I usually do not like to assign  blame for a loss.  If you win – it is a team win – if you lose – it’s a team loss.

However, I think that the powers that be need to recognize when a change to the momentum or kismet needs to be done.  This was not accomplished last night.

Scott Gordon, in my opinion, NEEDED to take a time out and calm down the troops after the Rangers got their second goal.  After an outstanding first period where just about every aspect of their game was flawless, the Islanders went back on their heels.  The passing was not crisp, the battles were being lost, it just looked like the guys were not in the game.  Although we as fans understand that the players were not just going through the motions, appearances may lead one to believe something different.  To me – the coach needed to take a time out, and give the guys  a chance to change perceptions and attempt to get the guys to be in a different direction.

That second goal made a chance in the atmosphere in the building, and effectively took the sails out of the Islanders.

Am I off on that opinion?

Anyway – six games left, and out of the playoffs.  I am still bummed about that, but it is a fact of life.  I can deal with that.  I still feel that this team has improved over the same time 12 months prior, and I feel that with the proper maturation, and an adding of a player or two; I think this team can make some strides for 2010-11.

What do you think?  Let us know.

Gary

Posted under Islanders 09-10

Unfortunately, another two goal lead heading into period 3 was squished, and OT really hurt a lot.

I was quite excited with the first two periods of the game. JT has continued his strong play, and is looking more and more like a seasoned vet, rather than a lost rookie.  Not just the offensive contribution, but the overall game.  The defensive forechecking, hitting, and making plays for his teammates.  It may have been a little longer of a wait, but I think this is what Islander country were really looking for when he first put on an Islander uniform aout 9 months ago.

As far as the rest of the team goes, it was great to see Kyle back, after that mystery injury.  There was a great deal of chemistry going with Bergie and Bailey.

Another one that has impressed me even more than JT and Kyle, is Freddy Meyer.  In the last 5 games, he has overwhelmingly been our best defensemen.  His checks have been excruciating to his opponents.  He has also had the occasional goal to add to his resume.

Despite five goals given up – I thought that Marty had a decent game.  He had to make some great side-to-side saves, and in most cases, was in good positions.  The tying goal was a mass screen job, and he had no chance to have a look at the puck.  The final goal, however, was one that he definitely would want to take back.

Did Trevor Gillies have a shift last night?

Jack Hillen was not out there as much as I would have thought either.

I would honestly say that when it was loud for the goals, Honda Center crowds were real placid and quiet.  The arena was OK.  It was not as impressive as many of the others that I have been to.  Also – for those Islander fans moaning and groaning about the Parking going up – it is $20 here.  Get used to it.  No other place that I have been to lately has anything under $15 to park at the arena.  There were $5 lots about 1/2 mile walk, but get used to fact that we have been SPOILED.

Well – onto Los Angeles for the Kings tonight.  I am glad that we did get a point last night, but two against a strong LA team would be a nice ending to the road trip out west, and keeps the slim chance of getting to the promised land of playoff city.

But one thing that I can tell you – the weather in LA is beautiful!  I could get used to it.

Posted under Islanders 09-10

The Vancouver Province called the Islanders “LOWLY”!

The paper could not even spell the players name correctly.  They said that we were basically “INEPT”

Take that Canucks!

JT had the game that many Islander fans were expecting to see.  Two goals, three assists.  All around the ice, backchecking, taking the body, doing just about everything except pouring tea.

Was the goalie that won the gold for Canada actually out there tonight?  Or was he just going through the motions?

Four goals on 12 shots.  The Isles were outshot 20-4 in the second period, but managed to get two by the Canuck captain.  Two shots were not considered actual shots on net, because the clanked off the crossbar.

In many instances, the Canucks put a great deal of pressure on the Isles.  However, it was the Freddy Meyer goal with under 10 clicks on the clock that put the hole in the Vancouver sail.

