ISLES PICK UP 3 OF 4 PTS OVER THE WEEKEND
Beat Blues, Hang Tough With Red Hot Devils
Back by popular demand, post-game +/- returns for home games during the final five weeks of the season!
written by Kevin Schultz
Two very different opponents visited Nassau Coliseum this weekend in the cold-as-can-be Blues and the red hot Devils. The former can be added to a list of teams that entered the Coliseum in the past month plus with something less than their ‘A’ games.
The Blues had been sliding out of the Western Conference playoff picture and after leaving Long Island are now 13 points out and probably scheduling tee times. Major kudos to the Islanders for taking care of business from start to finish. They lept out to a 2-0 lead in the first and never looked back. PA Parenteau atoned for a large gaffe very quickly and John Tavares had a flashy, highlight reel goal that we hope to see many, many more of. Another solid outing from Montoya and watch out, Andrew McDonald is now a full-blown Al MacInnis with his slapper from the point! (KIDDING. I’m kidding.)
On Sunday, the hottest team in the NHL came to town in a game that served as a decent barometer for how these Islanders are doing after beating up on some down-and-out teams. The Islanders were certainly up to the challenge, coming back from two one-goal deficits to force overtime. They would lose in the shootout but not after giving the 95% capacity crowd their money’s worth. The Devils moved to 22-2 in their last 24 games(!).
The Islanders ended the weekend with three of a possible four points and are 2-0-1 in the first three of a five game homestand.
Without any further ado, a +/- breakdown with bullet points for each of the weekend’s two games…
Even – Not to take too much away from the Isles’ home success, but you can add the Blues to a list of visiting teams from the last month who looked like they did not want to be here. That’s the minus. The plus is that business is being taken care of, as these games aren’t even close.
Plus – John Tavares not only with a pretty 24th goal of the season Saturday night but tying Marty St. Louis and Brad Richards for goals.
Plus – Andrew McDonald
Minus – PA Parenteau missing that empty net against the Blues. *Cringe*
Plus – PA Parenteau bouncing back with 2 points in the same period, including an awesome set up for Tavares.
Plus – Montoya handled back-to-back work very well and had a nice performance in the shootout against the Devils.
Minus – Speaking of the shootout, six Islanders and none were named Michael Grabner.
Double Minus – The Islanders were gifted a power play at the beginning of the third period against the Devils. In a tie game against a fierce opponent on home ice, these chances cannot be squandered. They could barely hold the puck in throughout the man advantage and moments after the penalty expired, Ilya Kovalchuk did what Ilya Kovalchuk is supposed to do and gave the Devils the lead on a wicked wrister.
Plus – The fans. Nearly a sellout as 15,893 packed the house on Sunday and made themselves heard. Contrary to what outsiders might think, it wasn’t Devils fans that helped post the high number. It was Isles fans taking advantage of a Sunday afternoon and a myriad of ticket offers.
Plus – Picking up my on-the-cheap 3-game ticket pack and realizing that the team threw in seats in the 100s for one of the games.
Plus – When’s the last time we’ve seen the Islanders play this well in back-to-back games?
Kevin Schultz is a blogger formerly of the dearly-departed NHL FanHouse and currently of his NHL humor site, Barry Melrose Rocks. You can chat along with him during most games on Twitter.
Comments about the two weekend performances, including your own pluses and minuses, in this thread.
73 Responses to ISLES PICK UP 3 OF 4 PTS OVER THE WEEKEND
Beat Blues, Hang Tough With Red Hot Devils
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THE PORK CHOP EXPRESS says:
Pretty nice hockey weekend!! Great would have been 4 points!! Has Grabs hit the post the most this league? Is there a stat on that?? lol
+ The kids continue to improve!!
- Lack of shots on the Power Play. We need to take advantage while being up a man.
- No Grabs, Comeau or Bailey on shoot out. -
joe says:
I really like Montoya!! We need to resign him! Keep playing Martin more and finish the year on a strong note.
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Jon in Chicago says: Please, Please nobody mention losing to get a draft pick ever again. Win as many as you can down the stretch, build momentum, get the winning culture going and continue it through the offseason and into 2011-2012.
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Jim Clark says: Is Frans Nielsen the best shootout scorer in the NHL?
The team came back in the third period to tie it and got a loser’s point.
