There has been more good news than anyone could have predicted on the Islanders beat this season. But if the Isles want the story to have a happy ending with a playoff berth, they’re going to have to reverse some depressingly bad numbers against their next four opponents, starting with the Devils and goaltender Martin Brodeur tomorrow night at the Coliseum and following with games against Buffalo, Ottawa and the Rangers.
If you play with statistics, you can manipulate them to prove any number of things. In this case, I’m going to ignore the Islanders’ four wins over the Rangers before New Year’s and their one win over the Devils in November and just look at the most recent nine meetings with those two teams plus three games apiece with Buffalo and Ottawa over the entire season.
In those 14 games, the Islanders have a 1-10-3 record and have scored only 17 goals to 37 for their conference opponents. That includes five shutouts of the Isles and 10 games in which they scored one goal or less against Brodeur, the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist, Buffalo’s Ryan Miller and Ottawa’s Ray Emery. They have scored three goals or more only twice and managed to lose one of those games.
Backup goaltender Mike Dunham was in net for two of the losses to Ottawa, giving up a total of nine goals. Starter Rick DiPietro’s numbers – 28 goals allowed in 12 games – have been very good, but they translate into a 1-8-3 record. In other words, if the Islanders’ don’t begin to generate some serious offense against the top teams, DiPietro pretty much has to pitch shutouts to reach the playoffs.
The Islanders’ 2-1 loss to the Rangers Sunday afternoon was a perfect example of their small margin for error. “Well, it was a one-goal game -- one fluky one and one four-on-three in overtime,” coach Ted Nolan said, referring to goals by Rangers Colton Orr and Michael Nylander. “I thought we outplayed them.
“We outchanced them. Sometimes, as much as you want to execute, it comes down to luck and bounces. We just didn’t get the bounces at the right time. Do we need big goals? Sure. It’s going to get tighter and tighter. Are we going to explode for seven or eight goals a game? No, that’s not going to happen. It’s probably going to come down to one goal protecting [a lead] or one goal behind.”
By now, the Devils’ Brodeur must be giving the Islanders nightmares. He shut them out in the past two meetings, and in the game before that, he gave up only Miro Satan’s goal with 0.7 seconds left in regulation of a game the Devils won in OT.
I have to laugh when people say Brodeur is a “system goaltender,” as if that explains his superb record season after season. Yes, he plays in a defense-oriented system that limits shots against and results in routinely low scoring games. But the description reminds me of when I covered the NFL and some called Joe Montana a “system quarterback” because Bill Walsh’s offense emphasized short- and medium-range passes. Montana could lay the deep ball in there when necessary, and he could survive eight sacks, as I saw him do once in Philadelphia, to lead a fourth-quarter comeback.
Brodeur is like that in the way he rises to the occasion. The good news for the Islanders is that DiPietro usually is at his best against Brodeur. But he’s going to need some offensive support.
Ryan Smyth said something today after practice that also will be in my Newsday story tomorrow on the Islanders’ power play and the difference it can make. When I mentioned that he hadn’t faced Brodeur this season while with Edmonton, Smyth said, “Nope, not this year. He’s going to see me, though.”
Whether it’s on the power play or at even strength, Smyth plans to set up shop on Brodeur’s doorstep. Nolan said something about going “through the front door” to reach the playoffs while facing the top teams, and he’d better hope Smyth or someone else in the Islanders’ locker room can find the key to go through the likes of Brodeur, Miller, Emery and Lundqvist in the next four games. It would be a shame to see this season end short of the playoffs.
Comments (56)
Agree 100% .... A happy ending is needed!
SCREW THE NUMBERS, SCREW THE PAST, AND SCREW THE PEOPLE THAT THINK WE HAVE NO CHANCE OF WINNING...LETS JUST GO OUT AND PLAY OUR FREAKING HEARTS OUT AND EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY!!!!
LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!
Greg, I just want to thank you for taking the time to write this blog. I know it's been said, but your coverage of the team this year has been a huge plus for us fans this year--I find myself refreshing your blog every couple of hours in search of more news. I read just about everything printed on the Isles across the web, and your coverage is without a question #1. Thanks. As for the Isles, I'm nervous as hell, but I'm gonna keep the faith and bet on Teddy getting us in--he's the best thing that's happened to us in the past twenty years.
