You remember when there was a place that you, as a child, hated to go to?  Someplace that as a 4 or 5 year old, you would end up screaming and kicking your way.  Perhaps it was a supermarket or store?  Perhaps it was Aunt Edna with the lazy eye? (BTW - I do NOT have an Aunt Edna - this is rhetorical)

Ring a bell? 

With the exception of a few, these guys do not remember the last time as Islanders that the team won in the city of Toronto.  A few weeks ago, the demons of Montreal losses were squashed, as on the eve of the Super Bowl, the Isles defeated Les Habs.  Now, it is time to the same to Toronto.

Rake up the Leafs!

With the potential of making some more ground up, and doing that famous leapfrog, the Isles need this game badly.  Even with the positive stretch of games with points in nearly all of them, not getting this game can make those improving baby steps look like a giant mirage.

Toronto has a large 7th man, and that is the over 19,000 Southern Ontario mutants, known as Leafs nation.  They are the ones that first need to be squelched.  You take the fans OUT of the game, and you give yourself a quick chance.  Then, Coach Nolan and the boys need to take it to them.  Toronto is such a large, strong team on their skates.  Neutralizing that, and forcing them to chase you, is a potential case for an Islander win.  With seven home games on the horizon, this road win can be even more critical, as we head into the ’trade zone’. 

Player to watch.  Ricky D.  I usually try to stay away from him as the key, but stopping the Toronto forwards will be a big help.  Again, taking the crowd away.  Having a stong influence in goal will help this team more than usual.  Ricky has been at times, incredible.  Tonight - we need that same incredible effort. Stars need to pick up the boot straps and lift the whole team to a new level.  Alexei, unfortunately, has been unable to do that.  Well - Ricky, can you?

Hope we get 2 and keep the lead over the Ranger$.  See ya!

Posted under Islanders 06-07