STREIT, OKPOSO WILL NOT BE SHUT DOWN
Weekend forecast: 0 pts for TBL and COL, 2 for NYI
With points in 8 of their 15 games since March 1, the Islanders cannot be accused of tanking. And they’re not about to start now.
Contrary to speculation in some media circles, sources tell Point Blank that the Islanders have no intention of shutting down top defenseman Mark Streit and top forward Kyle Okposo for the final five games of the season. While both are likely to miss Saturday’s home match against Tampa Bay, the team hopes to have their key players back in the lineup on Tuesday when they play in Carolina.
Islanders coach Scott Gordon made his position on the roster clear after last night’s loss to Montreal. “If they’re healthy, they’re going to play,” he said.
With Ryan Smyth done in Colorado and Vincent Lacavalier opting for surgery in Tampa Bay, some have made the leap that the Islanders’ reaction was, “Oh yeah? We’re taking out Okposo”! But that’s not happening.
Except for some late-season fun with the shootout extra-point - tomorrow’s plan: Rechlicz, Danis, Boggsy the trainer - the Islanders are proceeding like an organization that wants to win every game.
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WEEKEND FORECAST IN TAVHEDUCH
I know this is awful, but I’m going to do it anyway. I am locking in the following for this weekend:
- The Lightning lose tonight in New Jersey.
- The Islanders defeat the Lightning on Saturday at the Veterans Memorial.
- Colorado loses Sunday in Vancouver.
If all goes to form, here’s what the Tavheduch Watch will look like heading into the final week of the season:
1. Islanders 26-43-9 61 pts (4 games remaining)
2. Colorado 31-45-2 64 pts (4 GR)
3. Tampa Bay 24-38-17 65 pts (3 GR)
On Tuesday, the Islanders play in Carolina (perhaps with Streit and Okposo back), Tampa Bay hosts Pittsburgh and Colorado plays in San Jose.
If you have any trouble sleeping, you’ll probably have plenty of company.
Comments.
61 Responses to “STREIT, OKPOSO WILL NOT BE SHUT DOWN
Weekend forecast: 0 pts for TBL and COL, 2 for NYI”
Please Wait
The Devils have been playing poorly. I would love for TB to walk away with 4 points this weekend. We need to shut down KO and MS. Garth needs to play the same type of games Tampa and Colorado are.
I still cant see the isles getting 3 wins in their last 5 games, not with the schedule being as tough as it is. They’ll probably win the lightning game, but the other 4 remaining games are all against playoff teams.
It would be criminal to not walk away from his season without either Tavares or Hedman…criminal.
The Isles can go 2-2-1 and be safe. Colorado has the tiebreak between them and the Isles and the Isles would jump ahead of Tampa if they tie.
SIT THEM! REST THEIR INJURIES! PLEASE!
I agree with Annette. After all this team has gone through, a no-doubt future all-star is the only benefit that can come of this. Can Matt Duchense (sp?) jump right to the NHL next season? I’m preparing myself for a letdown now…
If there is even a question of their health they better sit!
I can’t believe we’re gonna lose out on what should be rightfully ours!
My worst nightmare come true. Isles win a meaningless game against a depleted Bruins team, saving itself for the playoffs, to slip softly past Colorado and T-Bay for a cozy third seeding in the lottery. Followed by an Atlanta lottery win and a fourth overall pick by the Islanders. Can’t wait till that happens. I’m not a religious man but I will be reading the Bible, Koran, and the Tom Cruise Guide to Scientology over the next week and a half.
Hey Cb,
Your assumptions this weekend should be dead on. On a side not,TB has 65 point, not 64 you wrote.
Just wondering, if the isles tie with colorado or tamba bay for last in points at the end of the seaon, is the tie breaker head to head record???
Without Streit and Okposo the Islanders will not be able to beat Tampa tomorrow. The Islanders looked just awful on thursday without those two. If the lighting beat us I am pretty sure that we can do no better then 29th overall.
CB- I see the same scenario for Monday morning also, however, I dont think the Isles can go 2-2 over the last 4. Tough teams. Hope I’m wrong and Tampa gets an OT win Sat.
Hedman was invited to tryout for Sweden’s World Championship team.
I think CB is about right with his prediction this weekend. One of the thing’s the Islanders have going for them is three of the teams they have to play are still fighting for playoff positioning, so they’ll be playing hard.
Thats how I see it playing out also CB but I really cant see the Isles winning again after Sat… Or maybe its me hoping… Eitherway the Isles never make it easy on their fans
plsy the game the right way. don’t shut down players because it will help our draft position. if we get the first overall pick, then let it be.
They need to be carefull with their 2 top players. Let’s hope the Isles are smart about this.
There’s nothing left to play (well) for.
The Isles usually have really bad luck with Tampa Bay. It seems like they’ve had our number over the last few years. St Louis always seems to have a good showing against us.
I’m not as quick to pencil that in for a win just yet. Looking at who we had out against Montreal it doesn’t look like we have enough even to fair that much better against Tampa.
