GAME DAY: LIGHTNING AT ISLES, 7 PM
The East’s Best Offense Comes to Town
Tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning will undoubtedly be the biggest test of the year so far for this defensive corps and the team as a whole. Of course, that’s kind of a ridiculous statement to make given we’re only two games into the season but in all actuality the Lightning are arguably the best offensive team the Isles will face until Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals come to town in November.
Tampa’s top line features two 95+ point players in Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, easily one of the most prolific scoring duos in the league. We’ll learn a lot about the defense and goalie Al Montoya by how well they handle those two. The defense has been solid but not great during the first two games. Captain Mark Streit had a bad game and a great one while Andy MacDonald and Travis Hamonic have been a solid pair. The three veterans that round out the lineup have been sufficient but are not exactly fleet of foot. It’s a little worrisome to think about how fast Stamkos or St. Louis are in comparison but this is why they play the game. It’s the only way to know for sure if Stamkos will turn Eaton into a traffic cone or if the vet has some tricks up his sleeve.
With Rick DiPietro out at the very least as a cautionary measure due to puck-to-head-itis, Al Montoya undoubtedly should be in net at the Coliseum tonight.
NEWS AND NOTES
+ Ryan Strome has been returned to his junior team, Niagra of the OHL. No word on if that move was in conjunction with someone coming off IR.
+ Kirill Kabanov has moved to Farjestad of the SEL (Sweden).
+ Tonight’s game will air on MSG. Thank you NBA lockout for not making us search for the +2.
+ The Islanders announced an attendance of 11,278 for Monday’s matinee against the Wild. Of course the real number was lower and believe me it looked lower at the Coliseum. In comparison, last year’s Columbus Day matinee against the Rangers only drew an announced 11,748. Kind of makes you wonder why they’re playing during the day on a holiday Monday where a lot of people have to work.
+ On a programming note, I work late on Thursdays so the post-game wrap will be delayed as I’ll have to DVR through the game. There will still be a game post up as soon as the game ends, so feel free to start the discussion without me.
+ In Sons of the Isle news, the Dallas Stars acquired Eric Nystrom yesterday. Partially an acquisition of talent, partially an acquisition of cap dollars. Best of luck to Eric in the Lonestar State.
THE OPPOSING VIEW
with Damian Cristodero, Lightning beat reporter for the St. Pete Times since 2000.
KS: The Lightning were a game away from the Finals last season and watched their opponents in the ECF go on to win it all. With the majority of the roster returning, they’re still going to be a contender in the East. How far do you seem them going and what could be their Achilles’ heel?
DC:It’s impossible to predict how far a team will go after just three games. What we know is that the team is very similar to last seasons in that it is deep at forward, and has questions on defense and in net. The questions at defense got deeper this week with the news Mattias Ohlund will be out 4-6 weeks with knee problems. I think the blue line is the team’s main concern. Dwayne Roloson and Mathieu Garon should be fine in net, but the blue line, after Eric Brewer and Victor Hedman, has a lot to prove. All that said, given the team went as far as it did last season, no reason it won’t be a serious contender in the East.
KS:There’s an interesting combination of young and older stars on this team. How many years do you think the proverbial window is open for this particular iteration of the team to make serious playoff runs?
DC:This is probably too simplistic an answer, but I think much depends on how long Marty St. Louis can maintain his level of play. At 36 you have to believe he will start to fade. Replacing that kind of engine will be difficult, so whatever St. Louis’ timeline is, I believe it is the same for the Lightning, at least in the short term.
KS:Out of the five former Islanders on the Bolts’ roster — Gervais, Bergeron, Thompson, Roloson and Brewer — which one is most important to the team’s success this season and why?
DC:Has to be Roloson. He turns 42 Wednesday. How he stands up to another full season and how Tampa Bay manages his workload (he probably will play about 50 regular-season games) are the keys. If he’s solid and rested heading into the playoffs, the Lightning will be a dangerous team.
About Kevin Schultz
Kevin was formerly an NHL blogger for the now defunct AOL Fanhouse and was the creator of the hockey comedy blog Barry Melrose Rocks. He now covers the Isles for Islanders Point Blank. You can follow him for instant updates on the team and talk hockey with him on Twitter @schultz88. View all posts by Kevin Schultz →35 Responses to GAME DAY: LIGHTNING AT ISLES, 7 PM
The East’s Best Offense Comes to Town
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Mike P says:
Gervais is playing tonite, now the Isles know which D paring to exploit…
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Bill From Oceanside says:
I wish DP all the luck in the world. Very few people in life would continue to persevere the way he has. Hopefully, this is nothing and he will be back quickly.
No one has worked harder than he has and very few have faced as many setbacks as he has had to overcome. Good luck to you, Ricky and get back in the net soon. -
Mike says:
Dallas might be in worse shap fan wise then us? Watched Dallas play 2 nights ago there was NOBODY in the seats!!!
