BLACKHAWKS 5, ISLES 4 SO
2-0-1 on Road Trip With One to Go
A loss is a loss but some nights the end result which is black and white, doesn’t describe the 60-minute game, which has many more shades of grey. The final result tonight is that the Islanders lost in the skills competition — whatever you can glean from that — but the means they used to get there was 65 minutes that they stood toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the NHL.
Sure, there were defensive breakdowns. The first Blackhawks goal, the Islanders defense retreated while the offensively gifted Blackhawks made tic-tac-toe passes for a beautiful goal. There was also the Hawks’ third goal, a shortie from Jon Toews, which was the result of Milan Jurcina having a narcoleptic episode in his own zone.
But the positives far outweighed the negatives and, with a better defense or luck in the “skills” competition the Islanders would have walked out winners. They scored first — Kyle Okposo with another goal is back and hopefully here to stay. They came back from 3-2 and 4-3 deficits by playing an excellent third period. We’ve seen this team come out flat in the third period too many times the past few years. As they had in the last few games, they came out ready to go and kept the pedal to the floor as was evidenced by how they out shot the Hawks 23(!!) to 7 in the final frame.
The team now has five of a possible six points on this four game road trip and are 2-0-1 with one to go. This team is down, sure. They’re still nine points out of 8th in the east. How they’ve played the last few games there’s a different team on the ice than we saw in November. How long this new team stays around will be interesting to see.
THE BIG CUBANO’S RETURN HOME
The Islanders telecast mentioned that Al Montoya spent nearly $4,000 on tickets to tonight’s games for family and friends. Is it weird that it is more than John Tavares paid in a fine last week? Montoya stopped 32-of-36 tonight, a rare under .900 on the statsheet against one of the most offensively gifted teams in the NHL. Two goals I would like to credit to Milan Jurcina’s (lack of) defense as mentioned above.
@lombo9: @Schultz88 so I just dialed 1800BIGCUBANO….ummm yeah prob not a # I should’ve called from my work phone.
Oh and folks, I love to joke around and talk about #1800BigCubano getting the call in net but please, it’s not a good idea to actually call the number as one of my Twitter friends learned today. So in conclusion, tweet the meme but don’t follow through on the meme. Ok? Cause that’s how we break the internet (or rack up questionable phone charges).
NINO DOES WELL WHAT NINO KNOWS HOW TO DO WELL
Nedermeyer… Err… Neidermater… I mean Niederreiter had a beauty of a goal in the third period. After Marty Reasoner created a turnover in the neutral zone Matt Martin sprung the circling Swiss with a pass, letting Nino get an open look at Corey Crawford. Watch the highlight again. Doesn’t it just look like something clicked in Nino as soon as the puck hit his stick? It’s was like yes, skating and shooting in open space is exactly what he’s programmed to do and he does it very well. He just hasn’t had the opportunity to do it all that much lately.
On the other side of the puck, he’s had some trouble with defensive assignments thus far but that’s not something to worry about at all with a player his age.
JOHN TAVARES IS SLUMPING BUT YOU WOULDN’T KNOW IT WITHOUT A STAT SHEET
Franchise Savior has not scored since November 5th. Matt Moulson’s 9th of the season tonight gave him the team lead, one ahead of Franchise Savior. But Tavares played like a man possessed on Tuesday night in Buffalo. He continued such play with two assists tonight in Chicago. With about four minutes to go, Tavares broke into the Blackhawks zone off an up pass from PA Parenteau. With only Niklas Hjalmarsson left to beat, Tavares crossed up the Hawks defenseman and sent him falling to the ice. After skating across the slot and taking a few hacks from other backchecking Hawks, Tavares let a shot go that beat Corey Crawford and would have trickled home for a (potential) game winner if not for a recovered Hjalmarsson shoveling it off the red line.
HOW ABOUT ROB SCHREMP FOR SHOOTOUT COACH?
Someone call Shootout Specialist Rob Schremp, these guys need some help. As much disdain as we may have for the shootout, it still counts for points in the standings some nights. The team is 0-for-5 in extra session games this year, 0-for-2 in shootouts. They have yet to score in overtime or the shootout, where they have failed on all five attempts thus far. Small sample size of course, but at some point things have got to fall their way, right?
As for selection in tonight’s shootout, Frans Nielsen is still 55% liftime in the shootout including tonight’s miss. That’s second best in the league among active players with at least 10 career attempts. You can’t go wrong sending him out. Niederreiter, as we saw when he was given space in the above video lecture, is another offensive whiz and guy I don’t mind out there. However, sending out Matt Moulson instead of either of his linemates wasn’t what I would have expected.
