CAPITALS 7 ISLANDERS 2
Not Ready for Prime Time Plus/Minus
9:31 pm, NVMC - Interactive Plus/Minus after the Capitals’ 7-2 victory over the Capitals at the Coliseum…
Minus: The Capitals have now won ten of 11 and blown just about everybody’s doors off the last three weeks. The Islanders will be in the playoff hunt, quite possibly even in the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready for prime time.
Minus: For the second time in four days, the Islanders fail to pick up the two points to place them sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Plus: To keep fans around, Rick DiPietro carried the puck up ice and Kyle Okposo tried his Minnesota move.
Minus: While the Washington Wizards were starring in Ice Capades at 6-2, would have been nice for anyone on the Islanders to play, you know, a little rough. Or at least touch Brooks Laich on his humiliating goal to make it 7-2.
Minus: Another goal against off a faceoff in the Islanders’ end gives Washington a 1-0 lead early.
Minus: Gorgeous play by Alexander Semin on the goal to make it 2-0, but the home team - including Trent Hunter and Frans Nielsen - were guilty bystanders.
Plus: If you’re ever in an accident, hope Dwayne Roloson is on the scene. Just as he was quick to call for help for Pascal Dupuis last week, he was there for Jack Hillen tonight. In the middle of the action, Roloson had the presence of mind to get the referee’s attention to blow the whistle, wave over trainer Garrett Timms and then open the door and escort assistant trainer Nates Gato on the ice.
Plus: Nice gesture by Ovechkin, Backstrom and the rest of the Capitals tapping their sticks to start the Coliseum cheers as Hillen leaves the ice.
Plus: Heartless, glorious basterds scored two goals within minutes of the accident, with blood still on the ice.
Minus: Sean Bergenheim with the kind of pointless, out-of-the-play penalty that would cause Scott Gordon to lose his hair in clumps - if he had the hairline of a mortal.
Minus: In games against high-flying teams like this, the Islanders need Blake Comeau to jolt a few opponents.
Minus: A lethal combination of his teammates’ brilliance and the Islanders’ lack of participation lead to John Erskine-as-Bobby Orr.
Minus: As if it wasn’t bad enough Bruno Gervais was danced around spectacularly by Ovechkin and then screened DiPietro on a Jason Chimera goal seconds later, the Coliseum lingered on Gervais for several seconds. You almost expected the big stamp that says GUILTY.
Minus: Old friend Kenny Albert has to call another New York hockey loss.
Plus: Alexander Ovechkin tossing pucks into the Coliseum crowd after warmups. The man gets it, even if the slacker didn’t score tonight.
Minus: When the Islanders have bad news - like Calvin de Haan needing shoulder surgery - they don’t tell the media spending a large chunk of their day and night at the Coliseum. They first bury it in two paragraphs as the No. 2 story on the official team website. Not major league.
?: The Islanders leave tomorrow for a full week away - Thursday in Carolina, Saturday afternoon in Philly, Sunday at 4 in Sunrise and the next game not until Thursday in Tampa Bay. (The team is spending the extra time in Fort Lauderdale). What the heck I’m going to write about, I have no idea. Daily live chats!
Minus: The inevitable revival of the debate on the merits of being an underdog in the playoffs. Oh no.
Your Plus/Minus and comments on the game.
109 Responses to “CAPITALS 7 ISLANDERS 2
Not Ready for Prime Time Plus/Minus”
Please Wait
Ouch, get the stinker out of the way and move on.
2 top prospects hurt, 2 blowout losses in a row, and Bruno getting burned several times… all is back to normal in Isles land
These are going to be expected….
I think they are good… Puts the team back in check and it lets you see where you need to go…
Lets see how they play against the Hurricanes…Thats 2 points we SHOULD get…
Btw…What a pass by Tavares on the the KO goal..
Bump in the road, need to rebound for sure Thursday.
Only focusing on the positives. Another great game from both Sutton and MacDonald. Nice effort from Okposo as well. Hope Jack Hillen is alright, we need him. Thats about it.
Maybe Gervais should have filled in for Howie tonight.
Gervais has been dreadful all year long. There has been no bright spot for him. There are puck-moving defensemen (like Streit) and there are stay-at-home defensemen (like Sutton). Gervais is ineffective at both. He has no strength when it comes to clearing the zone or moving opposing forwards off of the puck. It’s time for him to go and play Kohn, who seemed to play a solid two games.
Tavares is playing better. Bailey is looking real good. Okposo always looking good. Rollie and DP didn’t play SO bad. Hopefully they go to Carolina hungry, those are must-have points.
Hunter did not impress me either, Bruno was definitely vicitmized on 3 goals. Semin did have his way when Hunter was out there. I hope Hillen is ok, the boys need to regroup quickly. Does Witt come back for Hillen now? Or do we go backwith Kohn?
I feel sick after this game… especially since my rags and devils fans friends were at this game tonight. Now I gotta hear it from them tomorrow.
Islesphan25, I agree with you.
