DEVILS 3 ISLANDERS 2 (OT)
It’s a point, but oh, what might have been…
You decide: a heartbreaker or not?
Leading 2-1 in the third period, the Islanders allowed Devils goals at 5:43 of the third (David Clarkson) and 3:09 into overtime (Anssi Salmela) for a 3-2 loss. The Devils out-shot the Islanders, 35-15, and dominated most of the third and overtime after both teams played last night.
You can make the case for heartbreak because a win in regulation would have sent the Islanders to the Garden on Tuesday and Carolina on Friday in the role of hunter much more than spoiler. Letting the Devils take both points tonight, after doing the same on Sunday, keeps the Devils ahead of them.
So are the Panthers, who always seem to win in March after they fall down the standings (yup, again tonight against the Lightning). So are the Thrashers, miraculous winners in Philadelphia tonight. So are the Maple Leafs, who grabbed both points tonight in regulation.
But the Sabres lost in Toronto. The Hurricanes, grabbing those sticks a little tighter, lost at home to Columbus. The Rangers are in San Jose late.
Still, with the Islanders up 2-1 after such an outstanding second period, it was reasonable to start wondering about what could be.
The Islanders would have gone ultra-legitimate with a pair of down-and-dirty victories over the Bruins and Devils. Two weeks ago, it would have felt natural to call them surprising wins, but not any more. It’s especially funny to think of all the talk of the Devils being in the playoff race when the Islanders have been at their heels since the trade deadline.
The simple fact is, you can throw out all the statistics about how the Islanders are first since this date and have this many goals since that date. The Islanders are playing as well as any team in the NHL right now.
With Al Montoya making big stops after a softie by Josef Josefson and Blake Comeau scoring a brilliant shorthanded goal for his 20th of the season and John Tavares giving his team the lead with his 25th, the Islanders were in position to make the upcoming week special. Instead, they remain spoilers more than hunters. To be clear, it is still not too late.
Tonight, a 3-2 loss in New Jersey in overtime, out-shot and out-played for large stretches, was a setback for this impressive collection of young players. Heartbreak? Perhaps it’s the ultimate compliment to Garth Snow, Jack Capuano and their players about how far they’ve come that this one hurts at all.
81 Responses to DEVILS 3 ISLANDERS 2 (OT)
It’s a point, but oh, what might have been…
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James from Swindles says:
Tough to feel heartbreak for a team that put up one win in regulation in 21 back in November. Instead I hope they live and learn and build on this for next season, because that’s where they’re at.
They needed to run the board just to get to ninety points… so it’s kind of run its’ course now.
I can say with certainty though this is the best Isles team since the 2001-02 season and unlike them, they’re only going up from here.
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islesinVA says:
Grabner buries that breakaway chance and it’s a different game entirely. I don’t think the game was as close as the score indicated. Devils owned the first, third and overtime periods.
Playoff talk is nice, but realistically, we’ve been done for months. The REAL test will be, can this team carry its mid-to-late season success into next year? The organization has stopped the bleeding, and we’re no longer a laughgingstock, but the fact remains, until we sustain this for a full campaign (and avoid season busting losing streaks) we won’t be taken seriously.
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Dave says:
agree w/ comment #1′s last paragraph. barring a late-season collapse like the early-season one, can safely say there will be a lot of optimism after this season about them being the hunter for all of 2011-12.
tide totally changed after grabner’s breakaway…devils owned them from there. just happy they are playing hard against all opposition every game….only heartbreak is there’s only 12 games left to watch them until october.
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admin says:
(2) Very nicely said, islesinVA.
(1)I don’t think any team needs to run the board, and it will take 85 more likely than 90, but well put in your first and third paragraphs
You both have raised the bar for the rest of the commenters, so I salute you…CB -
I’m sorry. I have to agree with some of my friends on islandermania. It is very hard to play against the Devils AND the Refs.
Nielsen 10 minute misconduct? Really?
Konopka’s penalty?
Non calls all game long…… -
Doug F says:
In the overtime, KO needed to shoot the puck into the Devils endzone but didn’t and the Devils took the puck at the blueline and off they went…but they are only 9 points out of a playoff spot…so they are still in it…need SJ to beat the Rangers tonight and the Islanders to have a good week next week…You Gotta Believe!!!
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Jim Clark says: At the GM meeting Garth Snow will try to get all 30 teams in the playoffs. If thatfail, he will propose starting the season December 16th.
Having tyem playing well and the young talent giving us a very special blossom is nice. But there are pitfalls. Look at the freefall the Colorado Avalanche are in. The future seems bright (until 2015) but it seldom comes like you figure.
