GAME DAY: Islanders at Blues, 8pm
7:30pm – Late change… Montoya and Wishart will be in the lineup tonight for Staios and Nabokov. The latter pair is out with what the team is calling “stomach flu” and “flu-like symptoms,” respectively.
TONIGHT’S LINES
Moulson – Tavares – Okposo
Grabner – Nielsen – Parenteau
Rolston – Bailey – Martin
Niederreiter – Reasoner – Pandolfo
Streit – Wishart
Ness – MacDonald
Jurcina – Eaton
Montoya
Nabokov
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 →126 Responses to GAME DAY: Islanders at Blues, 8pm
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Kevin Schultz says:
Nothing lately. It’s all quiet on the Hamonic from.
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KG says:
Hey Team it”s my 60th birthday!!
How about a win for my present?
GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!!!!!
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greg says: congrats on 60, have a happy and healthy one. On the Isles front, playing nino with reasoner and pandolfo is a joke. Roslton had some big turnovers last game, move him down and let nino get a little more icetime
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Whaaaaaaaaaaaat says:
In his defense rolston also sprung niño and reasoner on that 2 on 0 and made a nice play on parenteau’s goal
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greg says:
true, but this is also the first time rolston has done anything significant since ‘nam
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Dk says:
Happy birthday!!!
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I hope you received a couple of good b-day gifts …. Not so much from Arch City
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kenny b says:
got to move nino up & rolo down, so we can see the amazing all devil line!!!haha…..what an off season last year.
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Dinerboss says:
Garth needs to bring in a top 4 dman, cmon Snow help the team help you make the playoffs.expendable KO, Grabner,dehaan,& picks!!!And time to sit unproductive veterans for Haley,ullstrom!
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John from Valley Stream says:
This lineup would immediately sound more promising if Staois’ name was replaced with any of the following: Pavel Kubina, Bryan Allen, Hal Gill. All pending UFA’s so the price would be reasonable. What is Garth waiting for? If he is going to go out and say Nabokov is not for sale, then be the buyer you claim you are and go make this team better.
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2Bit says:
Wishart should be in the lineup. I understand he was brought up in case of an emergency , but he should play in at least one of the games.
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You want to play a guy in his first NHL game in a year against one of the best teams in the league when we have 6 experienced, healthy defensman?
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Bean322 says:
oh yeah like any of that matters….can he be any worse than any of our D-men now-not like it is his first nhl game ever….jeez
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WM says:
Wishart will probably head back to BPT following tonight’s game. He was with the Isles only for this road trip in case a d-man would have gotten injured. (And Wishart is terrible).
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MarioGazz says:
WM, if you watched Wishart play all year like I have you would not be saying that. I think he also has to pass waivers to be sent down.
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And if no trade, play Wishart. He was finally coming into his own in the AHL and we call him up to sit in the press box? Him and Nino are experiencing first hand how great we are at developing our youth. (ask Bailey)
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Dan C. says:
No offense, but make up your mind. Is giving Bailey top six minutes as an 18-year old the mistake or is playing Nino on the 4th line the mistake or is keeping Wishart in the AHL the mistake? If they are all mistakes then what WOULD be the proper way to bring along young player?
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cjzimm says:
Would like to see Capuano switch Nino and Rolston (to be switched with Ullstrom) and switch PA with Martin. Those would be sin balanced lines.
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kevo says:
Niederreiter – Reasoner – Pandolfo
Jurcina – Eaton
This is why we will lose this game.
Jurcina & Eaton have to be the worst defensive pairing in the whole NHL.I feel bad for Nino – drafted 5th overall playing with guys older than his own father.
Just terrible
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Kyle says:
Why in the world is Nino on the fourth line… hes wasting his time there… what are you doing Cap… if hes with JT or PA or even Bailey… hes got double digit goals this year… kids got a shot
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Aaron says:
Because Nino is the worst performing forward on the Team, by a good margin. That is including Wallace and the much maligned vets. He definitely should not be moved up to the 3rd line, which has key defensive responsibilities. Still very passive on the ice and doesn’t skate well enough to recover, defensively.
I still think Nino will be a good one and will be fine. Just needs more time.