Greg - Great stuff that we Isles fans get nowhere else from the NY media. Much appreciated.
the only way to score goals against premier keepers is to CRASH THE NET!!!
get them out of their comfort zone...
perimeter shots from wide angles will not work...let smyth/hunter/yahin dig out the puck while blake&RR/silly&hilbert/kozlov&satan set up shop in front/slot - ENOUGH with the cycling and boards play among the forwards...
CRASH THE NET, SCREEN POINT SHOTS and GET DIRTY!!
WE CAN DO IT!!!
LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!
Greg, while not painting a very nice picture it is what it is and we must rise to the occasion if we want to succeed. I think if we beat the Devils, it could give us the confidence to beat anyone and everyone heading into the playoffs.
Screens, deflections and rebounds are the name of the game and BAM has to be firing those lasers on net.
Go Islanders, we stand behind you....We All Islanders.
The story is simple. The Isles are tied w/Carolina in points, but they are technically in 9th place b/c Carolina has 2 more wins. Both teams have 7 games left.
If the Isles get 11 of the last available 14 points, they should be in unless Carolina goes on a similar ridiculous streak. If they crap out and go 2-3-2 in the last 7, they won't make it and won't deserve to do so. Given who they will be playing, and their recent problems putting pucks in the net, I would realistically peg their odds at making it at about 40%, unless someone else (Montreal?) completely goes in the tank.
Finally, no whining about the refs' calls yesterday afternoon. Our team had 9 power plays, including a minute-and-a-half-plus 5 on 3. They should have won the game 3-1, at minimum. Do you think that if any team against us had that number of power plays they would have scored only 1 goal?
Greg-
Thanks for being so insightful this season and painting the real picture when it's needed. Your stats always provide a realistic look on the rest of this season, and I totally agree that they need a lot more offense than they've been getting. I think if they can score 3 or more goals a game, they'll be good, but that's also asking for a lot against these teams. Go Islanders and lets hope they get to the playoffs.
Winners, like the Isles of the 80's, would be saying that these next three games will show the rest of the league that we're supposed to be in the playoffs and we can beat anybody. Let's hope we have some hair on our balls.
Frankly if we can't win the next 3 games or at least 2 out of 3, then there's no point in going to the playoffs anyway.
I was very impressed with their game against the Rangers, other than their power play relying too much on the Bergeron "cannon"...a little more creativity on the power play and giving more than 1 or 2 players chances, then it will all come together.
Give Henrik credit...he's keeping the Rags together.
On second thought:
LUNDQUIST SUCKS
With the full acknowledgement that I'm making excuses, if the Isles don't make the playoffs, one of the big reasons will simply be the division we play in. The Penguins really stepped up this year and if the Isles and Rags make it, that will be four teams from the Atlantic.
I checked the standings and results and saw that Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta generally feasted on Florida and Washington while Philly has been the only break in our schedule. On Tampa Bay's plus side, however, they went a remarkable 16-4 against the Atlantic division--an impressive record even without counting our carcass on that list.
Of course, it's true that Montreal and Toronto had it even tougher with no real patsies in the Northeast (until the Bruins of late).
So regardless of what happens in the next week, I think it's fair to say that the Islanders built from scratch a team that ranks roughly 14th to 18th in the League--smack in the middle of the pack, but significantly better than the 30th ranking everyone gave them early at the outset. That's quite a feat.
Still, do the "bobbleheads" as Steady likes to call them have the wherewithal to make even more significant improvement? What happens with Smyth and Blake--even if we sign them (i.e., for how much) will tell a lot.
I'm going to be watching these games rooting with all of my heart that the Isles will bust into the playoffs ...a lot of people have been saying that if they can't beat these teams then they don't deserve to be in the playoffs ...and I agree ...but what's really depressing are all of the points they've just given away this year. There are too many to mention, but the game against St. Louis comes to mind. I was there. They were dominating ...seemed like a sure 2 points, then they managed to cost themselves a point ...points like that are what might cost this team not these upcoming 4 games ...
Lets Go Islanders!
Hey Doug get a clue, If Lunqvist sucks, that only means Depietro would have to improve to suck because
HEN-RIKS BET-TER !!!
