ISLANDERS 2 RANGERS 1
Interactive Plus/Minus: MSG Edition
Tortorella Gets R-Rated in Post-Game Presser
9:30 pm - Post-game interactive Plus/Minus, live from Madison Square Garden after the Islanders’ 2-1 victory over the Rangers.
Plus: There’s no denying the Rangers were bad, and that will no doubt will be the focus of most of the newspaper reports. But nothing should be taken away from the Islanders’ masterful road game performance tonight. Bravo to every player and coach.
Minus: Maybe the intensity of the rivalry will awaken the Rangers…Thursday night. The game will mean more to them.
Plus: The Islanders’ shot-blocking was outstanding, culminating with Nate Thompson’s with 20 seconds left.
Plus: The visitors went to the net more than in any game this season.
Plus: Even beyond his goal to make it 1-0, Jon Sim played with attitude and was an irritating presence for most of the night.
Minus: On Sim’s goal, what was there to review?
Plus: Jack Hillen broke up two odd-man rushes in the first 15 minutes of the game. You don’t have to be 6-2 or a designated stay-at-home defenseman to make smart blocks. Hillen is playing like a No. 3, all-zone NHL defenseman.
Even: The first sustained “Fire Sather” chant of the season. Oh brother. (By the way, can it be more obvious that Mark Messier is going to be the next Rangers GM?)
Plus: You know even the Garden scoreboard crew thinks it’s going to be a long night when they play the Animal House rallying cry…with five minutes left in the first period.
Plus: Despite Marian Gaborik’s best efforts for 26:51 of ice - and he tried – the Islanders had someone effectively on him all night.
Plus: Blake Comeau had another nasty game, capped by the goal to seal it.
Plus: Two more golden chances for Kyle Okposo. I still don’t know where the first one went. Dan Girardi tied him up early in the third. A Plus because Okposo is involved and getting chances.
Plus: Dwayne Roloson didn’t take any of Sean Avery’s stuff, which could have gone two ways. To Roloson’s credit, he kept his composure and continued to lock the door. Add Roloson to the list of Islanders goalies this decade annoying the beer out of the blue-seaters.
Plus: Henrik Lundqvist willing himself to stop Frans Nielsen’s shorthanded breakaway mid-second and keep the game at 1-0.
Minus: With the Rangers hurting, the atmosphere at the Garden was lacking, to put it mildly. The first “Potvin Sucks” chant didn’t even go up until there were a few minutes left in the first period, and it fizzled.
Minus: I think I know the Rangers’ problem – they need to stop playing “Burn it to the Ground.”
134 Responses to ISLANDERS 2 RANGERS 1
Interactive Plus/Minus: MSG Edition
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Zarley Z says:
Who needs Kenny Morrow to shutdown Gaborik when you’ve got Jack Hillen?
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Islesphan25 says:
I think their best overall game this year.
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Bob C says:
I love the comment that it will mean more for them tomorrow. Nice to look down the standings at them. Go for the sweep tomorrow boys!
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TT says:
Plus: CB Posting this immediately after the game was over
Plus: 2-0 versus the Rags this season -
jt99 says:
I think Nielsen needs a new breakaway move. I don’t know if Lundqvist just reacted or he knew he was going to do the same move he does every time.
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Joespo says:
Nice to see Joshy play well throwing his body around keep it up
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Madchef says:
isles played all around great game. geeze the rag are playing uninspired hockey and it couldnt happen to a more overpaid spoiled bunch.get’em tomorrow boys
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dmen77 says:
Plus – We beat the Rangers
Plus Plus – We beat the Rangers at MSG
Plus Plus Plus – The Rags are now in last place
Minus – Tortorella and Sullivan are going to make paint come off the walls. We have to bring MORE intensity at the barn tomorrow night.
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BringBackNyles says:
Great game..we play well at MSG…it’s like we take out our frustrations at being ignored out on the rangers in their overrated building.
Hope we carry it over
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Alex Kinkead says:
One of our biggest win in years!
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james says:
#6-nielsen doesn’t need a new move . . it’s amazing . . he just made the move too deep so he couldn’t get the puck over lundqvist .. CB . . PLUS TO THAT LAST MINUS ON BURN IT TO THE GROUND . .i love you
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eye on the island says:
plus-thanks to mcdonald’s play we’ll hopefully not have to see gervais on the ice for a while
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bcarroll25 says:
this team still needs a physical presence/threat to make cheap shot punks like avery think twice.
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steve says:
when we get our forecheck up and established, we are a tough out for most NHL teams.