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Grandma's boy says:
Isles could have stole 2 points, but they were thoroughly outplayed, so I really can not call this a heartbreaking loss. I can’t believe the devils are 6 pts out with 2 games in hand.
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Matt says:
Chris,
The scary thing is that even if the isles won 5 of the 20 games they lost early in the year they would be in 8th or a point or two behind.
My question to you is where do the Isles add in the offseason?
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Staten Islander says:
I only saw the 3rd. I still don’t get the Neilsen call, a real head scratcher.If Grabner buries that one, the Isles win. In the end, you have to give the Devils their due and look at this one as a lesson.
I’m optimistic for their chances next year.
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Tom says:
Comeau has been good, but not that good. It was his 20th of the season, not his 30th!
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moonshine says:
this was the ugly side of ‘playing loose.’ the islanders looked like they just didn’t care enough. if capuano wants to be an nhl coach he can’t have his team out there like they’re still high-fiving after the win the night before.
the game was the devils’ lousy offense against the islanders’ lousy defense. no blue line defense by the islanders, and it takes the d-men forever to get at the puck carrier (not to mention strip him).
an undisciplined performance at times (and this too is on the coach). too many bad penalties.
although it would have been nice to get a pp at some point. much as the islanders made mistakes, i did feel like the refs were following a script.konopka continues on audition for next year, and tonight didn’t go so well for him.
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Blizzard says: It hurts…..it was clear that the Islanders had less jump against the Devs. Still with the lead this hurts. The homer in me has to point to the large disparity in PP time in the third period. However that 1-for 21 death spiral pretty much did us in. Its nice that we are not totally eliminated….and as much as I am sick of saying wait until next year we will be a playoff team this year more than any other the potential is there.
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admin says:
Tom: Thanks! Wasn’t prepared for the Devils’ comeback and wrote this thing way too quickly. Good thing I don’t work for a newspaper…CB
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PotvinRocks says:
CB that was Comeau’s 20th not 30th.
Do you think that this team has learned something from that massive losing streak and all the slow starts they have had? I think that they play with this “hey if we just score one goal we are back in this one” attitude. They really never give up.
Don Cherry said this about Toronto but if only some of these injuries came a little earlier than maybe… I think that it’s best to be in the top 5 of the draft this year, but next season, this team could shoot up the standings. -
yes, it is a shame that grabner didnt score that short handed goal to put the game away but when n.j.scored to tie it up, and it went to o.t., you knew the isles would lose. this is where their inexperience takes over plus not having enough fire power. this is why they need help for next year. montoya was fantastic in the third period. if it would have been d.p….. well, this also goes to show what a travesty it will be next year if montoya is let go and d.p. is the number 1 goalie. if montoya was signed for next year and d.p. backed him up like lawson is backing up montoya, i would not complain as long as d.p. did not play over 10 games. this would make sense. sadly, thats why it wont happen. it makes too much sense and i dont see cheapskate wang paying what montoya deserves even if it means going backwards instead of going foward. by the way, do you notice how many games the isles have won since d.p. is out? is it a coincidence? of course not. also with the great play of the team the last 3 months, there is no excuse for snow to say no free agents will come here because of the building.thats just a excuse. if you win and show your commited to winning,then the free agents will come!
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Islesfan3 says:
Comeau becoming a 20 goal scorer is good. I dont understand why your giving him a hard time for not having 30. You need 20 goal scorers he jusy needs some consistency. Good game some tough calls and grabs coulda put it away but it is what it is. I hope we go out and beat the rags the next time we play them and hope they miss the playoffs again. Cant wait until next year one more top line scorer and we could be really good. Also the dp and goalie situation is a big ?. Go sharks tonight! And go isles forever
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91NYfan91 says:
why is gervais still on the team? the isles played very sloppy today they were fortunate to get a point. I understand some of the calls on the isles but call it for both teams. once again the only thing the isles are lacking is the defense not getting the puck out of the zone.
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Stephen says:
I echo #13…this one definitely hurts. Had the lead with Grabner on a breakaway and 30 seconds later the Devils get the equalizer.
Also I know this is nitpicking but someone last week mentioned that Radek was continually backing up in his own zone when someone challenged him. I was too annoyed to stick around to even see the replay but it looked like that is exactly what happened…he kept backing up and allowed a much closer shot than he could have.
Lastly, one real power play tonight would have been nice. I can’t count that 10 seconds as one…where were the make-up calls.
