FLYERS at ISLANDERS, 7:05 pm
11:45 am: More updates from the morning skate
Botta on FanHouse: Could Tragedy Hit the NHL?
updates from the morning skate continue
11:45 am – Martin Biron acknowledged, “This is not a regular game.” He said it would be a great thing if you can bring that energy you have facing your old team every night. “It’s special,” he said. Asked if there was any disappointment the Flyers did not re-sign him, Biron said with a half-smile, “It would have been a lot easier.” He was referring, of course, to keeping his growing young family in their South Jersey home instead of being separated from them. While Martin lives on the Island for the season, his family remains in Buffalo.
Still, being the glass half-full man he is, Biron said he is “blessed” to be with the Islanders and has already created new memories on Long Island. “New challenges, new experiences,” he said.
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I checked in with Jeff Tambellini to see if there have been any recent meetings with the coaching staff as he attempts to become an every day player. “No message is a good message,” he said. His job? “To be a threat every time I’m on the ice,” said Tambellini. “To get to the scoring areas. Whether I’m playing with Thommer (Nate Thompson) and Jack (Tim Jackman) or on a more offensive line, to be smart in all zones.”
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In discussing the superb play of Jack Hillen this morning, Scott Gordon said, “In camp I thought he was our third-best defenseman. He’s playing like it.”
I couldn’t resist asking, “If Mark Streit is No. 1 and Hillen is No. 3, who’s second-best”? Gordon initially said, “Radek Martinek before he got hurt.” Later on, he said, “It changes from game to game.”
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Rick DiPietro took part in the complete morning skate and reported to be feeling fine – a very good sign in his attempted NHL comeback. Noticeably slimmer, DiPietro said he lost some weight and bulk to put less pressure on his injured knee. He’s down about 15 pounds.
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10:45 am - As we reported last night on Twitter and PB, Martin Biron will start tonight for the Islanders against his former team. Dwayne Roloson will be the backup. At the morning skate, Biron and Rick DiPietro took the reps. Roloson got work in before the skate in preparation for his next start, likely Friday afternoon at the Coliseum against Pittsburgh. Brian Boucher goes for the Flyers.
Moulson – Tavares – Hunter
Bergenheim – Nielsen – Okposo
Sim – Bailey – Tambellini
Thompson – Park – Jackman
Sutton – Hillen
Streit – Gervais
Witt – Meyer
The Flyers play the last of a five-game road trip in which they are 1-3, with a win in Los Angeles and losses in San Jose, Phoenix and Colorado. They will be without the injured Simon Gagne, Darroll Powe and Blair Betts and the suspended Daniel Briere, who leads the team in goals with ten.
78 Responses to FLYERS at ISLANDERS, 7:05 pm
11:45 am: More updates from the morning skate
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Les Beaver says:
I really think that Bergenheim’s style of play does not complement either Okposo’s or Nielson’ styles, and makes that line rather ineffective. Bergie’s great at causing chaos out there, but he’s not a set up man or goal scorer. Maybe switch him out with Tambellini or Park. That’s my $.02.
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jonsson3 says:
Love the first line, although #1 you maybe right, not enough speed, but still love it.
Witt and Meyer scare me! GO ISLES!!
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UIF says:
Wow, I almost don’t even recognize this lineup with all of the line juggling Gordon’s done since the Toronto game!
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Mike L says:
I cant remember the last time we beat the Flyers. I think it was the game before that Easter Epic part 2 game against the Devils. Hopefully we can get one today, except even without those few guys in the lineup, the Flyers look absolutely deadly.
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Brian G says:
They should try these lines for Friday’s game:
Moulson – Tavares – ComeauBergenheim – Nielsen – Hunter
Tambellini – Bailey – Okposo
Thompson – Park – Sim
Jackman
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coral springs isle fan says:
The one thing I will say about the Islanders is that since the 2nd half of last year and carrying over into this year they have been much tougher to play on home ice. I have my fingers crossed that they have a large walk up crowd and they can get to 15K for tonight’s game. This team seems to respond well to the crowd support. Big game my friends!
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Anthony says:
I’d rather see Okposo with Tavares on the top line, and Hunter with Neilson and Tambellini – they play well together.