KO might not be scoring, but hes around the goal, in the right spots, and every other aspect of his game is rolling.
i hate watching games like monday nite, but i LOVE beating the rangers. -
Staten Islander says:
+Rollie the brick wall not backing down to Mr Sloppy Seconds
+John Sim playing like a rich man’s Sloppy Seconds
+KO getting chances
-KO still snakebit
+Bailey shooting the puck
-Bailey still snakebit
+Jack Hillen keeps getting better and better
-Thompson limping off the ice
+++A win over the filthy Rags -
ST32 says:
hillen, comeau and mcdonald are top 3 stars of game…great all around effort..the system works!
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Ethan K says:
Jack Hillen and Andy Sutton.
That’s pretty much all I have to say.
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the1gwiz says:
I hate to say it, but notice the lack of defensive mistakes with Bruno up in the press box tonight? If anything:
Plus: Gervais gets to watch a masterful defensive performance to emulate going forward.
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Oh, and Andrew Macdonald is already better than Gervais. Now all Gervais has to do is get better than Witt (not hard). We might not have a Lundqvist in net, or a Gaborik on our first line, but we’re not lazy like the Rangers.
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cusi says:
plus- gervais who?
plus- great 60 min of hockey by the isles
plus- mcdonald looks like he belongs
plus- comeau playing the way he needs to play
minus- i miss bergie
plus- great comback from that horrible last game
plus- bailey using his body which gets bigger every couple of months and his nice shot -
Eastonhockey says:
Glad to see sim score I Luke the guy as a player n don’t blame coach for playing him. Gordon better start Rollie again if he wants to keep his job I don’t thinkbsnow brings him back if they finish bottom 5 again
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Marc says:
Minus – referee not calling the Rag for cross-checking Streit behind the net just prior to the Rag$ getting on the scoreboard.
Plus — Rag$ suck.
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isles84 says:
Plus-4th line constantly making plays
Plus-forecheck the whole night
Plus-comeau playing like he never wants to watch a game from the press box again
Plus-turning it around from such an awful game on Monday night.
Plus- Rick who? I say Roloson it’s Rolosons position to lose.God I love when we beat the rangers.
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@19 I disagree…gordon is doing exactly what he was brought in to do…develop the young guys during the rebuild…no reason to make a change.
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gotta love Jon Sim for getting in everyone’s face all night in front of the net and just standing there trying to draw a penalty getting punched in the face. Team Player and great shifts by his entire line.
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JustinChi says:
Plus – Every time they show Tortorella it looks like his head is going to explode. I like the guy’s fire but he needs to calm down a bit.
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Pat says:
Plus- Jon Sim is the perfect 4th liner
Plus- Hillen and Sutton frustrating Gaborik all game -
@20 i agree, refs missed a few calls tonight and the bailey high stick looked suspicious and the roli roughing was a joke.
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Mike from Oceanside says:
I think a big plus is for Go-Go rolling four lines for the most part.
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Jim Clark says: Islanders looked good beating a team slightly worse than they are.
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Danbury Islanders says:
Plus: Jack Hillen is playing like a number one defenseman
Plus: Andy Macdonald improving with every NHL game
Plus: Blake Comeau showing Gordon he doesn’t want to be a scratch again
Plus: Great team effort
Biggest Plus: A win over the Rangers -
Hockeytime says:
Plus- beating the blueskirts at MSG
Plus- andy mac’s progress, this kid belongs
Let’s get em tomorrow!! -
PLUS- this game was an absolute joy in every respect, the polar opposite of the game right before it… thank god. I loved- LOVED- how the Isles spent the whole night breaking up plays and tipping trheir passes. Excellent win!!!
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kevin fitz says:
With the weakness of the Eastern Conference this year, all they Isles need to do is stick around the .500 mark and they will be within striking distance of playoff spot. I mean they are tied for 8th now and the are 1 game under .500
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Chris A says:
Plus Torts storming out of press conference
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kurvers28 says:
Plus: Watching Tortarella curse and act like a moron during the post-game!!!
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ItsGoodToBeRich says:
Blake Comeau and Andrew Macdonald have really stepped up their game.
It’s nice to see 2 more homegrown players start to make a point that they belong on this team.
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Roger says:
Missed game tonight due to a client dinner, but there is no greater fun than walking through Penn Station at 9:40 asking guys in Rangers jerseys if the Rangers won tonight. I must have asked 20 people if the Rangers won and what was the score.
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kjs says:
Now it’s time to listen to San Francisco Seals diehard Steve Somers lie through his dentures…
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CJ says:
Quick question…. anyone miss Bruno Gervais? Didn’t think so. Time to dump the guy for whatever we can get in return.
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jethro09 says:
Great effort tonight. Rangers are just not that good. The isles looked like the better team tonight in each end of the ice.
One glaring issue: the Isles MUST get.an enforcer. That nonsense with acery and Rolo can’t happen and when it does it must be dealt with.
