As I lost my bet with Joe McDonald, my New York Hockey Report co-host, I will be positive about the Rangers today.  (Well – I will not be throwing a parade for them, but I will be nice).

Basically, the better team won last night.  The Rangers won the battles in the corners, were skating better than the Isles, and seemed to be a lot more peppier in their motions that the Islanders, who were playing the 3rd game in 4 nights.

The new acquisitions for the Rangers, Chris Drury and Scott Gomez were involved in the scoring, and looked much more alive in this game, than they have in the past few.

Lundqvist did a nice job tonight, a yeoman’s effort.

That is about it for the pleasantries.

Hollweg should be SHOT.  Deliberately going to attack on Martinek’s stitches and trying to make them bleed… Nice.  Someday, he is going to get belted worse than Simon’s hit, and you know what, I won’t be surprised or shocked.  I do not wish for these things to happen, but he is just an antagonist whose antics are not good for the game of hockey.

Now to the Isles.  You could see how they were dragging on the ice.  They will not admit to it, but they are a tired bunch.  With all of that layoff time, these 3 in 4 game stretches will test a team.  Last night – they did not fare well on that test.  Comrie finally decided to shoot, and got a goal.  He just needs to do that a great deal more often.  Guerin is shooting and playing harder.  Maybe that shootout goal gave him some impetus to get his act in gear.

Berard did well, in setting up the PP, the rest of the guys need to finish a little more.

I just love the intensity and the passion that Richard Park puts on each and every game.

DP – a little shaky; just leave it at that.  IMHO – Dubie MUST start tomorrow.  Give Ricky a break, and let him play his childhood team on Monday.  We need him fresh, and Dubie needs to see a puck somewhere other than a practice session.

It was inevitable that the Isles had to lose to the Rangers once in a while.  I just dont want it to be a habit.  I am sure that my friend Margaret (www.myblueshirtheaven.com) will be excited and have an interesting report.  Check it out.  The Metro Mug standings are as such:

Well – now that we did not beat the Rangers last night – we should not have the Post Ranger Game Withdrawal symptoms…..

Bring on the Thrashers…. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted under Islanders 07-08

Last nights game was not the game that saw the Isles score 3 goals (we get 3 as a result of the shootout win, but…); however, it is 2 points in the win column, which was just what the doctor ordered.

In the case of this team, the doctor needs to return and supply a booster shot.

Doc – be at the Garden this afternoon.

I am so glad that we finally beat Ottawa.  They just give the Isles fits; from the first game they beat us in their first season, up to the 8 game streak they had until last night, Ottawa just have our number.  But finally, the boys came through in a cracking match.

It was a case of two goaltenders with great efforts, especially the one in blue.  However, his wandering antics will kill us someday, and he almost did last night.

My buddy Joe scored again last night – now leading the team with 9 tallies.  I bet that Jim Rutherford is asking himself, “Why did I let him go???”  Sorry Dawn, he is OURS now, and we are not letting him go.  Of course, he scores in the last minute of the period, as I am off to the Booster Club table, so I only saw it on the tube.

I have to say that Marc-Andre Bergeron has played better of late.  He is not making the stupid mistakes that gave him a 5 game stay in Chateau de-Bow Wow!  Now, Bryan Berard has a seat, or does he?  Some people said that he got hurt.  I have not heard any comment to the contrary.

Good to see Billy G get a goal in the shootout.  Even if it does not come to the actual goal column, it has to be a confidence booster, especially when the Isles needed the tally to stay alive.  Silly did a great job, just basically coming to Emery and telling him, stop this!

He (Emery) of course, did not!

Now – the attention returns to the hated men from Manhattan.

Sean (I think I am the guy from Right Said Fred that thinks he is too sexy for himself) Avery is out having surgery on his messed up wrist.  Some people are scuttlebutting that he did it in a fight with Tucker.  Some are saying that he hurt it trying to do a routine of physical exertion to relieve himself…. (Trying to keep it PG rated – you figure it out…). Bottom line – he’s out for a few weeks.

Thank god we will be done with these guys until March.  I need the rest.  Just like the other games – the Isles have to keep Jagr in check, and especially to the outside.  Bang and Bang with these guys.  Use the physicality that has helped them win the first three meetings so far.  Plus, PLEASE SCORE MORE THAN TWO TONIGHT!!!!

This could be the night that the Isles suffer a Ranger letdown.  However, they have always seem to rise to the challenge, when they see the RANGERS name slanted on the uniform of the opponent.  Tonght, I believe, will be no exception.  And Isles fans, if we win tonight, please make sure that you provide a shoulder of comfort for your Ranger fan friends.  They may just start showing signs of psychological meltdown.