It’s OK to lose to one of the best teams in the NHL when you’re in the 2nd year of a rebuild.
It’s probably not OK you lay down so much, but at this point it’s more of a lesson than it is crucial for this year’s success.
I think the boys get a good old gut check and it’s worth more in points at the end of the year than the two points we lost tonight.
As long as they learn from their mistakes and take as much good as possible from it, lets digest it, move on and get the next 2 points.
Frank…
What are you going to hear???? Sens shutting out the Devs and the Rags have been shutout 4 out of the last 7 games…
Nothing to worry about
I will never even re-consider comments here again that urge people to give Bruno a break. He is porous, slow (possibly mental too), and the most heartless, weak defender I’ve ever seen on this team.
He played well for a period or 2 against the Wings. That’s about it. I’m 1000% more comfy with Kohn, Witt…and just about anyone else.
On another note, I thought Shremp played excellent, not just his goal.
Should have left early but I was amazed at this Caps fan in a referee uniform. He heckled pretty much the entire 3rd period and topped each line with a cornier comment than his previous.
Hope the road trip is a nice getaway.
The upcoming schedule features four very winnable games on the road. I’m hoping the time away will get the guys playing for each other again. We have a great opportunity here. At the conclusion of the road trip we’ll have 15 home games of the remaining 25 games to look forward to.
Ovechkin is the best player in hockey. The game sucked, alot of minuses, but I’m gonna flush it down the toilet like the Knicks did when they lost by 50 the other night. Losing 3 out of 4 isn’t good but the Isles have some very winnable road games coming up and I hope they bounce back. Boy the Capitals have some major skill in Ovechkin and Semin. Did I mention that Ovechkin is the best player in hockey?
Does Bruno have pictures of Wang and Snow or something? How does this kid stay on the team. There’s no disputing he seems like a great kid but he’s an awful hockey player. He has average skating ability. No physicality in his game at all. The weakest shot on the team (including the SoundTigers). No stickhandling ability. No vision. I don’t see there being anything this kid is good at other than being a personality off the ice. It’s time to pull the plug on the Gervais Show.
Men against boys!!! Still want the eighth seed?
The guys are going to have to start taking the body if they’re going to stop teams like Washington. I did see flashes of it tonight, such as Bergie taking out Ovechkin. Laich should never have gotten between two defenders on that 7th goal. The guys need to get tougher and grittier. Otherwise, it’ll be first round and out in the playoffs.
I have seen enough from Comeau. CB, u hit it on the head. The guy needs to run people over or else he’s useless. Please don’t tell me that Tamby shouldn’t play over him. The team was sleep walking. As for Gervaisa, how about some help from the fwds! I really hope Hillen is ok or we will find out quickly how much this team needs him. Hell even Okposo didn’t look all that good tonight. I hope the boys have a few drinks and put this nightmare behind them. The road trip could be big for them.
Heal fast Jack, Travis and Calvin.
Take your time Witt-er
Hello Dustin.
DOC
Little rough patch here and hopefully a road trip will do them well. A few of you are talking about these winnable upcoming games, they are, but some tough ones for sure. Can’t remember the last time we beat PHI, FLA is always a test with Vokoun, and TB is 2-0 against us.
Plus- AO held off the scoreboard.
Minus- All the Isles forgetting that that Caps have 17 other skaters besides AO.
Plus- Bailey - JT - KO
Minus 2 - The entire team playing as if it was was hit the face with a puck for the remainder of the first period once Hillen was knocked out.
Minus- When you play a team as fast as the caps, Trent Hunter’s lack of speed becomes VERY noticeable, especially when he gets stripped of the puck by Alex Semin as he’s about to go on an odd man rush.
MINUS 4 - Bruno Gervais. With the emergence of Jack Hillen and Andy MacDonald, Gervais will no longer be needed after this season…regardless of how good of a chef and pre-game entertainer he may be.
I went to my first two isle games since last year on Saturday against the devils and tonight. The past two games remind me why every single time i start to believe in this team they always let me down. Born in 1984 this team has given me nothing but heartache. The devils are playing horrible and they waltz in here and dominate us in the 3rd. Then tonight we get a hot team and don’t even look like we are a real NHL team. I will never miss a game on TV but as far as going I do not know if I will spend my hard earned money again this year.
Brno does not deserve to play in NHL.
I truly hope he does not get another
chance next season. Not the player we
need on our D. Too bad nobody steped up
after Hillen’s fall. I didn’t care about
the loss as much as loosing Jack. His
upper jaw is crashed - not a good sign.
He needs a miracle. Hope he’ll get it.
Gervais sucks, plain and simple. He is a nice kid but time for him to go, he is barely a depth NHL D-man.
What happened to Hillen confirms what I’ve always thought, They should have full facemasks
The Isles lack of physical ability was so evident tonight. They could not slow the Caps down. We needed a momentum changer and this team has none. CB if we are expecting Blake Comeau to be our physical leader we are in big trouble. Games will get tighter and more physical down the stretch. The Isles need to step up! It looked like the Globetrotters against the Washington Generals tonight! Hurry back Jack! We need you!!
