ISLANDERS 4, Oilers 1 – Tavares, mates bests last two top picks in NYE drubbing
On an afternoon when the Islanders organization inducted Ken Morrow into its hockey hall of fame, an enthusiastic Nassau Coliseum crowd was fully entertained by the youthful exuberance that was displayed before them.
Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the 2010 and 2011 first overall selections in the NHL entry drafts, respectively, didn’t disappoint. However, John Tavares, the league’s top pick back in 2009, brought the 13,807 home fans to its feet on an assist to fellow top liner Matt Moulson, which would even make former U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Dorothy Hamill proud.
Moulson’s 17th goal of the season late in the first period snapped a 1-1 tie, as the Islanders closed out the 2011 calendar year in style by defeating the Edmonton Oilers, 4-1. The victory, the Islanders’ second in less than 72 hours over a team located in the province of Alberta – they defeated Calgary 3-1 on Thursday evening at home – also extended the team’s dominance on New Year’s Eve. The Islanders are now 6-0-1 in their last seven contests on the Eve.
Yet, it was the individual effort by the 21-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada that stole the game’s spotlight, and deflated the Oilers from mounting a serious rally against the Islanders.
Tavares battled Nugent-Hopkins for the puck in the neutral zone. He skated up the far-side wall into the Oilers offensive zone, with Nugent Hopkins shadowing him. Tavares then spotted Moulson to the left of Oilers net-minder Devan Dubnyk. Instead of trying to veer the puck through Oilers defenseman Corey Potter, who was stationed in front of the Oilers crease, Tavares executed a spin-o-rama.
The move – a self-proclaimed double axel – not only neutralized Potter, who would sprawl past the Oilers net, but would spin Nugent-Hopkins to obscurity. Tavares then slid the biscuit to an awaiting Moulson, who roofed it over the left shoulder of a helpless Dubnyk.
Tavares’ assist – his 18th of the season – had followed an earlier power play goal, which opened the game’s scoring at 3:44 of the opening period. Tavares pounced on a loose rebound of a P.A. Parenteau shot, and deposited into the wide open Oilers net.
Edmonton’s Sam Gagner tied the score nine minutes later, as he deflected a Potter slap shot past a fallen Islander goalie Evgeni Nabokov, while being draped by Islander defenseman and captain Mark Streit.
The Islanders would put the victory to bed during a 46 second span, early in the second period.
After Oilers forward Ben Eager took a roughing penalty against Islanders forward Matt Martin at the 2:52 mark of the second period, the Islanders made quick work of their power play, as Parenteau blasted his seventh of the season on a wrister from the left circle. Moulson’s second assist of the game and third point was the primary helper that Parenteau needed to beat Dubnyk glove side.
Martin, who made Eager’s New Year’s Eve one that he will quickly not forgot, closed out the scoring at 4:05 on a gorgeous back-handed feed by line-mate Josh Bailey. Martin’s fourth of the season came from the right corner and deflected off of Dubnyk’s left pad and into the net.
The Oilers had their opportunities over the game’s final 35 minutes, but were thwarted by Nabokov (28 saves). The goaltender was also helped by his goalpost and crossbar, as the visitors hit them on three occasions, two by Hall.
With the win, the Islanders improve to 13-17-6 and are now 8-9-3 at the friendly confines of the Coliseum. At 32 points, the Islanders are now tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for 14th in the Eastern Conference. They stand nine points behind the eighth-place Toronto Maple Leafs for the Conference’s final playoff spot.
The Islanders now trek on a three-game road trip, beginning Tuesday night in Raleigh when they face off against the Hurricanes.
With the loss, the Oilers fall to 15-19-3 and are now 5-13-1 on the road. The loss, Edmonton’s ninth in their last 11 games in also the team’s third straight in the midst of their current seven-game road trip. The Oilers continue that cross country excursion on Monday evening with a trip to the Windy City to face off against the Chicago Blackhawks.