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2Bit says:
Seriously, major mess up by Caps not putting Grabs in the shootout. Or even Comeau. Perhaps we didn’t want to totally blow our draft position with a shootout win.
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moonshine says:
that parenteau miss can be explained… it happened right in front of my nose while some late arriving fans were making a hash of settling into their seats in front of me. p.a. didn’t want to score when he realized i didn’t have a clear view of it. i still saw too much of it, unfortunately…
but i agree st louis were a sorry lot. after they fell behind they only tried to get in a few good licks. not surprising they’re 3rd in fighting. but then if haley goes after jackman at the end, people might say, ‘there go the isles again…’as for today, the isles will be a good team when they win this game 4-2 in regulation. much of the third period was in nj’s end, need to score! the devils are very good at keeping you out of their zone, but as soon as you get in they look like they’re in trouble.
okposo is perfect against the devils’ system. he does right back to them what they try to do to you, and in spades. i imagine nj would salivate over a guy like that, fighting for every puck in the neutral zone.
as esposito said, the devils have two guys you need to worry about, kovalchuk and then kovalchuk. -
2011-2012 Isles says:
+Great resilience by the Isles coming back twice against the Devils insanely stingy defense.
+Strong game from Bailey. His heavy fore-checking hit led to the tying goal.
-No Grabner OR Moulson in shootout? Huh??
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Chris Mc says:
Moulson was the third shooter in the shootout. The tying goal was a thing of beauty. Not bc it was a spectacular move or some crisp passing, but for almost a minute our 3rd line took it to the Devils in the offensive zone, worked hard, knocked people around, and bc of the hard work we ended up tying the game.
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James says:
#7, Moulson shot 3rd in the shootout he was there
#4 Jon, well the great thing about the “new NHL” and all these 3 point games is we can still play very well down the stretch and get a top 5 pick anyway lol
Last year we had like 79 points and still drafted 5th, we finished .500 the rest of the way, we end up with 75 points and could easily still be in the top 5. I hate rooting to lose for draft position, but I think with the new points system, we can play well and still get a good draft pick.
Then take that 1st and a 2nd or prospect and trade up to get Larsson lol
Now about the game, the 1st half of it was like watching paint dry, Devils back to the trap. The young Isles found a way to break it and come back twice; great effort.
A lot of these young kids are showing some great promise. I am finding myself very excited on gamedays’ again,
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James from Swindles says:
You hit the nail on the head with the PP. It drove me nuts as the Isles… sort of… skated into the neutral zone… with no real plan… … … …and then either stalled out or made a clumsy pass which was promptly sent right back down Montoya’s way.
It’s good to see the Isles were clearly wary of dumping it in with Brodeur in net. It was not good to see that they had no answer/plan/solution for this problem.
Otherwise, good games this weekend and looking forward to Tuesday.
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dlk says:
MINUS: BRUNO GERVAIS.
MINUS: BRUNO GERVAIS AGAIN. -
Staten Islander says:
These kids make me proud to wear the Blue and Orange. Yesterday’s domination was great, but today, they showed HEART!
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Nick says:
Plus: Love watching this team… Theyre starting to look like theyve got some serious pieces in place. Is there as big of a surprise as Montoya right now?
Minus: This is the Islanders- when is the other shoe gonna drop? Whats the next calamity? -
Tom D in NJ says:
Plus: Another solid effort.
Minus: I didn’t like Cappy’s shootout order. -
claude says:
Great game. Complete team effort. Could have easily been 2 pts. Fantastic fore check leading to tying goal . My god , Hamonic is a serious animal!
Like to see more of Haley. Like bailey’s play down low
Had to laugh,during the Blues game when DP was brought up during Butch and Howie’s telecast . It felt as if there was 800 elephant in the room
Montoya has been great but at the same time he really hasn’t faced alot of difficult shots lately, due to the Islanders being adept to limiting the play to outside of the hash marks. If we get the chance I say let’s run the score on Queen Dion and her Leafs -
slsangus says: Martin in the shootout? What – did Grabner, Bailey, and Comeau go home?
Have to disagree that there wasn’t a strong contingent of Devil fans – most of my section (304) was wearing red. Nevertheless, good to see the barn packed and on its feet.