It was great watching the Isles lose at home in one of the few sellouts at the Nassau Masoleum because ther were so many of my True Blue brethern there.
The Isles can't even sellout there own building in a playoff run, how typically pathetic.
Gotta love that quote by Smyth...we're going through the front door and Smyth is gonna lead us!
To quote sneaky pete:
"The only way to score goals against premier keepers is to CRASH THE NET!!! get them out of their comfort zone...perimeter shots from wide angles will not work...let smyth/hunter/yahin dig out the puck while blake&RR/silly&hilbert/kozlov&satan set up shop in front/slot - ENOUGH with the cycling and boards play among the forwards...
CRASH THE NET, SCREEN POINT SHOTS and GET DIRTY!!"
Greg - is there ANY way you can pass the above onto Nolan? This organization has dumped and chased for far too long.
Do us proud boys - crash through that front door with reckless abandon!!!
Krunch ~ The Rags sell out... when ??? Oh that's right, when the Corporations give out tickets to their clients....There have been just as many Isles fans at the garden as Rags fans at NC......Your own announcers have said all year how the Isles fans have been flooding the Garden in droves.....You are confusing Isles fans with Devil Fans.......NC is one of the loudest buildings in the NHL....FACT
Also we do not scream shoot the puck all day just to make noise like the corporate sponsors do attending your games! We use to at your sassoon wearing boy Barry Beck, but that was quite some time ago!
p.s Isn't it true we did to you what has never been done before this year by smoking you three games in a row at the garden??? Please answer as inquiring minds would like to know!
Never thought I would say this but where is DP and John the Rags fans with some brains???
p.s Why does it say KOHO accross Hollwigs head? (can't get enough of that one...too funny!)
Captain Useless better step up.
LETS GO ISLANDERS!
There is no point to make the playoffs if you can't beat the teams in the playoffs. So go out and beat these guys and show we belong, if we don't do it this week, we are just saving ourselves a quick exit from the playoffs.
What was amazing to me in the ranger game were the number of rebounds we did get and the number of times we couldn't get our stick on it.
i'm not complaining or rying i was just amazed at how unlucky we were. i thought we crashed the goal quite a bit and just came up empty.
we crtainly need to do that again against the Devs tonight and hopefully we get a few bounces to go our way!
Go Islanders!!!!!
So I was told this story last night and got to drop it here.
Sunday at the game at Nassau Coliseum two young kids are getting picked on by much older idiot Rangers fans. So this goes on for a while and then somehow a soda or something gets spilled on one of the kids. Dad sitting there freaks out. Grabs the Rangers fan and basically body slams him into the row behind them. Great story right!?
Turns out the body slammed kid lands on or close to Mrs. Smyth and the family who were in town to check out the game and the area so they can make their decision when and if that day comes...
Welcome to Long Island!
OK, first a great night in hockey coming up. Tough games for both teams but, they both can be wins. Depends on how the teams show up.
TD,
You can say Lundqvuist s.cks to talk trash but, and you do say it before that. He has carried this team for the last two months and been the best goalie in the NHL since the ball dropped on New Years.
Should be interesting I will be tuning into both games tonight.
Wouldn't the Smyth Family have been in a Box with owners or something? Even our ownership would not been dumb enough to sit them out in the crowd for an Isles ~ Rags game.....
Then again.......
Only a coward picks on kids at games regardless of who they are rooting for. Typical Rags fan.
Am I the only Islander fan who thought Nolan made 2 mistakes on Sunday, one of them extremely crucial. First, the arguable one:
1) When the Isles ahd the 5-3, he should have started the Yahsin, Satan, Kozlov line. My reasoning? They are more finess and can move the puck faster than having the Blake line with Silinger and Smyth out there. As it was, they all just stood around and didn't get the quality shots that they should have gotten in a 5-3. Then when the 5-3 ended, the could have come back with the Blake line.
And Nolan's crucial mistake:
He never should have called time out in the OT. Sure, he gave Sillinger a chance to rest, but he also gave Jagr a chance to rest. Big mistake. I'd rather have Park or Smyth on anybody else or a TIRED Jagr, than Sillinger on a rested Jagr.
Am I wrong about these?
I agree Troy......I understand Silingers value on the face off, but does he have to be on every first line PP ??? 100% agree with Nolans misuse of his timeout also!!!