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TimQ says:
Plus – Isles dictate tempo
Plus – Hillen
Plus – Tortorella dropping F-bombs in the post game presser -
drouin says:
Give a plus to Josh, one of his best efforts I thought.
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Sim should be on the 4th line played on the 4th line to perfection tonight….and scored a goal for the cherry on top.
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Jim M says:
PLUS-The New York Islanders in 9th place on December 16th ahead of the flyers and rags
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Tsinummocsiattob says:
minus – the fact we let a goon attack our goaltender and we do diddly squat!
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Dan says:
Nice win. I was very worried at the end but we pulled it out. If it wasn’t for the queen we would of had a blow out. I wonder who is gana start for the Rag$ tomorrow. LETS GO ISLANDER SWEEP THEM NO MERCY
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Jim says:
This what a young team does, plays great one night, slides the next and comes back again. They are starting to put it together though, the young kids are learning and getting better every game. This is fun watching them develop. Another year and a couple of good additions and we have a contender again. Good job tonight hopefully they play well again Thursday and get the sweep!
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The New Isles GM says:
Kyle Okposo is a beast. That about sums it up.
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gregory says:
@44…i agree with you. sim is garbage. idc that he scored, the goal was not a work of his hard work, but more of a result of his two linemates keeping it in. it was the luckiest goal ever. i’d rather have the more talented tambellini out there anyday than jon sim
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Steven says:
Tonight was the blueprint. Get the puck in deep and crash the net. Avoid the fancy plays at the blueline. Jack Hillen Blake Comeau and Andy McDonald looked good. This team will be really something with some more size.
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rb says:
Loved watching Roloson whack Avery in the ankle. For a minute there I could’ve sworn that the number on the back of the jersey was “31″ rather than “30.”
Isles better watch out tomorrow. That goon Brashear had better not pull anything stupid to charge up Rags.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
For me, the biggest highlight of the game was Roloson’s forehead save on Gaborik.
Plus – Jack Hillen! -
justin says:
I was ther tonight and it was great watching the win.
Plus: watching half of msg getup to leave after comeau sealed the deal.
Plus: good forecheck
Plus: just bc you are on the 4th line doesn’t mean you can’t score goals…..what a game jon sim.
Minus: JT you need to score when its just you vsm the goalie….that’s your thing.
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rb#52 I doubt Brashear will be in the lineup tomorrow. Torts hinted at making some changed to the lineup for tomorrows game and I think that would be one of them. The guy is useless even if we had ac goon to stand up to him.
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Sorry, forgot:
PLUS – Avery’s face after Comeau scored. -
Islander says:
Good Game Plus, Plus, Plus. Everyone came to play, 4th line was so entertaining love the combination of Sim, Thompson and Park.
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Crackhead Theo says:
Win tomorrow at home or this road win is worthless. Come on boys, do it agian and get back to 500!
Plus: I met Trottier at MSG tonight. He was with his daughter and about to head to a luxury suite to watch the game.
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matt says:
i wish tavares scored on his chance i dont want him to get cold hope he puts one in tommarow
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turgeiton says:
great game….great overall defense….rangers had 9 players with 20 + minutes to the isles 1….doesn’t torts know they have a game tomorrow?? gervais can stay out as far as i am concerned. thanks to the queen for that rebound to comeau…it looked like a pass…lol
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Examiner says:
Plus: Hearing more ‘Fire Sather’ chants than ‘Potvin’s Cups’.
Minus: New York Gaboriks fan next to me saying that the Islanders suck and are in last place. (We were tied in the standings at that moment).
Plus: The loud “let’s go Islanders” chants leaving the garden. All they could fire back with was ‘Kansas City’.
Super Plus: Hillen and MacDonald were flawless.
Obvious Minus: Brendan Witt is still really slow.
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Rich says:
+ everyone forgot Witter with a strong game on the PK and many key blocked shots or sticks in the shooting/passing lane
+ shut down of Gaborik and all the othe over paid dead beat Rags
- Isles letting forecheckers take advantage of our goaltender
+ Macdonald and Hillen playing like a young Niedemeyer
- possible let down tomorrow night at home
+ KO generating chances
+ Witter with a great game (see above)
- Tavares with a few turnovers and no-looksie passes in defensive zone -
sol says:
I don’t know what you were watching…in the stands we fell asleep. However at the end of the game let’s go Islanders was much louder than let’s go Rangers…
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Dan says:
Minus the crowd was as loud as Mondays crowd at the coliseum except there were only 5 thousand people at Mondays game
Plus I thought Ranger fans were booing an Islander player but they were booing Rangers…hahha
Plus Brendan Witts pass on the second Islander goal. He is no Lidstrom but it got the job done.
