THE MORNING SKATE: Isles Dominant Against West
WESTERN CONFERENCE PWNAGE
There was a weird statistic that popped up after last night’s game (saw it so many places I don’t know who to credit) that the Islanders, after beating the Flames last night, are now 13-1-7 in their last 21 home games against Western Conference teams. Sure, that’s one of those stats that’s pretty damned specific and you can probably dig that kind of thing up on any team if you look hard enough (Team X is 10-1 when so-and-so’s girlfriend’s dog is in attendance). But I guess any record where the Islanders are X-1-X in 20+ games is going to be eye-popping, as it probably should be. I think there’s a reasonable explanation here though.
For the past few years there was a statistic going around the NFL about west coast teams playing on the east coast. From FanHouse in 2008:
Eric Kuselias brought up the point that west coast teams play poorly when they travel east. He argued that west teams are forced to play the early game when are the visitors in east coast cities and they are struggling to adapt…Western teams are a combined 0-9 when they play in the Eastern Time Zone.
The obvious caveat here is that the west coast teams weren’t very good that year, all hovering around .500. But it’s a point maybe someone should look into more as it relates to hockey. Is this stat a blip that only pertains to the Islanders? Random statistics are of course, random and this could certainly be. Is it more indicative of how tough travel is on the west coast teams? As anyone around here knows, not only is it tough to travel around New York and Long Island this time of year, it’s even tougher to get here private jet or not. Maybe the time change, jet lag and travel play into it a bit.
I did a quick lookup of the other locals. The Rangers are 13-8 in the last two seasons at home against the west and the Devils are 12-7-3. Winning records but not as dominant. Kind of the records you would expect given a home-ice advantage. So maybe it’s a blip after all. Besides, if you take those Islanders OTLs and move them over to the regular Ls column, these records look eerily similar.
TAVARES GET PUNKED
Gotta love the team getting smart with the first star during the post-game celebration. Tavares tried to one-up them and ran back to the locker room, ditching the post-game interview with Ruttgaizer at least momentarily. Video courtesy Keith.
IN OTHER NEWS…
- Jaromir Jagr tweaks Pens fans with a cheeky goal celebration in his return to Pittsburgh.
- James Wisniewski’s career in Columbus got worse. He broke an ankle last night. No [redacted] motions were seen.
- “Tavares Taunts Flames” is a good enough headline for me to link this.
- Darren Dreger weighs in on the Islanders’ struggles:
We’ve seen the Islanders make late season charges and claw back to respectability and I suspect that will be the case again this season. However, it appears too much damage has already been done for New York to do anything but start selling hope for next season. Snow has the assets to attract trades, but he may elect to be patient…allow this young team to grow together before assessing where his most glaring needs are in the offseason. I predict Doug Weight will take on a bigger role, as he seems to enjoy his time on the bench and clearly has a good connection with New York’s young talent.
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 →66 Responses to THE MORNING SKATE: Isles Dominant Against West
-
Battfist says:
I wonder what Wang and Snow tried to pull during the meetings/talks about realignment. “Move us to the Western Conference, we play 20 home games on L.I., play 20 home games in Quebec.”
-
Dk says:
I pulled this down from the “Spector Hockey” website where an article was posted for the Christmas wishes of all 30 teams …..
• New York Islanders. Someone who’s willing to run this team seriously. Yes, Charles Wang saved them in 2000, but seeing the joke this once-great franchise continues to be makes one almost wish the Islanders was bought by someone who actually gives a damn about winning, even if it meant moving them.
-
isles71 says:
To Darren Dreager…..we have heard that for the last 6 years!!! Most of our picks never pan out or we give up on and they start somewhere else (Jared Spurgeon). You have to supplement with free agency players that are already established. That is why you pay the amount you do, it is because someone else has already done the legwork and groomed them. We are stocked with 1st rounders, where actuallt JT has totally worked out..the rest are 3rd liners at best. And nothing will be done until goal situation is addressed once and for all….isn’t there a farm upstate that we could send Ricky too….it’d be for the best for everyone!
-
goislesgo105 says:
Wow, break up this Islanders offensive juggernaut! They actually scored 3 goals.And Brian Rolston scored his 4th!! That’s $1.25 million per goal. What a deal!
The truth is that Garth won’t or can’t sign the type of free agent players neccessary to really improve this club. So unless and until the draft picks(Nino, Strome,DeHaan, Mayfield, Ness, Kabanov,Lee, Nelson,etc.) become real NHL players(and that will be years from now, if it happens at all) this team will remain a bottom dweller. Maybe they should put a picture of a catfish on the third jersey!-
buzzard115 says:
avery waived would take a chance on him and stick it to the rangers?????