Now THAT’S a third period
Outshooting the opposition 23-7. Outscoring them 2-1 (and probably should/could have been more). The Islanders had one of their best periods of the year in the third after the Hawks asserted pressure in the second.
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 →143 Responses to BLACKHAWKS 5, ISLES 4 SO
2-0-1 on Road Trip With One to Go
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Whaaaaaaaaaaaat says:
Tavares sucks at the shootout
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Matt says:
Jt is 3 -12 lifetime in the shootout. 25% might not be great, but it doesn’t “suck”. It’s also way to small of a sample size to judge. Research the facts before you spew out uneducated opinions.
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Dk says:
If there is any complaint with the shootout lineup it was no PAP.
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He hasn’t scored a shootout goal in the past 2 years 0-7 in that time. How are those facts for you
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J,B says:
Solid effort tonight!Will this team ever win in overtime?
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Steve from Jersey says:
Despite the loss heck of a game and one point that was hard fought. Hate the shoot out… Gotta replicate that effort tommorow against Dallas
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Nino niederrizer says:
Good game.
The Isles have a new prospect by the name of Nino Niederrizer. I must have missed that years draft.-
Mike says:
That IDIOT goring called him that atleast 5 times!!!! They fired Jaffe for this TRAIN WRECK!!!!!Watching the post game show & interviews you would think they won the game!!! You LOST PERIOD!!!!! This franchise accepts losing like they are winning!!!!
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You are an Islanders fan? Are you 12? Thats Butch Goring youre talking about. The guy mispronounces names he knows- BFD!
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NYIhockey16 says:
Rock on, Metal Chick, you rule!
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fred says:
Comment removed:
5. Saying to fellow readers “Are you dumb”? and “You’re a moron” is prohibited. Show some respect. Declaring who’s a real Islander or not on an Islanders blog doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
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Thank You!!!!!!!
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corey says: wow really? someone disagrees with you on the internet and u call them [that]?
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OK Great Goring was a Great player HORRIBLE announcer it is his JOB to get names correct!!! If you think he is better then Jaffe you are NUTS!!!!!
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upstateIsles says:
Exactly…Butchy can call him Nina Nosebleed for all I care, he’s done more for this franchise than this entire roster…go fly a kite
Nice wrister though Nina
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Paul says:
Losing is acceptable on LI.
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Chris says:
I rewound that 5 times to see if butch really said that. He said it about 3 times.
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juniorjunior says:
omg…i was walking by the TV and stopped in my tracks…comon butch…we’re gonna change the phrase from “bush League” to “butch League” after that one. are you kidding me?
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steve says:
Im sick and tired of Capuano dancing around the post game question of whether Montoya is number 1. He is clearly our best goalie so give the kid a vote of confidence by saying he is the man.
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PuckDaddy99 says:
I think Capuano’s hands are tied and he’s being muzzled by Wang about proclaiming who the #1 goalie is. Whether it’s official or not, Montoya is the de facto #1 goalie. He gets better every week.
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I disagree…hes not gonna throw anyone under the bus. classy move.
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I concur
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Did you just become a hockey fan today? Teams name there #1s. lol
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Strummer's Army says:
On a night when he gives up so many goals it is not time to declare him #1. When they do it he’ll have put together a couple low scoring games.
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isleopine says:
C’mon he gave up two pucks purely courtesy of Jurcina. If he is not the number one goalie then who is DP?
WHen was the last time DP put in a couple of low scoring games?
I expect more form you 0 Strummer’s Army
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Comment removed.
6. No profanity, no loopholes around profanity by putting in — and, even more offensive, no ALL CAPS.
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Really going with niedarizer(Niederraiter) and moulson in the shootout?! No offense to moulson but he’s not the most skilled foward we have.
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Dan C. says:
I liked the NN call, and he almost pulled it off. JT had to be out there though. It’s his team, regardless of who wears the’C’. He’s got to be out there like Toews is for the Hawks.
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CW says:
I’m sick & tired of everyone knocking Moulson. He is probably the most consistant goal scorer we have. 30+ goals last year, 30+ the year before and has the team lead already this year & 4 the past week or two, he’s been on the scoresheet. So please can everyone lay off Moulson cause he is the best all around goal scorer we have
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I meant 2 say he’s been on the scoresheet every night
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He beat the goalie and hit the post…so relax…..and Niedarizer (lol) clearly has skills.
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agreed…moulson beat Crow, and Nino has sick handles
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Good team effort tonight. 3 lines looked good tonight against a good Blackhawks team. That is what we expected when the year began
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Michael Tinney from Farmingdale, says:
Staios and Jurcinia was as bad as it gets.