All four lines were humming.  Even as the Canucks were outplaying the Isles, guys were taking some great chances.  Park sliding across the crease to foil a great scoring chance.  Bodies were flying, and for the first time in a long while, the passing to me was crisp and precise.  My wife always comments that in the beginning of the season, the Isles were doing that so well, and it seemed to dissipate as the season rolls along.  Gordo ad the coaches should be real happy with their effort.

For the Isles – now three in a row – it is a chance to have a few days of relaxation, Cali style.  As for me – Claire and I will be heading down to Seattle to fly to LA.

Thanks to the great couple that traveled four hours from Eastern BC – to be stuck sitting with Claire and I last night.  We had a nice time, and they were fun (except when they lost the camera, and the young woman was ready to kill her man!)

Vancouver is a great city, and I totally recommend the trip, should you ever get the opportunity!

Have a great day, Islander fans!  We deserve it.

And for the Vancouver Province, any time you EVER want to write some non-flattering things about the Islander, do it anytme!  We know it is not personal, but we’ll take it!

Posted under Islanders 09-10

Sitting at JFK waiting to get on my flight to the west coast.   This is my first ‘road trip’ in a while.  I do not call the Florida ones road trips, because it is a blip in my timeshare stay.  This is a real excursion.  I am going to all three games on this trip – Vancover, Anaheim, and Los Angeles.  I am looking forward to some sun, some time with my beautiful wife, and also some time to see my sister and her husband in California as well.

As for the hockey team, what a nice weekend.  4 out of 4 points, and great play overall.  Kudus to Blake Comeau, who continues his stellar play with 3 helpers.  Richard Park get his second shortie for the Isles in consecutive games, and overall this team does not show any signs of letting up.  Thiswas a good momentum booster for this important three game trip.  Being with all Western Conference teams, there is no 4 point swing matches; just the chance to make up some ground.

That road, however, will be full of bumps and bruises.  Tuesday, Vancouver is the host, fresh off a 14 game road trip, going 8-5-1 and still holding their lead in the NorthWest Division.  Led by the Sedin twins, and Alex Burrows, their main unit has provided such an offensive spark.  Their second line features Mikael Samuelsson, who after finding out that he was not going to make the Swedish Olympic Team,gone on an absolute tear, and now has 30 goals on the season.  This is a team that will bang when it needs to, skate like the wind, and has a world class goalie in Roberto Luongo (remember him?).

Friday, it is the Ducks in Anaheim.  13th in the conference, they are still not a team to be taken lightly.  They still possess supreme firepower, and can open up a game quickly.  Their defense is just not the same, but they have Hiller in net – and that can be a tough situation for the Isles to deal with.

Saturday – Los Angeles.  The real surprising Kings, with Jonathan Quick in net – leading the NHL in victories this season.  Their offense is not in the top of the league, but they get contributions from all four lines.  The Kings really have the chance to make some headway in the playoffs, and can surprise many.

The Islanders have their chance to make a step, but they MUST play three SOLID games, against some strong Western teams.  They can not have their guard down for even a minute, or they will get burned.  The next report will be after the Canucks game on Tuesday night.

Have a great day folks!

Posted under Islanders 09-10

Pregame musings

Another Islander hits the ‘Out for the Season’ status, as the Captain is having shoulder surgery next week.  Too bad, but it looks like another chance for #15.

Question on the Devils as I await the teams to come out… Will we see Yann Danis tonight?  With the major emotional effort against the Pens last night – it may be a good opportunity to bring out the number 2 netminder.

Looks like Danis will get the start tonight.  Rollie for the Isles.  And yes – Tambellini on the ice.

Player to watch:  Have to keep an eye on Tamby. Let’s see what energy he brings to the team, and can he get the offensive side of the game going, without being clueless on the ice.