-
Isles Revamped says:
Buzzard, as much as I hate Avery it might not be a bad idea. Put him in Reasoners spot lord knows you would know when avery was on the ice. You would never know Reasoner was missing unless you looked at the lineup card.
-
isles rev … we need energy , jump fire!!! i hate him too but hate rangers more!!!! snow doesnt have the chops to do it!!!
-
-
-
-
we stink says:
lets get Avery
-
Mike says:
If the Islanders don’t pick up Avery they’re fools. We need that spark he brings.
-
whaaaaaaaat says:
is this a joke?
-
-
1972IslesFan says:
Avery would be this year’s Konopka, he would give this team some bite.
-
Cold Spring Harbor says:
Adding Avery would be like rooting for the North Koreans but after attending last night’s sleep fest (yes, we won but let’s be realistic) perhaps he would add some life.
-
agreed!!!!!!! i hate north korea also.. but we need to protect jt
-
-
Paul says:
Respectability and progress? Darren and Kevin, did Wang add you two to the payroll? Save the BS for someone else. Every team in the league wins some games. They are last in the East, and trades are not coming. This thread is an insult to the fans.
-
Dreu Theran says:
“I predict Doug Weight will take on a bigger role, as he seems to enjoy his time on the bench and clearly has a good connection with New York’s young talent.”
God help us if this prediction comes true.
-
Piper says:
Take a chance on numbnutz avery. There is no downside to this. On the Isles he could play with JT and MM. worst case we waive him as well. Martin needs someone else on this team to help him knock some bodies and let other teams know the will have a price to pay if they step over the line.
-
dork says:
I despise Avery.I think he is a gutless puke.
The isles still have no identity, no swagger on the ice, no fire, I fall asleep watching isles games. Zenon had made the season interesting. YES sing Avery. Sign Avery. He is pest who can contribute offensively. Sign Avery. -
Harold says:
It is a no brainer to get Avery. He won’t cost much, definitely provide toughness and give these kids a lesson on how play with some swagger. AND it would take the emphasis off of guys running our goalie and taking cheap shots because teams would be looking over their shoulder for were Avery is.
It isn’t like he is devoid of skills, the guy CAN play this game. He would make a difference, but remember – this is Wang and Snow, two guys who don’t get it. It would never happen because it makes TOO MUCH DAMN SENSE!
-
Nobody is afraid of Avery. Nobody is looking over their shoulder to see where he is. Nobody respects Avery. Not even Torts and he’s a freaking a-hole too.
-
-
If it’s true that Wang didn’t like Zenon’s antics on the ice, there’s no way Garth is picking up Avery.
I’m tiered of this mickey mouse committee. -
Winning says:
Avery is a loser as a human being. I dont watch islander gamez anyway but pluease noooooo
-
IslesFan says:
Winning, I am with you. Just when I think it can’t get worse, I see fellow Islander fans actually wanting Avery on the Islanders. If this is what the Isles have come to, then maybe they should move or fold. Wow.
-
-
moonshine says:
this is one of those moments when i really wish fans would keep quiet instead of thinking they know what ought to be done.
-
Is that to say YOU know what ought to be done “moonshine”?
-
Isles316 says:
We don’t want Avery anywhere near this team.
-
Speak for yourself.
-
-
Double Dee says:
Why wouldn’t we want Avery???? Not like we’re doing great with the team we have now. Cant hurt.
-
since'72 says:
It can hurt. The refs have had it in for the Isles since that Pittsburgh game last year. Look at the missed (non) calls on the opposition and the phantom calls on our guys this year. Avery is a marked man with the refs and will only make matters worse!
-
-
i know better than to wish on avery.
we criticize everything about this team… and then we jump on avery???
that’s like saying no to everything until you land on the worst possible thing. -
At this point, why be so worried if Avery would be so detrimental to this team? The isles haven’t progressed under wangsnow . I could care less if Avery didn’t work out for the isles, And anyone who is hoping for progression is living pipe dreams.
When i say, i fall asleep watching this team play, I’m not exaggerating. The isles are jokes, clowns, who wasted 24 years of my life, and counting.
The isles will end the season with a bang once again and I don’t care. same old story and dreams. -
claude says:
Agreed. Besides Tavares , Hamonic and Martin this team is devoid of passion . Look at Capuano. Guy’s got the personality of a toaster. I say bring on the Avery maybe it will wake this effing team up.