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since 74 says:
Streit wasn’t much better. How many times is he going to shoot the puck up the middle from behind his own net? Rookies know you just dont do that. Or how about when on the pp he public skates it through center ice and takes any flow away from entering the offensive zone. Let Hamonic take the puck. He enters with speed and makes things happen. Streit is terrible.
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jonsson3 says:
you hit it right on the head!
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Z says:
Anyone expecting Capuano to name Montoya as te starter is wasting his/her breath. Rickety DiPietro still controls Wang and Snow who are really the ones naming the number one goaltender. Montoya is the better of the two, but as long as Ricky is on the island and Wang owns the team, there will never be a number one goalie other than DP
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We all know Montoya is the #1, whether Cappy, Garth, Wang or anyone else will want 2 admit it. As long as he plays almost every night like he’s been I have know problem with it. Montoya is our #1, whether its announced publically or not
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your speaking in spite…
Montoya will be named #1 as soon as we get something out of Nabokov in trade! Whata you people smoking, admitting anyone but Nabby is our number 1 costs us atleast 1 or 2 roudns in the draft pick we get back for him..we’d be blessed to get a 3rd rounder right now for his “I wont report to the Isles cuz Im too goood I deserve to be with Detroit” butt..lets not advise our number 1 is DP or Montoya, because that 3rd rounder turns into a 5..or a Wishart..barf
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Even though it was a shootout loss, I think it was the best game they’ve played all season. This is the team I was hoping we would see this year. They went toe-to-toe wirh a top notch team playing their ‘A’ game on a Friday night in their house. Loved NN’s clutch goal. Good to see KO playing well. The top line was clicking. Montoya stood tall in a bend-not-break 2nd period. Whether or not they can climb out of this early hole, if this team can play with this kind of effort the rest of the way, they will at least be worth warching.
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Brian G says:
At least Niedermizer scored…butch needs to get his head out of his ass.
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david says:
Yes, this is exactly right, as soon as the old guys were removed from the lineup you see hitting, and speed and better action and effort. Ralson and Staios have to go next and bring up some more youth. the youth hits, and old timers do not
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Bob says:
Good effort tonight. Why Dylan Reese is not in regularily over Mottau is a question. On this team “veterans” means “slow”, not “experience”. I am ok with Rolston now but Reasoner, Staios and Mottau have to go.
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Roger that. One- by-one, the Isles recall younger players from B-port who are clearly quicker and more energetic than the imported journeymen who aren’t adding much of anything. (That said, I’d give Staios a pass).
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I don’t want to get crazy with Reese but having a fast D-man joining the rush changed the dynamic of the team. I am hoping Mr #12 pick is developing and will be that guy but at a higher level, and then we have something special. Anyway I agree, the young guys are adding. I like Ulstrom. I would like to squeeze in Haley but where? Not taking Niederieter out or Martin….anyone know if Haley is a center?
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agreed…Reese had 1 bad penalty tonight but it showed he was playing lose the way he took it battling in front..no easy ice and I respect that out of the rook..(use that term lightly,,this is not Dylans first rodeo..but he looked confident from the previous call ups.
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Dr D says:
If anyone had watched this team last year then you understand why Moulson was in the shootout and why Tavares was not. I hate having a game like this end by a shootout. Great to see this team finally putting a few games together where they don’t fold in the third. Came out strong after a lack-luster second. Looks like maybe they are finally getting their confidence back. A win tomorrow would be great but another point would be fine also. 2-0-2 on the 4 game road trip after not having any wins prior on the road? Any of us would have taken that a week ago. Goal was to come out above 500 on this trip and already did that. Don’t wanna see DP in tomorrow but its possible
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Chris Reilly says:
-Time for Nielsen to get a new move. He gets read like a teenage girl reading the Twilight series.
-Too many times where the 4th line is out there against Toews/Kane, this cannot happen on thursday or we’re in trouble.
-However, really liked how we kept fighting back against one of the league’s best in their building. Just need to play a full 60 next, or 65 if we count overtime. -
crazy j says:
Good solid game, team played strong(except jucina/staios minus 3 each). Didn’t embarass themselves. Keep up the upbeat play tomorrow night
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nightbite21 says:
Need to start piling up wins but that was a well earned point indeed.
Plus
- Moulson heating up
- All lines creating plays. Everybody stepping up
- JT was possessed in the 3rd and the team fed off of it. His improvement from last season shines above all.
- Nino w sweet wrister
- Al kept us in it
- PP looks real good.Minus
- Refs were trigger happy but still too many penalties. Staios have mailbox in there?
- Weak second
- Jurcina w good flyball impersonation. Mark the man dumbass.
- Nino w some obvious backchecking mistakes. Nice redemption though.