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Islesneedpride says:
Aaron, are you watching Islander games? Wallace, Rolston and Pandolfo are really burning up the NHL. Nino is a good one, he just needs to play with NHL players.
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Battfist says:
Over Tim Wallace?
Put the pipe down.
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I see a player that displays a lot of creativity with the puck who would probably generate some real offense if he had linemates with any hands at all and/or received more ice time in order to get into the flow of the game.
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Rolston should be in the press box for the balance of the year!! Nino needs to play on another line. What are we all missing?
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WE aren’t missing anything. If another organization had these players Nino would NOT be on the 4th line and the old farts (in NHL years) would be waived by now.
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JoeE says:
Please change up the lines at least 2-4 Please! I’m so sick of the BS…. i have to listen to Tool!!!!!
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Nick M says:
Luke schen would look very nice next to streit
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giz says:
Nino needs a year in the AHL an Snow needs to stop signing 40 year old over the hill players (Weight, Rolston). If Strome makes the team next year he better be a top 3 center or keep him in OHL 1 more year.
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jeff says:
whishart can no longer be sent back down without passing waivers. and he’ll be taken. bringing him up and sitting him is just another moronic move by this team. but thats what they do.
they aren’t making the playoffs. any crap that has no future with this team, aka eaton, staios, jurcina, reasoner, rolston, pandawful, wallace, motteau,should not be getting 1 second of ice time
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jon from nj says:
I just curious as to why Ullstrom is not back, seeing as how he was doing well when he got hurt. I know BPT was supposed to provide some conditioning, but he should be good by now, right?
Also, Ness has looked decent. Better than Staios and Mottau have ever looked. Why not give Wishart and/or Donovan a shot. I mean, Staois is absolutely atrocious. I’m trying to think of an Islanders defenseman as bad as him in recent years…ok…maybe Bruno Gervais.
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D HOCKER320 says:
the islanders are only 8 points behind a playoff spot but also they have two games in hand theoretically if they win those 2 games then they are only four points out of the layoffs. the islanders are also really hot right now and can make a serious push for the playoffs but they have one serous problem. GOAL DIFFERENTIAL!!! they are thirds worst in the east being minus 26 goals right now and are still a .500 team. that is not acceptable and they need to put up more goals. do what u need with PAP but get a good goal scorer that can help this team put up lots of goals and help with the goal differential. after that the isles would be a serious contender and hopefull stay on long island!!!
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IslanderFan says:
Still dont get it why Rolston is on the 3rd line and not Nino.
Nino – Bailey – Martin its better then Rolston with Bailey and MARTIN
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Bob E says:
Its simply amazing that everyone unanimously is baffled to why rolston get any playing time. Even more that nino is stuck on 4th line while rolston play with bailey and mans the pp point on the 2nd unit.
U want to know why isles have problem scoring. I got one good one. Brian rolston is terrible
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david salazar says:
Can ROlston get injured or something? I don’t like to wish bad on anyone, but I want him out.
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Jeff wall says:
WishArt must clear waiver to go back so he isn’t worth the risk for a spare d man on the road. My guess is one of the vets are heading out at the deadline. Probably eaton or jucina maybe for future considerations and they are prepping him to stay for the season
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Riff Raff says:
Would anyone like to see Adrian Aucoin back
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Orange&Blue says:
ID take an old Dave Langevin back at this point
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Bobby T says:
Tonight is it possible to put shots on goal and not wide or high. Big example Brian Rolston.Let the goalie do some work.
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Dont forget Milan Jurcina’s big shot that never hits the net
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Nice of Mike Francesa to put Pierre McGuire on WFAN and spend every effin second of the interview on the Rangers! Couldnt spend 5 minutes on the Isles and Devils.
Francesa also described the NYI as “terrible”. 24-24-8 is terrible? Last I checked .500 was average. Far from “terrible”. I guess the Knicks are “terrible” too since they are a .500 club too. Hey Mike, our owner, GM, and building may be “terrible” but our team is far from “terrible”!! What a moron!!!
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BillyBC says:
Sign Jeremy Lin!
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Mike Francesa referred to our team as “terrible” today while talking to Pierre McGuire. He also described us as “insignificant” as well. First, when did .500 in the best division in hockey become “terrible:. Second, say what you want but the Islanders are the only local to do what his beloved Yankees did. Dynasty! How “insignificant” is that, Mike?
