THE MORNING SKATE: Fistric Gets a Fair Three Games
FISTRIC SUSPENSION IS… JEEZ… FAIR AND JUST?
If you had “because Fistric left his feet” in the suspension pool at your office, congratulations you’re a winner. In Brendan Shanahan’s analysis, his main focus was on Fistric’s leaving his feet as well as charging.
Three games is about the norm for suspensions in the Shanahan era and this hit was certainly right in the wheelhouse. Islanders fans should be satisfied with this, or at least can put away the tin foil hats that the league is out to get them.
Probably the most interesting part of this news is that Fistric is now set to return to action next Thursday in a game that is, wouldn’t ya know, at the Coliseum against the Islanders. If the Stars choose to skate him that night, I’d bet a lot of money that he gets challenged as soon as possible. If only because of this, I’m kind of surprised it wasn’t a four game suspension just to avoid this situation.
THIS WEEK’S RICK DIPIETRO FOOTNOTE EVERYONE READS WAY TOO MUCH INTO
In the post-game report on Tuesday night, Staple had a passing blurb at the end of the story:
“The goaltender stalls are so full in the dressing room that DiPietro’s nameplate was removed.”
It’s easy to see why this would spin the internet into a tizzy but the answer is in the sentence provided. The goalie stalls are really, really full. For the bulk of the season carrying three netminders already pushed Evgeni Nabokov over into the area where the defensemen sit. With a fourth on the roster when Kevin Poulin was called up, there was simply no room at the inn. So quit typing those ‘he got traded/cut/whatever’ tweets, you guys.
OH THAT LITTLE GUY? I WOULDN’T WORRY ABOUT THAT LITTLE GUY.
Tell the media circus it doesn’t need to come to town on Saturday when the Peguins visit — Sidney Crosby will not be in the lineup. He won’t even be in the building, as he isn’t traveling with the Penguins on their road trip to Philly and Long Island this week. So there’s one Isles opponent this weekend that won’t be playing their best lineup. What about that other one? Glad you asked…
RAY EMERY TO START IN GOAL THURSDAY NIGHT
If you thought Corey Crawford was a bit shaky last week in Chicago (even if you don’t think he was, his numbers this year certainly are), then get ready to meet the new and improved Ray Emery. Emery is the Hawks’ Rick DiPietro Statistical Equivalent with a .890 save percentage and 2.93 GAA. Take those numbers with the consideration that he played 43 minutes of shutout hockey in relief of Crawford on Monday night against Phoenix. Emery’s allowed 20 goals in six starts this year, including seven(!) against in Edmonton on 27 shots November 19th which subsequently put him into witness protection. He does have 58 minutes of scoreless hockey in two relief appearances, so it’s been feast or famine this year with Emery. You never know which Emery is going to show up.
THIS IS THE BEST STARTING GOALTENDER WEBSITE IN EVEERRRR, JOHN. IN EVER.
So how did I know Emery was starting? This website. It’s amazing. Seriously for you fantasy hockey folks wondering whom to start in net, this will save you an unbelievable amount of time.
INJURY REPORT
Michael Grabner skated at practice yesterday and will be re-evaluated. Evgeni Nabokov skated as well. All of the other infirmary members did not.
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 →46 Responses to THE MORNING SKATE: Fistric Gets a Fair Three Games
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EdTurner says:
Hey Kevin – I just wanted to thank you and let you know that you are doing a great job with PB.
I and I am sure many others feared the end of PB when CB moved on but you and your associates are doing a GREAT job!
Keep it up!
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moonshine says:
you can’t suspend a guy an extra game because of the schedule. hopefully there won’t be problems next thursday, but you can’t turn three games into four games because of schedule. if three is the right call, three is what he gets.
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upstateIsles says:
thank you for saying it 5 different ways
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The Sick one Six says:
haha
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
Obviously learned from John Madden (the announcer)!
“Well if you establish the run you can set up the pass because if you use play action, the other team thinks you’re gonna run, but you’re really gonna pass, and so you fool ‘em and you get a big play because you faked the run that you had previosuly established and pass instead, and uuuuuuuh that’s why they call it football!
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Danielle says:
I must applaud you sir for that excellent super troopers reference, and for giving me regular laughs on twitter (@veroflraptor).
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hahaha ditto! @MitchSticks22
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Schultz39 says:
Have to echo EdTurner above…..you’re doing a great job on this site, Kevin.
To that end, we have our chance now getting two top NHL teams at home while we are streaking and will be facing Emery and a Crosby-less Pens’ team. Let’s take two more in a row and get back into this thing!