I think when this weekend is over our fate is pretty much sealed with the worst overall record.
ugh…the end of this post should go on Fmylife.com …. seriously that would be our luck to go through all this and not end up with a top 2 pick
Annette put it the best. We have to come out of this with Tavares and Hedman. May there never be a day we cheer our isles to lose again.
I think with JT or Hedman, Healthy DP, present roster, and maybe a good free agent signing similar to that of Streit and Weight, Isles are very playoff worthy.
Lets not forgot Along with JT or hedman we could see another good player in those other 4 picks.
The year Ovechkin was drafted, Washington also drafted Mike Green.
This is no time for the Islanders to start acting like we hold ourselves to a better standard then the rest of the other junk team in the NHL. This team NEEDS at top 2 pick. To blow it in the last 4 games would be a joke and all to typical of this franchise.
Can we play Witt on RW and get Silly back in the lineup???
isles lose to tampa tomorrow. did you see what they looked like yesterday? then if they go 2-2 last 4 they are still last place. tiebreaker is wins and colorado has many more than us.
Don’t rest them to tank but if there is the slightest inkling that they aren’t 100% healthy no way either of them should be playing.
Saturday is the key game. We lose in regulation, and I like our chances for the #1 lottery position. I just don’t see Colorado winning another game this year, except possibly if Sakic comes back. Him playing in what may be his final games in the league could perhaps inspire the rest of his team to at least put forth an NHL level effort one night. Up until now, I have been rooting for the Isles to win, while at the same time, realizing it was best for them to lose. On Saturday, that all changes. They really need to lose that game, and that is exactly what I will be pulling for.
Everyone that says how typical it would be for us to win and screw up a top two pick just think of this - if somehow we DO get Tavares - maybe that would be the end of our “bad luck, typical Islanders, You cant make this stuff up” streak. No matter where we finish its gunna take luck to get JT, so if we do get him maybe it is the first of a series of events that takes away that whole mentality that we all have every right to live by. Tavares of Bust!
You don’t want it coming down to the last game on Sunday. The Islanders, as loose as you can be, playing Boston at the NVMC. If the game doesn’t mean anything to the Bruins, it will look like it. Take my word for it…CB
I’d love to see Okposo finish the year with 20 goals.
We’ve never not had a 20 goal scorer since Billy Harris first did it in 72-73.
This is good news.
CB, for some reason I wouldn’t chalk up 2 pts for the Isles on Saturday. Different story completely w/KO and/or Streit in the lineup. Tampa has a few name players including Stamkos, St. Louis, Lashoff, and Malone that to me, will be able to outduel the Isles.
I predict that TB upsets the Isles at home on Saturday.
Isles will lose tomorrow and Tampa loses in OT tonight.
Tampa is due for a win- we will not sweep them this season.
cbotts -dont be taking points away from tampa on us
even without lecavalier I still see tampa picking up some dirty points (ot or shootout losses)down the stretch here
so at worst , I’d say we’re slotted at 29th if we manage to pass the Avs
The watch for the rest of the season is on the Rags and the Panthers.
Rags-8th place, 4 games left, 2 points up on the Panthers.
Panthers-9th place, 5 games left.
What will be will be, as much as I hate to say it the isles are playing better than both teams right now.My question is as we can see the isles are not throwing any of these games down the stretch, it has be the same for TB and Colorado, right? You here all this hoopla how these guys battle day in and day out so why are these two teams with better talent (supposedly) playing like poo.
CB, I know this is a difficult question for you to answer, but where do you think team management’s mindset is on this draft lottery business? Obviously, they are saying all the right things publicly. But Snow in particular has to realize that at this point that it’s in the best interest of the franchise to finish 30th. It’s one thing to say on January 1st that the focus is on developing the young players and we’ll let the chips fall where they may. But when you’re 5 games away from what could be franchise-altering draft pick?
Strictly speculation, but is there any chance that Islanders scouts are telling Snow that Duchene is the best prospect and that Snow actually doesn’t want one of the top pick, knowing the backlash he’d face from a fan base that is so clearly obsessed with Tavares?
I absolutely hate the fact that I am rooting for my team to loose, and I can’t while I’m whatching them play….but we need Tavares oe Hedman.
You had to know that this would come down to the wire…….so typical. If Tampa wins the lottery Im gonna puke. Those bastards with all that upfront talent and winning the lottery last year and having a Stamkos extravaganza. I can see it now Taveres in neon lights. May the hockey gods strike them down.
Another site which be left nameless, says Burke will go all out to get Taveras. Thats why the Leafs are signing everyone out of college. Wonder if Garth would at least listen if the lottery falls our way.
We’ve been tortured, we’ve been laughed at, we’ve been a joke — for a long time. But right now this team is playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played — to win. I say keep playing boys, it’s gonna take some luck either way, and hopefully lady luck will shine on us for the first of many times to come on draft day. I mean WE ARE DUE! Lets Go Is-lan-ders! I would beep my horn if I was in a (or had a) car.
Time to dress Rob Hennigar,Mark Wotton, Micheal Haley, Mitch Fritz to join the WRECKER, Smith and Bentivoglino in the lineup for the Isles on Saturday night.
Lets not take any chances - this is a MUST LOSE game !
