Monthly Archives: March 2011
CB at The New York Times: Matt Cooke does it again
UPDATE: Cooke suspended for remainder of regular season (ten games) plus the first round of the playoffs. Penguins GM Ray Shero called the punishment “appropriate.”
This was always the strange thing about Mario Lemieux’s decision to release a statement in the aftermath of Ferocious Friday and subsequent sentencing of Trevor Gillies. He continued to employ, as is his right, Matt Cooke on his Penguins. Lemieux had to know the time would come when he’d have egg on his face after another flagrant elbow by Cooke.
That’s the thing about recidivists like Cooke (to use the Michael Farber word about Chris Simon). They rarely disappoint. Thankfully, Ryan McDonough was not hurt by this cheap shot, but oops…Cooke did it again. Who knows how long he’ll be suspended for, but the dirty agitator did cost his team a game they were leading 2-1 in the third period.
Wouldn’t it be something if Lemieux took a stand before the NHL got its chance? You know, like college teams do when they suspend players or coaches in hopes of doing the NCAA’s work for them. Lemieux, in record time, has a chance to do something dramatic here. He can release or waive Cooke. He can suspend him for the rest of the season and the playoffs. (Yeah, I know, the NHLPA would probably put up a fight; let them).
What we don’t want is for Mario Lemieux to leave the game, as he said he would if the unnecessary violence continued. Don’t let Matt Cooke take you away from the game and the league you have impacted so positively. It’s your turn to make another statement, Mr. Lemieux.
Surprisingly, we haven’t heard from Penguins’ fans much today, after getting a lot of lectures from them after Feb. 9. Your comments on all this are welcomed.
You have to wonder how general manager Dale Tallon, or anyone on the hockey operations staff of the Florida Panthers, could watch Michael Grabner against their team and not get sick to their stomachs. Grabner, waived by Tallon and the Panthers off a poor training camp, watched Grabner score his 30th goal of the season as the Islanders beat Florida, 4-3 in a shootout.
Grabner’s 30th wasn’t even his best and most important play of the night. That came when he backchecked to prevent a Panthers scoring opportunity, got the puck to Michael Haley and watched as Haley encored his one-on-one move against the Penguins from Feb. 11 and scored past Scott Clemmensen to give the Islanders a 3-2 lead with ten minutes left in the third period.
The Panthers tied the game on a goal by Stephen Weiss, but Rick DiPietro was sharp the rest of the way of his first start since Feb. 2. David Booth failed to score on DiPietro on a penalty shot in overtime and then stopped both of the Panthers’ chances in the shootout. Frans Nielsen (naturally) and P. A. Parenteau scored for the Islanders in the shootout, and their three-game losing streak was over. Next up: some fun in Florida before facing Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Comments on tonight’s victory are encouraged.
9:40 pm: Despite the best and most passionate and dedicated of intentions, the Islanders again came up short with an opportunity to spoil an opponent’s playoff hopes. Up 2-1 late, the Islanders lost, 3-2, in overtime tonight in Carolina. Joni Pitkanen’s goal at 3:58 of overtime was the difference.
Erik Cole’s goal with 4:37 left in regulation was the backbreaker. It sent the game to overtime tied at 2-2.
In the second period, Michael Grabner scored his 29th goal of the season to break a 1-1 tie. Grabner was stopped on a pair of breakaways by Hurricnanes goaltender Cam Ward in the first period.
After Jeff Skinner opened the scoring at 16:33 of the first period, Frans Nielsen tied the game 1:19 later. With his assist on Grabner’s goal, Nielsen now has ten goals and 30 assists for 40 points on the season.
The Islanders out-shot Carolina, 37-35. Al Montoya was given the start and Jack Capuano’s confidence in him was justified. Unless Montoya’s 32-save performance changed his coach’s mind, Rick DiPietro could make his return on Saturday in Sunrise. The Islanders are ten points behind eighth-place Buffalo with ten games left in the season, and the Sabres have two games in hand. It’s time to give DiPietro some work.
I’m away on assignment, so talk about the game (and please fill me in about what I missed) in Comments. Thank you.
The former NYI assistant coach on impressive Islanders prospect (and ND freshman) Anders Lee, the college coach’s role in developing pro players and his communication with Eric Cairns and Garth Snow. Thread closed.
UPDATED: 3:00 - Despite his agent calling reports this week of his leaving Minnesota “irresponsible,” Aaron Ness has signed with the Islanders, per Katie Strang.
Wednesday, Noon - NYI make it official. DiPietro off IR, Lawson to Bridgeport.
Random thoughts while watching the end of the Islanders’ 4-0-3 streak tonight at MSG, as the Rangers won their fourth of five games this season against the New York rivals:
Jack Capuano may learn to not bother going public with criticism of referees, and instead keeping the dialogue internal between Islanders management and the NHL. The hooking call on Michael Grabner, putting the Islanders shorthanded 3-on-5 while trailing 4-2 late in the third period, smelled a little bit like, “Take that, Jack,” from the on-ice officials. Capuano smiled as Grabner skated to the penalty box, as if he knew his team just paid the tax. This is how it has been done for a long time in the NHL.