Plus to the Islanders for staying focused in such a lackluster game from the crowd
Minus to the Rangers fans for not trying to get their team going. I heard hardly any Lets go Ranger chants. Fire Sather hahaha
Plus hearing Islander fans chanting at the end of the game.
I think isles rangers games at MSG at not as violent as at the coliseum…
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One more:
Plus Seeing brand new yankee Curtis Granderson in the stands. Unfortunately if he wanted to see the home team win he should have stayed in Detroit and went to the Joe to watch the Wings…
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I agree Dan. Didn’t see any altercations. Most heated I saw people were Rags fans going back and forth. One was mad another kept saying “Brashear, Sather, and Tortarella” all suck after the Potvin chants (which were just as weak as the blueshirts effort tonight).
I think it is because we are somewhat respectful as guests in their arena.
We all know how they conduct themselves in ‘our building’. Embarrassing if you ask me (like the blueshirts effort tonight).
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Doug says:
The obvious plus of the night:
Tortorella, the classiest coach in the NHL, cursing during the press conference. Priceless. -
StevieL says:
Plus Jack Hillen was awesome tonight
Plus Blake Comeau maybe finding a home on JT’s wing
Plus hate him or not, Sim was effective tonight
Plus Rags 3 shots in the first period
Plus Bailey a shot!!Played like he had his job on the line, nice effort
Plus Sutton is a pro
Minus You can not get away with touching our goaltender. No respect, Witt should have pounded Avery
Minus we dominate but yet just squeak it out
Minus JT gotta bury those point blankers
Plus Great Great effort! -
Eddie says:
Can’t say enough about the games Hillen and Sutton had.
Is it 100 percent Biron plays tomorrow night? I hope Rollie plays, even though I’d be suprised if he did. The team for the most part just seems like a different team when Rollie’s in net….
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Section 320 rocks says:
Plus: Isles win at the garden
Plus: The isles come :55 seconds away from shutting the rags out at the garden for the 1st time in about a decade
Plus: the play of the d
Plus: Shotblocking
Minus: Rag fan who tried to start a fight at the buzzer
Minus: People in the audience who threw crap at me
Minus: The refs givin Roloson an extra two when Avery mugged him -
SeanG says:
Plus – a dominating defensive, forechecking and puck possession road game against the most hated rivals.
Minus – Tavares, Neilsen, OK, etc. not finishing big chances. The game should have been salted away by midway thru the 3rd.
Minus – I can already see the egg laying at home on Saturday night vs. Habs after these back-to-backs. -
Mike L says:
Plus – beating the Rags
Minus- The Rags being in the hunt for Taylor Hall -
Merrick says:
Plus: Pretty much has been said. Just sweet.
Minus: The Garden Ice. This was the first time I watched a full Rags game this year and it seemed like the puck was bouncing in ways I haven’t seen all year at the NVMC.
Plus: Rangers using $6 million in cap space on a D-Man getting 11+ minutes.
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Toly says:
Great effort tonight by the Isles. The defensive core did a great job.
Big Plus – holding Rangers to 3 shots in the first period. -
I know we beat this to death, but how do you let that jerk Avery punch and tackle the goalie, and stand around and watch it happen. I’ve been critical of Witt in the past, and I know most of you guys think he’s a warrior but give me a break. Even Mike Bossy with his 210 career penalty minutes would have tried to get Avery. Witt stood there and watched, unacceptable.
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ars9x says:
plus- so many sim haters coming around
plus- sim getting a goal
minus- it taking this long for ppl to realize what sim has done this whole season, the quiet agitator. the man has his part and plays it well, every small part matters on a team like ours
plus- beating blueshirt scum!
comon boys SWEEP! -
Strummer's Army says:
Plus: Everyone played well.
Plus: They finally scratched Bruno.
Minus: Sean Avery diving on yet another Islander goalie. Going back to after DP’s concussion when Avery intentionally then drove his head into the ice, giving him his second concussion, numerous others, Roloson earlier in the year and tonight. It has to stop.
Minus: Not one pulled Avery off Roloson and killed him. That is the only valid response.
Plus:Beating Rangers in their crappy arena, in front of their self-rightious fans.
Minus: Brashear being his usual jackass self. -
jonsson3 says:
There are only 1 or 2 things better than beating the rangers, and we need to keep it clean here so…
I wish i could play just 1 game, no 1 shift, against Avery. That guy is the biggest %#s*h@$e in all of sports!!
GO ISLES!! DO IT AGAIN! They should play Black Eyed Peas “I Got A Feelin’”….. “Let’s do it and do it and do it do it do it agaaaaainn!!!!!
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Angelos says:
Plus: Hillen 28 shifts (most on team) for 22:25 (second). +1
Plus: No one on Isles played under 11 minutes.