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I’m sorry, but the refs just sucked tonight! Such borderline calls to decide the game! Devs trap always hard to play against, but tonight Isles had to fight against the refs as well!I can’t help thinking if the game was called fairly, we would have a win. That’s okay though, I can’t remember last time they lost in regulation! P.S. Montoya is a keeper!! Will only get better. I have visions of Poulin and Montoya leading us to the promised land with our assistant G.M., Rick DiPietro cheering them on!
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Tom D in NJ says:
The Devils had more in the tank tonight and both teams and coaches deserve praise for at least making something out of what looked like horriffic seasons for both teams. The Isles have provided us with optimism for next season and soon enough we’ll find out if Charles and Garth are going to get us the peices we need to add and subtract to make us a true contender.
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James says:
The Islanders could get nothing going in the 3rd, and the officials were part of the reason why. Giving Nielsen a 10-minute misconduct is a joke.
The Devils got away with several penalties that could have changed the momentum.
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John89 says:
Tom #11, Comeau is on the third line. Not the first. So why is it so terrible that he scored his 20th tonight and not his 30th? Tavares, Moulson, and Grabner don’t even have 30 yet. Comeau is a solid player and people need to stop bashing him. If he ever left, people would soon be asking why we didn’t bring Comeau back. I can just imagine it now, Garth doesn’t re-sign him and when he’s scoring 20 goals for the Rangers or Devils or someone else than everyone will be crying and bashing Snow for getting rid of him.
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The New Isles GM says:
First off, that was a beautiful shot by Salmela. Bottom line is overall the Islanders look like a different team since the All-Star break. My hope is that it’s because the kids are growing up, learning how to play with one another, confidence is growing and the coaching change made a significant difference. Even though they lost this one, they got a point. If there in the hunt next year, each point is crucial. You look at teams like the Rangers who are somewhat in the hunt, beat Washington and Philly 7-0, then lose games 3-1 to teams they should be beating. We’re a talented team, at the end of the day our Islanders need to take the next step to be contenders and not spoilers. That’s Garth’s job. All we can do is wait and support.
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gordy lane says:
I am always curious why so many players on breakaways try and make a move instead of taking a shot. A lot of times the player loses the puck all together from a flub or from a bouncing puck. What does a player have to say to the ref in order to get a 10 minute misconduct. I understand it from the Avery’s and other idiots in the world of hockey but franz seems pretty level headed. By the way CB can you explain to me why KO is not on the penalty kill anymore. I know Franz and Grabner are a great duo. Bailey and Comeau not bad and you need a centerman for faceoffs. I realize KO was getting his legs underneath when he first came back but not seeing him out there with Franz in the box was interesting. I think Martin was out there.
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Claude says:
iIt could have been a two goal loss without Montoya.Wow! franz got 10 for complaining. What a non call. Devils wanted it more tonight.The Grabner breakaways are nice,but he always looks a little out of control.
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I think Blake Comeau deserves more love, and a new contract! Keep up the great work CB!
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joe says:
Time for Garth to make some serious decisions in the off season with Gervais, DP and Hunter. Prefer Katic, Montoya, Poulin and Rhett. Isles have a point in every game in March, when was the last time you could say that about this team. Keep working hard boys!!
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Petey Palmtree says:
Someone has to teach Grabner how to score on a breakaway. If he would have scored a third of the breakaways hes had this season, he would have about 40 goals. If he can do that, he’ll be one of the most dangerous players in the league.
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sean says:
Bruno, hunter, and dp should not be on this team. Bruno gets beat on the puck all the time and hopefully Garth can move him, hunter is too slow for the team, and DP do us a favor by sitting out the season next year. we definitely need to build on defense, be nice to get larsson at the draft but we will see what happens.
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THE PORK CHOP EXPRESS says:
I usually don’t talk about officiating but tonight they were awful. How do you give Frans 10 mins for saying “Give us a chance”? Very weak call by the officials in a playoff type game. Cappy will be fined 10-20 grand for his comments and he was right.
I feel NJ gets these calls because of three reasons 1. Lou Lamoriello 2. Jacques Lemaire 3. NHL Feel Good Story of the Year.
I hope this offseason Grabs works on his shot. This kid can have 50 goals if buries 25% of his chances.
Also, KO needs to play smarter. Got to get the puck deep. I question some his plays.
I hope this loss makes the team even more hungry. We need to finish these 13 games very strong!!
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Jzimm says:
It’s a heartbreaker. I’m really upset about this one.
The Devils went, 0-6 on the Power Play.
Islander Power Play did not look good at all tonight…. Oh, that’s right, I don’t remember seeing one. Ohhhhhh yeah, that 11 second one, right?