Going to speak sacrilege here; I’m beginning to think we should trade the first pick. There are sufficient young guns to make the team’s prospects over the next 5 years far brighter than they have been in quite some time. Some struggling team out there will be willing to unload a 26-to-30-year old bona fide first liner or impact defenseman for a top-ten pick. That’s what will turn the Isles into a contender. Another 20 year old who will probably be sent back to junior (see: Neiderreiter, Nino) isn’t what is necessary right now.
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Ct 1970s says:
Nothing but optimism here. Isles kids are progressing, we are a team that is no longer easy to beat, we are winning more often and doing so with the longest injury list in the league. How many teams would still win with a fifth or sixth goalie? As for Bruno, he played well today, not perfect but who ever does? Get off his back, he too is porogressing. Sit back and enjoy watching the rebirth of the ISLANDERS!
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mht says:
With respect to Jack Capuano, Craig Mac Tavish or John Stevens will galvanize this nucleus into a bona fide Stanley Cup contender sooner rather than later. Charles and Garth I hope that this is your thought frame.
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Not saying that I would rather see Martin out there over Grabner or anyone else but Marty had a pretty good shootout % last year in Bridgeport so I’m not going to kill Capuano for this.
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Nyifan11 says:
Very suspicious how neither Grabner, Bailey or Comeau were used in the shoot out but Martin was? Almost as if NYI wanted to hand NJD the second point….
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Jim says:
+ Montoya
+ watching the Islander playing really good hockey
+ JT looks so good right now
- Gervais -
Y2G says:
I seriously wish there was a system so that the teams that deserve the picks get them (Us, Edmonton, and i’ll even throw in Colorado) and not teams that intentionally tank seasons (Florida[again!!], Ottawa, Columbus last yr)…we’re obviously not getting Larsson but check out Dougie Hamilton and Duncan Siemens both have the physicality we need
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EJ says:
This blog is starting to fade..
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Jtorbust says:
Haley can actually skate , like this kid.
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Scott W says:
Amazing how many Long Island Residents are Devils Fans. Today, they all came out. Reminded me of How many Cowboys fans came out around Super Bowl Time when the Cowboys were good. What a Joke. Devil fans dont show up in Newark, but now suddenly are excited???? Nice weekend by the Isles. Getting better each game!!!
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VA ISLES says:
This team has some serious promise, IF they can just stay healthy for one G%DD&MN season.
Not sure whats with all the Cappy hate. The guy has this as a .500 team since his arrival. Call me crazy, but this is an 80-90 point team if healthy with Cappy at the helm all season. Coaches, like players, take time to grow into their role. The immortal Al Arbour needed two seasons before his team was a powerhouse (that, mind you, was also built through the draft)
These guys virtually ALL played for him in the Brige. Per yesterdays game, exactly 50% of the team had played for him at the Bridge this year. Comfort brings many things.
Stay faithful all. Good times are coming.
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Kbulger says:
Minus… Isles are gonna have to go like 14-3 the rest of the season to have chance at the playoffs. Not that I really thought they would pull it out this year, but you would like to see their good play rewarded.
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Rich M says:
The kids playing great…we need another top 5 pick. Montoya amazing…this blog just isn’t the same without CB credentials. It was great while it lasted. Cannot wait till next year. We are making a run.
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Nyisles81 says:
Just when we had a chance to steal a little bit of the spotlight away from the devils, we came up a bit short.
-I hate the fact that Katic was sent down and Gervais is still here. What did gervais ever do so wonderful that he is always here? I don’t get it. Katic is way better. -
i have a few doubts about the shootout. if a guy scored in the game, i like him in the shootout. i figure he’s seeing the back of the net and he’s kinda earned it. today that would have been bailey. (but grabner seems to be a post-hitting machine, so he’d make me a little nervous.)
on capuano overall, i’m not really sold but the problemw would be finding anyone better. a young team does well with a young coach, so i wouldn’t recycle previous nhl coaches. but i’m not sure capuano has enough of a message to be effective over whole seasons.
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4theisles says:
Montoya is doing great, but I can’t see how you can give any goalie who loses in a shootout a +
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DenP says:
You can’t be disapointed with that gritty performance, but it did sting being so close. Why no Grabner?
Glad to hear it wasn’t as Deviled out as looked on TV, but I’m sick of large numbers of opposing fans! I say we return the favor and Stub Hub some tickets for the 2 coming up at The Rock. Lets Isles the place out!!!!!!!!
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+ = The entire team the last 2 games including the coaching staff
- = Bruno over Katic today. Obviously Bruno’s days on the Island are winding down so why not let the kid play…..he earned it.
