Well - Christmas came early for Islander fans.

Two wins at the Garden in the month of December.  It is a pleasure to wake up in the morning, knowing that we got 4 out of 4 vs the Rangers, and they have a big GOOSE EGG.

The Jason Blake show, a natural Hat Trick, provided the spark as the Isles held on to win 4-3 at MSG.  Alexei Yashin got his second goal in consecutive games.  All 20 players did a nice job and performed admirably.  Viktor Kozlov was off the scoresheet, but he played a tremendous game, and made some incredible moves, and got off shots that wowed the crowd at the game, and at the Race Palace, where I watched the game with a lot of Islander fans, including Mike Bossy.

#22 was a guest of the Race Palace, and I had the opportunity of getting a VIP reception with the Boss before the game.  He talked about the rivalry, and how much he still feels about it, every time that the Isles and Rangers get it on.  Although he feels that the old Quebec/Montreal rivalry was stronger, due to the fact that it took an entire province, this local matchup is great for the game, as well as the region.  It brings up the passion of the fans.

Mike talked to the crowd at the Race Palace before the game, and went over the first game that he played against the Rangers at the Coliseum. “I am at the bench, and the Islanders scored a goal.  I look out into the stands on the other side of the ice, and I see a couple in their Islanders jerseys out of the seats, celebrating.  A few minutes later, the Rangers come down the ice, and they get a goal.  I look back at that same couple, and they are standing and cheering.  I thought it was wierd, and all of a sudden, I see them lift the Islander jerseys over their heads and I see Rangers jerseys on.  I never thought I would see something like that.”

And Mike, you will never see that now.  The lines are definitely drawn.  He commented that he really likes this team, and knows that with Ted behind the bench, that they will work hard every game and be responsible in their assignments.  He is also so thrilled to be able to be back working for the Islanders.

But back to the game….

This team just looks so much different when Alexei Yashin is back on the ice.  His confidence is highly addictive to the rest of the team.  Blakey now his ‘buddy’ back on the ice, and their chemistry looks like it never was lost.

But let’s look at the Rangers?  The flug bug hit, and King Henrik (or so people call him), really was afraid of losing to the Isles again.  So at 4:00, he proceeded to throw up and claim that he could not play.  So Al Montoya was helicoptered in from Hartford, and Kevin Weekes stepped up.  He has let in 10 goals in 54 shots over the last two games.  Let’s leave it at that.

Jagr and Shanahan were honored for their 600 goal plateaus this season.  I think it was a nice gesture by the Rangers to bring in Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman to help celebrate the event with the guys.  With Mark Messier there to present the Silver sticks, brought it all together.  It was a nice event, but it is the Rangers…..

So after a five game winning streak, that made media and Rangers fans get the parade going, 19 goals in three games scored on them has brought them not only back to earth, but there is a huge crater at MSG, which makes Islanders fans feel sad and depressed.

NOT!

The next job for Ted Nolan, is to convince the Islanders to not play a stinker after such a great game last night.  PRGS (Post Rangers Game Syndrome) is a known factor, and Ted has to make sure that the boys play hard, and not to have a serious letdown.  Hmm, maybe if they see what the Rangers did, and do the EXACT Opposite, they should be fine.

However, the Rangers have a real serious problem on their hands.  Their DEFENSE BLOWS!  They have lost guys (Ozolinsh waived and Malik out with an injury), and guys like Kasparitis are just not the same players they were years ago.  Maybe that is why there is such talk around the rumor mills about the return of Brian Leetch.  But you know, why would a team spend money to get a 38 year old that has not played any organized hockey since April to be the savior of the franchise?  Makes you go hmmmmm?

Now the Isles sit in 3rd place in the Atlantic, three points behind the first place Rangers.  However, the Isles have played three less games than the blueshirts.  They are one point behind the Devils with one game in hand on them as well.  The Isles take on the Canes in Raleigh on Friday night, and then fly back home and face a up and coming Columbus Blue Jacket team that is 6-3-1 in their last 10 under new coach Ken Hitchcock.  They are gelling at the right time, and the Isles need to get these two games in the W column before the Christmas break to gain even more momentum to the Isles Rangers game number three at the Coliseum on Boxing Day.

Glad to be an Islander fan today.  Stick out your chest and show your pride.  Also - if you can, tune into the New York Hockey Report tonight at 8:05 PM, to see what I do to Joe.  Last week, he was claiming to be the king of the NHL world.  Now - let’s see what he is like tonight.  Do I go on a verbal assault?  Do I be cool and hang loose?  Tune in and find out.  www.nyhockeyreport.com or www.allinbroadcasting.com.  Have a great day, and will blog again tomorrow.  Make sure you get your Chirstmas shopping done.  It is only five (5) days to go.

Posted under Islanders 06-07