Hopefully a happy recap tomorrow.

 

Posted under Islanders 07-08

This came across the Blog from Steve Zipay of Newsday about the Mutant – #16 in Ranger Blue:

Just when the Rangers seemed healthy, Sean Avery is going under the knife.

Avery—already sidelined once this season with a shoulder separation—-will not only miss the Islanders game, but several more after arthroscopic surgery to clean out his left wrist tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.

Avery—who reinjured the wrist against Tampa when hit by a shot— practiced without shooting today, but was waiting for resuslts of a CAT scan on the wrist, which has bothered him since the start of the season. He said afterward that the decision had been made and didn’t know how long he would be sidelined. Avery said he had been playing with a fracture, and was worsened during a fight five games after he returned—we’re thinking with Darcy Tucker in Toronto.

“Hopefully, it’ll only be a week or two,” he said. “But I don’t live in a reality world.”

With Ryan Callahan back and on a third line, Marcel Hossa could play left wing with Scott Gomez and Brendan Shanahan tomorrow, and coach Tom Renney did not rule out a callup from Hartford.

The Rangers were 17-6-6 with Avery last season; this year, before and after he returned from a shoulder injury, the Rangers are 9-4-1 with him and 4-5-1 without him.

My heart is bleeding…..

Posted under Islanders 07-08

After losing 2 out of three, the Isles are in a very important spot for the next two days.

Get two wins, and the guys will be impressing the ‘experts’.  It will put the league on notice that the Isles can be a force to be reckoned with.

First and foremost – we have to start scoring goals!

Having 2 goals or less, is not going to get the job done in these two games.  We have to be aggressive, and shoot the puck.  The time for being cute, and looking for the Sportscenter highlight play is not the way to go.

Needs for tonight

Overall – a shot of Red Bull – get the guys going…  We are doing a great job in deterring shots from the opponent, but that deterrence does not need to be at ourselves as well.

In other words, shots of Bull equal shots on net.  Ottawa has not been on the tear that it was in October and early November.  In fact, they have been 500 or lower in the last couple of weeks.  They are vulnerable.  Gerber has not been the star or late, and Emery is still shaky.  Pounce, pounce, and pounce some more on them.

By the way, did I say shoot the puck!??

Guerin needs a wake up call too.  Bad penalties, horrible decisions in the game on Monday.  If this continues, you will have fans starting to wonder if he has “Yashin-disorder”!  I know that he is not that type of player, but the Captain needs to step it up a few notches.

And would somebody start telling Mr. Comrie, that he needs to stop trying to impress his lady!  He has her, now just shoot the damn puck, and score that goal.

My boy Joe V has been slumping since he got the facial damage the other night.  As soon as the confidence comes back, I am sure that he will burst out.

The only constant, is the play of DP.  He has been brilliant of late, keeping the Isles in games where most goalies would have flopped in disgust.  He has to keep that brilliance in between the pipes.

Welcome back, Mr. Bates.  After nearly a year of groin problems, and a two-week conditioning stint, it is time for #17 to return to the lineup.  He will be on the 4th with Park, and Bergenheim (I think).  Sometimes, its a little energy that brings a team back when a lineup change like this happens.  We could use it, that’s for sure.

Then – after hopefully a winning result, it is back to preparation for another Islander/Ranger battle.  Can we start 4-0 again, versus the dreaded Rangers?  It would be nice.  Back to high ground again for me.  I don’t want to get Ranger$ fans at me again…  They seem to dish it out, but have trouble having it reciprocated…  Anyway – that’s for tomorrow.  Let’s hope they win.

Hey – if you are at the game tonight – make sure to get your 50/50 tickets at the Booster Club table (between gates 3 and 4).  The proceeds go to the Islanders Children’s Foundation, and that is good, no matter what team you root for.  Any charity for the kids gets a nod in my book!

 

Posted under Islanders 07-08

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday!  I have been enjoying the last few days with my family, who have arrived from California, Texas, and Florida.

I have not had any time to write until early this morning.  So about the two losses.  I knew that when I saw missed assignments and backpedaling in the first 20 seconds of the game, I knew it was going to be a long one.  You have to keep the speed to the outside, and not allow them to attack the net (which our boys unfortunately did not do).

Then, to yesterday in Boston, the Isles played a decent game.  The opportunities were there, but the results were minimal.  Only a deflection by Mike Sillinger was the only one.  DP was strong, but the offense has let him down of late, only scoring two goals or less from nearly all of the games in the past few weeks.

Tonight – what do we do?  Attack, Attack, Attack!  As the hockey gods said, “You can’t score a goal, if you CAN’T SHOOT THE PUCK!”

It is as simple as that!