On to some of the positives and negatives in the +/-
+ Ken Morrow – Prior to the game, Morrow was inducted into the Islanders Hall of Fame. In 550 NHL games – all with the Islanders – Morrow collected 105 points (17 goals and 88 assists) and played on all four Stanley Cup championship teams. He is still the only American-born player to have won an Olympic Gold Medal and a Stanley Cup Championship in the same season (1980).
+ Matt Martin – Point Blank conducted a poll early in the week on who was the team’s “Heart and Soul” player. By goading Oilers forward Ben Eager into two careless penalties, which resulted in two Islanders power play goals, Martin is himself stating a case for that distinction. His play isn’t flashy, yet he continually does his job night in and night out. Adding a goal can’t help but make Martin’s New Years even sweeter.
+ Travis Hamonic – Making a paltry $875,000 in his second season of a three-year entry level contract, Hamonic continues to be far and away the team’s most steady defenseman. He shadowed the kid line of Nugent-Hopkins-Hall-Eberle and held them scoreless on the scoring sheet. The trio was also a -5 in the game. While he might not be getting Prince Fielder money, Hamonic is surely in for a hefty pay raise in the next calendar year.
+ Evgeni Nabokov – The 36 year-old net-minder now stands three wins away from 300 in his NHL career. With the victory, Nabokov is now 6-1 over his last seven games against the Oilers, dating back to his days manning the net in San Jose.
+ Special Teams – The Islanders held the league’s third most potent power play to two shots in four power play opportunities. Conversely, Tavares and Parenteau scored with the man advantage, as the Islanders power play went 2-for-3.
+ Over .500 – With this afternoon’s victory, the New York Islanders leaped over the .500 mark in its team’s history. The Islanders now stand at 1,326-1,325-427 in 3,078 games.
+ Dominance vs. West – The Islanders improved to 14-1-7 in its last 22 home games vs. the Western Conference.
+ Oil Spilling – The Islanders have now won its last six home games against the Oilers. Edmonton’s last victory at Nassau Coliseum occurred back on December 14, 1999. Former Islanders Bill Guerin and Janne Niinimaa each scored for the Oilers, while recent retiree Mike Grier had the game-winner in the Oilers’ 4-2 win. Mariusz Czerkawski and Mats Lindgren lit the lamp in defeat.
+ World Junior Championships (Team Canada) – Ryan Strome has shown Islander fans and the entire hockey world why he was selected fifth overall in this past June’s NHL Entry Draft. Strome has collected seven points – three goals and four assists – for team Canada in its first three preliminary games. The Canadians have outscored its opposition, 23 -3 in three resounding victories. The Canadians next play the United States later this afternoon in its fourth and final preliminary game.
+ World Junior Championships (Team Sweden) – Johan Sundstrom, selected 50th overall by the Islanders in this past June’s NHL Entry Draft, has collected four points – one goal and three assists – in Team Sweden’s first three preliminary games. The Swedes have outscored its opposition, 22-8 in winning all three of its games. The Swedes battle the undefeated Russians later this evening in its final preliminary game.
- Mark Streit and Steve Staios – The defensemen took all four of the team’s penalties, and struggled in their own zone. Staios, understandably, was in his first game back from an upper body injury.
- Coliseum Ice – Pucks seemed to be on edge all game long. That was clearly evident on Michael Grabner’s partial break-away early in the second period. Yet, a win is a win.
- Bridgeport Sound Tigers – After Friday evening’s 3-2 setback at Norfolk, the Sound Tigers have now dropped eight of its last nine games. They currently sit in the cellar of the Northeast Division of the AHL’s Eastern Conference with a 12-16-3-1 record. The Sound Tigers finish off 2011 with a trip to Scranton later this evening to face off against the Penguins.
88 Responses to ISLANDERS 4, Oilers 1 – Tavares, mates bests last two top picks in NYE drubbing
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Nobody77 says:
That’s a ridiculous assumption…
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pasaycity1 says:
REASONER FOR KONOPKA COST US ATLEAST 5 WINS THIS SEASON.
