Well - the wait is over….

Game 1 has arrived (8:00 PM - FSN2).  The nerves are starting to kick a little.  The anxiety level is rising.  I love it!

The Islanders arrived in Buffalo yesterday without their number 1 goaltender.  But Dubie is up to the task.  Richard Zednik has returned to the team, after some personal issues with his family.  He is raring to go, and could provde a spark to ‘the so-called 4th line’ as coach Nolal eloquently puts it.

Again - the D is key.  Physical, unnerving and relentless are the three keys to the defense playing an integral part of this series, while at the same time, not taking 120 second siestas for stupid penalties.  They have to be focused, as well as responsible in their own area, and be positionally sound, as to not allow Buffalo forwards breathing room.

On the offensive side of the game, it will be tough to match lines, as the visiting team, but contributions from all four lines is a must.  This would be a nice time for the Captain to take a serious step up, if he wants to remain an Islander.  Pressure can be removed from others, if all of the lines are creating opportunities (I hate saying, “Making Plays” - that is such a cop out line).

Dubie just needs to be calm and cool and have the spirit of Yoda take him to new levels.  He has done brilliantly, and needs to bring his game even higher.  If I was a betting man, I would believe that we will see Ricky in Game 3, if he passes his neurological tests (which I think he is having now).  Give him some more practice at home and rest, and get him ready for Monday.  Hopefully, we sneak out a game in the first two, and come home 1-1.

I just love it that no one even gives a prayer, let alone even a game in this series.  They said that about Edmonton, and just about every one got knocked out in their pools early, with the rise of the Oilers from the ashes.  We can do the same thing!

Enjoy the game, and hopefully, a happy recap will come tomorrow.

There is no question on any hockey fans mind that no team in the Eastern Conference will be able to skate with Buffalo.  Each one of their four lines will run rings around any other team.  Didn’t take Dick Tracy to come up with that.  I have that fact clearly imbedded in my puny little brain, folks from Buffalo who think that we do not know any hockey down here in the Redneck South of New York state!

The question to all of you hockey fans, is how do you stop a speeding train?

The brakes?

Well - yea, but can you be more specific…?

How about a wall?

Well - the best version of a wall, would be a strong line of defense.  The game that we did beat the Sabres (72 jersey night) - we did a great job, stonewalling the forwards to the outside, and slammed them to the boards all night.  Any time, you are going to give their forward as much as 3 - 5 feet of room to make a move, they are going to burn you.  Just make them remember the taste of the plastic and herculite glass, and we will be at the better….

TO be honest - I am photoshop deficient - and wanted to make a picture of Witt and Hill with Superman outfits - but for another day…..

Ricky - get 100% but DO NOT RUSH IT!  Get some maturity and take it easy.  Your lack of it nearly cost us a playoff spot.  Hopefully someone gives him a swift kick in the arse and get some sense going.

OK - my predictions.  God, I hate to do this.  But my four winners in the East are:

1. NYI (do you really think I am going to say Buffalo - sorry but I want my team to WIN!!!)
2. Ottawa - overall a little stronger than Pitts.
3. Tampa - I think NJ will implode
4. Atlanta - Would you expect anything less?  But reality, I think they are a little better.

For the West:

1. Calgary - 1st place Detroit gets upset two years in a row
2. Anaheim - Minnesota is just not strong enough
3. Dallas - I really dont think they are built for the playoff run
4. San Jose - sleeper to win conference

Well - we are just about 24 hours away from Islander playoff hockey.  A reason to keep the blog moving forward….

Folks - there is the prize…. Hopefully, in about 8 weeks - it may be coming to a Long Island site near you!!!!

Let’s Go Islanders!

Gary

We are biased, sure we are, but I think they are DEAD WRONG!

I am not saying that we are going to walk away with all the silverware come mid-June.  I am no dummy. We snuk in on the last day of the season, and walked away with the last coveted spot.  The one that was supposed to be reserved for one of the two ‘old guards’. 

How dare we make it and both Montreal and Toronto are not?  The boards in Ontario were filled with naysayers and little crying children accusing Lou Lamiorello of just about everything you can think of, as he did Canada one big poo poo by not starting Brodeur on Sunday.  They think that was inconceivable.

However, look at the mirror.  You totally blew it on Long Island, when you had the chance.  So blame yourselves, Canada, that your beloved Leafs are now at 40 years and counting.  I feel so bad for Darcy Tucker that he doesn’t get to see the post-season this year….

Yea, and my name is Bill Gates.