______________________________________________________________

1st period

I have a request to Islander country…  As you may know – I have a connection with the Sheffield Steelers of the British Elite Hockey League.  Their version of the Rangers is the Nottingham Panthers.  The Panthers have been the brunt of many of an Steeler beating over the years, with the Panthers not winning the league title in their country since 1954.  Sound familiar?  Well – there is an opportunity for the team from Nottingham to clinch the league title next weekend in Sheffield.  That would be in some instances even worse than 1994.  I personally had the opportunity to see Sheffield win the league title in Nottingham’s home rink, in 2003.  I have been to many of an Islander celebration, but to be honest – this was as loud and crazy with about 35% of the amount of people that we would have. 

We have to send some positive vibes to our friends in Sheffield, to make sure that Nottingham does not win and take the trophy in Sheffield next weekend.  Please make sure that you keep those thoughts in your prayers.

Starting Lineups

Devils – Danis, White and Mottau, Parise, Zajac and Zubrus.

Islanders – Roloson,. Streit, Gervais, Nielsen, Bergenheim, Okposo

Game on.

Establish forecheck – and keep the legs moving – will be the first tst for the Isles tonight.

1:04 – first shot on goal

2:00 – Isles keeping the puck mostly at th Devs end of the ice.

2:20 – Tamby first shift -got a hit – seems to have a small sping in his step.  Especially getting back to forecheck.

2:52 – Devils score, as a dump from the right point by Mike Mottau gets between the 5-hole of Rollie – 1-0 New Jersey.  Tamby a -1 for that shift.

3:33 – Trevor Gillies forgot that we were in blue, and gave a beautiful pass to Dainus Zubrus.

4:30 – Tavares back on a line with Moulson – honestly – never should have been taken off his line.  Nice effort to strip the puck from a Devil d-man

5:35 – Tamby slips and hears it from the crowd.  Then gets a good shot off and hears better noise.

6:24 – Meyer hip checks McAmmond  – nice effort.  Game is getting a lot more physical – awaiting a little fisticuffs soon.

8:00 – Kovalchuk just made Hillen look lousy, as he stripped #38 of the puck and got two chances on Roloson.

9:00 – Okposo has such a blast when he snaps it off from the off circle.

10:10 – Pelley just threw Sim to the ice like a Rag doll in front of the ref – no call.

10:50 – every time I see Parise get a open lane to shoot – I still want to CHOKE Mike Milbury.  Don’t you?

11:40 – 1 shot for the Isles…. Hmmm?  And now Roloson gets 2 for delay of game, when he holds onto the puck outside the crease, despite pressure from the Devil forwards.

12:02 – Devil power play gets two quick chances, and Rollie smothers the rebound.  Kovalchuk scoares me when he has that stick teed up and ready to go anytime.  Interesting how the Devs play 5 forwards on the power play too.

13:17 – Okie gets a blast off – that Danis has to save.  Board says shot was 65 MPH.  Think scoreboard operator is drinking on the job.

13:55 – Good kill, despite three shots on net.

14;15 - First nice offensive effort in front of the net – with Bailey pushing one through

15:40 – Tamby skating with a little more purpose.  He does not look lost, despite some of the coments in the stands.

17:23 – Jackman coming behind Bailey and Meyer on a rush gets a shot off, and Freddy Meyer gets the rebound in - 1-1.

18:00 – The sleeping giant awakens. Okie looks like a man possessed. 

Overall first period assessment… Devils should have gotten more than 1.  They have dominated the play, and actually have done more physical damage than I thought they would, but the Isles have persevered, and have the game knotted at 1.  If you are the coach – you have to feel happy with the last few minutes, the life has returned to the building.

____________________________________

2nd period

Isles come out hitting – and that is a good sign.  Need to sustain that pressure.

4:03 – Clarkson looking like he just took out a 2-7 baby split – gets called for interference.

Time for the PP to setp up a notch.  – Results nothing – but at the end – Moulson and Bergie got some opportunities.

5:45 – like how Comeau is using his strength and making chances.  Very pleased with his recent progress.

This period – the Isles definitely have their sea legs going.  Their are not flat footed, and getting their chances.  Moulson gets hooked at 9:04 by Parise – giving the Isles their second consecutive power play.