What happened to Bruno confirms what I’ve always thought, HE STINKS!
Hollywood, Blake Comeau and Sean Bergenheim have played the same amount of games. Comeau has one more goal, 20 more hits, and they have the same amount of assists. What makes Bergenheim not a waste but Comeau is? Because hes fast? Big deal if he’s not using it to produce anything.
pa
the
tic
Chris Mc, what makes Bergenheim better is he draws about a penalty per game and creates scoring chances. He actually has stickhandling ability as well, which Blake doesn’t. Bergie is very aggressive to the puck, which Blake isn’t. I don’t mind either player but Blake has a lot of nights where he’s invisible, Bergenheim will always make at least a play or two that leads to a big scoring chance.
CB is envious of Scott’s hairline. Oh boy we are we heading here.
where*
Tough night all around. I’m not ready to give up the season but this team still has a lot of work to do. Guys like Blake Bruno and Sean are not getting it done. Sean is the biggest mystery because he looked like he was coming on last year.
The isles used to never back down to anyone.. Even after the cup years when they were bad as a fan you didn’t sense the team felt inferior. They need some muscle n some rich pilons n darius’ kasparaitis’s to let these great players understand what islander hockey is supposed to be…even a Steve Webb would be better then this.
Plus: Tonight was a reality check (Gordon and the boys get smacked hard enough to realize just how much work there is still to do).
Minus: Tonight was a reality check (I hate reality checks with my teams. I just had one Sunday with the Jets; I like when my sports teams are NOT playing in reality).
I really believe Schremp can help this team win game in and game out. Not sure what we are going to do on ‘D’ if Hillen has to miss time especially with the upcoming roadtrip. Hey Garth r u alive out there, we haven’t heard from u in a long time.
Someone lay a body on Laich? No way, that would require Gervais to play hockey properly. Streit prevented him on the outside, and Bruno just let him right through the inside. From the first time I saw him play at the coliseum during the lockout, he never impressed me. I cannot believe he is actually in the NHL. What does he bring to the team besides an extra healthy body?
.. This was embaressing and a stinker, they do happen over the course of a 80+ NHL game schedule, it does happen however..
.. The UTTER LACK of physical of this team makes me want to vomit! I dont want to pay $$ for that, the Caps just roamed around the Coliseum ice and did whatever they want/whenever they want and the Isles did NOTHING! NADA ZILCH! embaressing 4 sure
.. The Islanders could have skated with eggs in there gloves and they would have not even cracked! they didnt hit anyone on the caps, PATHETIC PATHETIC PATHETIC! This is the NY Islanders who have a history of some passion and grit/toughness and what do we have now? Ice capades - arrrghh
.. 1 more time, ok 2 more times Garth - CAN YOU PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Add some *Grit, toughness and passion* to this utterly soft team! PLEASE - They are like wet spaghetti, Arrrrghhh!
Plus: First goal of the night for the Islanders by Rob Schremp. Sweet shot!
Minus: Definite injury and potential loss of Jack “I just want to play hockey” Hillen.
Even: DP holding his own in the 2nd and 3rd.
Plus: The JB-JT-KO combo. Keep it together. It will buzz.
Okay I’m tapping out.
To Dan (post 20)… maybe you should go to more than 2 games. This team is rebuilding and you went to games against the best two teams in the east. We all share your heartaches, but to claim heartache at all because of the last two games is irresponsible as a fan.
Minus - everyone flaming Bruno like he was the only one playing tonight. I’m pretty sure the sucking on the ice was pretty evenly distributed.
Minus - Roloson’s looked pretty ordinary since DP came back. He had a good game against Florida, but in his five starts since DP’s return he’s posted roughly a .862 save percentage (including tonight).
Plus-ish - DP has a .908 save percentage (including tonight) since his return.
Plus-ish - DP and Rolly had a .917 and 912 SV% for the season before this game.
Plus - good thing that this curb stomping only counts as one loss, and the Islanders are still 7-4 for the month of January.
Even - Of the next six games the Islanders are capable of beating every single team they play in grand fashion if they keep their winning ways going.
Minus - One of the next six games is against Philly, a team they have yet to beat this season, or score more than two goals against.
Why was Freddie Meyer “The Last” out on the ice during the last minute of a period? He should never ever play more than 10 minutes a game or in any key moments of a game, he just too small and doesn’t play big! Effort is not enough!
I rather have someone like Dustin Kohn out there and see if they can play and learn on the NHL level.
Bruno and Sim both -4!!!!!! Someone else was minus 3 but every one else was pretty normal.
Everyone (almost) can see who the weakness on the team is. Time to dump Geravis and Sim. Park hasn’t been himself. Comeau shows flashes not sure when the clock will run out on him or if he becomes a tradeable asset.
While I’m darn impressed with some of the team and the strides the organization has made it is simply not a playoff team YET. We are seeing progress but not just there yet and they are at least 4 guys away from being there.
Get well Jack Hillen!