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islesrock73 says:
That’s pushing it a bit, but we really do miss Konopka’s grit and face-off expertise.
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Randy says:
exactly!
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rick says:
May have cost us 5 goals. not 5 wins, If we had konopka, we wouldn’t have haley. ..and we’d still be hearing that awfull “live is live” song (or whatever its called) I’d rather have haley and not that song. (although this one sucks too).
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Bean322 says:
Well we pretty much dont have Haley…while he should be a fixure on this team they keep him in AHL
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We do have haley, he hurt his hand in his last fight when he messed up bickel’s face (ranger game last week). He is on the isles roster listed as a scratch because of his hand, they havn’t send him on IR, he is still up with the big club.
He hasnt played for bridgeport since around dec 16th (maybe a day or 2 later). He was brought up i think to stay for a while, but messed up his hand 3 games later.
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claude says:
Good win.Like KO with JT
Would like to see this type of play against upper tier team -
milbury sux says:
Why did it take losing streaks of 4 and 3 games for Capuano to change the lines??
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Junior junior says:
Because cappy doesn’t make the lines. Are you daft man? FFS.
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Darren says:
Great game to watch and plenty of young talent. The most difficult thing is patience. An example is the Sedin’s in Vancouver. They have only been relevant the last 3-4 yrs, though drafted a decade ago. There was a real demand to trade them and label them busts 4-6 yrs in and big controversy when they resigned them. Now look. It takes time, I realize the reason for impatience, but would argue Snow has done as well as any GM with a small market team and limited budget to rebuild an organization that had no talent in the NHL and a completely barren minor league system. Both are much better stocked.
Most importantly, “Bailey’s” are being left in Junior and the minors to develop, not being rushed, that is why we see Wallace, Reasoner, Rolston, Staios etc in the NHL. Make the kids earn their chances and develop at the right pace. Very few kids are ready at 18-20 (1-3%?)., It usualy is the 24-30 yr age group that is ready to play consistently at the NHL level. The NYI kids are just getting there. Stsy the course.-
caber09 says:
Drinking Kool Aid for New Year’s…and speaking of youth, arent Isles the 2nd or 3rd oldest team in the league? Gooooo Rebuild!
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They are technically one of the older teams but if you take out the 4 REALLY OLD GUYS, They are probably in the 3-4 youngest teams. So when our bridgeport guys hit 23-25 yrs old, Staios, Pandolfo, Reasoner, Rolston and Eaton will be replaced by them and we will have 4 guys over the age of 28. and they will all be younger than 33, except streit…and Nabby (if hes still here). You could probably say they may be the youngest.
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These wins against the West dont mean anything, let me know when they beat the Fyers, Pens, etc. They play like this every season.
Happy New Year to everyone. Drink your KOOL- AID responsibly!-
IslesFan says:
These wins against the West teams don’t mean anything other than two points and a win in the record books.
I can understand the frustration and I agree that the Islanders have to be the Atlantic teams, but a win is still a win.
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joey says:
Was at the game, they looked great today. Defense looked good as well as the penalty kill. One player who stood out today was Okoposo, he is playing with alot of energey. Bailey looks comfortable and much more confident with the puck. Nino sort of reminds me of Bailet his first year. I thought Eaton and Hamonic were the best defenseman today. Taveras is feeling it. He deserves to be in the allstar game.
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JTizzle says:
If you subtract JT from this team I think the Isles would only have 5 wins this year!
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save-the-isles says:
JT is a Beast!!! but when he gets buried by sutton it makes me sick that no one does anything…Love what i see from Martin
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yes. someone should have taken Sutton down. That dirty bastard.
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Cdu says:
Nice game! JT just keeps amazing. Refs missed some calls again… Martin also played a great game!
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nabakov looks solid in net as well. forgeot to mention he made the big saves when needed. He looks sharp!
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Streit needs some games off. He is playing awful right now.
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Tedge77 says:
Can we enjoy a win without some idiot referencing Kool-Aid. Tavares is playing the best hockey of his career.