Tavares on the point – interesting move – however- the boys are not one-timing their shots.  The delay is allowing the D to prepare for it.

11:59 – Jon Sim gets an opporunity and slips it by Danis – 5-hole – 2-1 Islanders

Nice to see the guys take advantage of a broken play and capitalize on it.

12:40 – Kovalchuk clips Bergenheim in the face – and gets two minutes for high-sticking.

12:49 – Streit slams a shot home  9 seconds into the PP – 3-1 Islanders

OK – the crowd is pumped NOW! They got their FREE CHILI! Now that they got the lead and two goals – the object is not to let the Devils back into the game – they need to sustainthe pressure, but now lower themselves.

17:50 -  can honestly say it – the Devils look clueless out there this period – have to keep our intensity going.

If you are an Islander fan – you are happy.  They are handing themselves well – and are keeping up with the high flying Devils.  They are limiting their scoring  chances, and need to play another 20 minutes like the last period.

_______________________________________

3rd period

Stats:

Streit – 17:47 of ice time – Okposo – Moulson and Comeau with three shots a piece.  Jackman at a +2.

What Islander team will we see this period?  Will it be the Jekyll team, or the Hyde squad….. The next 20 minutes should be interesting.

1:41 – Kovalchuk -he is such a scary player.  Rifles a sht from just behind the circle – five hole – 3-2 Islanders

Now will be a test to see what the intestinal fortitude of the Islanders will be.

It looks like the Devils got an inspired talk from coach Lemaire.  They have extra spring in their step.  I do not think that the Isles came out flat, but the converse is definitely true.

It is so amazing how sticks can snap like a dead twig so easily.  Bergenheim tres to stop a passing attempt, and th stick shatters.

4:15 – Devils are cycling brilliantly, but Rollie was up to the test.  Going to be a long 15 minutes of hockey.

4:50 – Sim trying to do his best impression of Ray Ferraro.

5:44 – a few dangling puck in front of Roloson and he has been up to the task.  He looked shaky at the start, but has seemed a lot more comfortable in his skin.

7:58 – I like seeing Roloson communicate with his defensemen – to slow down the play.  Hille looked like he was running a 100 MPH – but #30 put the glove in a motion to say take it easy, and Jack did just that.

9:01 – a couple of great chances – with Roloson stopping them all.  The ROLLIE chant going up in LOUDVILLE.

9:15 – Dylan Reese got 4 for high-sticking.  This is a BIG test for the PK.  Got to stand up to the Devils.

11:33 – Shorty – Bergenheim!  Great play by Comeau to strip the puck , and passes off to Bergenheim all alone – Danis saves the first – but Bergie gets the rebound home 4-2 Islanders! – Wait – play under formal review!

IT’S A GOAL!

Now – kill the last 90 seconds – and we are golden!  Bailey gets a shot opportunity as well.  Just love watching the pendulum swing back and forth.

12:26 – Penalty on Comeau – Islanders down 2 for 50 seconds.  It is swinging the other way again?

Devils with 5 forwards again on the PP.

Nice job my Meyer to take time off the clock.

One penalty down – 1 to go.

Guys are sacrificing their bodies, in Roloson’s case – his mask.

14:15 – penalty over – Isles prevented any damage.  Great effort!

14:30 – Comeau comes out of the box, and gets a breakaway,which Danis denies him.  That would have been a nice nail to the coffin.  Five minutes left.

15:30 – Devils starting to take more chances and getting aggressive.  Isles standing up to them.

15:45 – Isles down 47-53%(20-22)  in face offs.  This is definitely a stat that needs to improve next season.

16:45 – Comeau Okposo Bailey have some real chemistry together – like their abilities together.

17:30 – Last 2 minutes – can not afford to get sloppy.

18:08 – Roloson makes great stop on a Rolston slapper.  Shots 35-29 NJD.

18:15 – Danis out of net.