- Winless in shootouts
- Capuano’s response in regards to obvious#1 goalie question. The love affair with DP by management and this evident fear they have placed in coaching staff and players to speak the truth about this guy has passed the point of embarrassment. We can’t take pride in anointing someone to #1 status who’s obviously earned it for fear of upsetting another player??? GOOD CHRIST ALMIGHTY. F$#kin gym class garbage.Take it to Dallas and make this a great roadtrip boys!
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once again you guys…Nabby is our #1 ..wink wink..seriously tho..he is until we get trade value out of him..wake upppppp
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Eric Cup says:
Anyone else hear Ruttgaizer call Ilya Kovalchuk, Alexa Kovalchuk in the pre-game? Butch gets names wrong but at least he’s one of ours.
As for the game, it was a great effort. This team is showing alot of heart. Tavares has never been real good in the shootout. Neilsen tried to go 5 hole last shootout but this time i think we all knew what he was going to do. It’s usually tough to stop. Moulson had Craw beat. 5 OT/Shootout games = 5 losses. Tough spot in Dallas – 1000 mile trip and a game. Oh, and Nystrom is their hottest player right now.-
i’m crying of laughter
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love the NAME
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Islanders Fan in NJ says:
Great game tonight. They came out HARD in the third period. I thought they were going to pack it in like every other game. Nice game from Reese. I thought Bailey was solid. Okposo is looking good too. It just goes to show you that with the confidence of having a good goalie, teams play differently. Looking forward to tomorrow night.
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Rich L says:
I’m partially deaf, and I heard that pronunciation also, bad, They did play an upbeat skating game, especially in the 3rd, which is usually the reverse with this team, and to secure a point may be bigger then we think, at the present. Now I know all about JT not having “prime” linemates, but he needs to start burying his chances, if this team has any chance of doing anything in April, besides going home after 82 games. Lets see what effort is produced tomorrow night at Dallas, although it’s to be expected they will be tired, maybe Cappy should bench some of the “fossils” on the team, as they will have a 1,000 mile flight and only so many hours of rest.
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Prime linemates? He’s only paired w/ Moulson whho’s been scoring just about every night & leads the team in goals & PAP who leads the team in assists….I Agree JT needs 2 start putting them in the net, its hard 2 get on him cause he plays hard every night but gotta score sometimes
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THE PORK CHOP EXPRESS says:
I missed the first period but caught the second and third. The isles looked bad in the second. They were dominated. They looked real good in the third. The coaches should show them the tape of both periods.
I agree Jurcina and Staios were horrible. Reese should stay in the line up. He is so much quicker than the jurcina, staios, mottou.
Martin and Nino needs a better center. Someone who can move the puck.
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Wishart would have been called up instead of Reese if Wishart wasn’t sick. You are right Reese played well and deserves to stay in and when Wishart is not sick he needs to come up. Staois,Roloston, Reasoner, Pandalfo, Staois were all terrible free agent signings.
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true that
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agree with all of those except Rolston..hes fine..hasn’t been a blemish, he’s certainly not a 2nd liner though..good role player and veteran presence but hes the only one..bye Staios, Pandawful, Reasoner..Haley and Nino need to be regulars
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okpososcores21 says:
Nino blew two assignements for 2 goals last night and only made up for 1. Hes not NHL ready i dont care what any of you say dude needs to seriously work on his defesive game. Hes a liability out there
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if d.p. plays the next game and the isles lose 10-0 cappy would still say there is no number 1 goalie since he knows he cant upset wang. not that it matters since the isles will always be a last place team as long as wang owns the team. remember, according to wang, the isles are and always will be a small market team that will always have the smallest payroll in hockey. combine that with no scouting staff and wang pulling snows strings with dysfunctional, sick and delusional ways of running and ruining a franchise, it does make perfect sense that d.p. is and will be the number 1 goalie no matter what for another 12 years or so, it makes me glad that in 2015 it will be all over when wang sells the team to the highest bidder who will move the team to canada.
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rick says:
here we go with the DiPi comments again…give it a rest already, he didn’t even play the game.
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He affects the team in a negative way.
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We are obsessed with Rick because we know he gets back in the rotation soon and we start to SHthe bed again.
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Rick, is that you defending yourself? We are mentioning D.P., because we are scared he will play. If he does…. it is an automatic loss. I won’t even bother watching, and the players don’t even bother playing when he is in goal. So stop with the sensitivity already! it’s quite obvious our #1 problem is forcing D.P into the lineup!
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You guys act like they are playing DiPi as the #1 goalie. lets look at this….
Montoya started 9 games this season, nabokov started 8 games, Dipi started 5. So why are we still complaining that they play dipi like he’s the #1 goalie??????