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UIF says:
Man, the Devils can really just choke any momentum out of a hockey game when they execute their game plan. Credit to the Isles for hanging tough and tying it late. I like what I’ve been seeing…really since they woke up and pulled themselves out of that horrible losing streak.
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Capuano deserves to be re-signed. He came into a very difficult situation and all the team has done is play well for him.
Give him a full training camp, a healthy roster and a couple more studs. Won’t make any sense to break this Clubs chemistry by changing coaches again. -
Cold Spring Harbor says:
Nice to see Haley lay out Jackman on Saturday to show that we are not going to continue to take the “Colin Induced/Endorsed” pounding. Snow should show further support for Trevor Gillies and announce that he has been given a one year contract extension. Didn’t understand the shoot out choices today. Typical Devils trap snooze fest will not attract morefans tothe game,no wonder they never sellout in Newark. The new NHL with points a plenty is perfect for the Devils’ style of play. Agree that start of the third period cost us the two points as did the posts. Another easy game for Broduer, makes two good saves, embellishes half a dozen others and most of our icings go on net for a recoeded shot on goal and save.
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Garthsnow says:
+Islanders finally putting together a team for the future.
-Possibly losing a top 5 pick and not making the playoffs, kind of irritates me. -
Matt says:
Wishart needs to improve his shot, or show some force when he tries to shoot.
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Bob says:
Today Matt Martin over others (Grabner) in the shootout?
Gervais over Katic?
Jack is not making all the right decisions….haha
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Bryan says:
Schremp was missed today, we could usually count on him in the SO. Don’t mind giving Martin a chance in the SO, but not in a big game against the Devs.
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Brian G says:
I’m sorry but its time to be realistic people. Everyone on MSG Telecast from Howie Rose, Goring, & Placey were comparing Capuano to Lemaire , and what they have done….Capuano is not that good of a coach….he is still under .500, you can’t take away the 1st 3 weeks he was on the job…it is a terrible comparision to a hall of fame coach….Capuano should not be handed the head coaching job without inerviewing other canidates first – why not explore every option that is out there.
As far as the team’s latest run, they need to prove this when the games are meaningful. They are playing with zero pressure b/c they have been out of the playoff hunt for months. Let’s see this team prove themselves at the start of next season and play with some consistancy, for awhile – not win 3 games than lose 5…..they have not played with any consistancy in 4 years.
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Katic was an emergency recall because of Jurcina. Jurcina is back, do Katic returns to the Bridge.
Montoya lost in 6th? round of shootout and made excellent saves only allowing 2 goals in regulation/overtime. He gave them a chance to win.
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Love Martin in regulation, but the shootout????
What the hell was up with that?
Okposso shoots straight on, easy to predict and stop. Stop babying J.T, let him get used to the shootout. I would rather he misses this year than next.
I would use my top snipers, what’s hard about that? I love what J.cap has done with this team, but I’m sorry, the mere fact that he put Martin in the shootout tells me we are not serious about getting the 2 points.
All in all, this team is playing good hockey! Enjoyed this weekend. -
David says:
As someone said, watching the Devils is like watching paint dry..jeez.
Great weekend by the Isles. Also noticed that several teams don’t show up when coming to the Barn. You wonder why.
This team has showed that they are capable, just think what a Mark Streit would have done to this team. Top 4 draft pick and then have a real go next season!
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- bruno over katic…makes no sense if you want to win
+ al montoya. i think the guy is for real!!
+ PA Parenteau. yeah he missed an empty one, but i think he’s played very well and hard. i know a lot of fans are worried about his signing and what it may mean for this summer’s free agency/trade situation. but if we didn’t sign him, he’s made an extremely good case for himself. he seems well liked too. i still wish they waited, but he gets pluses from me.+ A Mac is even more for real. I love this guy.
+ KO is looking mighty beastly lately!
+ I watched JT’s goal a ton of times…wowwwwww+Matt Martin played strong all weekend and is definitely not a 4th line player in my opinion. I think in a few years he’ll be a very key component to our team.
+ I’m going Tuesday with a bunch of people. I hope the energy stays up and that I get good seats from the give and go pack as well
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doc says:
Aside from not putting Grabner in the shoot-out… how can any Islander fan NOT be happy with the job that Capuano has done?