18:40 – great job my Okposo to slow game and muscle Skoula off puck.  18:52  – Danis back in net.  Time out Isles.

19:00 – Danis out of net again.

Good win!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

Torn meniscus ends the season for #13.

25 points in 42 games, I believe is the stats for him.  He made some good strides, and is proving to the critics that he can actually get the job done.  Sorry to hear about this.

Tambellini – your turn to STEP UP – starting NOW!

Posted under Islanders 09-10

Posted under Islanders 09-10

What a beatuiful afternoon.. Snow is melting – crocuses should be blooming soon.  Spring is coming. 

But it is a hockey game in Uniondale today, and I am here in the Blog Box (FOR A CHANGE), to cover the game.

Warmups notes

No sign of Tambellini… Are you surprised?  Not me; and  I was always one to defend him, but his play, in a word, STUNK!   He needs to make a decision as to what direction he wants his career to go.  Rob Schremp did, but Tamby has not done that.  Hence, a return to the press box.

Rollie shouold be in net – as he came out first.  I believe that Tim Thomas is between the pipes for the B’s.  Thomas’ stock has declined more than AIG since the Winter Classic.  Boston has struggled mightily, and the play of Thomas has not helped their cause at all.

LOTS of Black and Gold in the stands today.  Should be interesting to see how loud it will be if the Blues get one in the net.

 

Player to watch today: Jack Hillen – I just get more and more impresed with his play with every game.  He just brings out a quiet sense of confidence that helps out the rest of the team.  It is great to see how he came back so early from that horrific jaw injury thanks to Alex Ovechkin.  But Hillen is  team player, and is not only back, but playing a pivotal part of the Islander D and getting major minutes a game.  Look to see what he does.

1ST PERIOD

0:00  – Isles starting lineup – Roloson, Streit, Gervais, Okposo, Bailey, Nielsen – Boston – Thomas, Wideman, Stuart, Recchi, Bergeron, Krejci

GAME TIME!

0:30 – you can see that the strength factor on Bailey has increased greatly in the past year.

1″00 - the Let’s Go Bruins – and the subsequent BOSTON SUCKS chant behins.  How long until we hear the Let’s Go Yankees chant.  Oh – we did.

1:27 – Penalty on the Isles – Sim for tripping – or just being a pain the arse?

2:30 – the PP for Boston is mightyaggressive, but the OK has stood up to them – even with broken sticks. Postionally well – as Billy Jaffe would say.  Good kill boys!

3:45 – Streit got away from the defenders, and got a great shot off – just past the glove of Thomas, but just wide of th post.

4:45 – Jackman trying to get under Charas skin.  Tune in later to see if it worked.  Savard – doing a nice toe drag to get his shot off, and was deflected ove the glass.

5:40 – first real opportunity for Isles offensively – scrum in front of Thomas- one shot, but relief came for Boston.

6:50 – Boston sucks chant comes back with a vengence.   If I have to hear about Red Sox Nation again….

8:40 – meyer streaking down the right wing – got a shot off – good stop by Thomas

9″00 – not  a great deal of chemistry with the lines or the basic game process at this point.  A lot bustle, but not the most amout of hustle.

10:30 – is it just me – ir is it the defensive guys that are providing the most spark on this team today. 

11:20 – Dylan Reese just looks about a half step behind.  Hillen, MacDonald and Kohn have been able to fill the level up quite nicely.  Not that he can not do it – I just think he is a little more raw than the other guys.

12:15 – Tavare misses a golden opportunity.  He has to STICK those.  Keep charging and keep trying John.

13:10 – Isles outshot right now 12-3.  Got to make more opportunities on net.  Got to come out of the neutral zone with some confidence.

14:40 -  Freddy IV great garbage clearance in front ot the Isles net – saving a goal.

15:00 – Isles are just getting beaten so much in the puck battles, and the decision making, after the debacle on Thursday – you would think that the team would respond better.