That is why I say GIVE IT A REST….Montoya is playing the amount of time a # 1 should play (in a 3 goalie rotation). remember he was injured for a week or 2, He would have around 12-13 starts if he wasn’t injured.
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Even if plays 12 games all year if F’s us. At best we win 4 of those and he makes three times what Al and Nabby do combined.
His salary is the only reason why he is still here …. So Wang can circumvent the floor some more.
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Onesinceforty says:
Never mind the shootout, I’m surprised NSquared even saw the ice after his two blown coverages DIRECTLY led to two goals. I know he got the tying goal but he mighta oughta been benched.
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sometimes Toews/Kane are out there because the home team gets last switch. so clearly, if you can get your best vs the visiting weakest, you take that match up advantage.
did not see the game, but 41 shots, out hit the ‘hawks(a stat kept by home team) and we had the only shots in the OT. reads like a nice effort, a big point. Dallas could be ugly, as they fly out tonite for a game 24 hrs later.
jurcina had the most(a ton of shots again, a ton of PK time) minutes, but i thnk thats cause streit had so much power play time. despite the feelings on this board: Mottau, Staios and Jurcina are getting a lot of time. cappy seems happy to roll 6 defenders and still give roloston a lot of time on the PP. could be a lefty/ righty shot thing at the point? -
Staten Islander says:
Boy do I miss Tambellini and Schremp! Ok Sarcasm off.
Great game, too bad JT’s dribbler didn’t have a little more OOMF on it.
Neilsen needs another move.
More Nino please.
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Ray Kaats says:
Goring was the key to 4 Stanley Cups so he can make as many mistakes as he wants.
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as long as he doesnt call JT, John Bafares.
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Bean322 says:
ive heard him say Juan TarVareZ
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So was Trottier and he got Fired by Chuckels!!!!Goring is GOD AWFUL!!!!
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Trotts wasn’t fired according to the brain trust, he was reassigned to another position remember? I didnt reallize sitting a sofa in Pittsburgh was an Islander front office position but it must be because Charlie and his mute puppet Snow wouldn’t lie to the fans would they? LOL
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The New Isles GM says:
Let Nino get 15 mins of ice-time a night and you’ll see more goals like the one he scored tonight. Obviously his size didn’t play a part in that goal but his release was good enough to score from where he was and he has some speed to. The kid is only going to get better. Right now, I’m fine with him learning on the 3rd line this season. Something tells me he’s more part of the “core” than Okposo. Okposo seemed pissed during the post game interview. I would be too if I missed as many opportunities as he does. Trade bait Anaheim?
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Now before anyone accuses me of drinking Wang/Snow kool-Aid, I just felt for tonights game at least, they put in a honest effort, except for the 2nd period,and maybe they should be applauded for that, however the very next game it looks like they are “dogging” it, I will be ragging on their “asses”,as most of you will, and it will be deserved. PS I still hate Wang/Snow but they played better tonight.
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Streit has been brutal with turnovers. He turned the puck over twice right by their net. This guy had an excellent first season, a good second year here, but this year he’s been nothing more than average.
Jurcina and Mottao are faster & quicker than Reese. Streit, Hamonic and MacDonald are the only Ds we have who are mobile. Jurcina aren’t bad skaters. Mottao is too small and Jurcina just isn’t that good.
Don’t know when they’ll be here but Donovan, DeHahn and Ness are all mobile. Will they have a positive influence on the Isles D…I hope so.
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niederrizer has a nice quick shot.
Funny thing was that as Goring was saying “niederrizer” 5 times during the instant replay, Howie was writing him a note for goring to see that he is pronouncing the name wrong. Goring pauses 2 seconds (reads the note) and pronounced the name correct. LOL
Then during the shoot-out, Goring said niederrizer again. haha. oh boy -
DP IS THE #1 GOALIE! He is far better than Montoya. I know this because Wang told me DP is better and Charlie knows everything about everything.
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DP will be the #1 next year when conservative Chuck let’s Montaya leave as a UFA. I can already hear the spin of it has been 1 full year since the injury and he will be the Ricky of old again.
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One thing I can’t stand is when players and coaches talk about “taking positives” from a loss. I see where they’re coming from, but there is still no glory in defeat (unless, of course, you’re the NHL and reward teams for losing, but that’s a whole different debate!) We all know what good ol’ Herm said about why you play the game. However, good, gritty, come-from-behind road effort against an elite team. So, it’s a fine line. As long as the young players make that distinction between “Almost won, so we should be satisfied” and “Damn! We should have won that game!” This is a crucial element in confidence-building of a young team and it’s the jobs of the coaches and veterans to make sure the young players understand this. With that being said, whenever the Islanders manage a four-goal explosion on offense, it’s a game they MUST WIN. Everyone on this comment board knows damned well if DP had played and given up five goals, he’d be bashed as usual, so Al certainly deserves equal blame when letting in that many. It’s a shame to waste such a fine offensive performance without coming away with TWO points. However,still encouraging for a team struggling to find its identity. Just don’t be happy with a “good” loss because such a thing does not exist. Each individual player needs to just build on it. Good job tonight.