Oh, and if Haley isn’t in the lineup against Dallas next week, I will not be happy.
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Jeff wall says:
I’m surprised with 3 games and not four. Haley will settle things early. Islanders should get 3 points this week. Pitts choice to debut Sid against a struggling islanders was strategic and a slap in the islanders face. That’s how they will see it. The isles have a history or getting back at Pitt. See ferocious Friday and Sid streak coming to an end. Hard to jab at emery with mattau in the line up! At the end of the day they will be both be minus 1:). Thanks Kevin for the updates
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Winning says:
Lets face the truth here. Part of the reason isles are always in last place is snow messed up the draft again. Passed on skinner and others for nino who is not nhl (good). Maybe someday he will be “good”. At this point he isnt. Myers in buffalo instead of josh bailey would be nice. When isles won 4 cups it was because they aced the draft. If they were average at drafting, maybe they win 1 cup instead of four.
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greg h says:
Really, bad drafting. Then you can blame everyone who did not pick up Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin for bad drafting. Worried about not getting Myers, we have Hamonic.
2008 – Bailey, Ness, Hamonic, Ullstrom, Petrov, Dibo, Donovan, Poulin, Martin
2009 – Tavares, de Haan,Mikko, Nilsson, Cizikas, Klementyev, Lee,
2010 – Nino, Nelson, Kabanov
2011 – Strome, Mayfield, Pedan, Sundstrom, Persson, Kitchon, RussoThat is a lot of talent and from the looks good picking. The 2008 draft alone has 8 players, plus Spurgeon (minny) playing in the NHL or AHL. Take a look before the 2008 draft and you will see some awful drafting. Drafting is not our problem, which is crap shoot to begin with.
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Well said. At the time, “Winning” was probably clammoring for Filatov!
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Dan C. says:
While the team is going well right now, let’s not go crazy. Winning is right. This team has NOT drafted well in the first round, which, when it comes down to it, is the whole point of rebuilding (what’s the point of sucking if you are not going to use those top 10-15 overall picks wisely?). The Bailey and de Haan picks in particular were just poor choices where they drafted players way earlier than even the players themselves expected to go, and the years since have proven that, in bucking conventional wisdom, the Isles only outsmarted themselves. Nino has a long way to go to catch up to Fowler and Skinner, although that tying goal last Friday gives me hope. Obviously, JT is an exception to all of this and the jury is still out on Strome.
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I love when you “experts” know when a player was drafted too early! What were you sitting at all of the teams’ tables? How do you know that the next team after us was NOT going to take the same player? Oh, because Central Scouting has projected them at a certain spot. Oh, now I get it. CS is ALWAYS right. That’s why Fowler lasted into double digits and Gormley went a ways after him!
The Bailey pick wasn’t just the Bailey pick. By trading down, Garth picked up a few extra picks which turned into some of: Petrov, Hamonic, Cizikas, etc.
Long term, you may be right about CDH, but to knock the pick two months into his professional career is ludicrous and a bit shortsighted, don’t you think?
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Larry G says:
First, thank you Kevin Schultz, you are doing a great job running this site.
As far as Bailey, Luke Schenn was available at 5, and was the pick to make. Schenn was listed as ‘NHL ready’, back then, by almost every scout and GM, and Bailey was not even listed in the top 10, by anyone. Only one scout listed him in the top 20, at 14, stating he has good skills, but is timid and will take time to develop.
We did give up too many picks for DeHaan, and many scouts from that draft year, didn’t list him as a first rounder.
I think it is great to support ‘whoever’, once they are picked, but we shouldn’t argue, if they were the best pick at the time, because Wang/Snow simply did not make the best choices.
Yes, any pick might miss, but when players are ranked in the top 5, and labeled ‘NHL ready’, by a majority of scouts and GMs, it definitely increases the chances, they will be good players.It is obvious, Bailey is not anywhere near as good as, or has as much impact as Schenn.
Just reminding folks, how some of these drafts, actually went down, and what most scouts and GMs were saying, at the time.
40 year fan, FORMER SEASON TICKET HOLDER
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Isles66 says:
Kevin- i didn’t think this site was gonna make after CB hit the road, but you are doing an awesome job. Thanks for the daily insights. Well done!
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Haley and Gillies should be in the lineup…IF grabner is still out..I’m guessing he will not be as the injury report alludes to his status as “day-to-day”…however Gillies would be a great play vs Dallas..Haley can handle Fisty, but they have Orr etc, may as well bring our firepower if they turn this into a physical game after we most likely respond to Fistric.