16:00 – Bergie got off a beauty – just wide

18:25 – I am just talking to m conterpart saying that we had 22 shots in the 1st period on Thursday, and gave up 4.  Wewere looking this sloppy, and there was no score…. Oh well – a shot from between the circles by Lucic gives the road eam the 1-0 lead on their 15th shot of th period (as opposed to New York’s 4).

1st period conclusion – this team needs a shot of adrenaline – or maybe a taser or two.

2nd period

2:18 – ISLES tie it up on the power play- a lot of pressure in front of Thomas – with Bailey jamming it home on just their 8th shot of the contest.  Streit and Okposo got the helpers on Bailey’s 14th of the season.

3:10 – I think that the wake up call came through – Bergenheim got through about 4 Boston players  and got a shot through with Schremp providing support as well.

5:04 – Bruins take the lead back as Krejci got his second of the game on an empty net as Roloson went to the left corner to block the side.

6:15 – again – Reese looks a little intimidated…  Chara just rent off the ice, but I believe it is for equipment reasons.

7:40 – found out that our old friend Miro Satan got the assist on the second goal.

8:00 – Isles get a little flourish going, with Schremp getting a nice pass off to Reese who nraly got it glove side.

8:26 – Penalty to the Islanders – Reese for Interference.  Chara returns to the bench.

9:20 – Roloson commits probably the most major faux paus of the year, he slid back as the puck went over the net, and then slid right in front of the crease to a very fortunate Savard who tamely slid the puck into another open net. 3-1 Boston.  So much for the momentum swing.  Hey Mark – make sure that you buy the Isles some alcohol…

9:50 – Thornton takes down Roloson and no call.  Interesting….

10:40 – once again – sloppy decisions, and basically – the inability to bring the puck out of their defensive zone – is making life a little difficult.

12:00 – Thomas makes a great stop on Comeau, and 5 seconds late – Boston hits the post.

13:15 – Milan Lucic sets up for his bog slap shot – and Richard Park comes in and steals it before the blade can touch the puck.  It is so cartoon like.. Then Blake Wheeler, skates by the puck as he is ready to get a cross ice pass.  It is so keystone cops.

14:25 – Jackman and Chara going at it again…..

14:25 -Hillen just about a little anonymous tonight.  Done some good work with his puck movement, but looks a little tentative in only his 3rd game back from injury.  Not making thisa negative, but a work in progress.

15:10 – Bergie had a chance for a breakaway, but 1/2 twist of a puck made it look lie a missed opportunity.

16:06 – Michael Ryder slams Blake Comeau to the boards, landing face first to the ice.  After a few minutes – he is on his knees, and is getting on his skats and leaving the ice.  Ryder gets a five minute major for checking from behind and a game misconduct.  If there ever was a time to change the momentum of a game – this is IT!

17:30 – 1 minute into it – and they seem to be looking for the highlight net.  Need to crash the net and make chances.  Schremp, Tavares and Moulson were going that – getting a couple of shots on net.

18:45 -what this PP does NOT do is keep the feet moving. 

19:30 – Bailey misses a wide open net, which gives the crowd a warm fuzzy feeling.

2nd period conclusion – A little better – but this team needs to take advantage of the last 66 seconds of the power play and get the score closer.

3rd PERIOD

Notes – Streit leading all D with 17:35 of ice time.  Kohn the lowest on the D with just over 8 minutes.  On the forwards, Okposo is just under 13 minutes, and Bailey is the only other forward with over 12 minutes.  Schremp and Tacares are the shot leaders at 4.

 1:30 – PP ended a little flat – Isles have a little hill to climb here – and can not make any mistakes.

At one point late in the first period- the Bruins had a 15-4 shot advantage.  With 16:55 left in the 3rd, it is now 28-28.

3:37 – Congrats to Mark Streit on getting his 200th NHL point with the assist on the Bailey goal.