Gaborik and Dubinsky at 26 and 24 minutes TOI, respectively. Really, Torts?
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Brian says:
Plus: Great effort on both ends of the ice by the entire team.
Minus: A couple of bad line changes led to old man scoring chances for the Rangers.
Plus: As mentioned by mostly everyone, Jack Hillen.
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Plus – 1st period set the tone
Minus – All those odd man rushes should have led to more than 2 goals
Plus – Hillen, 4th line, KO dominating on the walls
Minus – How on earth did Rolo get a double minor for getting tackled
Plus – The forecheck was giving the Rags fits
Minus – more than 50% of crowd will be Rags fans tomorrow -
Mike from Sarasota says:
That really was the most pathetic MSG crowd I have ever heard for an Isles/Rags game.
Boy the Rags are getting absolutely nothing from $21,550,000 in cap space (Drury, Redden, Rozsival, Kotalik). I know they found a way to unload Gomez and his ridiculous salary, but good luck finding anyone to take Drury this off-season.
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Chris Mc says:
Total all around team effort. Rollie was huge. Hillen was clutch.
Stat line of the night. Blake Comeau- 1 G, 3 shots, 5 Hits, 1 block, 1 takeaway
Lets take two from these Rag Rejects and put some distance between us in the standings
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ogam5 says:
PLUS: Jon Sim’s 5 shots(!)
MINUS: only one goal; if someone on the coaching staff could help Simmer find a scoring touch, he’d be 2nd line!
DOUBLE MINUS: Richard Park, who can’t seem to find the net anymore and is on the ice for way too many opposition goals
PLUS: Nate Thompson’s gutty block in the closing secondsPLUS: Jack Hillen
MINUS: His starting to seriously eclipse
Mark Streit, given an equal offensive value this seasonPLUS: Andy Sutton
PLUS: Jesse Joensuu
PLUS: Andy MacDonald
PLUS: Josh Bailey
MINUS: Bails still not finding the net’s back after 8 games (that said, a shorter goal drought than too many others…..)PLUS: Blake Comeau – increasing shades of Bergenheim
MINUS: – when Sean scored more frequently in his career but, like Sim, Bergy will be back to providing a lot of his heart – and hopefully a revived scoring threatBIG MINUS/BOOOOOO: the ignorant, loutish Devils fans commenting in a Puck Daddy column concerning CB’s petition to the league for an Islanders-Rangers winter classic even before the first Edmonton/Montreal tilt 4 years ago. Can’t we get NO damned respect?
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Bjorn Holland says:
Plus: losing big to Atlanta so everyone was desperate.
Minus: the Rags will be equally desperate tonight.
Plus: Isles – Rags 2-0
Plus: watching the game here in Holland and seeing a lot op people in the crowds behind the goal standing up and cheering after Sim’s goal. -
How many plusses can be put in front of Jack Hillen’s name?
He is such a pleasure to watch on both ends of the ice.Hats off to Snow for his “other” great free agent pickup from last year.
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TM says:
Yes Bjorn, it looked good seeing NYI fans representing at MSG and standing up after both goals.
I’ll never get the Sim hate except he doesn’t belong on the PP. But even when he doesn’t score he’s yapping all night as he did against Avery. He gives it his all most nights.
Great effort by Hillen, Comeau who broke up the 2 on 1 as well as the goal, Sutton and McDonald. Sweet.
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
Great game and yes it needs to be followed up with win tonight to really make it count.
Hillen has become another snowy diamond in the rough found.
I’m not sim hater just thought 4th line is where shpould he be and he is now.
Nice job gordo realizing rolling 4 lines all game leads leads 60 strong mins
Hey goon lovers- tell me how effective bradshear was? That’s right. No need for goons in new nhl. The ice girls could beat up avery.
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billy says:
plus- pretty much everyone
plus- bailey should have had that goal that slid thru henrik and hit the postminus- i actually counted 4 bonafide chances for poor okposo CB, has anyone ever been this snakebitten before? he should be at 20 goals by now with all of his chances.i feel so bad for him
minus- like i had complained about earlier in the year, our odd man rushes are awful
minus-if you can say a bad thing about Tavs, has he taken a single slapshot this year? Comeau sent him in so perfectly and he tries a limp wrister. he has to deke or blast one at the goalie in those situations
plus- pls keep comeau in Gordo, the guy does the “little” things that are so important.
plus- i hate to say it but io have to say Avery even though i hate the guy. Although his methods are idiotic, he gave the blueshirts more than enough spunk to get back in the game…too bad the rags wasted his effort (well thats a good thing for us but in general….haha)
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Bob Bassen says:
Plus-Isles discipline, focus and class. Beautiful.
Plus-The Rangers have no soul. Period.
Plus-Comeau. Love it!