I think Gillies should get the call up for toughness…we need to make sure we aren’t letting the accomplishments from last years pittsburgh game slide (I know its not the best way to look at what happened that night as the game got really out of hand and unfortunately was a little bit of a blemish on the face of the NHL, but it was a turning point for a young islander team who had been getting pushed around like a schoolkid in a circle of bullies)
we are about to right this ship and get back to the winning ways, I have faith, but let the league not forget we aren’t their “doormat” anymore..thank you Zenon.
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Brian G says:
3 games is right on the money. Maybe down the road Nabokov will be a member of the blackhawks.
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shlo says:
Shanahan clearly clearly criticized the refs for not making the call on Fistric, I wonder if they were “talked to” by the league. They should also be accountable.
If Gillies plays its an automatic suspension just for showing up…..he’ll be suspended if he sneezes at a Pitt player or anybody else,he is a marked man as far as the refs are concerned. Maybe just his presence on the bench will be enough. -
Hollywood says:
A win over Chicago and Pitt would really be impressive. Tough but possible. As for Dallas, if Fistric plays then I expect he will be met by Haley. I’ll bet that Pitt is sitting Sid because they expect the game vs the Isles to be a lot different than the one 2 weeks ago. The Isles have something to prove and it could be a very physical game.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Hollywood, as much as I would love for that to be the case I think they are being extra careful with his history. The last thing they need is an Eric Lindross situation. As much as Sid is a pain on the ice and whines and b*tches to the refs all game, the NHL needs him and the Pens need him even more. But saying that, I do expect the Isles to come out flying on Saturday night and hitting everything that has a Penguin on it. The last game was awful and they know it and the team knows it. I would be very surprised if there will be a similar outcome Saturday night.
Win tonight and Saturday and full steam ahead Isles. LGI!
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Christian says:
I miss Konopka
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WE ARE NOT A DOORMAT! ZK LIVE ON
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quez says:
I only miss Konopka for his willingness to stick up for his teammates, but not as an intimidator. Zenon regularly ate as many punches as he threw. As a pure deterrent, Gillies is more effective. You can see heads on a swivel and skid marks in shorts when Trev is out there. It’s a shame he isn’t more of a player, since it’s hard to justify a roster spot for his 2.5 mins/game. But teams would think twice about cheapshotting our guys if they had to deal with that lunatic taking a semi-regular shift.
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goose says:
trevor gillies is a disgrace to to the game and the team, that’s why he’ll never step on nhl ice again…ever.
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Did anyone see Trevor’s big preseason hit vs the Flames..he smoked one of their D men in the corner on a hard clean hit..think that D man made a little quicker decision than he woulda liked the next time he saw Trevor coming ? you bet!!
PUT HIM IN FOR JUST A GAME SINCE WE HAVE THE INJURY bug floating around..if we aren’t going to have our top guns in we may as well sport a tough lineup to make sure the ones we do have in (JT, Mouls, etc) are able to play a little looser and maintain the high number of opportunities…Moulson could have had 6 goals the other night..not even out of the question..I credit it to 4 lines all playing well and the inability for Dallas to focus their top D line on any one specific line of ours..that right there has been the biggest difference in our lineup..with 4 lines contributing it opens the door up for the guys who should be putting points up.
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BTW, Kevin you def. took the Bull by the Horns and have humped it into submission in regards to the vacancy left by CB…
appreciate the strong effort…good looks!
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Kevin Schultz says:
Thanks for the kind words, all. Much appreciated.
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The New Isles GM says:
If the Islanders are going to stay in the hunt by New Years, they have to win 80% of the way. Yea, big deal, we’ve done well. So have the teams ahead of us. This is why that word consistency gets thrown around so much. With the Islanders playing against Chicago’s back up and a Crosbyless Penguins team, the Islanders need to dig deep and come away with 4 points. The past few games looked like the Isles team from last March. Granted they were “Pressure Free” then, they also looked like a cohesive team. We’re beginning to see that cohesiveness again. (Pandolfo, DP, Eaton,) Make no mistake this has a lot to do with it. Montoya getting the starts he deserves. The team is playing with confidence. We’re scoring goals. Everyone is playing within their role. I think Garth now has to look at the roster to improve it to get down the stretch. We need a D man and a forward to play along Bailey and possibly Ullstrom. Rolston is shot….guy is done. Nothing to offer but a slap shot that goes wide.