He has been tremendous in taking this team, changing the attitude, getting linemates on the sam page and developed a “system” that the team can employ and be effective with.
Sign him up!!!
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Paul C says:
Great weekend. Saturday was exciting, took my kids to their first game, great experience, thanks JT for the highlight.
It’s unfortunate that the Devils fans brought their Jersey stink to our building along with their trap-crap style of hockey for a talentless team that resorts to a system that can be equated to playing air hockey and sticking your paddle in the goal slot. Yeah, Lemaire is a real genius, five guys in front of the net!
The Gillies suspension still bothers me, expecially when DiB gets slashed on the calves behind the play and only a two minute is assigned. At that point of the game he should have been assigned a game misconduct. I guess we will live in a pick and choose league. Colon stinks, pun intended.
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Tortorella says:
Great effort this weekend. Isles are a tough team to play against and are starting to get noticed for their play. Second in the east in points behind Boston since jan.? Off season priority is to have the forwards work on their shootout moves. Really need to find another guy like Fronzie. JT could be that guy. Just needs more work and to skate in with more speed. He def has the hands. Lets go Isles
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sean says:
Hey comment #42 give the guy credit for coming in almost two months in to the season and taking over a lost team. I agree on interviewing other candidates but I would give him a chance behind the bench maybe an assistant coach beside him that had or has head coaching experience. The way I saw it when we had that 17 game skid I thought we would finish the season with 60 points.
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isles71 says:
+++ the Islanders having the 3rd best record since Dec 16th…imagine just winning 6 of those game & where we’d be
+++ the Isles having 3 of the top 28 goal scorers in the league…Moulson, Grabby & JT
+++ Isles are 11-5-3 without goalies named DP, Roli or Lawson or the future looks good with guys named Poulin, Koski & Montoya
+++ Jack Capuano…nice job
— Coach using Martin over others in shootout
— team not having a Captain all season
go Isles…finish strong!!!
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Jeff says:
Waiving Schremp cost a point yesterday.
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David Volek says:
Of course everyone felt Bailey or Grabs shoulda shot instead of Martin.
I cant remember an isles team that has been able to come back and score with less than a minute to go, to force OT.
Great job by the boys…….things are really started to take shape.
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Bob E says:
i thought the same thing, Matt Martin in shootout?
Isles should have won, Hockey gods were nto with us. Grabner clanked post in game, and Parenteau in shootout. Both had Broduer beat.
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IndianaIslander says:
At this point, I do believe that Capuano needs to be retained as the head coach. Although not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, one needs to have a sense of realism in that the playoffs are not happening as much as you and I would love for it to happen. Cappy has the boys playing with heart and there is a learning curve from AHL to NHL. Was using Martin in the SO logical over Comeau, Bailey, et al? Probably not. Perhaps Cappy is tinkering with players, line-ups, line mates and such as a precursor to evaluate players in preparation for next year. Even Peter Laviolette admits to growing as a coach and would have done things differently in retrospect. There is a solid core of players and I don’t buy into the “pressure free” idea of playing. These kids want to win. Everyone on this forum knows who and where the weak links are. Cappy is not one of them. It is up to Snow to rectify the problems at hand. The players are playing their full potential and I believe that they are showcasing every game what they have growing on Long Island in hopes of convincing some free agents to consider signing with the team in the off season. If this team can finish at .500 that is significant from where things were in mid-December.
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Forgot to mention Okposo’s totally sick goal a few days ago: backward, between his legs. Just beautiful!
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Al says:
To # 14. The next calamity will be when DP returns, giving up bad goals, making bad decisions and destroying the confidence and momentum of this team.
I appreciate his dedication, but from watching for a long time, just don’t feel like he can add to this teams success.
Otherwise, like what’s going on. -
50 in 50 says:
Would have been nice to see the Isles come out with the 2 pts. Sure its nice to see them winning and watching the team gel together but I think that management will screw up the chemistry in the off season. They are going to let UFA’s like Z walk away without a qualifying offer and thats going to lead to another bad finish in 11-12.
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PATRICK H says:
Was at sundays game. do not think the team played all to well on sunday at all. both our goals were on luck bounces forced by the devils and they could clearly want it more. Matt Martin in the shootout? u kidding cappy? grabner bailey and comeau? no?