Many sad truths arose from tonights performance:
1. Doug Weight has really lost all skills. Good ra-ra guy, but has no shot, and limited overall skills.
2. Richard Parks’ time as an Islander should come to an end. Not much there, except that he tries hard.
3. Trent Hunter is another that tries hard, is a great guy, but really has never panned out as the production man that everyone thought he would be.
4. John Sim does a good impression of a guy that seems to be moving alot, but with really no skills whatsoever.
5. Bruno Gervais is back to his deer in headlights playing. After showing signs of learning in recent weeks, he took a GIANT step backwards tonight. Very discouraging.
Folks, that is WAY too many guys that are dragging this team down. Time to start packaging them up for a big hitter/fighter. It was SO evident tonight that we lack that kind of player.
The Isles looked extremely flat, but coming from someone who lives in D.C. and sees the Caps often, I’ve got to say they have a tremendously talented hockey team with a ton of firepower. They’re just an explosive team that will be competing for the cup this Spring. The Isles should not take this one too much heart; and gear up and get ready for the road trip.
Btw, I agree about some of the comments about Comeau; the guy just seems to disappear too often for long pockets of time. I know he’s shown some ability, but I wouldn’t surprised if the Isles packaged him in a deal in the offseason. It might also be time to give him a seat and give Tambellini another shot.
I’ll give the one plus I saw tonight, JT seemed to play with a lot more noticeable energy than I have seen in a long time.
Even: JT’s noticeable energy may have simply been an indicator of everyone else’s lack thereof.
Minus: Game Ops. The elementary school national anthem singers HAS TO STOP as well as the elementary school God Bless America between periods. I’ve got kids, love kids and understand the gesture, but this is so minor league it’s embarassing. I have seem nore botched anthems at the NVMC these past two months than I have seen over the course of 35+ years of going to games.
P
Same old song..always blaming Bruno for everything give me a break!!!! you would think only Bruno is playing on defense on this team.
I dont care if Streit played good recently (about time) he’s been terrible all year.
Just forget about this stinker and get ready for the Hurricanes in Raleigh on Thursday.
jim (post 47….couldnt agree more…..dont get too high or low…. a rebuilding team will have these nights……however with a rebuilding team, the fact that were even so angry about this loss shows we have come a ways
Jim - The reason that I’m upset is that this team has shown we can at least keep up with any team in the league. When they put on a lazy effort like tonight and allow players to skate right past them, it’s upsetting.
There’s no more excuses for Gervais. It’s just been months of lack of focus. I think he needs to move to a different team or something.
And considering as Comeau is supposed to be an energy guy but hasn’t been physical or energetic at all lately, I would give Tambellini some games.
The best players were Schremp and Okposo tonight. Tavares did alright and so did Bailey and Streit.
A stomach virus kept me from going to the game. So I got to watch this game make me even sicker at home. Oh well, it’s only one game. Hope Hillen is okay.
I agree with #44 on national anthems. Let the school kids perform at intermission. Try to find an equivalent for national anthems to what Ottawa and Chicago have to sing them.
Hillen looked like J Roenick when the puck broke his jaw. Jack might be sucking milkshakes for a while. Hope he’s OK. He, Roloson and Okposo are a big reason this season doesn’t suck.
As for the game, men vs. boys. Next.
Plus- JT, Schremp
Minus- for all the talk by Jaffe that sutton wouldnt play any differently, he very much did, he was a nonfactor.
Plus- OV pointless again, sure we need to get a dman for the playoffs, but we really have OV in check this year, which means i wouldnt be that worried of playing them in the playoffs
Plus- Semin. For his pedigree it is remarkable how much that guy plays without the puck, maybe we should try to get him.
Minus -4 for Bruno!!!!! Well i guess that answers the question of who comes out of the lineup when witt returns. haha
Minus- The whole team even the coaching staff. No one seemed to care, and Gordon didnt seem to either. The isles came out in the third and played like whipped pups, a definite step backward from Okposos anger the last game.
No sense crying over spilled milk, we need to win thursday, no excuses.
Good points by posts #47,48,49
People seem to forget that the Isles are in a rebuilding process, and this is just one game against an elite team and if I’m not mistaken I believe the Isles have taken Washington to OT the other 3 times they met this year.
I’m just as excited about the Isles as anyone else, and would love to see them make the playoffs, but these games are going to happen. If not sure if they played as “lazy” as they looked last night due to Washington’s superior speed and skilled players.
Isle fans have to hang in there, and the Isles will turn it around against the ‘Canes tomorrow night. Let’s go Islanders!
#26 the difference between Comeau and Bergy is that Bergy goes all out on every shift. Comeau is a 4th line winger. It’s just time for Gordon to deal with the fact that Tamby must play and that he should get top 6 fwd ice time. It’s simple stuff.
Plus- As hard as it is not watching, continuing my ban of islander hockey till this team adds real toughness in the form of someone who can really FIGHT and isnt afraid to take on everyone “BIGGER” or “smaller”..