Even-Jumping on Avery is what he wants…in more ways then one.
Plus-You know Torts prolly can’t stand Avery either.
Plus-IPB recap up by the time I get off the couch and walk to the other room.
Plus-Pumped for the game tonight!
Go ISLES! -
Lenny says:
Wow, look at the minutes of the Isles forwards compared to the Rangers… Fourth liners got 13+ last night! Rolling all for is essential for the agressive style of hockey the isles play.
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Anthony says:
Gordon doesn’t have a complete team yet for him to be fired, plus he is in his second year. Give the guy a chance. I think he made great strides from last year and all are all trying to figure it out.
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Nice win….I know I’ve been on Sim all season so I’ll give him props here. I hope he brings his A-game again tonight. It was also encouraging to see Bailey get some shots on net. Keep shooting kid! Goaltending on both sides was great. Now I just hope that there is no letdown tonight since you know the Rangers are going to come out hard and probably a bit ornery. Go Islanders!
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Dan from Westchester says:
Great 60 minute effort. . man there was ZERO energy at MSG last nite – that was weird.
Big MINUS – Al Trautwig’s pompouos question to Matt Moulson during 2nd intermission interview : “After the Isles tough start, did you ever think you’d be tied with THE RANGERS?” As if the Rangers are a good measuring stick these days – please! Wiggie – just another jaded journalist and NYI hater.
big PLUS – Moulson’s answer : “I always believed. . and for anyone that doesn’t – watch out!”
Let’s go for the sweep tonight!
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Matt says:
Big Plus. we beat the rangers.
Minus. we let Avery Attack Roloson and never responded to it. next time someone should run Henrik.
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JoeRiverside says:
Plus – Sims out-avery Avery
Plus – Jack Hillen (has 1st line potential)
Plus – No goals, but great game by KO
Plus – Total Team effort
Plus – 4th Line came to play
Plus – Isle played 4 lines vs. Rags 3 (should help tomight) -
the bomber says:
minus – torts is gonna shake up that bench tonight. all the guys he gives 4 mins a night to will play big minutes in the first. they will be hungry and looking to prove themselves. Brashear or Avery will try to fight. This Rags team is at a crossroads, and will be dangerous.
we need to match the initial surge and keep the ranger fans in our house quiet.plus – i know everyone cries about no enforcer, but brashear is a waste of a roster spot essentially. so is drury. and higgins. and redden. the rangers are awful.
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LouD says:
Why would they fire Gordon when he is doing exactly what they asked him to do and is doing it well. Having a team full of kids barely out of highschool primed for a playoff run in the NHL does not get one fired. #2 Avery tapped Rolosons glove after the whistle, he did not “run him”. There is no need for retaliation because Rollie took care of it with a glove to the face. You do not “run” Lundqvist to send a message unless that message is “we have no class”.
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4theisles says:
PLUS++++++ if we win tonight!!!!!
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Also I don’t know what people were seeing last night but Bailey sucked. Anyone see the line change that created a 3 on 2 in the rangers favor. That was Bailey gliding off the ice not even looking at what was going on. He also missed some key passes and clearing moments. Cb is right and he should be developing in the minors right now. Also even though Okposo is involved he is missing the net way too often on scoring opportunities. Strong as hell on the puck against the boards and recovers well but has to start hitting that net more consistently.
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Blizzard says: I have to give credit where credit is due……SIM!!!!!!!
JT had some turnovers and didnt have a particularly stron game the past two games actually.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
I was at the game last night and it was one of the quieter Isles/Rangers games that I have been to. The pace of play didn’t help much and both Isles goals were scored on the far end of the ice. However I wish KO could start converting some of his golden chances that he seems to get almost ever night. Hillen stood out to me again. I think tonight is going to have a much different feel with the Rangers being fired up and playing a more chippy game. Hopefully the Isles are ready and can dish it right back. LETS GO ISLANDERS!
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Bob Beers says:
Nice showing by NYI fans last night, not the most but not the fewest I’ve seen in the 20 or so NYI-NYR I’ve attended at MSG, how sweet it was.
Tonight will be very interesting, been a while since the NYI won back-to-back contests and after Tortorella’s press conference you know the NYR will be a very desperate team.
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Gordon is delivering on he said. he is tweeking lines. Sim finally where he shoud be on 4th line and he is doing what he does best there.
Bailey benefiting from playing with better players.
Hillen is another diamond found by Snowy.
We need a big win tonight. that would complete it.
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Joe #97, I agree, the Rags are going to be fired up tonight. Gordon might have to have his guys put on the foil tonight. Should be fun.
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HyeDray says:
Anytime we can beat the Rangers we should feel great—especially beating them at MSG.
On the “Potvin Sucks” chant—can any Ranger fan still tell us what the chant means, when/how it began and why?