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PORK CHOP, I didn’t know that’s what Franzie said. THAT’S PATENTLY RIDICULOUS!!! Franzie is a classy guy. There was no need for a penalty to be called for that.
As far as your 3 points on “Why?” –
NAILED!!! NAILED!!!! AND NAILED!!!!!!
This completely absurd!!!!
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I am a fan of both Garth Snow and Capuano, but somehting has to be said for the refereeing. I would like to know when Snow and Capuano are going to speak up and say something. The only ones saying something or sticking up for themselves is the players (ie. Nielsen says something about the Hamonic penalty which was RIDICULOUS!). Even if it is a fine, Snow needs to say something. This is absurd! The players need to know that the coaches and management are behind them and the rest of the league needs to know that the Islanders can’t be scr–ed like this all the time. The league won’t let the Islanders stick up for themselves and the ref’s are getting away with murder. Do something Snow and stick up for your team who is playing hard and deserve better.
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John T. - Halifax, NS says:
Agree with #1 & 2 comments.
Although the Isles are playing some of the best hockey Ive seen them play in years down the stretch this season, we really have no business talking about playoff hopes. Too little, too late.
We had some bad breaks (injuries to key players and inconsistent “carousel” goaltending) for us this season which brings us to where we are as the season is coming to a close.
The team is looking great now that guys are getting healthy, there is now more consistency in the lineup so chemistry can be built, and Montoya has been fantastic in nets (another great pickup for Garth).
The way they are playing now is what I was expecting for the full season, but didnt happen that way. But this strong finish does have me very optimistic for next year and years to come.
One thing we need to do though is stop blaming the officiating for our losses. There have been times where we benefit from bad officiating. We need to take the good with the bad. Thats just the way it is.
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Lorne says:
I will be at MSG on Tuesday, I really hope they put a beatdown on the Rag$, but that is wishful thinking.
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Oren says:
Heartbreak? I think that this is all very postive spin. They still can’t break that threshold. As a studious fans that we are here, you don’t know where that line is, but you know the Isles haven’t crossed it yet. So it’s dissapointing and I hate to say it but it’s almost like they are the same old Isles. Yes they are in a better spot for next year because of the youth and talent but you get the feeling that this game was a test and they did not come out with the same intensity and crispness. I have a strong feeling you will see some close games for the rest of the season but they will lose more than they win. You can’t keep up that kind of intensity forever. Heartbreak…no. Dissapointment and having that same old Isles feeling…yes.
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Orange&Blue says:
The conditioning of this team must improve. This why we are so bad on the 2nd night of back to back games. Capuano probably should have took his timeout in OT to get his team a little rest. Well, we hung in there and got a point despite being outplayed. Time to rest up for the Rangers.
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Strummer's Army says:
Oh ya because Franz Neilsen is such a dirty player and has such a vicious mouth he gets 10 minutes. Simply because he was an Isle and the officials saw their opportunity to take one of the best Isles off the ice for a long duration during a crucial point of the game thus helping NJ out.
We’ve all seen Campbell’s emails to refs. I am sure he has told them to help out whoever the Isles are playing and to hurt whoever Boston is playing.
Isles did not play great but it is so hard to beat the other team and the refs. The call on Hamonic was terrible. Chico started to say that “if you think the Isles didn’t deserve these penalties and the refs are just being biased” and then the video got far enough along and he had to mute his comment to “I dunno that one was close” when it was clearly not a penalty.
Look, I’ll take the top 5 draft pick and pray Snow improves the defense for next year. It is not a matter of a young coaching staff, young players etc. It is a matter of people like Campbell in the NHL offices actively working against the Isles and the officials getting their orders to do the same. It doesn’t help some misinformed members of the media pile on whenever they get a chance (without knowing facts or watching the video) but this is actually the biggest road block to the Isles success. It is on and off ice NHL officials that Gary Bettman isn’t smart enough to get in line. All I ask from refs is to call a fair game. Not call it one way for a star and another for a rookie or one way for an NHL favored team (Pit and Bos) and another for the Isles or Pho.
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okpososcores21 says:
Are you fn kidding me what a disgrace to watch can we even call this a game the call on hamonic the call on hillen granted there were a few legit calls but the missed call on okposo in our zone he was clearly tripped but than 2 secs later a call against us and a 10 min misonduct for nielsen, are you kidding me. Especially after overcomming a terrible first period pretty much dominating the second and controlling play into the third until the terrible officiating that led to a garbage goal. Totally changing the momentum. They say grabenrs missed breakaway was the turning point i disagree i think the turning point was that terrible penalty call on hillen when he was clearly the one being held first. Devils weren’t generating much until after they tied it seconds after the penalty expired.