-Minus Gervais
-Minus Jaffe
-Minus new non physical NHL, bring back real hockey let the men play and police themselves, stop making this league about Bettman and Campbell(your son will never be good).
Reality check. This team can’t compete with teams that have the Caps size and skill. Understood that we shouldn’t be in a position to compete with top teams at the top of their game like we saw last night. What worries me though is that a big reason for this is the lack of size, strength and toughness on the team. No team in the league has the number of 6′ or shorter, 185 lb defensemen that the Isles have and many of their best d-men prospects are in exactly the same mold. I don’t think a team can be a legitimate contender in the NHL without big, somewhat mobile defensemen to at least get in the way of and have some effect on teams with big skilled forwards like the Caps and Flyers. The Isles looked like they were standing still in this game (and they actually were at times). I can’t see the rebuilding being fully succsesful if we end up with Hillen, Donovan, De Haan, Katic, Streit etc. as our core defense with maybe Hamonic as the only d-man over 6 foot tall. As good as these players are or might be, it won’t work.
Not many positives to talk about. Rick DP is VERY shaky in goal.
I may of seen it wrong but did anyone see Tavares make a nice hit in the 1st period just inside the Isles blue line? I was pleasantly surprised.
Ah, yes - #39 evokes the unbelievably brutal, quaintly New York practice of ‘curb stomping’ - while dentists and neurosurgeons everywhere applaud! Not exactly something designed to bring more tourists…..
…..addendum to #54: and in ESPECIALLY poor taste given the nature of Hillen’s injury…..
So what exactly happened to Hillen? Given how square the puck hit him in the teeth I’m sure that it wasn’t just a couple lost teeth; he may have sustained a pretty severe injury to his upper jaw/palate. Sort of like Ian Laperriere; and Lappy took over 100 stitches. Whatever happened, the Isles’ team dentist and some Hempstead oral surgeon earned it last night. Hope he’s back sooner rather than later, and wearing a mouthguard and cage this time.
Who can beat the Caps right now?
Plus-Hurricanes are next…
Plus-Hillen somehow skating off on his own- here’s to a speedy/full recovery.
MINUS - We got absolutely spanked by the Caps this game
PLUS - We took this exact team to OT and Beyond 3 times this season.
It’s one game, they’re on a tear, no need to call it a season yet. Wait till half their team is sucking wind or nursing bruised bodies and egos when they get back from Vancouver.
I agree with Merrick (#44) on the songs….its real bad, just as bad as last year when the NYI had NO ONE to sing just the organ player and they asked us the fans to sing…just real bad. If they want local schools to sing atleast get a HS chorus that are not butchering the national anthem. And #55 - Randy Wood is right, look the caps are very good, we didnt show up we got a raod trip coming up that will allow to get a good amount of points (potentally). Get off the sim soapbox..the whole team sucked last night, too much hesitation with the puck and absolutly no physical play… we will bounce back the world is not coming to an end.
Minus: Bruno Gervais proved again he doesn’t belong playing in this league.
Minus: Nobody was finishing checks!
Minus: Why are the 2 worst d-men in the org. on the same pairing? (Meyer/Gervais)
Everyone who attended this game, like myself, should get a free ticket to another game because the NY Islanders never showed up!
Minus - the Caps using Mose’s staff instead of hockey sticks to part the Islanders defense (I could have gone with a pillars of salt reference for the forwards as well).
Plus? - its better to get wiped out than pretend you were close, this is a re-building year and a great reminder of how far this team still has to go in terms of a talent gap and how much effort matters.
How they react next game will tell us alot about the character of this team and the ability of coaching staff to get the max out of this team after two games with less than 100% effort.
I think there’s some over-reaction to the game…can’t keep up with the Caps? Well, obviously they’re a better team than the Isles, but we’ve taken them to OT and beyond 3 out of the 4 games we’ve played them. Kept up with them just fine in those games. Last night the Isles just caught them during their hottest streak of the season and on a night where the Isles were a bit flat. Remember how bad the Isles made teams look during their hottest stretch?
Plus — whoever thought that the loss of jack Hillen would hurt so much.
Playing the caps with 5 D hurt but also that Hillen is up there in the top three and he was not there for the enitre game pretty much.
still a dismal display.
Great comments, UIF (64)
Yeah it sucks to lose but IMO it helps to keep some perspective: Its the frickin Caps- they are doing this to everyone lately!
I hope Jacks alright… boy is seeing him hurt hard to swallow.
to 44 and 61 - at best the kids sound better than all the wannabe divas who treat the National Anthem like a showcase for their questionable singing talents. At worst, it seems to reduce the number of knuckleheads calling out stupid remarks during our NATIONAL ANTHEM - calling out USA USA is meaningless w/o respect for the anthem.
Can anyone shed some light on how Jack Hillen is. We sit at that end of the arena and the amount of blood was very discouraging. Cut lips and mouth are very bloody, but…. Was it only some teeth - or more serious. Hoping for some news in Newsday article this morning, but nothing. Hope Jack reads Point Blank and sees all the good wishes sent to him, including mine!!