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okpososcores21 says:
Agreed this will be the biggest test the islanders face thus far and will give us all a gauge at where this team stands competitively with the better teams in the league. Its Prime time boys don’t screw this up, Tampa is hungry for a win after a disappointing loss to the caps. If we can play a complete game we can win or at least make it interesting and fun to watch.
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texas_isles says:
Mike,@4 everyone in the dallas area are watching the rangers in baseball. they are still in the playoffs. Hockey here takes a back seat to baseball,football, and basketball like most cities in america.
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The New Isles GM says:
A-Mac did not have a solid two games. His first game looked like he was coming back from an injury (which is exactly what it was), and his second game looked stronger but still not complete. We’re only two games in. Right now, I want Bailey and Comeau scratched, but if they go on a tear games 5-15, then maybe it’s safe to say most guys need a few games under their belt to work out the kinks. It’s to soon to worry about who’s not pulling their weight. If this was game 50 then I’d be worried. If the Isles continue to play well on the Power Play and kill off penelties, they can beat anyone. I say that because we’re not a bad 5 on 5 team either.
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Doug F. says:
Maybe Brooklyn wouldn’t be a bad place to go. With 14,500 seats, the Islanders would be close to a sell out every night.
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Adam says:
Kevin, They play on Monday holiday afternoons for the kids. I agree it’s stupid but it’s been going on for awhile and there little doubt it will end anytime soon.
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UpstateIslander says:
I drove down to the game Monday from Albany and took my 7 year old to his first NHL game…it was kids day the Isles do a nice job with that and hope they keep it around. It was a day we won’t forget…I would love to see that place packed other than Ranger games with a 50/50 crowd…If they win, people will come. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
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jamal says:
AL MONTOYA FOR VEZINA
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NY ISLE says:
It’s a bit puzzling that Capuano has inserted Montoya in nets for the first two matches and (presumably) tonight as well.Letting our other goalers sit for all these days cannot help their confidence and might show rust when they finally get the nod.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Wasn’t the kids home opener Columbus Day last year against the Rangers? That wasn’t a smart move at all but the little ones need to grow up some time. As long as the team promotes the h*ll out of it for the kids and gets a decent crowd there is no reason to discontinue what they are doing.
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PA ISlanders says:
A little early #11
These is the toughest test of the yong season, but not like they had high straight A’s comming in to this game.I don’t have high expections for this one tonight. -
Took my 3 year old son, He LOVED it with the mascots he even lasted the whole game!!!
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Claude says:
Isles lose in shootout
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Ryan says:
At least Ricky stopped Rolston’s shot…
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Paul says:
@12…..would you like them all to be rusty? 3 goalies does not work, and AM is on fire. So of course he should play.
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Oh...Marrone says:
Brutal Gervais will definitely score about 2 goals tonite…ex islanders, ex mets syndrome
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matt from Holtsville says:
BRING UP HALEY!!!!!
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matt #20- 100% agree! maybe we can have craig carton start a chant for the isles to bring up haley-its a crime that he is not in the starting line-up here
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Jobu says:
Mike, Sadly the target audience for this team is indeed just about three years old.
Nice that your son enjoyed the experience.
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Staten Islander says:
Love that Big Cubano is starting again. Why do I think that Thompson and Chef Bruno will both register a point?
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BanGarth says:
We wannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnt Haley
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juniorjunior says:
At least we dont have to watch the game on MSG+2, anyone else upset that we have 24 scheduled games on MSG+2 which is usually on chanel 414 and in Low-Definition? To broadcast a pro sporting event in Low definition in this day and age is a disgrace.
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Jerome says:
Islanders Nation,
I think the Isles need to do what they’ve been doing: clog the neutral zone and create turnovers. The Bolts will get frustrated with that tactic. Also, stay out of the box and our offensive players need to get going. -
islesrock73 says:
The way the Islanders have played so far, I will be happy with a point against Tampa. I still cannot understand why Haley is not on this “soft” team. He is a top middle weight, who can skate and chip in offensively. Garth, you got me on this one.
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Blizzard says: looking for a JT breakout tonight
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starz31 says:
Blizzard? Nice job predicting that.
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AFIsle says:
the isles are kicking *** and chewing bubblegum. and their all out of gum.
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dack1972 says:
I’m really impressed with Hamonic!!!
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Blizzard says:
…hee hee, I would very much like to see Martin paste Hedman.
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TimQ says:
Who knew you were referring to the Isles when you mentioned the East’s best offense
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Steve J says:
Great game so far but JT getting roughed up again.
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eric says:
someone needs to chuck some knucks for jt.
The key to the game is can Capuano keep Mottau and Eaton away from Tampa’s top 2 lines. He may have a shot at home on the road it is going to be brutal. Isles forwards seeing all the offensive fire power on the other side might just step up and find their own offense by wanting to show the world they can match them.