In my view, the Islanders’ third-period collapse against Detroit leading to a 4-3 overtime loss Tuesday night was their worst of the season. I don’t care if they had a 19-0-1 record taking a lead to the third period before that. It’s the circumstances that bother me.
Here they took control early against a terrific team and a great goaltender in Dominik Hasek, and they were playing their style of game. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock even admitted after the game that his team wasn’t ready for the Islanders’ physical approach, and added, “They backed us off.”
So, the Islanders had to know a team like Detroit would turn up the pressure in the third period, and when the Wings got the early power-play goal, they would smell blood. The breakdowns by the Islanders that quickly followed were hugely disappointing because a win in that spot after taking three points from Atlanta and Buffalo over the weekend could have been the springboard the Islanders need for their playoff push.
Now, it’s as though they take a boatload of doubts with them to Atlanta for the start of their three-game road trip that ends with afternoon games in Montreal and Washington on Saturday and Sunday. Last night, I asked coach Ted Nolan about the effect of such a bad loss, and he downplayed it.
“Whether you lose 15-1 or lose in OT, a loss is a loss,” Nolan said. “It doesn’t matter how you lose, you’ve just got to learn from it. We let this slip away in the third period. We had a three-goal lead, we didn’t hang on, and now, we’ve got to learn from that.”
I wasn’t at practice today because it’s a travel day for me, but my Newsday colleague Jeff Gold tells me Nolan gave the Isles a bit of a tongue-lashing. Not that all of them needed it, but as Nolan suggested after the All-Star break, they must have the mental strength to respond better than they did to Detroit’s first power-play goal.
Following the game, captain Alexei Yashin mentioned the need to be mentally strong for 60 minutes, and he added, “I guess we lost focus.” Frankly, it’s time to wonder about Yashin’s focus, along with a few others. Yashin produced one shot on goal against the Red Wings and badly missed the net on an overtime breakaway that was the Isles’ only scoring chance before Henrik Zetterberg’s gamewinner for Detroit. Miroslav Satan and Viktor Kozlov managed zero shots on goal with Satan missing once and Kozlov not shooting at all. Nolan needs to see more determination than that from his top scorers.
All goal scorers go through slumps and deserve the benefit of patience as they attempt to work themselves out of it. But after one goal in his past 18 games by Yashin, it’s my sense that patience within the organization is growing thin. Nolan has the confidence of owner Charles Wang to handle things as he sees fit. How much leash he gives Yashin from this point forward certainly bears watching.
By the way, it was obvious that goaltender Rick DiPietro was upset with defenseman Radek Martinek after he was called for hooking to set up the power play on which the Wings tied the game in regulation. Nolan said Martinek wasn’t even aware a penalty had been called on him because it was such a borderline call. DiPietro explained it as a case of miscommunication.
“Their whole forecheck was clogging up those walls,” DiPietro said. “I was trying to relay to him that we should just chip it behind the net and walk it out. But that stuff happens. He’s a great skater, and he can make plays with his feet. But [the Red Wings] did a good job of shutting that wall down on that particular play, and they benefited from it.”
When a reporter questioned whether the Islanders might have worn down on the penalty kill after facing five power plays in the first two periods, DiPietro said, “Absolutely not. That’s how we’ve got to play. You’ve got to play that way for 60 minutes. That’s what great teams do, and we want to be a great team. Especially against a team like Detroit, you can’t let down your guard. Once you flinch, then, they get a chance and they score. As you saw, they came to life and continued to work and generate offense.”
DiPietro is right. The Islanders have killed more penalties in several games than they faced against Detroit. The problem this time is that they weren’t as strong as they needed to be under pressure in a big spot. That’s the difference between the pretenders and the contenders. Now, let’s see how the Islanders define themselves from here on out.
Comments (19)
Best blog by you ever Greg. It's about time you ripped this team apart! Yashin's got to go, there is no question anymore. They have the chance to buy him out one last time this summer. They've got to do it.
I'm also on the Steve Webb bandwagon that I see alot of from other fans on here. I wish this organization would listen to the fans for once and bring either him back to the team or someone just like him. I'm very surprised that with a spunky GM like Garth Snow and the physical player that he was that they didn't bring Webb or someone like him back to the team who can hit. No one hits big on the Islanders and if they do it's nothing that's big enough to get the fans and Islanders players pumped up about it. So how about it Mr Snow? Greg try and find something out for us about this.
Enough with Steve Webb already. He's done. He can't score and that's what the team needs right now because they have no margin for error.
Definately your best blog. Couple of thoughts ...
1) I've actually been a Yashin supporter for quite some time, but he's really got to go. I don't blame Wang for trading for him or signing him to the deal he gave him because of the circumstances at that time but it's time to cut the team's losses and buy him out.