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JohnRac says:
Francesa is a moron.
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Francessa is to hockey what I am to nuclear science
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Mad Mike says:
I don’t know you or Francessa but that was some funny sh!t.
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I liked that he was talking about rags 94 run today too like he had any idea who Essa Tikkanen was
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DaGiants says:
HAHAHA and you guys expect us to get a puck past Elliot or Halak??? The only way we can possibly win this game is 1-0 in a shootout. Keep dreaming fellas, the season is over.
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Jim Clark says:
Islanders are only 8 points out of a playoff spot. However, we are only 3 points away from last place.
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If this isn’t news to you yet, we aren’t a very good team and neither are any of the other teams near us.
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Montoya and Wishart are in.
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Ny711ot says:
Every time I see Staios in the top pregame pair I throw up a little…
in my mouth..
I really do.-
Great point for those that like to jump on snow’s side, we have a non roster invitee playing 1st pair. No wonder why Streit looks awful.
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Btw – I also love the user name. 711 of OT will always be ours. Unfortunately so are the last 20 years.
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hoser14 says:
I have have two questions:m Why are Reason and Rolston in the lineup? And why is Niederreiter is the fourth line and not Rolston? I don’t get it. Rolston at $5 million is a waste of cap space and Reasoner is taking up Konopka’s spot! No Bang. All buck.
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Uh-oh Mr. Soft Goal is in…
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Rob hock says:
Some of you people complain about the same thing every single post lol… Live with it Rolston and Reasoner and Staois are on this team…season is almost over deal with it.
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Well when 25% of the roster is dead weight it is a little hard to overlook
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Just like to point out 2 players were traded that could have helped us, 1 immensely. Dominic Moore to San Jose for a #2. And the big one, Grossman to Philly for a 2 and 3.
I know we have no room for Moore thanks to that stud we have anchoring our 4th line. Bur wouldn’t have Grossman look nice? Very underrated guy and only went for picks.
So as predicted we sit around and do nothing as we always do. No drive to win, not even a head fake in that direction. Cue the snow is a good GM and Wang is doing what he could responses.
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Grossman could be had July 1, since he’s a UFA. I like him too. He’d a be a good fit.
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But he won’t be.
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jimmy says:
maybe nabakov is being traded?? anyone hear this??
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rpchief2 says:
DaGiants I guess the shoot out came early. Being it was Nielson that put us up 1-0. Let’s go Islanders
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If we win, you guys can laugh at me as much as you guys want. I can’t help but be pessimistic at this point
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martin says:
What did snow see in wishart. He is an absolute joke. Iif the isles could only hire Hitchcock. No money no. Chances.
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islandersfan4ever says:
I knew their winning was a fluke! Nice start to this game..I turn my back and the first per. ends 2-1 blues. Playoffs my a$$.
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I dont call him Mr Soft Goal for nothing
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we need a power play goal badly!! now that our second line is scoring the tavares line is in a 7 game slump!!! about time tavares wins a game again for us
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montoya stinks!
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It’s time to start riding Rosen
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tbone says:
give el cubano a break, he’s been on the shelf for a long time. look how nabby played when he got into a groove. hopefully they trade nabby and cubano gets back into pre injury form. anyone seen jt91 lately?
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I was joking about Rosen obviously. Can’t watch the game now, but I’ll for sure give Cubano a break. He’s got to get back into the rhythm
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And Cubano was hurt because the D and the team as a whole is softer than wet Kleenex. No need for a Hayley on this squad which is good to see. Cue the snow is a great GM responses.
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We are once again closer to the conference cellar than to the 8 seed. And as they yearly tradition dictates we will not add anything to help the team and there is nothing to trade other than Nabby and PA and it might be smart to try signing both.
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montoya just dashed your hopes for the playoffs.RIP our season.
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nick says:
somebody tell montoya there’s a hockey game going on
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Steve says:
Looks like the Islanders are waaayyy out of their league, big difference between the Winnipeg Jets and the St. Louis Blues.