I think the reason it has “fizzled” CB is simply put, the fans who are getting to games are not the same fans who know what the whole think is about. There are likely to be tons of Isles fans who just shrug their shoulders because they don’t know why this chant is such a big deal.
My view: The man retired 25 years ago. I guess the Ranger fans aren’t smart enough to find a new chant or find a new target. Either way, I think it is such a stupid chant. They never realized that each time they did the chant, Potvin just played that much harder, and that much better, taking even more satisfaction with each goal, assist and hip check!
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JTorBUST says:
Watcing Bailey develop is great, he has to shoot to be on his game. The coaches should have a mandatory minimum five shots per game , get back to passing next year. He is throwing his body around something he never did last year , watching our boy grow. Someone has to run Avery tonight , Witt stood there and watched Rollie get abused , I don t get it. If we even skate too close to another teams goalie we get pushed and smacked around. Brashear shouldn t be in the lineup tonight so maybe we can at least make believe we are somewhat tough. Thompson , news flash your not here for your dynamic scoring skills , enter into Isles folklore and take care of Avery, you will become an instant fan favorite and guarentee a spot in the lineup for a few years -
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JP39 says:
There really is no better feeling than beating the Rangers. Let’s do it again tonight! Let’s be loud and proud at the Coliseum and drown out any of those pointless Ranger fan chants that they might try to get going! LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
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msolo says:
imagine how this team would be if we had just one good defenseman to complement streit and one more good offensive threat
hurry up garth – the kids are coming together – just get them two more qaulity players
go isles -
JPinVA says:
With Bergy and Weight returning [hopefully] soon, and the recent play of Schremp and Joensuu how long do we have to wait for; TRUE VALUE: Jeff Tambellini?
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i dont think people hate sim i think they are just pissed when he is playing with a scoring line and is on the pp i have no prob with him playing on the fourth line
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Phil says:
Watched replay on MSG and boy does Rolo give mcdonald an ear full after the 3rd period goal. Looks like mcdonald tries to block the shot and blocks Roloson’s view…
In the end great to get the win. They did seem to really get out hit though. Lets hope for another W tonigt. -
torts was playing two lines like the whole night they should be alittle tired i think we need to hold them off in the first period and they should get tired
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Numbers65 in Ohio says:
Still chanting “Potvin Sucks”. It’s like a compliment!
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Le Dude says:
I really think IslandersTV should mic up Jon Sim. I’d love to hear the trash he talks. He’s always babbling to the other team, and the fact that they’re always so angry at him must mean whatever he’s saying is golden. I fully support an Live Adults Only Sim Ice Mic – the LAO SIM!
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Stumpy32 says:
#109 – It’s the same as us chanting “Rangers Suck” when we’re not playing them. All chants, stupid or otherwise, are on the table when we face off against the Rangers, and vice versa. But doing it when we’re not playing them, or they’re playing us, is like amateur hour. Kind of like Boston fans doing their little “Yankees Suck” thing at Celtics games and Boston-area concerts.
So, we can’t jump on their “Potvin Sucks” at non-Isles games without doing the same for our stupid “Rangers Suck” chant at non-Ranger games.
Either way…LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
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brianFLA says:
Compared to last season, Mark Streit is standing still, literally. Am I the only one who thinks he isn’t skating hard or moving his feet enough, especially offensively. He seems to glide and pass, He is a brilliant skater but is not doing it this year, watch tonight you will see.
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#104 agree
Dont mind him on the 4th line, dont like him on second or pp. -
SB says:
I 100% agree with you brian…
and am I the only one who thinks Gordo is crazy putting both moulson and comeau with JT. I am not a big comeau fan to begin with (although he had a great game last night) This 3 game experiment is not working, put okposo up on that line.
Also I have always been a frans neilson supporter but I think its obvious he is a 3rd line checking center. With that said, Bailey is the future and needs to take that spot on the second line and start to develop without Jon Sim and Jeff Tambelini on his sides destroying his career.
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EAF says:
watch out – the rags will be dangerous tonight and we usually play better at MSG
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Metalcoconut says:
Plus – Production from someone other than Tavares and Moulson
Plus – The Islanders understanding that this game was important and using the forecheck effectively
Plus – 4th line holding the Rags 1st line when the matchup came.
Plus – we get the last line change tonight since we are at home
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Plus – Hillen, Sutton, Streit, A-MAC!!
Plus – NO BRUNOEven – It’s not ALL Sim haters. Sim to me just does not have much skill and I’d like him to be replaced by someone who does. Having said that (Larry David) does he work hard and do whatever he can? Yeah pretty much. Does it amount to much? No…but sometimes, like tonight, it does.