2) Steve Webb was great as doing what he did while he was here but this team really doesn't need that kind of a player. They already hit hard and often - they need players that can put it in the net on a nightly basis - both on even strength but mainly the PP
I agree this was your best blog. While I won't say the goal is to rip the team, hearing your views interspersed with direct quotes from key players/coaches was terrific.
Unfortunately, the Yashin vacation has become an annual event and is a reminder why he should ahve been let go last season.
To be honest, none of the older Russian players show consistent spark and one wonders if this is some remnant of the old Soviet system where you played hockey simply because you could do it well rather than a pure love for the game and burning desire to to win. Kovlov looking like Kvasha seems to be a reminder of this.
The bottom line is that this is a team that has to compete for 60 minutes and can't rely on talent alone. The problem ahead is that while the team may be able to muster that kind of effort and somehow sneak into the playoffs, will there be anything left in the tank to anything if they get there?
Mr. Logan,
With all the Islander related trade rumors I've been hearing (Kasparitis becoming an Islander again and Brad Boyes for Robert Nilsson and a 3rd Round Pick to name a few) I'm wondering why I haven't heard any of the rumors from you? what we do at the deadline will basically determine our fate and right now, i want to know what is going on. I think your blogs are great but I'm looking for the scoop on the news that isn't as obvious as our collapse to Detroit. Please keep the fans informed.
Thank you
Like AZS, I have been a Yashin supporter. The guy just has too much skill and natural talent not to like him. He's a big guy with a ridiculously good wrist shot and he's also a super nice guy. I've met him a few times and each time I've come away impressed with him. The first quarter of this year he was on a pace to score 90+ points. Unfortunately, that knee injury slowed him down and now he's back to playing the way he did the previous few years. As much as I like him, his salary is an albatross and should be bought out or moved (if possible). The sad side note is if he was making maybe 4.5 million a year, he wouldn't be open to so much criticism. Comes with the territory, I guess.
I also wouldn't mind seeing them trade Blake or Satan for some young prospects. I really think we're kidding ourselves if we continue to think that the Isles will be able to make a run at the playoffs. I hope they prove me wrong, I just don't see them having enough offense to offset their inevitable defensive breakdowns. I could live with the team taking the approach of developing the young guys and hoping that they get lucky with Okposo, O'Marra or Nilsson becoming that cornerstone franchise player.
By the way, I think Greg has done a nice job thus far and I'm happy to be able to share my thoughts with this Islander community each day. It's the first website I go to in the morning.
Let's Go Isles!
NEWSDAY(especially Greg Logan)
Today there was one line about Bates being replaced in the lineup by Franz Nielsen. OKAY... I'm SICK OF IT NOW.
WHY IS TAMBELLINI (22-22-44) rotting in the AHL with guys like Bougenicki, Nielsen and Rubber-tie wasting minutes in the NHL.
WHY is Robert Nilsson still in Bridgeport?
What is the deal with Bergenhiem and Grebeshkov?
Will they be back, and in the NHL next season... What does that mean for guys like Park, Asham, Simon, Hill and Poti.
What did they get for Jeff Hamilton... What a great [cheap] addition he would have been... all the guy does is score... meanwhile the Isles are a 10% PP team... PATHETIC... with guys like Simon and Hill getting PP time... WHY????
Have you ever spoken to another NHL GM about the Islanders? Do you have a clue what's going on outside of Nassau county?
WHERE IS ALAN HAHN????
ISLANDER COVERAGE IN NEWSDAY HAS HIT THE CURB!
6 first rounders in the organization that can possibly play for the Isles, most with NHL experience, 2 exiled... and you never print a word about any of them.
Come on!!! Step up and be a REPORTER... get out of your CHAIR!!!!
tambellini recalled today.. something is up and some1 is sitting out...
Hopefully Tambellini will see the ice.
JP, I feel your pain. I too want to see the young players and feel frustrated by this team.
Hopefully they can put together a complete effort tonight against Atlanta.
Once again, the Detroit game showed that our problem is mental. Coach Nolan was right, we played like a Stanley Cup team the first two periods, and then like we didn't belong in the league after that.
Let's not overlook the role the refs played in turning that game around. I was at the game, and clearly saw how cheap some of the calls against the Isles were, and how eggregious some of the non-calls were. It was an atrocious performance by the officials, like they were doing everything in their power to get the Wings back in the game.
Point taken from Exiled in Cincy and others about the power play. That sore spot really does dampen my enthusiasm about the team. But I tend to think a lot of that is mental. There's a major leadership aspect to the PP, you need someone with confidence quarterbacking the thing. I tend to think Campoli is our best bet in this regard.
As for Yashin, I suggest something much less drastic than buying him out (for now, anyway): take away the captaincy from him. He simply hasn't been leading this team. Maybe bump Sillinger up to captain, and make Blake an alternate? Sillinger can come up big when we need it, and he's shown leadership (remember when Yashing, after getting benched, didn't even speak to reporters after the game, while Sillinger stuck around and handled the situation?).
