see what he wants and get some size and toughness on this team. If we get lucky enough to get Tavaras the kid will be getting run all over the place and will need protection for him and those 2 would do that. Of course a legit top 6 UFA forward of sometype would be great to.
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Islanders1984 says:
I really hope they don’t get Orr. He is about as useless as Fritz
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Nick says:
how did tambellini play besides the wicked wrist shot in the shootout
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cb, i agree with you completly. it is going to take time to totally rebuild this team, but there are already a number of good pieces in place! we have a legit all-star in the nets, and alot of youthful skill up front. we are going to get a top three pick(hopefully taveres), but hedman and duchane are both going to be elite players also. to stay as young and gritty as possible should be snows main concern from this point on! i will say i would not be totally shocked if this team is not in the playoff hunt next year at this time, and a real playoff contender by 2011.
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Sec301 says:
lets go thrashers
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i know it is a bit ambitous, but i honestly believe things are not going to be this bad for too long. you have to take into consideration 450 man games lost by the end of the year!! with a healthy depietro and a elite prospect plugged into the lineup next year, we are only a few smart moves away from being a really good team. GO ISLES!!!!!
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dose says:
as i recall, the trend away from the home team whites was set by the ’86 giants, when they started wearing their road blue at home.
i don’t like it.
i think the home team should wear white. and the islander home uniform is awesome. -
rob says:
i agree with dose…. nothing was like the “white out” in the 01-02 playoffs against Toronto.
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WarrenG says:
Just finished watchin the game on delay after work, and damm what a game. Wow Tamby and the Great Dane Franz with WICKED shots and JOEY MAC with a big game.
Just a update as this was my 5th game rerouted from MSG PLUS HD to another HD channel on DTV, i called them and they said as of Jan 25th, MSG is NO LONGER providing HD feeds of ISLANDERS, RANGERS, DEVILS, and SABRES to NHL CENTER ICE package members of Direct TV! UNFREAKIN BELIEVABLE how MSG deals with CRAP! I urge all who have the same problem to contact MSG and Complain!
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isles316 says:
Nick, Tambs actually had a nice game I thought. He was getting to the right spots and got robbed in the first period on a nice one timer from a cross ice pass from Park.
I thought it was the best effort the Isles gave for 65 minutes all season, or at least a long time. Everyone played well except maybe Guerin who I didn’t notice much. Everyone played their part real well, it was nice to see.
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SIR WILLIAM says:
Penguins gain a point on the Rangers who lose to the Blues. The games against the Rangers are the only games left that I will root for the Isles to win.
I’ll spend the rest of the season rooting for Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Carolina to finish ahead of the Rangers and keep them out of the playoffs.This season has been a disater for the Isles, but how sweet would it be if our inner city cousins, with their big dollar players, got shut out of the dance?….SW
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GREAT win!!!
There wasnt ONE player who looked bad today… remarkable!Im telling you, the Islanders are the best worst team Ive ever seen.
Seriously, let me explain that lik- I (and many of you) have seen the Islanders when they were BAD… they werent what this team is this year, staying in games almost every night, even if they fall short. This team has looked completely outmatched all night relatively few times, thats what I mean by saying they are the best worst team.
Oh and dose (101): I dont think that the 86 giants had anything to do with it. I dont know the exact dates, but I do know until the early 1970s home teams wore dark jerseys and the visitors wore white, just like now. They went back to the way it was for a large part of NHL history.
But Im not saying that tradition or whatever is the reason why they did it, Im sure that they just want teams to show off their 3rds for the home fans so they will go and buy them. I guess if everyones 3rd jerseys were white variations, then they would not have changed it!
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The home teams wear dark now because when teams started to make 3rd jerseys they would wear them at home and they would be dark. Teams on road trips would then have to carry 2 uniforms with them and it made double work for the training/player staffs so they switched it around for that reason and sold it as tradition.
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Warren G (103) and others, I’m a Cablevision subscriber so I have no issues w/MSG and MSG+ in HD. However, I’ve heard horror stories w/other providers.
I’m contemplating Verizon FIOS… since CV are bastards and looking to hike my bill significantly. Anyone know if Verizon FIOS gets the MSG and MSG+ feeds in HD?
Thanks.
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CJ, Verizon Fios does not have MSG in HD. I’ve looked into it myself for the same reasons.
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Merrick says:
Great effort today. For the most part, even with a lack of talent, this team has played hard all year–and CB, you were dead on regarding Okposo on the Sidney play and charging back up the ice for one more rush. That was amazing.
The one other guy I believe who deserves props for today is Bruno Gervais. He was busting his tail all game, mixing it up against bigger guys, controlling pucks in corners, and seemed to be in the right spot all afternoon.