Any update on Hillen, hopefully nothing too serious, I am sure he will wear a birdcage or one of those jaw guards at the bottom of the helmet.
I second the “plus” going to the Caps players on the ice who all showed concern for Hillen. Same goes for their coach who had some nice things to say and showed a lot of class. If we’re not in it, I hope these guys win the Cup.
- Jack Hillen getting hurt.
- Still don’t know what the extent of his injuries are.
+ Ovie showed why he is the best player in the game. Skating over and giving Jack a tap on his way out.
- Maybe I just didn’t notice it, but why is a Capital acting more like our captain than our captain… or any of Jack’s teammates.
- The big “WELCOME TO REALITY” sign that was super imposed on my TV screen from the drop of the puck to the final horn.
+ Schremp playing like it was 1-0 when it was 6-2.
+ Watching a team that will probably win the Stanley Cup this year in one of it’s better all around games.
- Watching the Islanders watching a team that will probably win the Stanley Cup this year…
Do you still think the Islanders don’t need to improve their defense at the deadline? They have some chips, and cap space.
- A complete stinker that came out of nowhere.
+ We got 4 out of 8 points against one of the best teams in the NHL this season, it could be worse.
That was disgraceful. A little defense? Anyone? ughhhh
How Ricky didn’t stop that soft shot from Erskine is beyond me. Pathetic - it was Erskine’s first goal in two years.
mrlbem, Second that on the Caps, they seem like a class organization.
I hope we get a high enough seed that we DONT play them in the first round..
Paul, we should worry about getting into the playoffs first shouldn’t we? and regardless, if you wanna be the best, sooner or later you have to beat the best.
Caps are a class organization and a well built team. I wish them luck, and they’re my second preferred pick to win the Cup this year. A game like this can have some upside as it shows the Isle’s how far they’ve yet to go. That little hot streak was a great confidence booster, this will add a reality check to that. Combine the two and you have a good foundation for success. (That sounds like one of those stupid posters people hang in office waiting rooms….sorry.)
Now they have to go out and make this road trip fantastic, get back into a playoff spot by the break.
Any word on Hillen yet?
Win 4 in a row and we think we’re the unsung toast of the league, everyone singing praises of everyone on the team. Drop 3 of 4 and we’re terrible, a joke, and these 7 people have to go and wake up Garth Snow…..
Can we ease off on the Jekyl and Hyde stuff? Reale fans of this team know what we have: A young talented core, more prospects on the way, some aging veterans that will not be with the team much longer, and no size/toughness.
Off the ledges everyone.
… I think some of you guys KEEP MISSING THE BIG PICTURE!!
… yea we know Bruno is not a great D-man and Sim had a terrible game and teams have stinkers, but the big picture is that this team didnt hit a Capital last nite - u let these guys skate around with NO FEAR of being hit and youll keep getting hammered 7-2 on home ice!!
.. The Isles played a home game against a big talent team and didnt show up - but the scarier trend is that this 2009-10 Isles team plays some NHL games were they dont crack a egg! THEY DONT HIT ANYONE!!!! Arrrghhh
… Im not saying to put out the 70’s broad st bullies, but holy cow can we please get some size and grit on this soft wet noodle team? PLEASE!! when was the last time they had a fighting major? 3 weeks? a month?
.. Im looking at big picture, not just “Oooo he had a bad game or this 1 is not a NHL player, etc” - look at the bigger picture Isle fans this team needs some size and grit, CMON GARTH!!!
peter- youre right, 4 of 8 from the caps sounds pretty good. but look at the flip side and the caps got 7 of 8 from the isles. the whole ot/shootout loss point can really throw off the standings. get well jack, that looked brutal!
This game was able to be a L as long as montreal lost in regulation and they did. We have to beat carolina and philly. the philly game will be huge. We have to win that game in regulation if we want to make the PO. I am upset about the game last night but the caps offense is too great for us to keep up and our defense was no where to be found. O well. Move on and start winning again. we are only 1 point our of 6th place.
At this point, I’d rather have Ricky Gervais playing D for us. He’s more abrasive than Bruno.
a real hockey fan # 78
Sutton laid a huge hit on someone during the game. That was about the only hit but it got the caps mad.
Most fickled fans in the NHL. It’s funny how John Tavares hasn’t produced jack over the last month and a half but no one is saying get rid of him. Not only that but he looks like hes crawling on the ice when hes out there, instead of skating. But god forbid a few of these third and forth line wingers have a couple nights off and ‘ive had enough of them, they need to go’
Because in the NHL everyone has a good game every time they step on the ice. That’s what youre telling me? This team is having a good season, period. We knew there would be ups and downs and this right now is a little down period. It’s not time to start dumping guys. A few games ago everyone was writing how plus- every player had a good game, plus- rolling four capable lines. now its minus- half this team needs to go.
We got beat by a better team, period. When we put the hurting on Detroit, half way through that game they mailed it in. They were dejected, like human beings tend to get. And I can guarantee that Detroit plans weren’t making a list of all the guys who needed to be scratched or traded. Get a clue people.