My lines:
Moulson Tavares Okposo
Tambi Neilson Hunter
Bergie Bailey Sim
Park Thompson JackmanFor PP, put Okposo on the point and get Josh Bailey on the ice with the better scorers to utilize his passing skills
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Andy Badger says:
#2. Completely agree. I think Sim and Bergenheim is a better fit. Don’t know who should center though. Tambellini – Bailey – Okposo seems like a nice 2nd line. Okposo will draw attention away from Tambs, and both him and Bailey can feather passes. Nielsen is a pretty good two-way player with an underrated wrister. I think he’d do well with the extra room created by Bergenheim and Sim.
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NICK says:
Moulsen-Tavares-Neilsen
Hunter-Okposo-Bergie
Tamby-Bailey-Park
Sim-Thompson-JackmanG-Dipietro. (just joking)
G-Rolosen -
Ughh, again with some horrible lines.
Cusi is totally right about that 1st line. Talk about slow.
I can’t, for the life of me, understand how Gordo can come up with such horrible lines. -
dennis says:
Slow,that is everyone’s problem with the first line??.GET HUNTER OFF THE FIRST LINE!!!.Off the first power play unit while you’re at.I’d rather see tambellini with the first line.Please stop making Hunter more than he is.A 3rd line penalty killing forward.
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Robbie G says:
First off, it’s nice to see Ricky being talked about recently in a positive way, finally. Knock on wood that he continues to progress in the right direction. I can’t wait to see him back on the ice in the NYI uni…
Anyway, I’d like to see KO back on that top line with JT and Moulson. KO needs to get going and I think reuniting that line would be effective. I’d also like to see Hunter back with Bailey. Hunter has brought some scoring touch and positives to Josh’s game and I don’t see how Sim (ugh) and Tambs helps his development. Finally, put Franzy with Sim and Bergie and let them forecheck hard and let Franzy play shutdown Center…also, just my $.02…GO ISLES!!!
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Lafontaine16 says:
nice to see DP took reps at the morning skate and there was no set back after his intense practice from yesterday.
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Mario says:
How does SIM keep moving up and getting PP minutes??? He cant even crack another NHL team lineup and he keeps moving up in ours. Put KO on the first and tambs on the second and Hunts on the third. And Schremp on the 4th with SIM OUT!!!!!!!!!!!
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I think I’ve made it obvious in the past that I’m a huge Martinek fan. That being said, I’ve been saying for over a year that Hillen is very similar (in my mind) to that of Martinek and will eventually be Marty’s replacement.
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dennis, hunter is a point per game player so far this year. yeah he’s only played like 8 or 9 games, but still, i think he’s doing more than you are giving him credit for.
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Cary says:
I don’t like to do this often, but here are my suggested lines:
Moulson-Tavares-Okposo
Tambellini-Bailey-Hunter
Bergenheim-Nielsen-Park
Sim-Thompson-Jackman
I don’t agree with keeping the same lines together, which is essentially what Gordon is doing for tonight’s game.
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BJ says:
So if Hillen was the 3rd best D Man out of camp, why didnt he make the lineup out of camp?…Also, Hunter has the best snap shot in the eastern conference, he creates opportunities that guys like Moulson and Tavares live for, he belongs on the first line, Im sure JT and Moulson would agree…
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CT Isles Fan says:
Definitely Sutton is #2. I think he deserves some PP time, but we need him to have energy for other parts of the game I guess.
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I don’t think the lines are that bad, although I too would tweak them a bit. However, the 4th line is fine in my opinion.
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fass says:
#6 Those are lines we should have. Why not sit Jackman for a game, he hasn’t been doing much but getting beat lately anyway. Comeau if he plays like he can, would add some size and ability to that first line. And can we stop putting KO on the PP point?? Don;t we think that we’re asking too much of this young kid. He STILL needs to develope and should be playing forward on the PP where he has score a lot of goals. Use Hillen on the point or anyone else, just stop using KO. He’s obviously has too much on his shoulders and it’s showing this season.
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Well tell you what battery,if he ends up a point a game player i’ll buy you season tickets next year.You will never get a point a game out of a guy who CANT SKATE!!!.
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hey i aint saying he’s gonna have 82 points this year (that, as well as free season tickets would be sweeeet), but the dude has been solid, even when the rest of the team has not been. it won’t take long to see if it’s gonna work or not. he’s pretty deadly from the right circle and creates rebounds. give the man a chance.
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You are crazy Dennis. He’s got a snipe.