Now, Lets go Trashers!
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Isles1972 says:
Great game by the kids today. With efforts like this the rebuild would at least be entertaining. Quick question CB, if the Isles trade Comrie and don’t resign/trade Guerin, that is $8million they free up to sign players. Who can you see them target? Also, here are the forward lines I would like to see next (a couple can even start now:
Cole-Weight-Okposo
Bergenheim-Neilsen-Hunter
Hilbert-Bailey-Comeau
Park-Coliton-JackmanI would also give Tambellini a longer look. He has the tools but needs to bring the goods.
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mark an enforcer keeps the guys honest. didnt see a line brawl with our top defenceman getting his head smashed or bergie getting his first fight and then dominated by fighting an experienced fighter or mair thoring a cheapshot while the fight was over when fritz popped peters with a sweet uppercut. in fact, i saw the our team take the lead and win and the other team look out of it. also, a fighter can contribute if you get the right one ( jackman, neil, rupp, carcillo, clarkson, and so on ) but yet it is okay for sim to play and contribute nothing? so si can take away a roster spot from kid who isnt ready but a fighter cant? and when comrie, weight, guerin go or most of them and we cant fill their spots and we fill it with a fighter and give the other tosay colliton or walter who are IMO the only nhl ready down in bridge other than career ahlers.
and swan, most of those holes cant be filled until a couple of years meanwhile a fighter is a trade away or the next free agency. -
u guys act as if fritz or any fighter would replace okposo. all 28 other teams have no problem so why should ours be different? im excluding detroit who have downey and mccarty ready to go when the team needs it for revenge. mccarty knows somehting about that, i.e. claude lemieux
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Terry87, My very close good friend lives in San Fran and is a Kings fan so I follow them and if that does happen, one of us wouldn’t make it.
The Kings would be a playoff team this year if Labarbera was never on their roster. I cant tell you how bad he was especially late in games and shootouts for them. He cost them 6 points easy.
The Kings have been a mess in goal for a long time so although they havent made the playoffs in forever, dont think the isles should do that. They had Chechmanic and Cloutier and have been in a much tougher conference.
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Hope is not a bad thing to have.
Seeing Okposo wih Crosby today in OT, well that moment may have made the whole season worth it for me. That was great on so many levels.
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FIsles says:
Lombardi is not some genius GM. The Kings have been a complete failure under his watch, not by design but as a result of poor decisions. That is why they had the opportunity to draft a franchise player in Doughty last summer. If Lombardi was doing a wonderful job, they would never have been so bad last year. Their potential success — that is, they aren’t a success yet — is not the result of great management. Lombardi can thank his lucky stars he wasn’t fired for his mistakes. If you look at the team he put together for the 07-08 season, it was not a slow rebuilding team, a team expected to fail for long-term gain, quite the opposite. They were expecting to win, but as I said, it was a complete failure.
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So, If Tambs does Not score the goal in the SO. Did he have a great game?? I realize it was a good win. I listened to it over the net, however, you all have been throwing rocks at Tambs and others until they win. Now they are good again??
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Marc from Troy says:
To those like blitz (81) who want to get your fix of bashing Tambellini by minimizing what he did in that shootout yesterday, let me just point out a couple of guys who did NOT score a goal “when no other players were on the ice”: their names are Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. If SO goals were so automatic, wouldn’t you think maybe at least one of those fairly talented guys might have put one home?
Kid certainly hasn’t lived up to the potential he appears to have inside him just yet, and I’m not trying to sugar coat that. But the way some of you can’t let go of using Tambellini as a whipping boy – on a day when he actually contributes to a great win, no less – is pretty pathetic.
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RobsIsles says:
First off, Fritz is not what we need. He is not a legitimate enforcer. How about Bergy. Skating like a man on a mission. Give him some ice time with K.O. Could be an explosive combination. Feel good for Tambs. Hillen is too small and looks scared to hit someone. Plenty of time left to evaluate the kids. Still feel that Bergy is a definite part of the rebuild. Any comments?
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Bruno played his tail off. Showed lots of hustle. Witt showed a little something, key word “little”. Gotta shop Witt, he doesn’t want to be here and doesn’t like the sysytem. Get a draft pick and give a younger kid a shot. Gotta make a splash in the free agent market.
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btw tambs had 5 hits.idont want fritz as our enforcer for next year btw.maybe this year since we have no choice
I think it’s safe to say that the Pens will do a fairly decent job today for their new coach. With that said, 5-2 Pens. Guerin and Tamby, yes Tamby, score for the Isles.