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Was there tonight. Might as well have been watching the game from Alaska in that steep arena. A great deal of Devils fans in the Section 215 area thought DiPietro was in net. Few had any idea the Islanders trailed them by 2 points at the start of the game. It’s not violent, but their chants of “You Suck!” as their goal celebration is rank. I would have loved to see us bust their bubble. I did see a number of Islanders mangled without any calls and have no idea what caused that misconduct.
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How can you be down on this team saying they are the same old isles first off the played a tough emotional game last night. They didnt have there best game but played well enough to win. In my opinion the officiating was the difference tonight. They went into shutdown mode int he third similiar to what they did to the bruins last night after taking the lead. they controlled play pretty well early in the third but the garbage officating allowed for the tying goal and change of momentum. This is not the same team we have 2 30 goal scorers and the fastest guy in the nhl. We finaly have that player in grabener that everytime he touches the puck the crowd is expecting something. This is an exciting fun hockey team to watch and will only get better as time goes on. The biggest thing to me is their consistency and jack has been getting that most nights from his players. If this team can stay consistent we definitely have a playoff team for the future.
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Michael B. says:
I’ll take a point on the road any night, especially when its a point that we didn’t deserve. Throw this game out of memory and get ready for the next one. The boys are unbeaten in regulation in March. Let’s hope the trend continues as we’ve finally come within a single digit deficit of that Ranger playoff spot. There’s a possible 24 points out there waiting to be had but the only ones that are important right now are the next two. Let’s go into the garden and take them on Tuesday.
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Brian from Massapequa says:
I’m watching the Rangers game and they just tossed out some nice comments on our young Islanders team. They said that it will be a tough game for the Rangers on Tuesday.
Montoya was great again tonight except for the game winner.
I think the Isles will fall short of the playoffs. Probably finishing in 11th (or so) place in the Eastern Conference. But they are a fun team to watch now. Aim high boys!
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Lucky to get the one point so not overly upset. For the first time in a while the lack of Islander size was very noticeable. The Devils pinned the Isles in their own zone for most of the game, dominated the wall play, and were tough to move in front of Isles net.
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Jim says:
I’m an official and so I look at things differently, but really some of the calls against the Islanders tonight. I just don’t know what game these referees are watching. Just terrible
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Derek A says:
Ugh… a little disappointing. Really thought this was our game.
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Hintonio says:
I know there was no Plus/Minus tonight, but just bringing the past 2 nights together, a big shout out to Jack Hillen again! What a play that was to drop down on one knee (not taking him out of the play), block Ilya’s shot and then bust his ass to the net to take out a defender and let Comeau put one in.
All he needs to do is show a personality once in a while and he’ll be a fan favorite eventually. -
If this was January and the Isles were 6th in the Conference I’d be thrilled. However this one did hurt. The officiating was also pathetic as usual and Grabner had the chance to bury the game. They will win more games like this next year with Streit, more experience and a better goaltender.
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IslesfanfromFlorida says:
High way ROBBERY!!! Devils are terrible to play against, and it hurts even more when the refs call crappy penalties. ENough said, the league wants the Devils back in the playoffs and will take down any team that is in their way. Another great game for Al, u can call me MONTOYA!! Congrats Blake on his 20th, last time we had 4 players in 20s since Silenger, hunter, satan and Blake, so thats some Positive. WIsh Grabs would have scored on the break away, this thread would be so different. LETS GO ISLANDERS, See anyone in Sunrise next saturday!!
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cure says:
Guys like Comeau, pa parenea(sp?), are perfect for Islanders. They will help you win some games, but are so happy to be in NHL that they wont comman big money as they will never hit 30 goals. Isles of course need to be at league low salary so the owner can save his money for other purposes…whatever that may be.
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since the brawl with the Pens, we rack up a 10 minute misconduct every other game.
as writen elsewhere, we take suspensions (and 10 minute misconducts) so your team doesn’t have too.
its a joke, its sad, and its not unexpected. heres to us isles fans: the town hates us, colin campbell hates us, and the officials hate us.
and to frans, for cross checking Chara to his knees, and bruising the refs gentle ears. -
RAgs in shootout, already 1 point , 6th round win, sucks!
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Jim Clark says:
Snow’s priority in the off season is to acquire Gregory Campbell. Then watch those bad penatly calls and lopsided disclipinary actions vanish.
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Colin M. says:
Not much talk about that awful first goal Montoya let up. Then again, he’s played so well down the stretch, you can’t really hold it against him. DP would have let five or six goals up in this game, so there’s a positive to take away from this.