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I am not one for celebrating losses, but I will make an exception for a come-from-behind shootout loss on the road against a team that won the Cup 18 months ago and the tying goal was a beaut scored by the team’s top prospect.
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JJ says:
I fear DP will get the start in DAL tmrw.
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Bob E says:
of course he will. did you you hear capuano in post game. Montoya despite clearing being incredible is Not NECESSARILY our #1 goalie.
Lets see how he feels after another 5 goals allowed by DP tomorrow. What the diffence to how the team plays for him vs montoya too.
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Which is why we follow up a largely solid effort in Chicago with a Dallas 6 to 1 win.
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Joe says:
I thought tonights game was very exciting to watch, would have been nice to get 2 points. Why is Nino playing on the 4th line? If the islanders had a good defense they would have a much better record.
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Stuart says:
yeah, kinda was getting DPressed thinking that Montoya wont start against Dallas
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I thought dipietro played good tonite.
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Reasoner was directly responsible for 3 of the goals against. He’s garbage. I cannot believe he is so bad. I was positive about Isles signing him but clear now that Konopka was a much better 4th liner forced out for personel reasons.
Nino’s goal was a goal scorers goal! Don’t see many like that in Islander country. Beautiful pass from Martin.
The Keith slew foot & high stick on Nielsen was garbage. I hate guys that play like that in hockey. The slew foot alone should be a penalty. If they are so worried about player safety they need to get rid of it because guys can get seriously hurt falling to the ice.
Wish Al could have had a big win & shutout in CHI, I know it would have meant a lot to him.
Haley needs to play instead of Reasoner. Reasoner is only playing because Snow signed him and he’s a vet but Isles win or at least keep the games closer with Haley.
If Isles only had a real defense they would be dangerous.
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SLICK VIC says:
If only the Isles had a guy like Jurcina on their tema. He is a great player watching him magically pass the puck to Toews.
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I thought Rease was unnoticeable good today. Better to have him in the lineup than Mattuae.
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Nick M says:
Reese played very well (offensively). Solid passes out of his zone, knowing when to step up in the offensive zone. Not too bad. Deffinetly better then Mottau staios jurcina.
Speaking of jurcina Mottau staios, this game could have easily been won if it wasn’t for those D men. Also reasoner has to go.
My lines would be
Moulson-JT-Nino
Grabner-nielson-Okposo
Martin-bailey-PA
Ullstrom-cizikas-HaleyOnly in a perfect world….(sigh)
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I don’t think that is as far away as you think. The tweaks to this lineup are clearly working. Rolston will still be in the mix, but Reasoner has been a scratch, lately, and Pandolfo will have trouble getting back in if NN firmly establishes himself over thenext few weeks.
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why Rolston and Mottau are getting key mins at end of game baffles me. Reasoner sucks.
JT is the man. Isles played incredible 3 period.
Crawford should kiss that post in shootout. Nice to see isles get one point. Thats all the going to get. DP getting start tomorrow. thats a good way to kill your team positive momentum.Capuano not calling Montoya our #1 is embarassing.
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It might be Cappy’s voice coming out of his mouth but like everything else it is Wang Snow Jobs thoughts.
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If DP starts tomorrow, I’m going on a hunger strike.
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Nino should have been in shootout.
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WM says:
He was.
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brian says:
Lots of bows being taking for losing a hockey game.
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justin says:
nino is running around the ice alot, not to defenive
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hoser14 says:
Good road game last night against a cup contender like the Hawk. I hope they’re DP-free in Big D tonight.
I’m waiting for Howie Rose to Scream MOTTAU! MOTTAU! MOTTAU! MOTTAU! MOTTAU! MOTTAU! MOTTAU! MOTTAU! MOTTAU! MOTTAU! MOTTAU!
But seriously, the Isles to pick up more speed and a lot more size and toughness on the backline. I can’t wait to see 6’4″ and mean Andrey Pedan in a few years.
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Port says:
I really liked the effort the team showed last night, finally a 3rd period where we looked like we really wanted it and outworked Chicago. Something to work with here going forward.
Is it me or is Streit playing like a shell of himself? Hopefully it’s the year off but he has not been good in his own zone and is not dominating commanding much attention in the offensive zone either.