I’ve begun to sour on Montoya too. Maybe its the lack of playing time, but that 4th goal was the 3rd time in his last few shots where he hasn’t been able to get a read on a shot and is standing upright, with it just going right past him and into the net. If we go back to being 10 back, then the season is over.
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Last few *games*, not shots.
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ahhhhhhhhhhh…4-1 with more than half the game left..how are you supposed to watch this non spirited lethargic game from now till the end…
no one hits but martin and no one even fights…no heart!-
I am pretty sure the puppet master and the puppet fine anyone for fighting. I am surprised Martin has been demoted yet for being physical. Still waiting for those pro Snow posts that were so prominent after the Winnipeg game.
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Has not I meant
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I assume you’d only be pleased if we win every single game? Losses happen man.
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Losses happen all too frequently when snow is the GM. That is ALL I want a GM.
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I have about 6 months worth of posts, all with that common thread. Wins or losses were irrelevant I just want someone to run the show that actually worked in a front office before having pads ripped on and a phone placed in his hand.
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TJ Bova says:
Well its 4-1 and our usually strong PK is 0/2. I’m sick of this win one lose one crap. Do they not realize the magnitude of these games?
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Oh well. I thought we could make a run even after Travis got hurt. Just under manned again. Maybe next year.
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I just got home and we’re already down 4-1? Wow montoya stinks.
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Can’t hold back anymore. Capuano stinks!! This team has been struggling offensively and he does nothing to switch up the lines & buries Nino on the 4th. What a joke!
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carl says:
How many times should Garth just choke himself for signing Rolston?! As far as I’m concerned, once again Rolston misses a big chance and the whole thing goes down hill from there. 5 goals against..fine, but only 1 goal on the chances they’ve had is pathetic. Should be 5-3.
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Moulson looked concerned….
Heartless effort by all… -
Until there is a GM that will stand up to Wang and a coach that would have a say there is no hope. None whatsoever. Snow needs to have some stones and tell Wang hockey is a man’s game and you need toughness, and yes some times a fight is necessary. Same efing garbage every year.
At least I was in the majority on this board that knew the playoffs weren’t happening. And never considered any chance of getting Ryan, Nash, Weber, etc. we just continue to spin the wheels until they fall off in 2015. Who knows maybe that is the plan. Go into austerity and sell high to a media mogul in Quebec. My real sympathies go out to anyone that expected any more than what we are seeing.
BTW – as I just noted yesterday in a prior thread we could have Hitchcock coaching us once we hit the traditional Nov swoon, but since Hitch would require a say and money that couldn’t happen.
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Anthony says:
No heart, grit or determination. Every game should be played like a playoff game. Oh yeah this team is not built for the playoffs. Soft and weak. God forbid someone plays physical or drops the gloves… Haha that’s a good joke it’s like watching a no contact league
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This team is perfectly built for a 50 and over rec league team. Disgusting.
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Blues are 24-3 at home guys…Islanders really had no chance at this game
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But at least play competitive and with determination. No heart. If we lose at least play with heart
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Wang and snow = gipetto and pinocchio
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D in Big D says:
Anyone still wanna trade Nabby?
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Nabby just increases his offer $500k per in my book
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Danfromouteast says: Cappy doesn’t get the team up on big games. He’s in way over his head.
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david says:
Nabby gets sick and Montoya is making me puke- he is clueless. once again 1/2 the team is a bucnh of old farts, like the start of the season and again a crappy game. Staios, Ralston, Pandlfo are a waste of space. When they were all out the team played with speed and determination
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This performance,I hope, ends rose pedals being thrown at snows feet. We Have 1 line, at best 2 dmen, and a goalie snagged off of waivers. This pipeline better start producing pronto. And I am talking several all stars in the crop.
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greg says:
nobody’s throwing rose pedals at his feet. he’s done a solid job thus far but has yet to deserve roses. It’s simple really, if the Isles can take out philly on the road and thump detroit but aren’t ready to go vs. the blues it falls directly on the coach. funny how haters like you only are out here posting when the isles lose. Every time.
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Dude we have one line 2 dmen and a goalie. We have just as many old men in the lineup each night that have no business being in the NHL. If this is a solid job then the Mets dont have financial troubles.