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Toby says:
Great job Kevin-
Love the goalie website. Was looking for something exactly like that (as a fantasy newbie, boy that sounds awkward).
Anyway, keep it up. I think we’re gonna light the lamp many many times tonight.
Word on Nino?
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Kevin Schultz says:
Thanks. Nothing yet. They’ll be very cautious with him.
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MikeInNYC says:
I dont get the obsession with Gillies and Konopka. We have a Zenon Konopka on the team this year…his name is Matt Martin. Martin skates hard, finished his checks, sticks up for teammates and can actually score.
Trevor Gillies is not the type of player that gets icetime for a playoff team.
Martin is good, Haley as an extra center is good. We don’t need to goon it up just because some players take big hits. Finishing checks and toughness should be part of a complete game, it shouldn’t be a specialty which siphons icetime from skill players.
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Martin is without a doubt a new player this year…really taking his game to the next level..scoring some goals, dominating the forecheck and putting a lot of pressure on the opponents D forcing turnovers…
However, we need him on the ice, not in the box…he’s a heck of a penalty killer and one of our few power forwards that excel in that role. Let Gillies see 3 minutes of ice max and get in 2 scraps if we have the availability in the lineup..Haley fills this role for now so that Martin can stick to his game, but if we need a heavy weight Gillies is our guy…Haley is a skilled fighter but it doesn’t mean he’s gonna go toe to toe with the biggest guys in the league…however, he will certainly take that challenge with a smile on his face..love the way the kid plays..and just ask McQuaid from Boston what kind of fighter Hales is…haha #BustedNosePreSeason.
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myisles says:
Gillies is not close to being a NHL player. He is worse then Trent Hunter and both look like they are skating in sand.
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well what worthless analysis you just provided…did we really just talk about Trent Hunter and Trevor Gillies in the same sentence? polar opposite players with polar opposite roles??
Hunter was not an enforcer and Gillies as an enforcer isn’t expected to look like grabs out there..he’s expected to punch people in the face that go after the guys like grabner…
You think Derek Boogaard (RIP big guy) was NHL caliber? no, read the article from yesterdays IPB that was in the NYTimes…he made it because he was a role player that did the dirty work very well…just like Gillies…
you don’t understand hockey.. CLEARLY! and thats ok! just don’t weigh in when your 2 cents is about as worthless as the dollar in Europe.
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danfromouteast says: I agree the Martin is great but konopka was good on face offs and was a locker room leader. Also we can’t afford to have martin in the box as much.
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isleopine says:
Good Point, that’s what Haley is for.
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Jethro09 says:
Too bad DP didn’t get cut. Buy him out and move on from him. Montoya/Poulin/Nilsson are the future in goal for this team. Hopefully, they’ll buy DP out if there’s an amnesty clause in the next CBA.
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I just read that Montoya is in net tonight(duh) and Poulin is backing up…Why is it that Cappy make is goaltending decision early when DP is out of the line up??? Kinda suspect huh Cappy…are you always waiting for a call from Snow and Wang to let you know if they want you to play DP? Take a stand and sit that scrub DP when he returns. It will only be better for your career in the long run. Trust me you can’t get fired for riding the (much) better goalie. And if you did other teams would look right passed that because in no other winning organization does this sh*t go on!!!
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dedshark says:
Anyone else find it crazy that Moulson is on pace for 45 goals and 67 points? like holy crap lol.
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Moulson IS Charlie Simmer, especially with the moustache.
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oh hell, Kevin, while we are making Super Trooper references I think I will add one everyone will appreciate
WHO WANTS A MOULSTACHE RIDEE!!
I DO
(heavy Svvedish accent)
I DO!! -
corey says: Family guy reference in the pre game report…nice. btw why did they stop the quagmire “giggity gigity goo” after goals? I liked that
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Because of Bernie Fine and the PennState crew…lol..cant be making weird sexual references anymore apparently or next thing ya know Garth and Wang are gonna be under investigation..
oh snap! I got a plan!
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DP only wishes he had those stats.
3 games is about right but i think the Islanders need to do a better job of onice justice. Im sick of it always happening after an incident like this. This is where i think they need to establish an identity which is that of a hardnose team and continue to dress MORE toughness regularly and not just a few games after. Guys are running our players far to much and i feel Martin is just not good enough of a fighter yet and he needs more help night in and night out. I think its time for Wong to get some Snow balls and stop the anti fighting Islander hockey. Plus its boring and the fighting provides a little excitement which is a good thing when your building is half empty on most nights.