What does Rolston have over the staff? I am sick of him just firing the puck on the powerplay whether he has a good scoring chance or not. Can we please put Okposo back on the pp in place of Rolston who should being seeing 3rd line minutes not first line munutes.
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moonshine says:
they played their little hearts out and this one is a + in the growing process. i wouldn’t even rag on jurcina, who stepped up with some great hits and fired on net at every chance. i wouldn’t criticize the shootout choices because what really does in the islanders is lack of experience. moulson had the guy beat and niederreiter, after those slick moves, only needed to go 5-hole. montoya looked poor on the first one, but again that’s inexperience. it’s a shame just because at this point they could use every point, but it’s part of growing.
niederreiter should watch tavares to learn how to become a two-way player. he’ll develop faster here than back at juniors or at some world tourney.
it was a very good game.
tonight will be tough with the long travel. -
Jisles says:
Frans needs to move to the 3rd line and play more of a checking role. Frans is more of a checker and Bailey is a playmaker, they have them in opposite roles Does this drive anyone else bonkers? Let Bailey play with some skill guys for crying out loud. Give the kid a chance.
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Agreed, I think Frans Nielsen is an awesome player, but he’s an awesome 3rd line center. Bailey makes some sick passes and has been playing well.
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claude says:
We lost because of Jurcina:
Turned his back and gave puck to Toews
Was in box on Chicago’s 4th
Long travel , DP in net equals little chance
Reasoner is terrible-
agree totally
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for all the jurcina bashers, i’d point out that if montoya bails him out there’s a lot less to talk about. it’s not like toews put on some sick moves.
i didn’t mind the so choices (i like guys who scored in the game taking the so). but as a point of principle i’d agree that tavares should be in there. it might even get him to develop the one-on-one part of his game.
please don’t write ‘al kept us in it.’ i know you’re all montoya fans, and he’s better than dp. but he gave up the go-ahead goal late, which is his specialty, and four in total. last year the isles lost in chicago 5-0. this year they would have lost 4-0. big deal. it’s the offense that kept the isles in the game, also thanks to chicago’s lousy defense. -
Ryan says:
I like to think I am unbiased when it comes to Butch Goring. I am 31, so i don’t remember the cup years, but I understand his place in Isles history. That being said, he is a poor color commentator. Jaffe, and before him Joe Micheletti, were fair and critical when they needed to be. In all honesty, the presence of Goring and the way he speaks so positively of the team makes Isles broadcasts second rate. I have a bigger issue with that than with a few mispronounciations. I think Howie knows it too, they seem to lack chemistry. Of course, I could care less about any of this if this was a playoff team.
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Fair and balanced are exactly why Jaffe was fired.
Wang’s whole life is based on yes men
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Ivo says:
I want Nino in Bridgeport in 2012!
Please dont’t rush this KID! -
ohio says:
They really deserved the 2 points especially with what they did in the 3rd period. Wish Grabner would use his speed coming into the zone instead of slowing at the blue line looking to pass. Make those defensemen back in like ours always do.
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I really like Ulstrom’s game. Not much on the scoresheet, but he is one of the few Islanders that actually go after the puck once it’s shot down the boards.
Nino has a good game, but you guys are right, he needs to be defensively accountable.
Franz just does not seem to have it this year. He seems a bit lazy with the puck. Don’t be surprised if he leaves the Island. Is not playing like he wants to stick around.
I like Okposso’s game. He is going after the puck with authority, which is when he is at his best! Kudos!
All in all, I have to say I enjoyed the game for the first time this year, but agreed, we should not be acting like we won, we did not.
Keep Montoya in there. If they don’t it will just confirm what we already know, that this management team could care less about winning. I would love it if they proved me wrong!
Still rooting, can’t help myself, GO ISLES!!! -
MikeInNYC says:
While everyone saw niño trailing behind the scorer on the first goal, I wouldn’t blame him for blown coverage. The wings job is to cover pointment in the zone. Defensemen take the front two rushers and the center takes the trailer, which in this case was the goal scorer. In this case, staios jurcina and reasoner all collapsed on top of the crease and fell into a coma, no one picked anyone up, and the gave chicago the slot and the circles to work with…poor defense. Niño was busting his ass to get back bc he saw the blow coverage by the other 3. In a game when that d pairing made way more gaffs that niño did I can’t really blame him there.
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72IslesFan says:
Mike is right, Reasoner should be blamed for not picking up the trailer.
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I would actually blame Staios for that goal. He should have been in position to block the shot at least, instead of just standing in front of the net doing nothing.