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BanGarth says:
Martin is not just a meathead , he put up 65 pts in 61 games his last year in Ohl , after Stamkos left. The kid can play I think he feels his only role on this team is for toughness since we lack it. He needs to start parking himself in front of the net and getting some rebounds , I can easily see him be a 30/30 guy. I have no problem wiht him in the shootout get his confidence up as a goal scorer.
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Reality Check says:
#52 — you really think schremp would have scored a shootout goal from the press box?
name 1 player on this team that schremp deserves to be playing over? get over schremp, he sucks
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goislesgo105 says:
God, I’m glad that I’m not a Devils fan! They have to watch this boring, defensive hockey all year?? Watching grass grow is more exciting! Isles have some players with speed and skill: JT,Grabs,Franzie. Really fun to watch! Thought Katic looked good in the few games he played too. Not big but fast. The future is ours. GO ISLES!
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Dave says:
some thoughts:
Martin has a bit of O potential, i don’t mind him in the shootout….Grabner has speed, but like someone said, how many posts has he hit? kid will get 40 one day if his hands improve, he’s easily the fastest player out there every game.
MacDonald and Hamonic look reeeeeally good.
Montoya looks like a keeper, if nothing else a really strong future backup.
Kids are playing hard, effort is always there, even against good teams i expect a win nowadays….very excited for 2011-12…first year in forever that i will be disappointed in if we put up this kind of record again.
Isles have 2nd most points in the East behind TB since Dec. 5 according to Brian Compton…this isn’t just a “playing loose down the stretch” thing…they are gelling for real this time.
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#52- We would have never gotten to a shootout with Schremp in the lineup bc he wouldve been on the 3rd line with Comeau and Bailey and I guarantee he wouldnt have been throwing his body around and we wouldve never scored the tying goal.
You have it backwards. Waiving Schremp gained us a point yesterday.
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IslanderFAN says:
Now if the Isles can beat up good The Leafs tomorrow that would be so sweet since a leafs fan told me he thinks the Isles are one of the dirtiest team league!! LOL thats so funny and lame coming from a Leafs Fan
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
- – -Never been to “The Rock” but I would think that the coffee concession does a great business! NJ=cure for insomnia!
- – - I agree with Howie. I hate the shootout! What’s next, if a ball game is tied after 12 innings, we go to Home Run Derby?
- – - Not only do I hate the shootout, but I hate the 3 point game. If the league insists on keeping it, then give a team 3 points for a regulation win! Why should one game be worth a total of 2 points while others are 3? Makes as much sense as Cappy’s SO selections!
+ + + It’s amazing how well this team is playing! Even when they lose, they’re in the game.
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Jmo16 says:
CB- Please verify rule regarding shootouts -
Montoya stick-checked the puck on Rolston’s SO goal. It bounced right back to BR’s blade as he cut left & scored. Was that legal or is the puck dead upon goalie contact? -
Numbers65 in Ohio says:
Wait a minute! We have 3 guys with over 20 goals and PA and with 15 goals and Comeau with 18 with like 18 game to go. Not too bad. That is captainless, and without KO most of the year and no Streit. Good stuff. We will be back!
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!! -
Dr Phil says:
Not happy with the coach’s shootout choices. Okposo and Martin should not have been given this chance. You use scorers who are hot like Grabner and Comeau. Stupid Stupid Stupid. Was leaning to his starting next season as coach….now, I wonder if we should go out and get NHL savy coach. Otherwise an established scorer to play with Tavares and Moulson is the number 1 need. The D looks good for next year. Good vibes for next season in the development of the kids. Nino up is a given.
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BattFist says:
Hats-off to the coaching staff for getting the most out of this young team!
Im happy to have Travis Hamonic as an Islanders!
Lets go Islanders!!!!
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Steve C says:
2 great games on the weekend. If it wasn’t for Brodeur’s glove on Hillen’s shot in OT, it would have been 2 wins.
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Isles in VA says:
Random Thoughts
1. When we lost all our goalies, I thought we would win 2 more games the rest of the season.
2. Kudos to Capuano for the time out to try and get AMac’s hat trick. Nice thought by our coach.
3. JT is soooo much stronger on his skates. He will continue to improve. 40 goals next year.
4. Do not trade the lottery pick. Keep building organizational depth. We have money to sign FA’s (if Chucky and Garth will spend).
5. How great is it to be positive, optimistic and hopeful? I can’t wait for October.
Minus – Matt Martin in shootout over Grabner, Comeau, Bailey, etc.