Anyway, how we rebound after the Detroit game (and the poor practice) will say a lot about this team.
has anyone else noticed how horrendous and totally inept allan rourke has been. He is a terrible defenseman and a liability on the ice. Takes bad penalties and makes bonehead moves such as fanning on clearing attempts and flubbing ordinary pass attempts. The guy looks like he couldnt play on a quality college team let alone an nhl team. He constantly makes mistakes that cost the team, case in point his lazy effort on the Thrashers tying goal just before or the ridiculous high sticking penalty he took earlier in the period. When will they stop giving this clown a shot?
Listen, I also have lost patience with Yashin, but I feel that he can still have a role on this team. As you all have noticed, the Isles are best when they put the puck into the boards, cycle it, and keep fighting. Yashin is strong on the puck and affective at keeping the cycle going. I honestly believe that he was rushed after the injury, and put back into the lineup too quickly. I know that he makes a lot of money, but cut the guy a break... you never we could be eating our words in the future.
I agree with most of you that our prospects need to be given ice time. For now this is the team we have and the season is far from lost... the trade deadline is the time to stir things up
themass: with all due respect, you need to take off your rose-colored glasses. yashin has average to above-average puck-handling skill and a wicked wrist shot. But he's not "strong on the puck" by any means. Jagr is strong on the puck. Yashin gets bumped and his balance is gone. His size is mostly wasted. Sorry, but I can't see cutting him a break any longer. Keeping him counts 7+ million against the cap. Buying him out counts 2+ against the cap. $5 million puts us in the market for Briere or Drury. So, I'll let you choose... Alexi or Briere or any other $5 million player. Get it?
quick question:
Kozlov's signed for this year only, and i've been really impressed with his performance once he got situated with the team.
What are the chances he gets resigned to a longer contract?
Looks like Greg Logan called Alan Hahn on how to spin everything Yashin into a deep-dark conspiracy or Yashin is a cancer angle with newsday's headline person calling this a benching like he should be punished for playing hurt.
For the media it always comes down to how quotable you are for them. Hahn hated Yashin and maybe he finally posioned Logan on Yashin too.
It's funny no matter how much Nolan says it's not personal or about Yashin the person the more Logan made it seem like it is. Not like he stopped skating before he got re-injured, it's clear this is all about his injury.
Meanwhile because Shanahan talks to the press all his whining on the officials is seen as leadership or protecting the other media mealticket for the Rag beatwriters in Jagr.
hey exiled: listen man... i'm sorry your have to live out there so far away from your team... and I give you credit for staying so into the isles. but dude, yashin's contract wont be bought out by the end of the year. we're stuck with him for the rest of the year, unless we trade him (and we both know that no one wants him). might as well stay positive bro... you think he's not strong on the puck... compare him to satan.. who loses the puck every time someone skates near him. and also... how can you think jagr is so great as an isles fan. i watch ranger games if the isles arent on hoping they lose.. and this guy is so lazy... way more than even yashin... get it
ps... briere would never play for us... get serious man
Let me say this about Kozlov, his best games have been at center. I didn't love moving Robitaille to the top line, but giving all the center responsibilities to Kozlov has made him focused. I like having 2 speedy, sharp shooting wings around Kozlov. It keeps his head in the game. I hate that we have to keep him interested, but if it works, keep him there.
Last night might have been Satans best game. He was digging the puck in the corner and behind the net and looking for his shot. Tambellini was a great influence on those 2. Lets see if it was instant chemistry or just a fluke.
As for Robitaille on the top line, like I said, I don't love it, but it makes sense. The third line is really starting to click, so I would not take Sillinger off of it, and the 4th line has been a great energy line for us. I would not touch it, and I think moving up Bates or Park makes even less sense then Robitaille.
Blake makes everyone better. He has his work cut out for him with Robitaille and Simon as his line mates, but it makes the most sense to have it like this for now.
Ahh, Greg keeps on hinting that the isles are a "physical team"...scrappy etc..We have less talent then most, thus, when we win its "scrappy". Look, reality is that Hunter is a typical Isles player--yes, he hits, but not hard. No one fears him. Asham..better with his fists then most but thats a different era apparently. Simon is clueless and useless. The calls for Webb are a call for passion; a call for older time hockey. Its aint happening. Rafi Torres would be a great addition but Mad Mike fucked that one up.
The Isles are soft and the NHL is soft. Its a league of pretty skating Penguins -the players play at age 40 now--rejuvenated because the physical playis gone. So are the fans...
MM-
well said--there is so little intensity in the nhl..no rivalry or hatred. Thats not the isles fault, its the NHL's! Much to our chagrin, it aint changing. In the past, an isles -rags game still had intrigue in the 3rd period of a lopsided affair--setting the tone for the next match... the Isles cling to memories of the Toronto series--what was the core of it? hatred.