Dipi is sitting this one out. This is perfect. First game of these three games from hell and Dipi is out. Dubie just called up. He better stand on his head tonight if the Isles plan on getting one point out of this game.
Where'd you hear that one, Sweet? Are you assuming that because Dubie got called up, Rico isn't starting tonight?
If so, you might want to consider the possibility that you've seen Dunham's last game in blue and orange, and Dubielewicz will be the backup from here on out.
DP USA's goalie,
It was only a joke about Lundquist.
Sweet,
Where did you get the news? I heard lastnight he had post-concussion syndrome...is he gametime decision or is he out?
Mike S,
You are clearly the village idiot, just not sure which village.
First of all you say the Rangers sell out. All successful sports organizations rely on corporate sponsorships for revenue to operate ( keyword here successful). Gee, maybe that's why Wang is trying to build a new arena to get MORE corporate sponsorships and suites.
That is not selling out, and if you don't believe Wang & Co. are trying everything to do that you are stupider than I thought, which is really saying something. Your team's attempts at selling tickets in the Newsday are laughably pathetic. We're ALL ISLANDERS ? You gotta be joking, God forbid, anything but that!
Secondly, as a season ticket holder for the Rangers, I don't care what that dweeb and former Islander announcer Micheletti says.There is a smatering of, tops a few hundred Isles fans at the Garden and that is being generous. Ranger fans are in the thousands at the Masoleum ( again the only reason for a sellout crowd). How can your arena be so loud when there are so few people in attendance (see Isles ticket ads in Newsday). Maybe it's the echo of the few thousand misguided in attendance.I loved the picture of the OT winning goal on Sunday (Mondays Post). There was poor DP with his head down and nothing but people in Rangers jersey jumping out of their seats right behind the glass in celebration.
Finally, the Isles won 3 games in a row at the Garden this year I was painfully there. However, we have won the last three as you swoon heading into the playoffs,....Oh and don't forget the 2003-2204 season when the Rangers were 6-0 against your boys. Not to mention a 4-0 sweep in the 94 playoffs with 2 shutouts.Talk about being SMOKED !!!
Anyway it's been nice chatting but I have better things to do. No need to respond I don't want you to hurt yourself trying to think
Hope your boys enjoy an early vacation the golf courses shouldn't be that crowded this time of year.
......BRING OUT YOUR DEAD.
Hey Sweet,
Where did you hear that DiPi is out??
Was it on the FAN?? Please elaborate. thanks
MIKE S,
We know noone is writing on the Ranger Blog, because Ranger Fans only have something to say when they're drunk...isn't it a bit early for you to be drinking?
So you think we give a s__t about what you have to say. Think again.
Here's one for you:
1 CUP SINCE 1940
Now go root for your EURORANGERS and let us worry about our team...
19 STRAIGHT PLAYOFF SERIES...GREATEST STREAK IN ALL OF SPORTS.
from tsn.ca Website:
TSN.ca Staff
3/27/2007 11:10:44 AM
The New York Islanders' playoff hopes have suffered a significant blow.
Netminder Rick DiPietro is out indefinitely, suffering from post-concussion syndrome. Sources tell TSN DiPietro is not feeling well and did not pass a neuro-psychological exam and will be out of the lineup until he feels better and can pass the test.
DiPietro suffered the initial injury in a collision with Steve Begin of the Montreal Canadiens on March 13. He missed the next two games and the Islanders lost both, giving up 13 goals in the process. He returned to action on March 20 and played in four games, posting two wins and two overtime losses. Now, though, he's affected by symptoms from post-concussion syndrome and there's no telling when he'll be back in the lineup.
Q: What's funnier than Krunch actually believing LundQuit is better than Rick D?
A: Krunch not only bringing up the Rags' non-playoff campaign of 2004 for "bragging rights," but reaching all the way back to 1994 as well! Classic and pathetic. 1994's about as relevant as 1980-83, get with the times.
Instead of typing here, you ought to be keeping those fingers crossed in hopes that the Rags will win a playoff game in this millennium. F off, troll!
Heard it earlier today and TSN (as Edgar posted above) just confirmed. Apparently got really sick after the Rags game.