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I have for 5 years.You just said it yourself.Pretty solid.I want someone who can create,and between the 2,tambellini has the a better chance of doing that.He wont do anything playing with Sim
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rett says:
#6…yeah put comeau on the top line…he really deserves it…lol
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Islander says:
The problem with the first line is that they are way toooo slow it takes away from their scoring chances. What to do about it – coaches will have to figure that one out…..Go Isles!
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4theisles says:
Dennis-We are playing a big Flyer team that plays big. Ww need every good sized player in there. For sure we don’t have enough. Look what happenned vs the Leafs. Jackman, Hunter Okposo, Thompson, are big for us. On D we are also small except for our 2 big guys. Let’s win tonight and not have a blog filled with how desperate we are to get bigger.
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Finally get to watch a game not via DVR AND I get to be there live! So excited to finally get to a game…
Man I hope tambellini keeps it up, I enjoy watching him. Hillen as well…always thought he had this in him but didn’t get to see it over a long enough time span. He has it.Fights tonight? I’m a little scared…
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Bjorn Holland says:
Dennis,
If you criticize Hunter, you probably haven’t seen a lot of games.
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The Islanders should not worry about Fighting….they should just worry about Winning!
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Jerry says:
Bergie hustles his butt off every night, doesn’t score enough to be a top 6 but remember who set Bailey up on OT against Toronto to save our bacon. Also, is it me or does Comeau play hard every chance he gets. Does Gordon have something against him?
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Islesfan16 says:
I think Comeau always plays hard. Just doesn’t always play smart.
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Eastonhockey says:
I’m sorry but playing biron after roleson put up a top 5 goaltending performance in islander history is another mistake like park in shootouts over Tavares. Forget about building birons trade value from a 5th round pick to a 3rd….it ain’t worth it. Get the points now while roleson is looking good. He thrives on games played he should play 90% of the games if biron is unhappy then dump him.
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Eastonhockey – Rolo could use a game off after making 58 saves. You always want to start a guy against his former team, in this cases it’s Biron, it will give him a little extra motivation. Rolo is the man right now but Biron deserves this game.
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I like Comeau, but didn’t help himself not clearing the puck out of the zone in the last minute against Minnasota; it cost us the game – and a huge point or two against a lousy team…
Coaches don’t forget those minor details…
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Well if that’s true then we would only be playing with a 10 man roster tonight. Almost every night somebody gives up the puck it’s not all Comeau.
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Ummm,bjorn i have season tickets.I’ve watched plenty of games for plenty of years.The guy is a 3rd line player.End of story.
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Steven says:
When looking to B-port to see which players have had chemistry in the past, I can’t help notice the dominant line of Frans between Tambo and Okposo. What do you think?
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Madchef says:
comeau luster has worn off for me….Hunter on first line to protect tavares against big flyer team possibly?(not a fighter but big guy and better than park on that line) He also has been playing great as of late.I actually like the line pairings, and maybe the coaches watch them in practice and know more than us? Happy Turkey Day Isles Fans….the chickens get the day off tomorrow.
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Isles fan Ken says:
Seems like the Isles are catching the flyers at the right time, Happy Turkey Day, Let’s go Islanders!
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I’m with Dennis about Hunter.
I’m with Steven, Tamby – Frans – KO could be pretty awesome. I never even thought of that combo.
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I’m sorry but biron doesn’t deserve a dam thing. He doesn’t volunteer his time. He charges Wang over a million dollars a year to be a islanders. The ny Yankees don’t allocate playing time based on who deserves what. It’s all about winning otherwise you go 15 years without winning a playoff round.
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Lakewood Islander says:
no briere or gagne plus biron should be extra motivated and we are finally back at home. maybe we will get a point out of this game. Until the isles prove they can hold a lead on a cosistent basis, Tambellini must be in the line up if for no other reason but that he is a shootout specialist!
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With Asham, Lappy and Carcillo in the lineup, sitting Jackman is probably not a good idea. The Flyers are tough and love to throw down, the Isles need to be able to counter that. Of course there’s a game to be played, but if we are going to win, we need to be able to play smart but tough as well.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
I can see Andy Sutton having a big game tonight. He might not necessarily have to drop the mitts but he may need to log more ice time to police the Flyers. A few of his patented hip checks along the blue line will be nice…
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Carmine says:
I hope Biron does to Philly what he did to us all the years he was there. I’m so excited for tonights game. I was wondering if Gordon ever thought of movings Tambs to the right side and putting him on the top line with Tavares and Moulson. He’s got lots of speed and with JT drawing extra coverage on the ice that might open up some room for Tambs to let that beautiful wrister go.