Well - most predictors are not even giving us a game.  It seems that last year, the Edmonton Oilers were in the same predicament as they took on the Detroit Red Wings.  Well - two players on the Oilers roster are here, and strangely enough, they made it the exact same way as we did… Make you go hmmmm…

The point is - is that anyone can win a 7 game series from everyone.  It is just typical that Larry Brooks gets to continue ’spewing’ his Islander love fest.  They all gave us NO CHANCE to get through last week, and secure number 8.  Well - we havent heard a real apology Mr. Brooks.  How about getting away from your laptop, and pull a mea culpa!

I never gave up on my Islanders, and still will not this time.  The mountain may be tough, but people climb them, simply, “because they are there”.

As Steve Mears mentioned at the Booster Club Meeting last night - “anything can happen…it should be a real fun ride!”

Get on board….. Time to get the playoff shuttle.  Let’s shuffle to Buffalo!

Leave to our boys to make it an interesting end to the season.

Well - I make Marc-Andre and Ryan cards for public office.  I think it is time to make on for the best backup around, DUBIE!

Was he brilliant or what!  Yes - he gave up two goals (one of a fluky deflection) and the other one - well - I do not want to talk about it…. But Dubie did a great job, and kept us in the game.  And with that poke check on the third shootout attempt, we have been added to the playoffs.  We will take on Buffalo in the middle of the week, up at the HSBC Arena.  We will talk about the matchups as we get closer.  But for now - the excitement is so great!!!!

For the first time since 1994, all three New York teams are in the playoffs!  And that is a great thing!

For all of the folks in Toronto and Montreal - we are sorry to hear that you did not get to make the dance…

Oh crap - no I am not!  I am glad you are done….  Toronto - you had your chance, and on Thursday, your Marlies looked 100% better than you did.  And you nearly BLEW it against Montreal.  See you in October.. Enjoy your golfing!  And Montreal - too little too late.

And it kills me to do this, but I have to thank the Rangers for beating Montreal on Tuesday night last week.  This is as far as I am going to get as far as getting on the Ranger bandwagon.  For 150 minutes or so - we were Ranger fans - but you are the enemy now!

The Devils, speaking of other competition, did not die today, they played a great game, and did not fall over.  Scott Clemmenson did a yeoman’s job today, and played well, and did the Devil uniform proud.  They are going to be tough competition for the Lightning, and they better be prepared.

But Dubie - you are the MAN!  You will be entered into the annals of Islander history forever!  You will always be known as the guy who brought the Islanders to the playoffs.

There were other factors that played a part of the Islanders success.  First is the play of Ryan Smyth.  He has not had the point totals that he had in Edmonton.  Mostly, due to the fact, that he did not have to be the MAN 100% of the time.  However, he play behind the net, his penalty killing performances have been spectacular.  He has done everything asked for, and more, and little by little, he seems to be loving to play on Long Island.  Do I see a future home???

The defense was great.  The guys remind me of the old wrestling character “The Ultimate Warrior”.  No matter what kind of pain they had to take, they were out there, giving their all.  I have more respect for the D than I have had all year long.

Richard Park was my #1 star.  He did not have a lot of ice time (5:52 to be exact), but played with grit and determination, and got the Isles the two goals in regulation.  He has been an unsung hero for this team all season long, and I am so glad that he is an Islander.

Celebrate, Islander fans - because you deserve it!  Talk tomorrow.

G

After Saturday, in order for the Islanders to make the playoffs, 6 things had to happen.  The following is the checklist.

1. Beat the Rangers on Tuesday
2. Montreal lose to the Rangers on Thursday
3. Beat the Maple Leafs on Thursday
4. Beat the Flyers on Saturday
5. Toronto beat Montreal on Saturday
6. Beat the Devils on Sunday

Well - the list is almost done.  It is kind of like getting to the last line of the supermarket, looking for the package of Pillsbury rolls, to complete the shopping list.  Well - we just truned the corner on the last aisle, and I spot the rolls.  We may have to tickle the dough boy.

The Isles got to that 6th item, courtesy of a 4-2 victory over Philly.  The Isles got three goals in the first two periods courtesy of goals from Satan, Yashin and Park.  The Flyers added one late in the second, and also got one late in the third as they removed the goalie for an extra attacker.  Tom Poti scored his sixth in the last 22 seconds preserving the victory for Long Island.

Then the guys were in a restauraunt in a Jersey hotel, being big Maple Leaf fans.  Kyle Wellwood got a early third period power play goal and the goaltending of John Sebastian Aubin saved the day, as the Leafs eliminated the Canadiens 6-5.  Toronto now has 91 points and the 8th spot.  The Isles and Habs have 90.  With a win today - the Isles will get 92 and go to the 8th position.  They MUST win.  Getting a point, will make the Isles tied with T.O. and lose by 1 win in the tiebreaker situation.