For some good news, it seems as if Freddy Meyer won't be playing tonight either (ok, not "good news" since it's due to an injury) but it seems like either Fata or Rourke will be up tonight, I'd assume Rourke
Troy, on your two points...
1) People were all over the Powerplay and I thought it was just the nature of the time of year. But obviously Nolan agrees because the article says he they spent a day practising the Powerplay. I wouldn't call it a gameday mistake because it is not something you can easily change during the game. It is usually better to be patient and stick to your game plan. I would only call it a mistake if Nolan does not make adjustments in preparation for the next game.
2) I don't remember who the NBC commentator was, but I thought he was right on the ball with that one. Jagr was on his game, and him being tired was huge. Unfortunately, Nolan didn't have the TV set in front of him and was focusing on his own players. Definately a coaching mistake.
Kevin T.
Finished my post, refreshed, and then OUCH!
"Rick DiPietro is out indefinitely, suffering from post-concussion syndrome."
They gotta go with Dubielewicz then. Goalies that are new to the league have an advantage because they won't have a book on him yet.
Kevin T.
Is anybody out ther or just in shock?? DiPi PCS...OMG..
Hey Greg, Great coverage all year, how come TSN got the story and not you?
FYI, according to the AHL transaction page, Dubie and Rourke have been called up.
I think I feel as sick as DP right now....
I am certain Greg new about this but I can also assume the Isles didn't want this news getting out there for a couple reasons. One being they want to sell tickets to tonights game and Dipi out does not sell tickets. Also today is the supposed deadline for season ticket holders to send back their playoff invoices which will give the isles an extra $1500 or so per seat to hold on to and gian interest on. If the Isles confirm this news early then I'm sure some people won't bother sending in money. Bad news like this that negatively affects a teams playoff push will rarely get broken by the team itself and usually leak out to an outside source (TSN). Just my opinion on what happened though. Could be completely wrong.
Ricky has been good, not great all season. Isles have little shot at making th playoffs and even less of a shot of winning games in the playoffs. So, the Smyth trade is horrible and we are back to mediocrity and potential sucking.
If anyone has some special pull with the man upstairs you might want to do us all a favor ...
These upcoming games were going to be tough with DiPi in ...obviously something special is going to have to happen with him out for them to win ...but what's done is done ...DiPi is having a great season but he's allergic to his goal crease and has been forever and this is what happens ...
I may have to smoke a Dube before I watch this game ...
Let us pray ...
Too bad dunham sucks....he isnt even close to what he was earlier this year...if he was we would have a shot
GREG! Is it true? TSN.ca is reporting that DP is out indefinately! The article says its according to sources.... PLEASE SAY IT AINT SO!!!
Does anyone know anything???
WHAT THE F???? KILL ME NOW !!!!!
Dust off the pads Garth and hang up that suit! This is your REAL chance to shine! Bring Steve Webb back with you too. Between you and him, at least the team will play with some more intensity.
I cant believe this? Hockeybuzz is reporting that he has been shut down for the rest of the year.
WHY ARE WE CURSED ?!?!?!?
Season is over. Its been fun folks. At least start Dubie so we have a prayer at a miracle.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=201754&hubname=
Not good.
Tough!
Damn sorry to see that happen.
DP with a concussion.
ROFLMFAO
FOR YOU IDIOT ISLES FANS
rolling on the floor laughing my f***ing a88 off
Krunch ~
Everyone in PW kknows you take it in the a^^.
Anyone who suffers a concussion, ruins his team's chances to make the playoffs, jeopardizes his own health, then states publicly that he'd do the same thing all over again needs to have his head examined for more than just a concussion!!!!
It's funny...I don't hear anyone talking about Teddy Nolan for coach of the year anymore.....
The only chance the Islanders have to make the playoffs now is if they change the "Y" to an "I" on Ryan Smyth's jersey and put him in net.
Garth Snow is the greatest GM of all time and I wish him a very lengthy tenure with the NY Islanders...unlike Ryan Smyth who will be purchasing a one-way ticket north in a couple of days
I just watched the replay on Isles TV of the initial knee to the head on DiPietro. There was no way Rick should ever have left the net...There was an Isles D-Man draped on Begin as they raced for the loose puck...plus Rick is great against the break aways. Nice job on the Todd Simpson singing Garth..NOT!!! Isn't his suspension something you should have been able to find out?
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