Speaking of DP, I really want to hear your thoughts on that overall situation CB. I know in your last video you spoke about how we Isles fans are a bit delusional to think that a “healthy” DP won’t be back in the lineup next year. Yet, I can’t see how any rational person, whether it be Snow or Wang or Capuano, that thinks he gives us the best chance of winning. Every goaltender we’ve had this year, save Lawson, gave us a better chance to win than DP.
Are we really, REALLY never going to buy him out, CB? Say it ain’t so. We’re swimming in good goalies we can focus on developing right now, and we’re saddled with DP? It’s a shame.
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pat h says:
This was definetly heartbreaking. Everyone of my friends and family r devils fans and to get this win would been awesome…no fair calls by the refs and only playing well for 20 mind in the middle frame wasn’t going to cut it..I like the way we look and how this young team has come together…gonna be somewhat interesting to see what happens with DP next year… hope the best for player and team…but more importantly a competitive team for the fans
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Islebethere4u says:
A famous man once said, ” it ain’t over till it’s over,” but I think everyone will agree, we all know the ugly truth…..it’s not likely to happen this season for our beloved Isles. Instead, I look forward to being the spoiler for the remainder of the year. I really want them to keep this play going. We could see three players cracking thirty goals this year. That should take some of the sting out of this broken season. The real icing on the cake would be Grabner getting the rookie of the year honors. If he winds up with the rookie scoring lead at the end of the season, and doesn’t win, that would be a travesty and hurt more than the losing streak. The only real, emerging conundrum is….if Montoya plays really well this season, what do we do? Poulan is the future, Koskonan showed a lot of promise as a backup, and then there is DP. At what point can the team say enough is enough and proclaim him physically not fit to perform. That has to be close considering the number of times his body has broken down, putting him on IR. As for tonites game, would have loved to steal 2 points but we looked gassed for 2 periods + O.T. Montoya certainly gave us that chance. Another commenter said it but I want to be more specific…. Its tough to play a Jacques Lemaire coached Devils team and the refs as well.
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BIGSAVE77 says:
We were flat tonight and needed to play better in order to win a hockey game against the high flying devils. It is still nice to see 4 islanders with at least 20 goals and if Parenteau gets hot we could have 5. I am still proud of this team and like Toronto on Tuesday we were lucky to even get a point. If only we could of played harder in the third we could of been flying high into next week with some tough games ahead. I am still proud of this team and cannot wait for next season. Garth needs to get someone for Tavares to play with and he has got to get rid of Gervais.
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rick says:
#50 glad you brought up the pens…did anyone notice cooke and rupp in the 2nd period tonight against the habs? if not, watch NHL on the fly for the highlights, and i still dont understand how the Isles get blamed for that fight night…
Tonights game was a little punch in the gut, but there will be games like this next year on our way to the PLAYOFFS. Even if the game was called fair, we didnt deserve the point we got. Looking forward to spoiling the rags this week.
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Will says:
i dont really think thew 1st goal by montoya was a bad goal on his part it was more a fluke then anything, i am a goalie i play tournament level roller hockey so i do know the position very well and coming from experience theres not much you can do when someone behind the net bounces one off your skate theres no time to react.
a win tonight would have been amazing but the devils are the better coached team and they are playing like men possessed (sp) and really cant lose we have two games against the rags and 1 more against the devs we need all 3 of thoes games and 10-1-1 in our last 12 to have a legit chance of squeaking into the 8 seed.
in all reality though we will probably fall 3-5 points short of making it and well you know that isnt all that bad when you consider everything, if we do make it tho we will be the hottest team in the NHL going in and philly is starting to look human who knows maybe we could win a game.
1 last point everyone is saying ohh well if they had just won 5 games during that stretch, well if they win 5 Scott Gordon would still be the coach and we would have had an average season the rest of the way out and probably fallen 5-7 pts shy of the 8 seed
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CJCB says:
+ Haley finally fighting again and with someone with a little rep for fighting.
Totally shocked that Haley didnt get a game for the elbow to the head right before the fight.
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Frustrated Voter says:
I am delighted with the effort and excitement. For me, I think this is happening a year earlier than expected. For the Isles long term goals (Stanley Cups), it’s still more important that they get another top 5 draft pick this year. The wins at the end of this season are an extra bonus.