-
AdRoc says:
I think Avery would actually help this young team with toughness and battle level. He’s an animal out there. Would really provide an intensity jump out there as long as he doesn’t go overboard with the penalties. The Islanders arent a physical team – they could really use this element. Look, they are a long shot to make the playoffs anyway. If it doesnt work, the contract expires at the end of the season. I don’t see the downside other than “I’m an Islander fan programmed to hate all things Rangers” which is just dumb.
-
Ryan says:
I also think they should jump on Avery. The guy is a clown, but he brings an element that this team is sorely lacking. I look at it as a low-risk pickup, and if it doesn’t work out, so long. This team is going nowhere as is, so may as well give it a shot and infuse some energy and hitting into the lineup.
-
Garth stated that he doesn’t call up players based on reputation. So this should mean he would sign Avery, bad reputation aside, fresh start.
Everyone knows Avery can score.
If Matt Martin can play the PK, Avery sure as hell can too. Avery is an effective player on the PP,PK,and even strength.
Worst case scenario, if he doesn’t pan out well, bench him, waive him.
This team has no heart, no gutss, no glory, no fire. I’m sick of watching Mattaue, eaton, molson, okposo, neilson, grabner, P.A, pretend that they are sticking up for each-other during scrums. This pretend stuff is not ‘team toughness’ Garth!
Where are u Zenon? -
Walt says:
I hate Avery but he would play better than Rolston, Reasoner and Pandolfo. He also would create havoc in the Ranger games.
-
D in Big D says:
Couldn’t hurt.Maybe he could kick the crap out of Franzy & KO in the dressingroom while they’re powdering their p….well u know.All kidding aside I’m not so sure about this one but hey w/ have Garth so nothing will happen.
-
MarioCT says:
Why are people saying they want this puke!!!!!!!! Teams won’t run Tavares????? What the hell isAvery gonna do????? He doesn’t fight!!!!!
-
I agree. Avery is nothing but a loser.
-
-
giz says:
I like Haley but the Isles need to bring back Asham next year plain an simple!
1. HE WILL COME CHEAP
2. HE LOVES LONG ISLAND
3. HE FIGHTS ANYONE
4. HITS
5. BIG SHOTIsles never should have let him go he’s prob the toughest middle weight in hockey. He’s a 4th liner but he can skate an shoot an give u close to 10 goals protect Tavares. If players are taking a run at Jt during a game you put Asham up with him for few shifts an they think twice.
-
I love Asham!!!
-
Blizz says: me too. WOuld love to replace Reasoner with him.
-
pitt would never let him go to isles!!!!
-
-
Asham is the kind of player we need for the 3rd and 4th line, not baby face Reasoner, or Pandawful! Get rid of all the AARP members and give the kids we drafted a chance to prove themselves. No more temporary fixes or patchwork players. Target the right players and throw the wallet at them, we are what, like 1 penny from the cap floor?
-
Don says:
That’s why the isles have the past their prime veterans. Because they are a penny from the cap floor. They need their salaries to stay above the mandated floor. If there were no cap floor, we would see more kids up and Pandolfo, Reasoner and Rolston would not be here.
It’s not that Garth necessarily felt these guys would make a difference. It’s because they are the only ones he could get to play here with a little bit of salary. -
If there were no cap floor this would Glucksternall over again and we would have sold the rights of JT to the Rags for 30 mil.
-
here is a novel idea Dk, why not throw that kind of money at GOOD players that may actually HELP us. Whoever is the financial advisor on this team should be the first one fired! Oh, wait, it’s probably Garth doubling as head accountant!
-
-
It is also the reason we are stuck with DP. That is 4.5 that conservative chuck doesn’t have to worry about each year.
-
You are so right…if Wang bought out DP,the cap hit would be $1.5 million, he would then have to spend an additional $3 million on additional player(s) to reach the cap floor.
-
-
Frustrated Voter says:
The d-man that the Isles need would be someone like Zdeno Chara. Oh wait, we had him and then traded him for peanuts. Thanks a lot, Milbury. Gluckstern – he actually makes Charlie Wang look good. That’s how tough it has been to be an Islander fan. Sorry for the rant.
-
The Isles traded Chara in the deal for Yashin. Were you against that deal when it was made?
-
Junior junior says:
Lol….I loved it….didn’t we make the playoffs that year?
-
-
-
Nick M says:
This season is DEAD. Let’s face it. The team is simply not that good. What did you guys expect. Spending salary cap MINIMUM: have you ever heard the phrase u get what you pay for. And this is what the isles paid for.