His team down 2-0 at the start of the second, John Tavares temporarily took over with the skill level and passion that helps franchises win games and sell tickets. Another night, another majestic Tavares pass from behind the net (this time to Jack Hillen for Matt Moulson’s 30th goal of the season). Another night, another feather/saucer pass (this time to P.A. Parenteau). If Nino Niederreiter continues to develop properly, he and Tavares are going to make some combination in a year or two.
The 19-11 shot totals in favor of the Rangers aside, Henrik Lundqvist was the difference in the first period. He had every right to take it personally when the Rangers started the second like they just finished a nap.
The Islanders’ inability to continue the momentum after they tied the game at 2-2 was a disappointing failure by the players and the coaching staff. Despite the Grabner ticky-tack, it was stunning to see them end the period down three goals after such a spirited start.
On the subject of disappointments, there were ineffective performances tonight by Blake Comeau (usually excellent against the Rangers), Josh Bailey, Kyle Okposo, Milan Jurcina and Al Montoya.
Sean Avery deserved more than two minutes for his hit from behind on Micheal Haley. Haley’s two-minute penalty for hitting Brandon Dubinsky from behind was spotty, but Haley has to know he’s a marked man – especially after just getting back from the trainer’s room from the Avery hit.
Not smart of Avery to wake up the Islanders late in the third. The bad is out-weighing the good for his own team, as you could tell by the look on the face of John Tortorella.
Tortorella can talk all he wants about how the Rangers focus on their own team and didn’t bother to coach specifically against the Islanders. Then give the credit to assistant Mike Sullivan or someone else on the staff. The Rangers may be the first team in two months that actually seemed to be ready for Grabner’s breakout speed. He wasn’t always kept in check, but Grabner never quite managed to cut loose like he almost always does.
Matt Martin could do worse than to watch some tape of Brandon Prust’s shorthanded and even-strength shifts. Martin’s got the fighting down just fine.
One last top-five overall draft pick would do wonders for the Islanders’ rebuild. The staff has put together a strong list filled with many good prospects, but Niederreiter is the only player with star potential. One more would make a big difference.
With just eleven games remaining, and after losing tonight, the Islanders remain relegated to playing the role of spoiler. But to those watching closely enough the last two months, they are finally getting closer to taking the next step in their rebuild. With health and a few changes, they should absolutely play better than .500 hockey next season and compete for a playoff berth.
DiPietro in the Bullpen: Jack Capuano told Newsday today that Al Montoya is not a lock to start both ends of the Islanders’ upcoming sets of back-to-back games. However, do not assume Nathan Lawson will be the starter. Rick DiPietro, returning from facial fractures and knee swelling, has increased his workload with each day. Point Blank has learned that DiPietro may travel with the team to Carolina, Sunrise and Tampa Bay and is on target to get some starts over the next two weeks.
Jaffe on MSG/Jaffe with Isles: Billy Jaffe will make another appearance on MSG Network when he joins host Al Trautwig and the crew for “Hockey Night Live” on Saturday at 9:30 pm. Here’s the Jaff’s sitdown with Michael Grabner and Andrew MacDonald in Manhattan on Monday:
Comments?
Brian Boyle always knew his minor league teammate Matt Moulson would get his moment in the NHL and make the most of it. While a member of the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL, Boyle could see in Moulson what everyone sees now: the golden hands, the ability to read a play and get in scoring position, the work ethic. If it wasn’t going to work out for Moulson with the parent Los Angeles Kings, it would sooner or later.
“Sometimes it’s just not meant to be in one place, but a player fits in better somewhere else,” Boyle told Point Blank during a recent post-game conversation in the New York Rangers’ locker room at Madison Square Garden. “It’s not necessarily anyone’s fault. You just move on and take advantage of the next opportunity. If you’re asking me if I’m surprised that Matty’s a 30-goal scorer in the NHL today, my answer is not one bit. No one who played in Manchester with him is.”
This is the uncertainty of pro hockey. The Los Angeles Kings moved forward without the pair of prospects and could still be a contender in a year or two. Yet here are two castoffs, Moulson and Boyle, flourishing in New York and combining for 50 goals. Moulson is one goal away from his second consecutive season of at least 30 goals and has formed a dynamic pairing with John Tavares. The 6-foot-7 Boyle, who scored 30 goals in his first pro season in Manchester, was projected as a fourth-line center – if he made it to the NHL. Boyle has scored 20 goals this season for the Rangers and is part of a tandem with Brandon Prust that has effectively checked many of the league’s top scorers.
Boyle was acquired by the Rangers from Los Angeles for a third round draft pick in late June of 2009. A few weeks later, the Islanders signed Moulson, cut loose by the Kings, to a one-year, two-way deal. A favorite of coach John Tortorella, Boyle should do well for himself this summer as a restricted free agent. Moulson stayed right where he got his break, signing a lucrative, three-year contract extension with the Islanders in January.