Therefore the eyes of ALL in the Tri-State Area and all of Canada will be focused on the game at 3:30.  By the time that you are enjoying your Easter dessert, the Isles will know if they are clearing their lockers tomorrow - or concentrating on the Buffalo Sabres for game 1 of the Playoffs.

We have been saying so much about what the Isles need to do in games, who to focus on, or what situation needs to have some concern.  Today, all I need to do is to commence praying sequences.  Ted said that it was a 1,000,000 to 1 shot of getting into the playoffs.  I think that we should have gave him $20 and get a nice payoff from it.

Keep the faith Islander fans, and we can use our playoff money the right way….

Since I had the day off from the job - my buddy Ron calls and asks what the hell am I doing home?  I asked him why was he calling my wife in the middle of the morning for???

Anyway - he said he was going to practice today, and asked if I wanted to go.  No brainer, but yeah!  So off in my car I went - and I was at Iceworks in about 10 minutes.

Very interesting to not only see Todd Simpson on the ice (he is still helping out the team, even though he can not play) but Chris Simon is involved heavily as well.  The guys looked focused, but calm.  They know that minute by minute is very important.  They can not look too far ahead.  As we saw the guys head to their bus, bound for Philly, the guys are relaxed, confident - but not overly so.  They are on an even keel, and are ready to make this weekend an important one for the team.

Now - to last night.  I am just so glad that all of Canada got a chance to see us lay the smackdown on Toronto.  They worked hard and took chances when they needed to.  Ryan Smyth has played his best two games as an Islander this week.  Most people will say that he only has one goal, but his forechecking and play behind the net has been superb.  He is the real deal, and Garth, if you are listening, you know what to do…

Dubie has another great game in net.  He has been smooth, but a little floppy at times.  But at no time, have we been disappointed with him.  Talking to Peter Botte at Ice Works, we both felt that Dubie should have been put in earlier.  Ted relied on a cold mike Dunham a little too much.  I  like Dunny, he has done a nice job, however, he was cold, not playing a game in nearly 40 days, and Dubie was playing just about every game at the Port.  It is not a wrong move by the coach, it is just a loyalty stand that he took.  We can not correct this, but we move on, and the fat lady has been thrown in the closet, hoping to be left there for a while longer.

I think Arron Asham had his best game of the season last night, playing on a line with Randy Robitaille and Jason Blake, who notched #40 on the season.  Asham had a blast shot past Andrew Raycroft to get goal #4 for the Isles, giving him 11 on the season.  I think that Coach Nolan may be seeing that he may have underutilized Asham a little, and is getting the best out of him.

Well - another BIGGEST GAME OF THE SEASON TOMORROW.  As we had to be Ranger fans last night (thanks to them - but you still blow!), now we become Maple Leafs fans on Saturday night.  Yes Islander fans, you are going to have to like this guy!  I know that it will be tough - but hey - we had to root for Jagr and the Queen Dork (Lundqvist) for a couple of hours…

Cmon you Islanders - we can still do it….

Bring on the LEAFS!

Once again - another IMPORTANT game.  However, every game in the stretch drive is the MOST IMPORTANT GAME of the season.

Nothing short of 2 points will do.  At that point, we will be eliminated.  And folks, once again - I do NOT want to be eliminated on home ice…..

I am hoping that the guys got healed up, as they will need to be in 100% warrior mode.  Witt and Hill are the type of guys that will ignore the injury and pain, and persevere.

The offense needs to pick it up a little.  We need to get some success on the PP.  It has improved to the point where we are in the teens instead of in the twenties in the league rankings.  But we have to take advantage of potential Toronto mistakes.  They are going to be just as desperate as we are.

Now - onto other things…  Check out the front page of Newsday.  It seems that the “CLASS LESS” Rangers are at it again.  From the Ice Girl incident where that ’supposed ladies man - Lundqvist slams his stick into the Ice Girls squeegee and injures her, to the rest of the Rangers spitting at one of the other girls as she cleans by the benches.  It just shows the upstanding mentality that it is being a Ranger.  I really think that the NHL should show some balls and make a stand on this.  But the will try to throw it under the rug, as they do a lot of other things.