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danfromouteast says: Kool aid…lol. I just happy they won. Special team were outstanding
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william says:
nice win at home today. The boys can play when they all work hard. Need to play like that more in the new year. Don’t expect any additions so they are what they are, some nights they will stink and others they shine like today…Happy New year
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My comment is im moderation so I will rephrase. Everyone just enjoy the win and enough with the Kool-Aid comments. They really werent funny the first thousand times. Try to be a little more original
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Hud says:
Nice win, see all you fellow West Coasters in Anaheim
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i’ll be there
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moonshine says:
please don’t say ‘paltry’ and ‘$875,000′ in the same sentence…
no offense, but hall and nh are still kids, jt is a man.
i’d have liked niederreiter to convert on those late chances.
oilers came out with a little hop and the islander defense didn’t inspire confidence. but edmonton leaked goals, whereas nabokov was solid for the second straight game. i’m curious to see how he’ll play in carolina, if he can keep it up.
what i’d like from here out: stay away from losing streaks and put up little win streaks instead; get back to .500 and then build a little cushion above it; break the schneid against division rivals philly/ny/pitt.
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justin says:
Happy new year, Matt Martin I am going to toast you tonight. Team played well,as a team. But there something about this kid.
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Nick M says:
Great win today! First line HAS to stay together, okposo is perfect. Rolston SUCKS. Martin deserves a promotion, extremely disciplined player. PA is making me a believe (although it was on the Powerplay)but he still shouldnt be on the top line, okposo is perfect because he grinds in the corners giving JT space. cappy almost has it right with the lineup..
personally i would..
MM-JT-KO
grabner-Nielsen-PA
Martin- Bailey- Wallace
Rolston-Reasoner-Pandoand roll 3 lines LOL
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I know its just me, but I would put Baiely and Okposo together on a line. I remember a couple of years ago they played well together and seemed to know where each was on the ice. Either no one else remembers this or I dreamed it.
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WOW i forgot Nino. put him in for wallace
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i forgot Nino, put him in for wallace
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Oh did i mention matt martin is THE MAN
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JT and Matt Martin are the heart and sole of this team. Hamonic right there too. KO has to start putting up some numbers playing with JT. Nino needs more ice time, and needs more talent on his line. The kid is not going to put up numbers playing with Reasoner and Wallace.
I would take Suttton back for a mid round pick.
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Loved the wide open hockey, but loved that we won even more! The problem is we are not going to win those kind of games against the more physical teams, of which there are many!
J.T. as usual was stellar! Matt Martin is awesome. Once again, P.A. gets it done, no matter what line he is on. Still waiting for Grabs, Streit, and Nielson to start playing up to their capabilities. I guess I’ll have to wait for next year. Thankfully, that’s tomorrow! HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL…Nice way to end the year! -
sm says:
nice game_ good win. the islanders desperately need ONE MORE TOP 4 DEFENDER. that would cure so many things.
congrats to matt martin on an excellent game. clean hits and disciplined play. tough, physical and smart. congrats to andy sutton, for a post game apology to Tavares.
the isles have both a deep and balanced attack, and solid netminding in montoya and nabby with poulin ready for 2012-2013. they need more talent on the blueline, as playoff teams dont have bottom pair guys like staios getting top pair minutes, constantly. not the fault of staios that the team is asking too much of him. going foward, that is the teams biggest issue..
i dont mind the GM’s efforts in the past to get a top shelf guy, and that they have come up short. going forward, we need that top 4 guy, and hes not coming from b-port this season or next. garth, gets us that player.. -
Mike says:
Was at the game today JT is a BEAST & Matt Martin played an GREAT game goating that DOPE eager into 2 penalties and scoring this kid is becoming one of my favorites!!!
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MarioCT says:
Good win, now keep it going. On a side note, please say a prayer for Marcinko in Bridgeport. He got his neck sliced in last nights game and had to have emergency surgery. Last I heard he was coherent.