Since I have member of my family attending the game, I got 9 tickets in Section 211 tonight, so I will be sitting down a little bit lower today.  Will have some pictures tomorrow to show, and hopefully, a happy recap!

Have a great day!

 

Posted under Islanders 07-08

Well – we were sloppy in the first minute…. Stop getting cute and play solid….

As I said - have to watch Montreal’s speed.  Is Joe a find or what???

Will send entries as the game goes. 

BTW – Bill – I know you dont believe in hangovers – but we have seen a lot of them during our days…

15:55 left

12:35 in 1st.  Good PP by Montreal – thet are fast and fluid.  Good kill by us.

Higgins wearing the “A”.  God – he would look good in our colors.

11:45 – sutton – what a deceptive shot.

10:45 – notice vasicek;s strides are so long.  four strikdes and he is caught up with the defensemen.  campy just missed a deflect.

9:20 – lots of shots already.  7-10… going to be a shooting gallery.  hope DP is up to it.

8:24 – Monrt penalty to 84. – By the way – Dina the hostess is trying her acting skills on the screen.  Ugh!

PP time – time to get it done – get pucks to the net, and put pressure on Huet.  Going for the home run – and not being simple.  Eddie in 315 is blowing a head gasket, and in this case, rightfully so.  That’s CRAP!

Comrie is not only leading the team in points, but in penalty minutes as well.  Time for some coaching moivation to get these guys grooving.

Good work on the PK – especially Trent.  What a hard worker.  Nice shot by Park – alias Kenny Woo!

Question on some minds, is will Hilbert finally get a point tonight.  Good kill boys

4:40 – turn off to get ready to go to the Booster Club table.

 

Posted under Islanders 07-08

Translated – what are the keys to defeat the Canadiens tonight?

Have Bruno tell them in French to go home?  — I do not think they will listen to that…

Seriously, make sure that the Ranger Hangover pills have worked.  That always seems to be a problem with us.  (Not totally true this season, but you always have to watch for it.  This is a test to the coaching staff.  Nolan, Gallant and Chabot have done a great job of keeping the guys sparked up).

 

 

 

Combat the speed of the forwards.  Definitely.  These guys have some great skill, so the defense need to keep a close eye on them, especially the Long Island boy, Chris Higgins (how he could have been a Hab fan – and live in Smithtown, is beyond me…)  Maybe we get a brainwashing expert to convince the boy to come home!  (While we are at it – get Mike Komisarek, the Islip boy too… LOL! Don’t worry, Chris T, the Montreal blogger that visits this site – I am only kidding… well sort of).

Goaltending for Montreal has been good, so getting on them early is key.  Establish positioning, get the cycle going, and make sure that we get the d involved in the play (especially Berard).

Lastly, the fan involvement.  The ’7th people’ have been BIG this year, we have to continue it!

And to all – have a Great THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!  Enjoy and don’t overstuff yourself.  And to the rest of the world.. Happy Thursday!

BTW – check out lionsinwinter.blogspot.com, and check out the game preview from the Canadiens perspective.

Posted under Islanders 07-08

Here is a quote from the NY Post’s Larry Brooks about the Avery/Sutton incident in last night’s game:

Sean Avery came with emotion, but the handcuffs slapped on him by referees Don VanMassenhoven and Dean Warren not only negated the impact of his zeal, but kept him in the box for 11:38 of hockey time when play kept going while No. 16 was serving a double-minor for being near Andy Sutton when the defenseman fell down.

Hey Larry – was your head not completely out of MSG’s collective arse when you wrote this?  Go back to the game feed, and look at the FSNY coverage.  You will see that clearly, Avery’s stick was striaght in Sutton’s eye.  Maybe you should look at Greg Logan’s papers before writing.  At least he writes what is seen CORRECTLY, instead of you pink and paisley colored glasses that you have!

No wonder John Tortorella wanted to beat you to the curb….  Get a life, and GET IT RIGHT!

 

 

METRO MUG UPDATE

Posted under Islanders 07-08, Ramblings

I have a few friends that I work with that are into the Islanders.  Chris, is one that is vocal and as passionate of a fan that I know.  Noel, new to the game, is getting crazy, and wanted to get tickets to tonight’s game in the worst way.  It did not happen, but I know that he will be waking up on Tuesday morning, in an excellent mood. 

As Chris would say, this game was BIG!

It is a good night, and a good day to be an Islander fan! 

In writing this blog, I have always tried to take higher ground, and not be so sarcastic and negative, but you know what……..

Tonight – THE RANGERS SUCK!

Ha – that felt GREAT!

Lundqvist may be one of the best goalies in the NHL, but against the Islanders, he is SECOND FIDDLE!

