Between work, and my mothers latest hospital stay, I have not been writing too much. However, I have some thoughts in my head.

1. The play… Saturday was a difficult game to swallow. Just when you thought that the Isles were moving in the right direction in the game, and got the score to 2-1 (nice goal by Amazing Andy Hilbert), the Flyers in the third pounced for three goals in 73 seconds, to make the game out of reach.

Danis was a tough luck customer. He has played so well for the Isles, he was due for a doozy, and he gave just that. I am sure he would have like a couple of mulligans for the game.

In my opinion, I thought Joey deserved the chance to play on Saturday after his amazing effort in New Jersey. He should be on the pipes for the afternoon matinee against Sid, Geno and the Pens.

For those of you who are still drooling for Tavares, we still have a good chance to get him. I just do not believe that the team should ‘tank’, or have the fans act like that. Note – athletes are ‘proud people’ and definitely would not just bring their play down, in order to gain a prospect. If it happens, so be it.

I believe that this is the right time, to get the kids in motion, and get them significant minutes. As the games go by, I think Gordo will do that.

2. Rumor mills have Campoli and or Bergenheim on the move. Let me take each one separately.

Campy – I think that his play has been counted on since the injury to Streit. He has logged major minutes on the PP and has been in the mid 20s in ice time. He is probably the player that would be the most wanted on this club at this time. (Weight – of course, would be the main one, but with the injury – that will not happen). You may be able to get a significant pick for him, because of the age factor, but I think he will not only remain an Islander, but will be here for a long time. It is not that you would build your team around him, but he can be an important cog. With Streit here for 4 more years, they can be a great 1-2 combo.

Bergy – He has had so many chances to shine but just has not come up to snuff. There are some that will comment about him (and I will not name names, Dee….), and defend him to the gills. I believe that he can be a serviceable NHL player, but I think that I will not happen on this team. I really think he needs a change of scenery, and his over-aggressiveness will be his detriment.

http://cdn.nhl.com/islanders/photos/mugs/8456464.jpg

3. Guerin – I think that it is a testament to his character that he has kept his no movement clause. He is totally devoted to his game, as well as the team that he is playing for. He would definitely be a player that would be wanted by teams that are looking for a serious playoff run. He could be that ‘rent-a-player’, but to his credit, he has put in his contract that he can not move. He is the type of player that I totally root for, and respect to the utmost. I would believe that he could be signed again and keep the captain here. He is great in the locker room, and I have seen some of the interaction with the other guys. He is a great guy, and although he is not the 40 goal scorer of the past, his contribution is more than most people know.

What to expect for tomorrow:

1. The Pens are struggling to even make the 8th spot in the playoffs. They were spanked by the Leafs 6-2 on Saturday night. They will be a team peeved off, and looking for bear.

2. Sid the Kid is on a roll of late, 12 points in the last 8 games, and loves to play against the Islanders. In 23 games against the Isles, he has 11 goals and 41 points. That is someone you have to watch.

3. Sergei Gonchar has returned to the lineup after a long injury. His presence on the blue line was sorely missed, and can be a big help in the rush to the post season.

4. The Isles are 0-3 against Pittsburgh this season, including a 9-2 drubbing at the Igloo. The Isles play two more times in Pittsburgh (Feb 25th and April 9th)

This sounds like a trouncing waiting to happen. The last games between the two at the Coliseum were interesting to say the least. On November 26th, the Islanders squandered a 3-0 lead, and lost 5-3 to the Pens, as Evgeni Malkin notched the game winner late in the 3rd. Earlier, on November 9th, the Islanders had a 3-1 lead in the third, and gave it up, and lost in the Shootout, when Tyler Kennedy got the puck past Joey MacDonald to give the Pens the two points.

Let’s start hoping that fate will NOT give us a third loss at home to Pittsburgh.

I will have a blog report from the Coliseum after the game tomorrow. Have a great day, and hope that we turn the tide around.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09