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And if I read one more post how every single one of our prospects is going to take the league over in 2 years I will be sick. God knows I pray it happens. But look at the track record, besides Hamonic, what prospect has come in and done a ton? No one! And now I am supposed to buy in that all of the 10 guys we always read about will be all stars? Again i hope that’s the case, but realistically it won’t happen.
Then again with so many people saying Bailey is improving I think we grade on a VERY VERY VERY steep curve around here.
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By the way Greg, you called me clueless the other day and rebutted numerous points on why you were wrong. Never heard from again, and that was after a win. I am here every day knocking the Kool aid out of hands one cup at a time.
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this team is soft as butter. Since Martin has been reluctant to drop gloves, looks like this team’s mandate is to get pounded and do nothing to change the tempo of the game.
Really pathetic to have to watch one of the strangest rebuilding plans in pro sports?!? Bring up the guys from Bridgey. Sit the oldtimers.
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We’re getting spanked tonight. I figured this would be a loss, but not this bad. Not Montoya’s fault, first 3 goals were bad defense.
We need to pick up the next 3 games in the w column to stay in contention. I know some people out there hate “the playoff talk” but that’s why I still watch the games. -
No reason for Cap not to experiment in 3rd.If he doesn’t he truly is clueless!Bench KO for starters.Move MM off JTs line.Send an effing message!I FF game once it became 4-1.Monty looks brutal.Hope he saved enough $ ’cause this is his last shot in NHL.
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Brian G says:
Montoya looks terrible! if they lose the next 2 games, let the house cleaning begin. Look into all options in trading: Nabokov, PA, Eaton, Jurcina, Staios.
Did I already how bad Montoya has been in this game and thother games he has played ib the last 3 weeks….wow
Bring up the Kids…Glad to see Cappy never try anything different with the lines even in a blowout game…
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Itsuksbeingislesfan says:
Snow suks ,Wang suks and we suk
One step forward three steps that’s our team
Sorry cap u suk as a coach too-
You summed up my feelings so quickly and concisely … Thank you
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Danfromouteast says:
Cappy sucks. This game falls on the coach.
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BILLYJAFFFE says:
The people on here who think Snow has “done a solid job” must have been dropped on their heads when they were younger because he is quickly becoming the worst GM in NHL history and needs to be sent packing. We need a NHL coach, not an AHL assistant. I like Capuano but he is CLUELESS.
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Dropped on their heads? I’d say repeatedly pile driven from then3rd story.
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The Pork Chop Express says:
Nabby and Staios must of had a feeling about this game and got sick before everyone else because after watching this game I want to vomit.
Seriously, the isles really can’t beat teams that have big players. St Louis is a big team that plays a sound structural game. They just walked all over them and the isles didn’t even have a chance. Having Nabby in there probably would not have made a big difference.
These types of teams highlight the slow, weak islander defense and the small forwards. The islanders were so out of position in their own zone. They couldnt move guys out in front hence the deflections. The forwards couldnt cover the point and left alot of shooting lanes. Can someone teach KO how to cover his position in his zone? He always leaves his man wide open. I dont get it.
Special Teams were awful and we know the only the way the isles win is through special teams.
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the truth says:
Strongest isle on the ice tonight nino,and with three minute left in the game and score 5-1 ,the isle get a power play and they leave there first unit on the ice instead of giving their first round pick 5th overall who drew the penalty quality time on the powerplay, no mixed lines, nothing . What is this coach doing?
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I’m really for trading KO, and I think him, Grabner and a Bridgeport prospect would get us a really good power forward. Maybe, we should bring the kids up once we get to about 10 points out, then it’s time to plan for next year.
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RICH L says:
Hey Kg, I think you are really only 50, and watching the Isles for the last few years aged you 10 more years.lol
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Rich L feel free to join in on the post game post! We are now the trolls that only come out after losses. …lol
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There should be a warning before the season starts every year, watching Islanders hockey could, no WILL be detrimental to your health, also for Isles fans to buy a seasons worth of barf bags.
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SnowBalls n Wong says:
Another gem by our NY Frailanders! Memo to Wong this isn’t really a chess match. They might say that but there only kidding! Get some toughness already bring up Haley this team is weak!
Hey Kevin,
ANy updates on Travis?