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terry says:
Haley has shown he should be here next year for a 4th line with Konopkaand Gillies.If the team adds a few players next year they will make the playoffs.Isles will win a cup before the hated Rangers.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
I think I was more upset with some of the non calls that could have gone against the Devils. The Frans misconduct is totally ridiculous but we don’t know what was said. Apparently the Devils were chirping all night at Caps so Frans had enough (as per some Twitter updates). I am going to the game Tuesday night and would love to see a win at M$G. Playoffs aren’t realistic to me though. Most teams still have at least one game in hand on us. I would like the team to set some goals fro the remaining 12 or so games – such as 3 30 goal scorers, 5 20 goal scorers, Monty get to 12 or so wins, and the Isles get to “NHL .500″ or better. I think we all know what we have next year and maybe this sweet run will attract some quality FAs to the island – hear that Garth???
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Bob Bassen says:
No matter what, I think every NHL fan can agree that the *officiating* and Cambell’s office are very poor and inconsistent and yes, it is extremely frustrating. Bias and conspiracies are basically impossible to prove, though and in the context of *life* issues outside of sports, there are other human travesties that deserve the attention, imo.
When you watch the Hamonic penalty in slo-mo, um, yeah,it doesn’t look like a penalty but I can see why it was called. Whatever.
The ice was completely tilted towards Montoya for huge parts of the game and for most of the third. I actually thought the Isles were lucky to get a point.
On to the Rangers.
Beat them.
Period. -
Isles Revamped says:
I would not deem this lose as a heartbreak. In the same breath however I think this team should be upset. Not with the lack of respect that is shown by the league, on-ice officials and others but the fact that they let two points slip away late in the third period.
You can complain and point fingers all you want but the bottom line is that the team needs to play a solid 60 minutes and it did not.
On a positive note this team has done a complete 180 from the first half of the year. We are get glimpses of what could have been had the squad been healthy day. I think the line of KO, Neilsen, Gabby probably the most potent in that they cycle puck very well. PA, JT, MM but not completely sold on PA I see him more a third line guy than top line. They need a better balance like KO, Frans, Gabby. Third and fourth lines are decent but still could use a little tinkering.
I think Garth should step up and offer Montoya at least 1 yr extension. The Kid has been solid for this team. It would allow Isles to let Lawson go. Poulin can rehad in Bridgeport. DP can share load with Monty. Even though I would love for Isles to release Ricky bc I believe clud is better without him.
Garth add a few more blocks to the foundation and build on the momentum.
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Steve C says:
Isles should have played with more urgency last night.
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Cant stand Cambell, i really hope the league considers a change in this dept. Maybe they should have a commitee of 3 deciding the penalties for hits and such, maybe they do not sure but i think that it should go to a vote with all opinions on punishment made public.
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Bryan says:
The clear bias against the Isles by the league has to stop. CB, I know that you said that there isn’t such bias, but it’s so obvious in a game like last nights’. If the Isles complain though, they become whiners. The only way to stop the bs is to win, if we get higher in the standings next year, then maybe we start to get the calls…Oh if only Grabs could have buried that!
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therain93--terriers fan says:
A shame Garth didn’t shop the first round pick when it looked like it would have been top 3….
Promising, but still middle of the pack. Montoya does look good though.
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i agree that the difference in size was a factor tonight.
as was the refereeing, although the devils’ offense is poor enough at putting the puck in the net that they did nothing with all the pp’s.
but also a factor was the difference btwn lemaire and capuano. one team was better prepared.
as for montoya, as a backup he can be in the nhl. as a starter for a contending team, no way. -
isles72 says:
dont usually like to whine about how the ref’s call a game , but wow .
devil’s were obstructing all night without a call .
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Al says:
This is what happens with a young team with a ahl coach and no veteran leadership. You’re gonna get games like this. With the right additions, they will win games like this in the future.
Very optimistic about next season and let’s help the rags miss the playoffs.
P.S. DP has to start in Bridgeport next year and prove he can play a full season -
Jim From EI says:
You simply cannot have your ‘A’ game every night. Impossible in any sport. But it is a true sign of improvement when you can get points on nights when you do not play your best.
And enough with the big acquisition in the off-season(for big $). Do you all want to be Chicago in a couple of years and win one cup and then sell off all your players because they don’t fit under the cap? We have enough talent to sign what we have and sprinkle in a veteran or two at a reasonable price. Sure the 1 cup looks nice but lets build this for the long haul!!!! (multiple CUPS!)