For the ninth time in the last twelve games, the Islanders came up on the upper end of the stick.  I know that Ranger fans will make all sorts of excuses…

1. The referees killed us
2. The Islanders got away with murder
3. The Islanders are just not that good
4. We just did not play our game

Just keep it up Ranger fans – but just face the simple fact…

YOU CAN’T BEAT US!!!

Two goals that honestly, Lundqvist should have stopped.  Also – due to the ineffective play by Marcel Hossa, Ruslan Fedotenko got open and sliced a shot that went through the goaltender.

Oh BTW – Lundqvist is a big piece of SWISS CHEESE!!!!

Then Mr. Vasicek took over a few minutes later to double the lead. Sean Bergenheim worked the puck loose along the boards and nudged it to Vasicek, who raced down left wing on a 3-on-2 break. He carried all the way to the left circle dot and snapped a shot that sailed past Lundqvist’s left shoulder at 5:51.

The Islanders got a power play chance soon after, but Michael Roszival scored to half the score to 2-1.  That was the scoring for the night.  Both goaltenders were strong for the rest of the game.

Ricky was freaking brilliant… And even though Fedotenko pushed Avery into Ricky, I am glad he shoved his fist into Avery’s face.  It is about time, that he get a little retrobution.  He is an antagonistic ‘prick’ that someone is going to drive a stake in his head.  And you know what, he will probably DESERVE it!  It shows, that he (Avery) got four penalties tonight, and although he played with passion, most of his teammates did not.

The only ‘negative’ on my team, is that I wish Mike Comrie would stop trying to be Gretzky and shoot the freaking puck!  He had so many great opportunities, but he tries to make the perfect play!  I know he can be a 100 point scorer, but if he keeps trying to be #99, he is not going to get there.  I know that he will come out of it – and be the scorer he can be.

Looking at the Rangers, this is supposed to be a team of offensive SUPERSTARS, but for the last two games, the defensemen, the weakest point of the team, according to all the prognosticators, were scoring the goals.  Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Brendan Shanahan, Jaromir Jagr – shut out.  What a pathethic bunch of players.  So many people are anointing this team to have the parade in June, but if they can not find the net, they may never see past the first round of the playoffs.

In so many ways, I wish I was going to be on the show on Wednesday night, but I am going on the last part of the show with a big smile on my face, and I want to have both Joe and Derek talk good things about my team, for a change.  Well – Derek can.  I had a conversation with him after the game, and he was real pissed about the ‘pussies’.  But Joe has to eat a little crow.  Yes Joe – the Rangers are in first, but by only 3 points and 4 games ahead of the Isles.

You can talk about the 9 wins in 11 and be proud Ranger fans, but YOU CAN NOT BEAT US!!!! And don’t you FORGET IT!

Ahhh – it’s a GREAT TUESDAY!

Have a great day, Islander fans – I know I will!

 

 

Posted under Islanders 07-08

The story of my weekend.

I had a great article written on the weekend, but for some strange reason, the document did not load, and I lost it.

Here is a cliff note version…

As my friend Dawn in Carolina would say…

Josef Vasicek is GOD!

What a move he made to win the game over the Devs on Friday night.

Got to be ready for the big game tonight.  Isles fans should be there en force!

Have to play smart, and disciplined.  Mr. Avery has been a nice boy for a few games, but now he is home and I am sure that he will be a ‘moron du jour’.

Tonight should be a special event!  No matter what side of the fence that you sit on – you should have high hopes of seeing your team come out on top tonight.  In the case of the Rangers, they have been dominant at home, they have won 5 of 6, and have moved their way to the top of the division.  In the case of the Islanders, they have owned the Rangers going 8-1-2 in their last 11, with 3-0-1 at MSG last year. 

Remember, the Rangers may be at the top of the Atlantic, but the Isles have 4 games in hand, and only 5 points to make up.  For all of you that are math majors, it is indeed possible to make up the 5.

For the Isles, after beating the Rangers tonight – we have the Habs on Wednesday, then a home/and/home matchup against Zdeno “Shorty” Chara and the Bruins, with a lunchtime match on “Black Friday”, and a 7:00 PM Saturday showdown.  A good chance for the Isles to get some key points, and make some movement in the standings.

Oh yea – a big BOO to the idiots at TSN who dropped the Isles to 17th in their power rankings.  My suggestion to the ‘twit’ that comes up with these would be to get himself a huge cattle prod, and proceed to give himself a nice jolt!

Let’s hope for a big win tonight for the Isles.  BTW – will not be on the NYHR again on Wednesday, as I will be at the Islanders game.  I will report from the show, so please check out the podcast.

Have a great day!

 Gary

Posted under Islanders 07-08