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Ted says:
In the spirit of the NCAA move the Islanders to the Western Conference. Maybe we would actually make the playoffs…
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chris says:
this team gets your hopes up, then they smash you down…im looking for 3-4 loses in a row now..
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danfromouteast says:
Great way to piss on a win.
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Chris-u are correct! id say 5 losses… but if you dont get excited about win u wont get your hopes up.
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management if you can call it a management,doesnt care at all.they are content being a .500 team and only playoff contention.AS LONG AS WANG IS THE OWNER WE WILL NEVER WIN A CUP,MARK MY WORDS.TAKE THAT TO THE BANK.IM SICK AND TIRED OF BEING THE LAUGHINGSTOCK.IM SICK OF IT.
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Orange&Blue says:
You know folks, we can complain about a lot stuff with this team. Maybe the biggest problem this team has is the division they play in. 2-7-2 vs the Atlantic Division. Hate to make excuses but this team is a above .500 against the rest of the league. Pitt, NYR and Philly are 3 of the top 4 teams in the Eastern Conference. Not to mention that NJ is a real difficult team to play against and will probably battle for the 8th spot. All 4 teams above us may very well be in the playoffs come April. Just something to think about when we blast our team, myself included.
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jisles says:
2in a row. .500 by all star breal. that should be the goal. keep it going. LETS GO ISLANDERS
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Despite our tough division, why is Reasoner still on this team? He is terrible. I cant believe how well Reasoner played for FLA last year and how badly he sucks on our team. If Strome and DeHaan can be regulars on this team next year, it will help a great deal. Hopefully, Cizikas and Ullstrom can be regulars too. I just wish this team could find a decent vet fwd. Rolston and Reasoner are clearly not the answer this year.
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Don says:
You have to remember there is a cap floor. That is why guys like Reasoner are still on the team over younger guys. They need the salaries on the big club.
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danfromouteast says:
Sadly this is true
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You can make the argument this year that the Isles are in a tough division, but they have only made the playoffs once in seven years, and that was a first round exit. They won’t be making the playoffs this year either. Weak argument…
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Winning says:
The biggest reason the isles are in last place alwsys is because they dont have those 6 easy games playing the ny islanders that other teams have on their schedule.
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You just named half the roster. Nielson is way better than just shootouts. He is a very good defensive forward. And they ruined Nino’s career after 30 games? What the heck are you expecting?
I like your Passion, but really?
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kingdm9 says:
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
Big win .. Went out with a bang!!!! Morrow night went well
These kids are coming together it will happen . Our problem is our small d. and the 4th line has no size .
New years resolution get rid of Reasoner and Motts AND Pando make them shovel snow in the parking lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
. Bring up Ty for sizeWe need a # 1 d-man Weber plain and simple.
and a 4th line center who hits 6-4 230.
Move wallace to center and pop in Hailey .
dont worry about Nino he is still a boy 2 more years and he will start punching people in the face.
Josh has been playing better and the new line should add points , just shoot the freaking puck man..
LETS GO ISLANDERS THE ROAD TO 500
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Battfist says:
Lets get on a roll!
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Ivo says:
and a 4th line center who hits 6-4 230.
20 – C
David SteckelAge: 29
Date of birth: March 15, 1982
Place of birth: Milwaukee, WI
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 215
Shoots: L
Salary: $1,100,000
NHL Seasons: 6
Drafted by Los Angeles in 2001 (1/30).
Acquired in a trade with New Jersey in 2011. -
and a 4th line center who hits 6-4 230.
Paul Gaustad 28 – C
Age: 29
Date of birth: February 03, 1982
Place of birth: Fargo, ND
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 212
Shoots: L
Salary: $2,500,000
NHL Seasons: 7
Drafted by Buffalo in 2000 (7/220). -
Bridgeport Tigers need guys like Reasoner and Motts AND Pando……badly!
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BIG D MAN!
5 – D
Bryan AllenAge: 31
Date of birth: August 21, 1980
Place of birth: Kingston, Ont, Canada
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 226
Shoots: L
Salary: $3,150,000
NHL Seasons: 10
Drafted by Vancouver in 1998 (1/4).
