Al Davis’ motto with the Oakland Raiders of the Madden era… That statement holds so true right now.

The Islanders just have to do whatever it takes to get the “W”.  They are playing a Panther team that right now is struggling.  They have to grab the bull by the cohones, and get it done!

Going to 3 goals is a start, but the offensive pressure has to be swift and strong.  There were guys that stopped goal-less and point-less streaks. Build on it. (you heard that #’s 13 and 89)…

I think Joe V deserves a lot more playing time on the PP.  He is leading the team in goals, and he can be a force in front of the net.  Just look at the 3rd goal on Wednesday as a prime example.  You can not score goals in this league, unless you have a presence in front of the opposing goalie’s net, creating havoc.  These goaltenders are just too good.  If you play to the perimeter all night, you just will not get quality chances, and have real high percentage scoring opportunities.

Bottom line, at least 3 points over the next two nights.  Don’t care how - just get it.  Right now, this team needs to show, that a different type of game can be played by them.  Lately, it just seems that the opposing scouts know what we are doing, and can effectively plan their strategy and take us out of our game.  Time to change it up a little, and do other things to win a game.

Just win baby!

Oh - by the way - 16 shots and 6 goals!!!???  Rangers look real good at home lately… 10 goals up in 2 games?  ‘Supposed King’ Henrik looks awfully mortal right now?  And the defense is pourous to boot…. Aren’t you all heartbroken, Islander fans!

Hey - the Isles got 3 goals in a game, for the first time in a month.  YIPPEE!

We got a point on the first game of the 4 game road swing.  I will take it. 

We could have done so much better, but again, I will take the point on the road.

There are some good signs on the team.  For about the first 10 minutes of the first stanza, they dictated play, made smart decisions, and surrounded the goalie’s net.  We took the lead, on Mike Comrie’s 9th of the season.

Then the ground sunk again.  The team fell back on the swords and began to play like the team that lost to Atlanta at home on Saturday.  They gave up 2 shorties in the second period, with the last caused by Comrie and 2 members of his posse, who decided to attack the puck carrier, who passed to a wide open Pascal Dupuis, who got it by Ricky to make it 3-1.

It looked we got sucked into the ‘doom and gloom’ vacuum, but alas, Mike Sillinger deflected an Andy Sutton shot past Lehtonen to get the deficit to 1.

Then the team looked better.

A great goal by Trent, got us to the tie, then we ended up losing in a shootout.

I will take a lot of positives from this game:

• Guerin finally got on the board with an assist tonight.  He needs to step up even more.  I hope he is not getting YASHINITIS!
• Comrie decided to shoot, instead of make the ‘cool-no-look-pass to no one’ - He needs to do that more
• Campy played a great game tonight - except for the 3rd goal blunder.
• Sutton showed a little sign of life - especially going back to Atlanta to play.  Sure he loved the boos.

Tomorrow - it is the kitty cats in Sunrise.  They are stumbling.  Come out with that same intensity in the first 10 minutes, and try to do something different…. SUSTAIN IT!

I know we can do it….

The flu and cold season has hit like a ton of bricks.  I oughta know - I have had it twice.  And I even had a freaking flu shot!

You are miserable, achy, feeling like the worst!

But in your heart of hearts, you know that you have to get better.  You need to rest and get the right medication to rid your body of the infection and pain, to make yourself better again.

This upcoming road trip, could be just what the doctor ordered.

Although he (the schedule doctor) could have spread it out a little further…. This 3 games in 4 day crap is a little annoying!

However, games in Atlanta, Sunrise (Florida) and Tampa, could be the cure of the Islanders sickness.

Coach Nolan has started by identifying the symptom, and prescribing a return to the lines that started the season.  Hopefully, the chemistry of the lineup, can break away the infection of the Islander flu.

The forwards have to remember the things that they did during the first few weeks of the season.  Clogging up the middle, screening the opposing goaltender, creating scoring chances, and generally causing havor for the defense. Our guys up front need to step up, Mike Comrie in particular.  I do not want to have any negative thoughts about the guy, he has such great skill and finesse.  But seriously….

SHOOT THE DAMN PUCK!

You have a great shot!  Use it!  I know you want to be a playmaker and set up guy, but when the chance is there, take it.  We are not asking you to be like #55 was last year, and hold the puck for 15 seconds then shoot; but you have had so many opportunities squelched by trying to make the perfect play.  We have faith in you, sir… Do it up!

For all intents and purposes, we have to be strong from the goal out, and for most games, we have been.  DP has taken his game to a newer level than his ‘breakout’ year last season.  However, we need him to go even higher.  I know that he has the confidence to do it - it is just a matter of getting it done.

Defensively, we have been good.  But I think we can be better.  Sutton is not going to make those ‘boneheads’ plays all the time - he has been good this season, but now it is a matter of ‘returning to his old stomping ground’ and doing some ’stomping’ of his own.  Bergeron this season, has been an extreme disappointment.  Other teams know what he is going to do, and if they focus on him, he flounders.  Honestly, I like the guy, but I think his days are numbered.

Right now, what we need is a little southern ‘home cooking for the boys, as well as a chance in scenery.  This team is not a bad road team (4 - 6 I believe, but I think we can be better than that).  It is time to forget about satisfying the home fans, and play for yourselves and get the “W”. 

Real Islander fans know that you can do it.  The Thrasher is a small bird, but contain Kovalchuk and Hossa, and you have a chance to take these guys.  And remember what you did in the beginning of the season.  That should be on the prescription to reduce the pains and aches, and bring the patient back to perfect health.

Now why did I not go to med school???

Three brutal losses in a row.

Can someone stay in front of the net and screen the goalie?  Ted said that had to be done last night, and it was…

For about 10 minutes.

Then the collapse happens.

I am not going to be overly critical, since I watched little of the game.  However, thank God for Road Trips!

Hope the luck changes in Hotlanta tomorrow.