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mmm22 says:
Tamby-Frans-KO is fine but not against the flyers… Bergy isn’t very big but he 100X tougher than Tamby and Frans, KO and Tavares both need someone to watch out for them and go to the corners and possibly take big hits hence Hunter on 1 and Bergy on 2.
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Matt says:
the islanders have beaten the flyers once over the past two years. i just can’t see that ending tonight either oh well
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gotta neutralize carter. and not let pronger intimidate the forwards
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TimQ says:
I think you have to keep Hunter with JT and Moulson, just for some element of toughness on that line. Otherwise they’ll get chewed up, especially by a team like the Flyers. I’m already concerned that JT hasn’t been the same since he got rocked into the end boards a few weeks back and was slow to get back to the bench. He needs protection.
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Strummer's Army says:
If Philly wants to play rough the Isles lose, plain and simple, they have nothing to counter it, Philly has too many guys who can play that way.
Very happy to hear about DiPietro’s progress. Really enjoying Bailey seeing success now.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
Here’s to the Isles bouncing back with a win in regulation. I’d like to see better defense and less running around in their own zone.
Hopefully the shock to the system that T.O. provided to the Isles will be a wakeup call. The Isles were fortunate to come away with 1 point … the 2 they got was a miracle.
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ken says:
deb said sell out, is she serious?
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Phil says:
Deb Placey saying its a sellout…lets see a win!
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Chris A says:
Happy Thanksgiving Islander Country let’s get a win
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from the looks of the coliseum, i say 11 to 12k
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admin says:
Deb either mis-heard, was misinformed or is doing her part for the cause….CB
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Islesphan25 says:
I miss the live chat……who an I supposed to talk hockey with now!!!!!!
Bring back the live chat!!!
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Hunter!!!!
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How many is that for Hunter now?
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neologizer says:
Hunter
5 goals
5 assists
in ten gamesnow he’s on the first line….Dennis should start thinking about those early discounts on seasons tickets now.
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Howie and Jaff are on their game. We had an Ogie Oglethorpe reference and an Ian Hunter (Mott the Hoople) reference within a 5 min span
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D-man says:
the game is being simulcast on yahoo sports… goto yahoo… nhl… and you can click on the game
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Doug says:
Brendan Witt taking a bad penalty…again.
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wtf is gordo doing to the lines? john sim on the pp? gimmie a break
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Guy helped it along Flyers been playing dirty
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admin says:
announced attendance: 12,687. My pal Deb was off by a bit. Post-Game Plus/Minus begins about 5 minutes after the game…CB
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JimmyMac77 says:
This team is not skating or going to the net… what is wrong with them.
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king says:
I’m sorry but Gordon is the problem here. He has RICHARD PARK OUT AGAINST RICHARDS IS HE NUTS!?! does he not see what is happening? DOes he not see that these are 4th LINE PLAYERS THEY CANNOT COMPETE…Scott Gordon you have just SINGLE HANDEDLY lost us this game. I blame you and only you this is 100% your fault
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I wouldn’t want to be Witt tonight. Tough breaks from the penalty to the deflection. We needed at least one more of those early opportunities to convert and now it isn’t looking so good. Good grief!
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Alan says:
With each game I watch this team, I realize that when they are ready to win, Scott Gordon will not be the coach. Time and time again, this team shows no life in the third period. This coach is all bark and no bite.
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No points in a very winnable game tonight.
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This was a very good effort…… for 40 minutes. 1 shot in the third says it all about the final 20 minutes. I credit Boucher for keeping Philly in the game early. I cant keep thinking there is a conditioning problem with this team. Maybe it’s linked to the fact that the team has a lot of optional practices and barely any team practices. Hey, you play how you practice
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Tee Pee says:
Are they always out of gas in the third period? The entire thir period is being played in the Isle’s zone. Ridiculous, they have no real physicality except for Sutton.
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honestly, the flyers lineup was not impressive tonight, add in they played their back up goalie.. very disappointing loss. i always defend gordon but im losing patience. how many leads do we have to lose. are we missing veteran presence?
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Gary says:
Jeckyl and Hyde yet another game!
Not sure if that 1st line has enough speed.