Acquired in a trade with Florida in 2011. -
BIG D MAN!
Marc Methot 3 – DAge: 26
Date of birth: June 21, 1985
Place of birth: Ottawa, Ont, Canada
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 227
Shoots: L
Salary: $2,250,000
NHL Seasons: 5
Drafted by Columbus in 2003 (6/168). -
Frustrated Voter says:
Ahhh…the tease begins again. As Michael Corleone would say, “Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in.”
I really hope they can keep this up. JT & Matt Martin – Beast Mode!
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twocents says:
Almost every comment I posted about this team over the last 200 years or so has been of the rant variety, venting frustration, anger and disgust. This time it’s a rave.
Until a week ago I loved how Tavares was playing, except I thought the team needed better than 2 goals in 20 games from him. Holy moly! Now he’s netting his own chances and upped his overall game to whole a new level also! The guy is phenomenal, clearly the best Islander forward since Turgeon.
Matt Martin’s skills aren’t quite what Nystrom’s were, but with everything he brings every single night, Martin provides almost the very same ingredients that made #23 a foundation piece and big part of the soul of those great teams.
Hamonic is an absolute rock and a one-hundred percent gem of a player in every possible way.
These 3 players – and throw in Moulson because of his chemistry with Tavares – are THE reason I still watch every game and love this team, even though I’m appalled by its overall status and very nervous about its future.-
Patience says:
Give Matt Martin more time. He’s young and power forwards develop slowly.
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winning44 says:
Ziggy Palffy was better then Tavares currently is…MUCH better.
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Sorry, I loved Palffy, but he was a goal scorer, period. Tavares is as good a playmaker as he is a goal-scorer, which is pretty damn good, and he also is becoming a good defensive foward right before our eyes, which Palffy never was. And, Palffy had the benefit of an outstanding playmaking linemate who was tailor made for him in Robert Reichel, whereas Tavares has had to become THE playmaker on his line by necessity. All things considered, Tavares is clearly the superior player.
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Isles4cups says:
LMFAO…good one!
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The Pork Chop Express says:
Same 4 or 5 guys got it done for us again. Thank you. JT,MM,MM,PAP, TH. The rest of the team needs to play to their level!!! KO get your head in the game. You are on the first line play like it. I am not counting the 2nd assists either. You need to play with JT determination!!!
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Staten Islander says:
Off topic, but did anyone see the Alumni game yesterday? I was watching it and started thinking how cool it would be to see Gillies, Trots, Potvin, Bossy, Smitty and the rest play Rags alumni before a winter classic. Won’t happen till this team becomes relevant again.
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I watched the introductions and about 10 min. Man, those Flyer players looked like they could barely walk (kind of like Pandolfo, reasoner, and Rolston), but still managed to beat the Rag alumni. i was thinking the same thing, that it would be so awesome to see the Islander greats involved, but sadly we have an owner that thinks N.Y. is a small market team so he can run it like that! Hoping one day that changes….
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Dk says:
Snow was scouted that game. He thinks Barber could draw some penalties and teach the kids.
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danfromouteast says:
Nino when he does het a chance to play on a better line will perform better. He’s been barreling injuries and for all we know may not be %100. I think it’s way too soon to say his career is shot down. Isles need more size and toughness on defense. I think fixing the defense will greatly improve the team.
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danfromouteast says:
Maybe to get Weber from Nashville a package that may include Street. He is in his thirties his game had declined this year he can use a change. Then you can give weber the C. Maybe Streit and a high draft pick if not the first and maybe katic or dehaan. Weber mentoring hamonic would and could be a great value. Them bye bye cappy hello randy Carlyle as coach. Two guys that cam improve this tell immediately. Then a couple ofthe productive tough forwards. Weber would still be young enough when hayfield and pedan come in
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danfromouteast says:
Damn spell check Mayfield
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Isles are not getting Weber and Mayfield is at least 2 years away, not counting this year.