Ehh…my first feeling after leaving the NVMC last night was that it’s nice to throw this game away, and still be excited for what’s to come. All Isles teams, from the best to the worst, lost games like this every season. It happens. They played like crap early, got hot in the middle of the 1st with several consecutive solid shifts, then those 2 straight late 1st period goals ended that. Then they played on their heels for most of the next 2. Again, it happens. Overall, though, we played Washington, probably the best in the league, and if not, definitely top 2-3, 4 times, and took them to OT three of those times. One stinker. But hell, we’ve played with the best this year, twice in their building. So, CB, I can’t get behind this “not ready for prime time” stuff. Because we have played with them, and have beaten other top teams. It was just a very off night.
One issue of concern, though. DP gave up three softies. Roli was hung out to dry in the 1st, but you can make the case that all 3 DP goals were terrible. Now, this doesn’t mean he’s finished. But I’m somewhat concerned about his level of health for the rest of the season as the franchise tries to make what, to me, is a crucial playoff push. You have to stick with DP, but it is an area of concern. I’ll stick with Roli for 2 of every 3 until he proves otherwise, or DP looks as sharp as in the past. Right now, I’m not seeing it.
Ovie is the man in hockey. A class act, and a great player and entertainer. The worst thing we have to be down about this game is Jack Hillens pain. I hope JTs foot isn’t bruised too, b/c I think he took one to the foot. Not a good showing for us, but the Caps were humming.
Here’s to a good road trip!
Before we crown the Caps as the Eastern Champs, the Devils and Penguins might have a say in that, I think the Caps are the 2nd or 3rd best team in the East.
DP allowed two soft goals.
It seems like he still having problem.
Was he really cured ?
Why Isles take such a big gamble with him ?
could he possibly retire (like Lindros) and let the team alone.
Does not he realize that his playing harms the team ?
Why wouldn’t team acknowledge that selecting him as 1st overall and sending Luongo to Florida was one of the biggest mistakes ?
#77 - I couldnt have said it better myself. They sky is falling again in Islander Country. NO IT”S NOT! Amazing how many people here want to throw Bruno under the bus. He had a bad game like all his teammates. Hunter not producing and too slow? This is getting old. Not every player is going to have blazing speed or be the team’s leading scorer so they have to do other things to contribute. This guy is a pro. 110% every shift - always takes the body - rarely out of position - makes the right choices - great slapshot - I’ll take Trent Hunter on my team any day.
Everytime this team has hit a bump in the road this season, they have bounced back. Have faith oh ye faithful. The rebuild is working and we are living it. No graph goes straigh
#77 - I couldnt have said it better myself. They sky is falling again in Islander Country. NO IT”S NOT! Amazing how many people here want to throw Bruno under the bus. He had a bad game like all his teammates. Hunter not producing and too slow? This is getting old. Not every player is going to have blazing speed or be the team’s leading scorer so they have to do other things to contribute. This guy is a pro. 110% every shift - always takes the body - rarely out of position - makes the right choices - great slapshot - I’ll take Trent Hunter on my team any day.
Everytime this team has hit a bump in the road this season, they have bounced back. Have faith oh ye faithful. The rebuild is working and we are living it. No graph goes straight up.
Cat Steven’s redux…
“And they were singing:
My, my that’s some humbling pie,
No Jack Hillen and the villain was a puck that went high,
and if these boys think John Erskine’s so sly,
Singing this will be the day that we die
This will be the day that we [realize we are not making the playoffs this season]
Damn the Caps are good.
I won’t quit my day job.
Two of DP’s goals were one on one after def lapses. Only the first goal he gave up was his fault. No way any goalie in the NHL stops Semin’s first - weird bounce off defender back to Semin’s stick?? Unstoppable finish. And Laich’s goal at the end of 3rd was after three Isles sat, skates frozen in the ice, and watched him bob and weave.
People are nuts for getting on DP coming in after the Caps were skating circles around us last night.
While were singing the praises of Alexander the Great, my favoite OV moment was during the Caps-Ranger series last playoffs. Ovechkin comes out alone and sits on the bench watching the Rangers warm up. I doubt it really had an effect but it was great to see him trying to psyche out his opponent. The guy wants to win.
Vincent - the Devils have injuries and have slowed down a bit, and the Penguins are not even really on the heels of the Caps. They’re the best East team right now.
I really really REALLY hope Hillen is okay. He’s been our 2nd best defenseman in his own zone so far.
Watching the highlights again this morning, I honestly can’t say anything but the worst about Gervais. Never have I seen more embarrassing defense from a player. The Caps realized how bad he is and quite literally skating right around him every time he was on the ice.
Gervais is not a talented defenseman. He doesn’t have a great shot, can’t handle the puck particularly well, can’t check well, and doesn’t block shots well. So to play lazy, not use your legs or your stick, or even be in position means that you won’t be successful. As poorly as Witt was doing, he never embarrassed the Isles like Gervais did last night.