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TimQ says:
+ MMoulson with a goal scorer’s goal
+ Nino with a sweet wrister
+ Big Cubano standing on his head in the 2nd
+ Team effort in the 3rd- Jurcina and Staios looking like Brutal Bruno
- Capuano putting Jurcina/Staios on ice for last minute of regulation
- Team effort in 2nd period
- In order for JT to be considered elite he needs to score in big spots. Hasn’t done so yet
- Another point lost -
haleyrules18 says:
*-CAN WE SEE HALEY PLEASE
*-Reasoner is awful he needs to sit for a few. This is who we got rid of ZK for.
*-Streit and Staios make me nervous. Streit has been awful for a couple of weeks now, hangover from not playing last week.
*-Can we get a 3rd line of Nino-Bailey-Ullstrum
*-4th line of Martin-Haley-Rolston. If we play well we get powerplays Rolston will still get his 8 to 10 mins of ice.
*-How long before we see Wishart up here.
*-Reese made me long for the days of the sweet skating Jack Hillen. I think Reese should be here especially since Katic is done for the year
*-These last three games are absolute examples of games this year we get a point in or win where as last year we lose them.
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islesrock73 says:
Haleyrules, really good point about Hillen. Not sure why Snow let him go compared to the slow footed defensemen we have. The Isles could have signed him on the cheap, which fits their strategy.
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Haley can’t play center, so those lines would not work. If you want reasoner out of the lineup, you have to put ullstrom at center on the 4th line and then put rolston/martin on the 3rd line.
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He played center in the AHL
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year
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chad says:
“I would like to squeeze in Haley but where? Not taking Niederieter out or Martin….anyone know if Haley is a center?”
yes, haley is a center. where? how about for reasoner who is a waste. or even rolston who does nothing. i want haley in there too
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ed says:
Great gam by the boys. Amazing how a good goalie can make the team look so much better, especially with Mottau and Jurcina on D. Sad that Montoya didn’t get the nod the whole season
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william says:
Good to see them not chasing the puck around all night, winning battles on the half wall ,in the corners and scoring more than 2 goals. Jurcina does give the puck away at times but he is one of the only defense that knocks guys down. The D needs to get tuffer in front of the net and in the corners. Too bad they lost but it’s a point.
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Reasoner helped win the puck and was soley responsible for making the tying goal by Nino happen. I guess some of you did not notice that. I would keep the same lineup, only need to get Nino to backcheck and pick up his assignment, 2 games in a row he hurt us on the defensive end.
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he shouldn’t be on the 4th line!!!!!!
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oh yeah! Reasoner our unsung hero…please…take his ass out of there and play Haley!
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Orange&Blue says:
Capuano will need to get his head examined if he doesnt start considering moving Neiderreiter up to the top line. The goal Nino scored last night is a goal scorers goal. When is the last time you score an Islander player score a goal like that? Not in a while. No offense to Parenteau but Nino is one of the young core who is the future of the team. The time is now for Nino to start developing his game with JT. Parenteau can stay on the pp unit with JT. This team needs to stop being passive about using their talented youth. Nino is big, can skate, can hit, can crowd the net and we learned last night that he has a wicked wrist shot.
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agreed, I was pretty pissed off seeing nino on the 4th line yesterday. It makes no sense!
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PAP leads team in scoring right now. I think they should put Nino on with JT and MM and put PAP with JB and martin. line 4= rolston ullstrom haley. And PLease trade jurcina for a couple of sticks.
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Guys, we all know that there is a lot of dead weight on this team. Many players like Reasoner, Jurcina, Mottau, etc need to go. There is no sense complaining about it because we are stuck with them. Half this team needs to go lol. When Snow is done reading the GM Handbook maybe he will address finding the right talent for this team.
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Finally, there is one reason and one reason only that we have a chance to win every night and his name is Al Montoya!!!
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And I assume a big reason to lose tonight. Back to back nights with a flight in between …. Hello DP ….. Goodbye positive feelings
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Don from Levittown says:
I think Nino is still making moves on his shootout. He’ll get there. Glad to see him in the lineup again.
2 goals of the goals Montoya let in – if it were DP he would be crucified on this site. Still, gotta keep playing Montoya until he shows he can’t do it.
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D in Big D says:
Well I did the unthinkable today & purchased 2 tickets to game.I hope DP doesn’t get the start but if he does he won’t be in for long.Good effort in Chicago but a loss is a loss.Plenty of defensive blame to go around.Hopefully they don’t get embarrassed tonight.If they skate like they did in Chicago should make for a good game.Haley should dress for this one.Bailey & Franz should swap roles.
Good game, but I thought Cappy made a couple of questionable moves….notably no Tavares in the shootout and having Mottau and Reasoner on the PK, together no less.