Minus – I would have ran Henrik, or gone after Avery – Roli protected himself, but that absolutely can never happen – I don’t care if it charged them up.
Even – Is Biron in? I like him, but Roli is so damn good. Biron would fight tonight I have a feeling…I like that about him.
Plus – When Comeau plays like this I’m a believer. Keep it up kid…outstanding game.
Even – Don’t worry Frans, JT, and Okposo will put home their chances…I just hope they come tonight!
Plus – Jaffe said it but I hope the Rags are super tired tonight. We have to bring last night’s effort plus more, I think we can jump on this one early or blow them away late.
Plus – blocked shots, takeaways, and break ups… excellent!
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Tony says:
I look for the Rags to be all over the place tonight. Torts must have given them the business after last night’s game. The Isles rarely play the Rags well after the 1st game of a home-in-home. It could get messy for the Isles at the Coliseum tonight.
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Hockey1919 says:
Plus – he who shall not be named getting in Avery’s face and being rewarded for going to the net and for Gordon playing him in his proper role on the fourth line.
Minus – the New York dailies coverage of the game. Bad and boring game? For whom, Islanders played the perfect road game and capitalized when they needed to. Being out of town I watched the MSG feed and even Rosen was commenting on the Islanders relentless forecheck.
Plus – Okposo still getting chances and tireless effort even if he hasn’t be rewarded.
Minus – When did Miccheletti become such a homer for the Rangers? Gaborik pushed the net off and the ref felt he made NO effort to stop so it was a delay of game.
Plus – Gordon out coached Torts. Rolled four lines and kept up the pressure in the third with back-to-back games to keep the troops fresh.
Plus – Hillen, Comeau and Sutton solid defensive plays.
Even – Seeing room for growth in Tavares’ game. Still probing to see what works at the NHL level. How much better will he be when he has it figured out?
Plus – shot blocking and taking away the time and space for Gaborik. Total team defense to contain the entire Rangers offense. Proves you don’t need to hammer a player to stop them.
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IslesAl says:
Potvin cleanly but nastily checked (I forget) either Hedberg or Neilsen into the boards and broke his leg at the Garden, I think in 78; thus that insane cheer began. The 1940 chants should be resurrected, its been over 15 years for the rags now.
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You know why people hate Jon Sim is because it took him two and a quater years to show up as advertized. Of course its in his walk year as well. Enjoy free agency Jon, you’ve ripped is off for three years now. Good Riddence! A good game here and there doesn’t make up for three years of agony.Grry Glitter says You suck!
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anthony says:
I love the “Potvin Sucks” chant at MSG! For a guy they hate, they certainly immortalized him there…
Can you picture the 10 year old at MSG with his dad asking about Potvin’s playing days…
KID: Dad, Potvin must have really sucked, right?
DAD: Well, he did Captain 4 Cup Champion teams, won 3 Norris Trophies, the Calder, he’s in the HOF. He broke Orr’s record here at MSG too…
KID: Daddy, doesn’t sound like he sucked at all…
DAD: Well, there’s still a piece of Ulf Nielson’s broken leg wedged in their brains… what can I tell you son…
KID: waaaa waaaa waaaa
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Eric Cup says:
It was Ulf Nilsson who Potvin LEGALLY hit and broke his ankle. I was at the game last night and the Islander fans were well represented. The Rags fans are pissed at their own horrible excuse for a team – That’s a shame!!! (Seinfeld reference). Great to see you last night CB and I knew Sim would have a solid game when he tossed a puck to my son during the pre-game warm-up.
Big Plus – Ranger fans filing out of “The World’s Most Famous Arena” like they were leaving a funeral – except for the few sore losers who were chanting Kansas City and 1983.
Let’s knock them down again tonight!!!!!!
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I never liked Micheletti as the Isles color guy, let alone the Rag$. He was really upset about Gaborik being penalized. He sounded like a typical Rangers whiner since the penalty looked justified even on replay, so he gets a big minus from me. As for Sam and Al, they’ve always been big homers so I expect it from them (and honestly, they are the Rangers announcers so I somewhat understand it, but I just find them annoying to listen to). Anyway, I hated watching the broadcast but the picture was much clearer than the Isles’ broadcast.
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I was not at the game last night but I think I know why it was so quiet last night. One islander fans do not want to brag because we know that the tide could have turned at any second and we could have lost(I have see this too many times so I don’t get in anyones face until there is a 3 goal lead with 1 minute left) two the rangers are awful this year and their fans know it.
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BJ says:
Really hope Gordon rolls with Rollie and the same D combos for tonite, lets stick to what works….i think JT breaks out tonite, GO ISLES
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viccolo says:
Let’s go Islanders! Beat ‘em again tonight!
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K-Rob says:
Plus – The Simtuation
Awesome Game……AWESOME