“You can’t help but be happy for the guy,” said Boyle, whose Rangers host Moulson and the Islanders in an important rivalry clash on Tuesday at the Garden. “Matt’s a good person. He has worked for everything he’s got and never gave up. He’s on one of our rivals now, but it doesn’t affect the respect I have for him.”
*
C.S.I. New Jersey: The NHL has confirmed to Point Blank that hockey operations officials have conducted an inquiry into the officiating of Saturday’s game in New Jersey. Do not expect much to come out of it. Referee Stephane Auger could be called to the principal’s office for conduct unbecoming a referee. Jack Capuano could be fined. But concrete evidence appears to be lacking, plus the league is hosting General Managers meetings for three days in Florida.
Devils Dogging Coach = Big Whoop: Thirty years ago, the dynastic Islanders reveled in Duane “Dog” Sutter’s repeated taunting of Capitals coach Bryan Murray. If it’s true David Clarkson and the Devils took verbal shots at Jack Capuano, the best way for the Islanders to exact revenge would have been to put more than 15 shots on net over three periods and overtime. The Islanders also face Clarkson again in New Jersey on March 30. Don’t pout to a newspaper. Win the game, hit the man. That’s how Dog and the Islanders gained respect.
Two Chances to Spoil: For all of their victories since the All-Star break, the Islanders have not had many opportunities to embrace the role of spoiler. They took the Devils past 60 minutes in two recent games, but New Jersey took a complete four points. The Maple Leafs earned five of six points over three games on Feb. 8, Feb. 22 and March 8. Minnesota was clearly hurt by being dominated at the Coliseum last week, but the Wild is no rival. (Or whatever the heck the proper grammar should be for that one). Otherwise, the Islanders have not been in position often to hurt a club’s playoff chances.
This week they can spoil the playoff hopes of the Rangers and Hurricanes, and possibly get into the race by the end of the weekend. The Islanders have played well for a while now, but need to finish strong.
Islanders-Rangers Notes: (courtesy of Rangers PR)
All-Time: Rangers are 111-97-19-5 overall – 64-37-11-4 at home, 47-60-8-1 on the road. (Of course, with overtime and shootout, those numbers are different from the Islanders’ side).
2010-11: Tonight is the fifth of six meetings this season, and the third and final at Madison Square Garden. NYR leads 3-1-0 thus far, including a 2-0-0 mark at home following a 7-2 win at MSG on Dec. 27.
Last Season: The Rangers were 3-2-1 overall and 1-1-1 at home. The Rangers’ power play converted at a 22.7% (5-22) success rate in the season series.
The Blueshirts have notched 11 goals in 32 power play opportunities (34.4%) in their last eight games vs. the Islanders, including 6-15 (40.0%) in four meetings this season.
The Islanders rank 28th with an 11-17-6 (28 pts) mark on the road. The Rangers rank 26th with a 15-16-3 (33 pts) record at home.
The Islanders are 5-9-4 vs. the Atlantic Division. The Rangers are 10-8-1 vs. the Atlantic Division.
Henrik Lundqvist is 20-9-5 with a 2.11 goals against average and three shutouts in 35 career regular season games vs. the Islanders.
Courtesy of the Brilliance of Eric Hornick
When the Islanders pulled within 9 points of eighth place on Saturday, it was the first time they were that close to the final playoff position in the East since Nov. 23.
The Islanders have not scored a power play goal at MSG in three years, going 0-25 over their last ten games in Manhattan.
*
Point Blank on XM: I’ll be on with Islanders enthusiast Jim “Boomer” Gordon at 3:05 pm on NHL Home Ice on XM Radio to discuss the battle at MSG.
Ness Leaving School: Reports out of Minnesota suggest Aaron Ness is finally ready to do what he should have one or even two years ago – leave the University of Minnesota hockey program and turn pro. The skilled, but small defenseman has not developed much since his freshman season with the Gophers. He just completed his junior year. Ness may say he is ready for the pros, but are the Islanders ready to sign him? If the team’s scouts (such as Eric Cairns) are still believers, it should be an easy negotiation. After three years of merely adequate performance since the Islanders drafted him in the second round in 2008, Ness has little leverage in bargaining for a deal.
Score-O: This is a pick’em game, so make your prediction of the outcome. For the Rangers, it’s the first game back after a week away. For the Islanders, it’s their best chance to play spoiler against their biggest rival. Al Montoya at the Garden vs. Henrik Lundqvist. A Tavares breakout in New York City, or will Marian Gaborik find his scoring touch? Bailey and Okposo or Dubinsky and Callahan? Another great game for Blake Comeau against the Rangers, or will Moulson step up again? Does Prust fight Konopka?
Make your prediction of tonight’s score in Comments, along with any other thoughts on this post and Tuesday’s game.
The day after this was recorded, CdH had two goals and three assists in the Generals’ 6-5 win over Kingston. We also discuss John Tavares, NYI draft pick Tony DeHart and NYR prospect Christian Thomas (son of Steve), who had a hat trick against Kingston and now has 54 goals this season.