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This is why we cant even get chants like SELL WANG and SNOW MUST GO…because there are way too may fans here that are happy and drawn back in with a @ GAME WIN STREAK. You have to be kidding me people.
This team is no where near being competative let alone a playoff team. I thought you were smarter than this. So they won two in a row, you know damn well another 5 game losing streak is around the corner. They always let us down..JEEZ-
THAT WAS a 2 Game win streak
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Those kind of chants are garbage and do nothing but make fans look like ingrates to others. When you are there just cheer for your team or don’t. Do you think that the chant will suddenly make CBW sell the team? You just want people to look at you.
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Nobigwhup says:
JT is a beast. He dominated every minutenhe was on the ice. It has been an absolute joy watching him grow into a star and I expect superstar down the road. Nino had his best game to date. He is learning how to play and will be a stud in a few years. Strome is next. The pieces are slowly coming together. Now if we can get rid of the cancer of DP and find a place to play beyond 2015.
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Ruin Nino’s career? He is 19 year old rookie getting his 9 mins a game as he learns the ropes. As he fills out his frame and learns he will become a force.
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The key is how the Isle youth stacks up against the East youth. The Flyers are so young, ditto the Rangers, Bruins and Penguins. Add that these teams have the financial capacity to add FA to their young core makes the challenge for this pgm more challenging.
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Found this interesting on ESPN.
It’s possible the New York Islanders may “supply” the Tampa Bay Lightning with a veteran.
Another veteran for a 3rd rounder.
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sell the team wanger ,enough is enough.you effectively turned us into laughingstocks since you term as owner.
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I just can’t wait to see a line up that consists of
MM-JT- Okposo
Grabner-strome-nino
Ullstrom-Nielsen-PA
Martin-cizikas-WallaceHamonic-Amac
Mayfield-dehaan
Pedan-katic -
‘just can’t wait to see a line up that consists of’
MM-JT- Okposo
Grabner-strome-nino
Ullstrom-Nielsen-PA
Martin-cizikas-WallaceHamonic-Amac
Mayfield-dehaan
Pedan-katicWow. I hadn’t looked at it in black and white like that until now but it does look like a real team doesn’t it. If just the 2 big D-men and EITHER Strome or Czikas pan out, that could be serious. But if both of those two do and then so does DeHaan, we could be talking ‘fasten your seat belts, here come the Islanders, as Norm Maclain would have said.
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D in Big D says:
Don gotta strongly disagree w/ u on Franz.He is a stick checker period who only plays on the perimeter & definitely shys away from contact in the corners.He is only raved by Isles fans who love him for his suppossed defensive specialty ’cause that is the ONLY task he is somewhat functional @.I don’t count shootouts.This guy has been on the ice for backbreaking goals against.Waving his stick around and having more luck than skill does not make him a great defensive foward.He also coughs the puck up quite a bit lately.KO just has no business on the 1st line.JT set him up perfect & he took 10 seconds to stop puck,fumble pass,then shoot.This guy just plain sucks!The win is good & Nabby once again looked good.He’s probably the vet they will send to Tampa.The one troubling issue is its still the same 3 scoring most the goals(Moulson,JT,PA).That just won’t get it done on a nightly basis.Where the hell is the 2cndary scoring.Grabs,Bails,Franz,KO have got to start contributing on the GOAL sheet.
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On the lineups I would prefer Bailey over Franz. Just to much potential that I am still hoping to realize. And I consider one of the Kirills to be top 6.
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joe says:
Cant believe you guys are getting excited by these two games!!!these teams are as weak as us,plus I don’t think playing islanders gets them up for game!!rangers beat us and they probally looking past us.too many guys play soft,no body crashes net,turnovers,turnovers,how soon we forget!!! I hope rangers have peaked too soon!!!.if we are going nowhere ,only thiing left is too root against them!!!lets go forgers!!!
More good stuff today! They gotta continue to beat the weaker teams. Tavares and the new 1st line looks real nice.