Even when we’re in last place and smooth sailing our way to the #1 (or #2 pick) we find a way to make it gut wrenching!
If we don’t end up with either the Tav or the Hed part of the Tavheduch race, this season was a 100% waste of everyone’s time.
Not sure if this has been mentioned already, and if it has then I apologize - Bozak signs with Leafs. No surprise there, just wanted to throw it out there. LETS GO ISLES!
I say bring back KO and Streit, you know what, its a toss in the air anyways who will get the pick. Atleast for our last few home games to a terrible season, I would like to watch entertaining hockey, because bringing my dad, hasnt been in years(took me when I was 8), it was a terrible game to be watching. They played terrible as if with no direction what so ever.
I want to go to the phily game next saturday and watch a game with heart and ferocity as theyve had this past couple months.
If there not healthy than do not line them up, but if they are, and they clearly want to play, let them play.
I wonder if David Volek, Richard Kromm, Brett Lindros, Alexander Karpotsev, Uwe Krupp, and Tommy Soderstrom have plans for the next 10 days? Not a bad starting lineup
Its great that this team always gets “Serious” about “Winning Every Game” with about 10 games left while they’re 20+ points out.
Keep up the outstanding work, you guys.
IMO as long as they are out tomorrow that is the most significant. Tomorrow is easily our most winnable game. I wouldn’t mind if they came back tuesday (Kyle scoring 20 would be cool)
We better loose to Tampa the Avs are not going to win another game. I have been rooting against this team since b4 all star break. We need a top 2 pick.
we even suck at losing haha. all we have to do is lose and if we can’t do that right we don’t deserve a team on long island. its not hard, TANK!!!!! for the love of god.
Dam CB, you sure do know how to turn on the switch are get all these people all messed up!!! Last night Isles looked terrible offensively , no way their going to win against TB. I think we should even keep Tambellini out of TB game.
For what it’s worth, the Islanders are a combined 1-12-3 in sixteen games against their final four opponents this season (CAR, PIT, PHI, and BOS).
If the Isles and Colorado are tied in points to end the season, Colorado would be ahead of the Isles because they will have more wins (COL has 31; most the Isles can get is 30).
Even if the Isles go 3-2 (again, bearing in mind they are 1-12-3 against their final four opponents) in these last five games, Colorado and Tampa would STILL have to lose every game in regulation the rest of the way to overtake the Isles.
Hey CB, is the league looking into that Green hit from the other night?? I remember everyone on here saying that it was suspension worthy. Didnt see it. Just wondering if they were looking into it…
and here i was worried that my “2008-09 Matinee Plan” was going to have 2 meaningless games the last weekend of the season.
and can someone please explain why Sunday is scheduled for 5pm start? just in case you wanted to have an early or late Easter dinner - you can’t do either.
The league is turning a blind eye on the “stars” of the league down the stretch. The “Green” hit and the “Marty” nut sack whack on “Avery” the other night. You can’t suspend Marty and Green during the playoff race. Perhaps any other other player on a non competing team would have had the Campbell kid after them.
btw - Botta means business as he is attempting the classic “reverse jinx” prediction.
I love it. Totally agree. Tampa will be lucky to score a goal this weekend.
its a 5 pm start b/c they dont want a conflict with the nbc day game at 2pm.. at 2pm, nbc has the rights to air their game with no other competition, so the other 3 games on sunday being played must be done at 5 pm.. (plus its easter)
I agree. Isles will kill Tampa Bay. The schedule after looks tough for us. Let’s hope the teams left aren’t looking to rest players and give us games.
Listen guys, we want to dump the next 2-3 outright. Sure we have playoff teams the remainder from tomorrow, but they will rest their key guys, #1 goalies etc. in the last ones. These next couple will tell the tale. We have to do this, and believe me Garth and Gordo are on our side, they just can’t make it obvious!
Screw the media, do whats right. Sit your injuries and finish out losing. We need to get Tavares. Theres no question. We need a goal scorer on this team. Not some big doofy D, we tried that with Eric Cairns. And we have Sutton for next year. Focus on Offense. That’s the name of the game in todays NHL. I say…TANK IT!
Bill Jaffe(53)
I couldnt agree with you more that we need the goal scorer, and i am 1000% for getting Tavares, but lets not start comparing Hedman to Sutton and Cairns
My Oh My CB! … What an ugly but realistic picture you paint.
TBay up one on the Devils.
All the Isles need to do is lose 2 more games in regulation out of the rest of the games left in the season. That will leave them behind tampa bay. And all we would need colorado to do is atleast take 1 of their final games to OT. If the Isles lose 3 out of their next 5 (which is easily possible) then its a lock. Im not worried too much about Tampa. I just worry about the fact that the Isles are capable of beating anyone on a given night, but i dont see the Avalanche capable of beating an AHL team right now
What the f&*%# happened to the Devils? I guess Brodeur has to payback his boss for all of those years of soft wins
uggghhhh! I knew this was going to happen. I hope we hold on boys.
TB with one point tonight! Let’s give ‘em another one tomorrow and then win the game. Let’s go Islanders!