Oh and the refs were horrible last night but I guess they cannot have their ‘A’ game every night either… -
Zenon Rocks says:
I am at a complete loss, after watching HBO’s inside look at the Caps and Penguins before the Winter Classic, as to how Frans can get a 10 minute misconduct for saying “Give us a chance” to the refs. Crosby threw an f-bomb at the ref in one clip on HBO, and I was in shock at some of the other abuse the refs took on that show from both the Caps and Penguins. I can’t remember the game earlier this season, but during our losing streak, one of the linesman took a shove to one of our rookies after players got together after the whistle. I had never seen a ref or linesman get so aggressive with a player before. Right or wrong, when Gillies hit Clutterbuck, the mikes on the ice picked up the ref emphatically disrespecting him as he threw him out of the game. There was hatred showing in that disrespect, and from hatred comes bias. Owner Mario belittles the officiating after the Penguins game, and no fine or reprimand. The Penguins jump the bench to join in a fight and the league “forgives” coach Bylsma from the mandatory suspension. Chara gets nothing for wrecking the career of a 22 year old (let’s not forget that Murphy lunches daily with father of Bruin Gregory Campbell, and the the Bruins next game was against the Isles). Capuano hit the nail on the head. There is no respect to our team from the officials and people that run this league. Now watch Caps get a $10k fine for speaking the truth.
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Big Van Vader says:
“We got no respect tonight,” Capuano, whose team got just one power play to the Devils’ five, told the newspaper. “Maybe if we start winning games, we’ll get it. Maybe it’s a young coaching staff and they’ve got an older coaching staff. Maybe it’s their players — their veteran guys versus our non-veteran guys. I have no idea. But it’s tough for guys to prepare for a game and then it’s taken away from you.”
“Tonight was a little bit overboard for me,” he told the newspaper. “I don’t think we’re that undisciplined and they’re that disciplined. We had 11 seconds of power-play time and we have a guy that has 28 penalty minutes [this season], our assistant captain, get thrown into the box for 10 minutes. To me, that’s a lack of respect.”
Hmmmm…….it’s one thing for we, the fans to say, “Nobody respects us”, but now our COACH PUBLICLY SAYS IT. Clear sign to me that it’s NOT just a complex that we Isles fans have and we’re not making this stuff up. If that’s true, perhaps what we think of Colon Campbell is also true. I believe it is.
Bravo, Captain Jack. This is officially US against the rest of the hockey world.
FTW
Isles 4-LIFE
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Steve says:
I just find it hard to get upset about anything the Islanders do these days. They are definitely playing with house money. Even watching Cappy get fired up feels good.
This is a team that lost almost everyday last fall, that fell behind early, that was clueless in all 3 zones, and that consistenly lost by big margins. Now they are gelling, they care about one another, and they play smart, decisive, and competitive hockey. Seriously – can anyone say they saw this coming in November? On top of all that, you have Tavares, Okposo, Comeau, Moulson, and Grabner coming into their own. You have Al Montoya making a case to be a viable NHL goalie. This summer, you have the Islanders “signing” Mark Streit, and you have the distinct possibility of adding 2-3 decent veterans who may actually say (for the first time), “hey – this team knows what it’s doing and it seems like a neat opportunity.”
Yes, I’m excited. Who ever thought between the Isles and Mets the Isles would turn out to be the more stable franchise?!
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Vato Kakes says:
I’ll have what KO and the refs were smoking..That had to be one of the worst games KO has played, and the refs well we’ve been getting whacked by the zebras for years now…Glad captain jack blew a gasket w/the refs. atta boy jackie…Like most of the ISLE nation I’ve been pumped up for games of late..however when it’s the devils, I’m sorry I pretty much know we are gonnaq be in for a long nite of boring hockey…horrible game zebras the nhl should be proud how you put it to the ISLES…stay strong boys….and crush the city girls on tuesday…
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JT27 says:
Great job by Jack Cap to stand up for his team in the postgame. He looks very secure in his job & he should. Somebody should do an independent audit of of all players,teams,the calls & displine they receive from the refs & the NHL. I bet this would be an eye-opener. As a comish in pro-sports I don’t no who’s worse Selig,Goodell,or Bettman? Bettman he uses Colin Campbell as an out. I agree with Al#74, we should send DP through waivers to Bridgeport like the Rags did with Kasparitis. I love Michael Grabner (sign now). He reminds me of Bob Bourne (loved him too). He needs a few practices with Mike Bossy on breakaway finishing. If he does this he’s a 40-50 goal scorer! 2011-12 going to be great! Lets Go Islanders!
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admin says:
Thread closed. Enjoy your Sunday and I’ll see you tomorrow…CB
Frans Neilsen with the old 10 minute misconduct for being an Islander. It’s getting old, NHL refs are the worst in 4 major sports.
Chara nearly paralyzes someone and gets a 5 minute penalty. Are any other teams accumalating these ridicoulous 10 min. misconducts like the isles are?