Hey Sean Avery - you are the biggest creep in the league, and Elisa Cuthbert, I lost 100% of the respect for you, for dating this cretin!  Too bad we can not get to Slapshot mentality and put a bounty on his head like Tim McCracken…. Add him to Fleury, Lindros, Messier, and the rest of the “Mutant list” of players that have worn the Ranger uniform.  He (Avery) will get his just desserts sometime, and I will not feel one ounce of pity!

C’mon Islanders - three more wins to go….  Then we get to see Buffalo in the first round, where ANYTHING is possible.

Hopefully tomorrow - we will have a Happy Recap, as Bob Murphy would say.

The prayers worked…

Whatever happens, will happen is what I kept saying all day yesterday.  But the following statement always followed:

As long as the Rangers do not ELIMINATE us - that will be fine!

My prayers were received, as “Dubie” played the role of the mighty swordsman whose role it was to slay the grim reaper and keep his friends safe.  Well for the next two days - we have the luxury.

Now on Thursday, as we take on the Leafs and attempt to blow them out of the playoff rush, we all will have to be staunch RANGER fans.  The Blueshirts take on the Canadiens at the Garden, and we need that Ranger win, in order to see the Isles live for another day.

Back to last night’s game - I was most impressed by the warrior-like play of veteran D-men Sean Hill and Brendan Witt.  They left their energy on the ice, and did everything possible, to keep the team in order.

These guys sacrificed their bodys for the team, and made sure that the middle was cleared as much as possible, allowing Dubielewicz to see the shots coming through.

Dubie was brilliant!  He deserves this shot, and deserves to never be an AHL player anymore.  One of the only moves that I was upset about, was the fact that Dubie was not on this roster.  He had done all that he could in the “A” (even made the All Star team this season), and should have been Ricky’s backup.  Also - I believe that Ted was totally wrong by putting a frigid Dunham in net, when Dubie has been playing just about every game at the Port.  Oh well - as long as they admit the mistake and move on - that is ok.

Class move by Satan - explaining to Deb Kaufman after the game, that he did NOT touch the puck that made the Isles get the 2nd goal.  That indeed, it was Alexei Yashin that got the goal, and I believe that is has been changed to reflect that.  Alexei has played real well of late (maybe some say too little too late), and has points in 7 straight.

Chris Campoli got 2 helpers and he seems to get the rivalry.  He plays his best games as an Islander against the Rangers.

Satan had a great move on Lundqvist to get the only goal in the shootout, which kept our playoff dreams alive.  He extended our live by another two days.  Let’s keep the prayer vigil alive to blow the Leafs back to Canada with a loss on their ledger.

THREE STARS

1. Wade Dubielewicz - 38 saves + 3 in shootout to keep the team alive
2. Sean Hill - the mighty warrior - sacrificing his body for the team
3. Brendan Witt - warrior - part 2

TIN TWIT

1. Anyone who sold their tickets to Ranger fans.  If you did - I don’t like you (Dee - you have been absolved).  However, why make our building look like a road game for us.  Such dedication that you have to the team.  Why don’t you conveniently forget to take your tickets next season, and don’t freaking bother coming back!  We DON’T NEED YOU!!!!

Phew… One down - three to go.  Get healthy guys - we will need you at your peak for tomorrow night.

I hate to admit these things… I love the playoffs.  But however, we are starting to look more like we are a non-playoff team that in it.

There is still a chance, and I will never say die, unless we are mathematically out.  However, realism is setting in, and it is making my life miserable.

And what do I attribute us NOT being in?

Sorry DP Fans - but #39 is THE REASON we are not in.  Too many times, he has been burned by rambling out of the net.  This time, in Montreal, he definitely should NOT have left his net.  There was room for him to set on Begin as he would have came down for a potential breakaway.  Steve Begin is NOT Steve Shutt!!!! (for those youngins - Steve Shutt was a 60 goal scorer for Montreal in the 70’s and 80’s)

He has to stop trying to be the hero, and do his damn job, which is making saves right in FRONT of the net - not 60 feet away!  Start being a TEAM guy!

I know I am getting flack for this, but I don’t care.  He (DP) costs us a playoff run, and he should know that it is:

ALL

HIS

FAULT!!!!!!

Well - the last game against the Rangers this season.  God I hope we go on all cylinders tomorrow and can squeak it out.  However, I am not comfortable about this.  The Rangers are playing well, and they are still playing like a bunch of bullies and getting away with murder.  So what will make tomorrow different?

Play fire with fire.  Get them at their own game.  Go after them like gangbusters.  Take Avery out, if necessary.

That is all I want to talk about this…. I am done.  Besides, I have been so busy in the office lately, and the beginning of the month is here, which makes my life even more hectic.

Talk Wednesday after the game - hopefully I am happy!