5:47 – Moulson – left alone in the slot, gets it by Thomas – it is now a one goal deficit.  Team leading 23rd goal of the season.  Not bad for an AHL’er with nowhere to go…

7:00 – one more to a CHILI goal – on

8:30 – Boston is now playing a rope-a-dope style, trying to hold on.  This is not the team that was at the top of the East last season.

9:40 – Gervais just clanked, and the Isles seem to turn the tide around.

12:20 – Sim gets clipped in the face – and of course – no official saw it.

14:40 – Boston getting a few chances on Rollie, and he stands up to the pressure.  Big stat that I saw on the scoreboard.  70-30% face off wins for the Bruins.  You should NOT be losing that many draws at HOME guys!

15:10 – time for the Isles to take some more chances – and get more aggressive in the O zone.

16:30 – shift with Okie and Moulson performed good  got some action on the net.  Have to keep that pressure going.

17:00 – ok boys – time to get desperate.

18:45 – Rollie leaves the net.  However, get the puck into the O Zone.

19:10 – Okposo get raped, but no call.

Game over.. Nice try guys.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

Not much to say about the first period.  It was just BAD!

This was a great opportunity to make a statement against a team that they have handled all year.  Oh well.  Get back on the horse and do it tomorrow against Big Z and the Bruins.  Another team on the ‘bubble’.

Now Carolina is within 1 point of the ISLES, and moving fast!

Tomorrow will be a big test for the boys.  I will be blogging at the game tomorrow, sending each period’s update to the blog.  Check it out – and comment if you can.

Have a great FRIDAY folks!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10

Using the Saints line – who is this team? 

It just figures that the day I do not go to a game, we get a great effort, a Hat Trick, and a Giveaway.  Thanks to my buddy Rose for saving one for me.

Driving home last night, I was quite shocked by hearing the horn in the second period against this Blackhawks team.  Not that I was unhappy – hell no!  I just did not expect the jump in the second stanza.  The Isles were severly outshot (22 – 9), and were down 2-1.  Rollie the goalie was outstanding and kept the boys in the game.

Was it the Isles getting their legs faster than their opponent?

Was it that the Hawks were suffering a post Olympic hangover?

I would lean to the second.  Six players arrived in New York on Monday after celebrating the Olympics, or in mourning, whichever you want to look at it.  Those guys had to be sluggish, and the second and third period showed the lack of effort.

You could also blame the netminding too…

The Hawks, in order to move far in the playoff push, definitely need to work on that position.  Huet is a $5 Million bust.  He can not lead these guys, and Niemi is just too young and raw. 

Who can the Hawks look to?

 

 

Rollie? 

If there ever was a job interview, last night for the 40 year old netminder was doing well.  I am just not sure that a deal will happen, due to the DP injury.  But it is certainly possible.

To the game…

Blake Comeau with six goals in his last 3 games, is making his case to be a permanent fixture.  He learned his lessons with his stints in the chateau de bow-wow, and had made the most of it.

Richard Park – a class act, scored twice as well – and has made a turnaound his his efforts of late.  I like the line of Park, Weight and Sim.

Tavares did not have any points, but looked a little more crisper than he did before the stoppage.  Maybe some home cooking did him some good.

Okposo has some speed bursts that surprised me a lot.  A good sign.

So glad to see Hillen back.  He was playing so well before the injury, and I just feel a lot better with him on the blue line.  Congrats to Andy MacDonald on his contract.  Thanks to Ted Nolan for suggesting that the Isles draft him.

Good luck to Andy Sutton.  He gets a chance to play with a good team, and playing so well of late (except the 2nd period against the Rangers).

Tomorrow – the Thrashers are the home team.  The Isles have scored 16 goals in 3 games against them.  Hope for some more offense.  Then the Big Bad Bruins come to town for a Saturday matinee.  Wonder who will be here, as well as who will not?  Tune in to the NHL Network to find out today.

Have a hockey day folks!

Will be in the Blog Box on Saturday.  If you are home, check out my period by period updates.

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 09-10, Ramblings