Next year rolston, reasoner, and pandolfo come off the books. So does eaton, jurcina and Mottau if I’m not mistaking. If the islanders bring ANY of those players back then it proves they are a complete joke and have zero desire to improve the team. Just by having those guys walk and never coming back the islanders are an improved team.With those players gone this is how I see the line up with this years starters and camp potential from this past camp:
Moulson-JT-Okposo
Grabner-strome-nino
Ullstrom-bailey/nielsen(1 will not be here)-PA
Martin- cizikas- Wallace/RakshaniStreit- (?)
Hamonic-Amac
Katic-dehaan
ReeseI don’t like to speculate signings and trades cause they NEVER happen with Garth SNow at the helm
-
Johnny Appleseed says:
reasoner is on for a two year deal
-
-
And please, enough with the Avery to islanders talk. HE SUCKS. Can’t fight, takes stupid penalties, and is hated by everyone. I prefer Haley any day of the week. I would welcome back asham with open arms.
-
Jim Clark says: I am not in favor of signing Sean Avery. He has outlived his usefulness. But if the Islanders do, he can’t mess up a last place club.
-
danfromouteast says: Avery doesn’t bring toughness he just brings his obnoxious loud mouth. He pisses players off and he is a pussy he doesn’t fight so in turn he’ll piss a team off and in turn the team will retaliate and hurt JT or grabs etc. Isles have haley they don’t need the Terrell owens of hockey. He’s a cancer.
-
Dan – I totally agree about Avery. There is no way he can help this team. I would rather have had Theo Fleury. He was equally a prick, but at least he had talent. Avery would make this team even worse.
-
-
RICH L says:
I called for the signing of Avery last year just to annoy the hell out of Ranger fans and their organization, especially if he scored a couple of goals against them. I also wanted the Isles to sign Colton Orr when the Rangers released him,as he is pretty good with his hands, and would supplement what little firepower we possed and it also would tick off Ranger fans, but as another person implied on here that Snow doesn’t have enough “sack” to do it, and I agree with that statement.
-
Does Colton Orr score goals? The Isles are either last or dead to last in goals scored. They need guys who can score goals not just start fights or are controversial.
-
-
JT 27 - Retire Tonelli's # says:
Garth always talks about character guys Avery does not equal what he wants to build.
Still not sure what made him not bring Zenon back. Reasoner has been a major down grade. Going to practices and watching pre game warm up you saw Zenon always involved always checkingbTaveras and getting team amped even when they were on the losing streak.
Every team needs heart and pride guys. What amazes me though is when Jack knows some players are not giving their all. 25 minutes, a player is on usually at most for 25 minutes. Anyone who is deemed slacking should be dealt.
Tonelli’s, Claude LaPoint, Hunter, Asham, Howatt, you need a few of these type of guys. Instead we have Reasoner, Jay Pan, Rolston. Just makes me sick.
-
That’s what makes me sick too. He always talks about character and not being able to lure free agents but he’ll let his own character guys like Konopka and Ashamleave even when are willing to stay for the same money. Why would free agents want to come when you don’t take care of your own?
-
joe says:
The problem with late season rallies,it cost better players in draft.if you are buildingwith the draft,you want the best players.picks 1&2 are more nhl ready than5&6.who cares how many points they get,they are not going to make playoffs.strome looks good,but looks very frail,he needs to add muscle,this is a men’s game,like Niko,he looks like a boy.
-
brian says:
So, we want to sign player, not to help us, but to tick of the Rangers? Dear Lord.
-
We don’t hit. Outside of Martin no one takes the body. How many times do I have to watch the opposing team dump it in and beat us to the puck. The D-man should be crushing the speedy forward into the boards. This team plays too soft and takes a beating night in and night out. Normally, that is the coaching. Wang and Snow hate people that take the body and fight. That is why Goddard, Asham, Konopka are gone. Well, that and they would have had to pay them.
-
Hey isles fan, no Orr doesnt score goals, but with him on the ice guys like JT, Moulson and others will get some room to play their games without the fear of being boarded, or drilled, it has been the way hockey has been played since its inception,and in the immediate future where do you suppose Snow is going to get those so called goal scorers, we all know how Snow trades, and no goal scorers are going to sign here, so he should have gotten some “muscle” to PROTECT the ASSETS we do have. We have noone to do the heavy lifting, and please do not even mention Martin, or Haley as both are just middleweights.
Since we are better in the West than the East maybe Wang sells to KC instead of Quebec to speed along the rebuild.