The second worst player out there tonight was DiPietro. He was never challenged, but still gave up 3 goals in 2 periods. With better goaltending from him, it STILL could have been a game.
Hillen out 6-8 weeks, that is a real blow to the defense, he wil be sorely missed. Boy now what, make a trade fod help or push on with Kohn.
TRADE FOR D MAN. Scott Niedermayer is not needed, a decent D man will do. wont cost much and no reason to throw the season away we are in the playoff push.
that was awful, maybe we started believing our own hype and had dilusions of grandruer, last night showed how far we need to go
Can Witt be fitted with a Bionic knee by the next game? I don’t think I can watch Gervais…Even if some guys made it past Witt he would at the very least give them a shove Gervais is like a traffic cone out there. They were just out played and out talented, in a few years hopefully we will be giving the beatings not receiving them.
A few guys hit the nail on the head with this stinker. A lack luster effort by the usual cast of characters led to this Washington route. Bruno needs to go WEST along with Bergenheim, Park and Meyers. We are rebuilding and we have to nurture a team for the long term but when guys like Park are playing and Tambellini is sitting I have a problem with that. Bring up Joensuu, Trevor Smith, or Kohn. I bet they will give 110% I understand we are in year 12 of our 5 year plan but we need to move small guys who play small games on a nightly basis and aren’t leading to the offensive of defensive effort.
I remember reading an article awhile back where Bill Torre said he built 4 teams when he was the architect of the Island. Guys on those teams played 2 or 3 styles of hockey. This team is a 1 dimensional skating team. The reason they played so well from Dec 29th till last week was because they met Western teams that were not used to their run and gun offense, and they caught a Devil team that seemed to be in la la land in that blowout. Snowy it’s time to pull the trigger and move the dead wood along for a few role players.
Lastly I don’t know if there is a standing order in that locker room but maybe someone can fill me in, is there a rule saying no fighting, or hard hitting except for Andy Sutton ? It’s disgusting to watch the liberties teams are taking with the OTB line and no one has to answer for their actions. Go get a 4th line guy that will have other teams looking around but has some offensive skills. Hmmm Eric Nystrom maybe, Brandon Prust, Cam Janssen?
Well thats just my 2 cents, and Im keeping positive for the road trip. Lets see what happens
It all comes down to we are not physical. We have four Centers who do not check , at all. I am hoping that this is part of Garths master plan , just boggles my mind how we don t have anyone who the opposing team should be worried about. I am not talking about a 4 minte a player goon, just a guy that can knock you down and will not back down. Sutton is good for one hit a game but thats it, you would have to do something drastic to lure him into a fight. We have too many of the same players , need a nice blend of skill , speed and toughness, size to win. We have one or two players over 6 feet and 200 lbs. What is Garth doing ? Do ticket sales not matter to these guys ?
I still feel that the Caps have the all- star mentality, and that the teams with the hard fought experience will be in the Cup. Flashy Russians have shown they fall apart in those situations..Game 7 Pens vs. Caps.
Plus: KO never stops working and pushing the pace no matter what the score.
Plus: JT made some confident moves last night. He just needs to get bigger and it will lift his game to new hights.
Minus: our young inexperienced team didn’t play with the confidence they exuded in the games against, buffalo, Detroit and the NJ.
Brian from ‘Pequa: are you implying that CB has follicle envy?
Plus: # 78 Examiner!! Well said
Plus: Still in the playoff hunt
Minus: Need size, size and more size. Did I say size as well?
Bad kharma having a Rangers announcer calling the Islanders game!!! Jack Hillen get back to the ice soon!!!!!
Too bad for Hillen. I hope he gets back soon. As for Gervais, I hope he gets off the ice soon. He has to be held accountable for the way he’s been playing this year. He is our Redden, you only notice him when he really F’s up.
I’m gonna try and look on the brightside of things here…if you’re committed to a complete rebuild of this team then you can probably make a reasonable comparison of this team to the 74-75 team that finished 33-25-22 (88pts)….aside from the playoff magic that year against the rangers and pens, the team was very similar coming off an awful sophmore NHL season and having a good part of the dynasty nucleus just breaking into the league at 20-21 years old. ‘75 was the year the playoffs were expanded from 8 to 12 teams, otherwise the 8th seed islanders would have made it in by the skin of their teeth in the last spot…a likely outcome for this season. That team was very similar in that they showed some incredible heart and talent for a few games in a row and then would lose 2 or 3 in a row in poor fashion. Much like this team they were young, talented, but needed experience, and occasionally messed up big time…and we all know what happened with that ‘75 group for the next decade or so.
Bruno Gervais is absolute garbage. He’s been playing like crap for a couple of months and last night was the end for me.I did’nt look at the scoresheet but he must have been at least a minus 4 last night. I haven’t yelled at one player so much while at a game since Janne Ninnima (who the hell can spell his name anyway) was with the team
LBIsles I yell more at Gervais then Oleg Kvasha and Niinimaa added together. Bruno should hang up the skates and go to culinary school. Maybe we can deal him for a 7th round pick and a bag of pucks