If Rick DiPietro doesn’t start in goal for the Islanders in their hour of need against Tampa Bay tonight at St. Pete Times Forum, it will be the upset of the season. The last of three goalies to hit the ice at the morning skate, DiPietro charged out onto the smooth surface and skated around with a big smile on his face before settling into the net to face enough shots to tell him he has recovered from the head injury he suffered a week ago today at Montreal.
“I’m just playing it by ear,” DiPietro said when he left the ice. “I wanted to see how I felt this morning and how I responded to skating again today. I felt pretty good in there, and hopefully, that will translate into a good game tonight.”
Asked if that means he’s a definite go, DiPietro said: “I guess, unless someone tells me otherwise that I’m not playing tonight.”
Coach Ted Nolan has to follow medical protocol. He said DiPietro would discuss how he feels with the club’s medical advisors, and a final decision will be made after the pregame meal. But there are no red flags on the horizon.
“For a guy who misses that length of time in a normal situation, he still looked good [in practice Monday], and today, he looked good again,” Nolan said. “We have certain guys on this team who led us all season long as far as their grittiness and preparation and willingness to compete. He’s at the top of the food chain in that category. Him coming back is definitely a big boost.”
When DiPietro was escorted off the ice after a first-period collision with Canadiens forward Steve Begin, the Islanders had a 1-0 lead. But the defense broke down without DiPietro to backstop it as the Isles gave up 18 goals in losses to Montreal, Ottawa and Florida. They now have fallen into a three-way tie for ninth place, two points behind eighth-place Carolina, three behind the seventh-place Rangers and four behind the sixth-place Lightning.
DiPietro would like to see a return to the defense-oriented style of hockey that served the Islanders so well earlier this season. “I think we got away from playing smart hockey in the offensive zone,” he said. “That’s where your defense starts. Keeping that third guy high and having good back pressure. It just seemed like we were doing a lot of running around.
“I don’t think we’re a team that wants to run and gun with teams. We want to play a ‘New Jersey-type’ game, smart and simple and capitalize on odd-man rushes and special teams. That’s the kind of hockey you have to play, especially come playoff time and crunch time now. I think we got away from that for a bit, and we have to bear down tonight and play a smart game.”
If nothing else, the value of the goaltender with the 15-year contract has been underlined in unmistakeable terms as a result of the slide without him. Nolan previously said DiPietro “spoiled” the Isles by covering up a whole lot of their defensive mistakes.
“I guess any person will tell you, it’s always nice to be appreciated,” DiPietro said. “But I look at it as my job to come in and do whatever I can to stop hockey pucks. I’ve been fortunate to play with a group of great defensemen this year that have put their necks on the line every night and have done whatever it takes to protect me and protect the net. You look at Sean Hill right now. He’s got stitches all over his face. Guys are battling through all sorts of injuries. As a goaltender, you appreciate that, and it makes you want to fight that much harder to help the team out.”
The word “concussion” never has been used to describe DiPietro’s injury, but he admitted to having the symptoms associated with a concussion. “Yeah, the first couple of days, you’ll feel good a little bit,” DiPietro said. “Then, you’ll kind of crash and feel bad. It’s a weird feeling. It’s one of the first times I’ve ever felt like that. I’m hoping never to feel like that again.”
But when asked if he would leave the net to come out almost to his blue line to stop a breakaway, as he did against Begin, DiPietro said nothing has changed in that department with the possible exception of a few modifications to his sliding technique for a poke check.
“If it happened tonight and I had to do the same thing, I’d probably do the same thing,” DiPietro said. “I’d maybe cover up a little bit better this time or maybe slide different, but it’s just one of those freak plays. You don’t expect something like that to happen. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the game, and things like that happen.”
If it happens again tonight, it will give a team and its fan base plenty of heart palpitations. With 11 games left and ground to make up, the Islanders know better than ever they need a healthy DiPietro to make the playoffs.
Comments (191)
DP is not the problem or the answer--its soft play, lack of team unity. How these guys started playing soft I'll never know...the ups and downs are fine--lack of hard play is not
Good news, yes. DP is not the problem, but unfortunately if there is a defensive breakdown (as a team) with dunham in net, you cannot rely on him as LIKELY as you could Dipietro to come up with that big play. These defensemen have adjusted to DiPietro's style of play this whole year... If anything, this is a plus and hopefully we can grab TWO points tonight.
Promote Snow to Owner and Dunham to GM with doobie as backup?! As presented by the recent past, it can actually happen! hahaha.
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE REMAINING HAVOC DATES ARE?!
thank you!
Great report, Greg. Time for the Islanders to get serious--we know they can play with any team in the league when they are playing smart, cohesive hockey and DP is right. That's the formula that got the Isles to this point...obviously without DP they have been pressing and the defence has been awful. But DP makes the defence better by his puckhandling (Dunham was killing me, he never comes out of his crease to handle pucks in the zone!) and obviously his goaltending.
Here we go boys. Lightning-Penguins-Flyers-Rangers. All realistic wins, and they really need a streak to end the season.
Let's not forget that before the Montreal game, this same team--with its attendant Meyers and Campolis and Hills, oh my--took points in 20 of 22 games. The bright side to the recent slump is that IF this team is making the playoffs they are going to have to go in on a hot streak.
For historical perspective, last year's Oilers team, who by all rights should have won the Cup, lost 7 of 9 games in mid-March before rebounding to squeak into the postseason. Their record at this point in the season was 36-24-12 (Isles are 34-27-10).
So get it done in Tampa Bay tonight, and head back home for 3 of 4.
LET'S GO ISLANDERS
Also--I played a little goal in my day, and although I'd never say I could play as well as Ricardo, when I came out to meet a breakaway at the blue line, I'd always try to slide in with pads stacked, instead of leading with my melon.
It's just as easy to poke-check if you can get your stick out in front of you. If you trip the offencive man up with your pads, you might be looking at two minutes in the box and you feel shame.
But...I'm sure DP would have rather faced a power play than a breakaway or a penalty shot (or a concussion).
Any other old goalies here?
DP hit the nail on the head - the Isles have to get back to playing sound, positional hockey. For two weeks now, they've been playing this firewagon style of hockey - where this came from is beyond me. The forwards must backcheck as much as possible and our cycling down low must reappear. These are a tough 11 games but they have to take a 1-period-at-a-time psychology about it.
***For two weeks now, they've been playing this firewagon style of hockey - where this came from is beyond me.***
2 losses in a row to the pathetic Rangers!
Game 1 of home and home on 3/5 up to now... 1-4-1.
3 pts out of 12
The downturn began on the trade deadline...a couple of games prior to the home and home with NYR - a 6-5 win over Philly (after blowing a 5-2 lead) and a 3-2 loss to STL (after blowing a 2-0 lead). Just an entirely different brand of hockey than what they'd played the first 60 games of the season. Strange!
Personally I would NOT play DP tonight and put in Dubbie. He's got a 15 year contract and I would go a game past when the Docs say it is ok. But it looks like they'll play him anyway.
As asked above, I did play goalie for a year but went back to forward. And yes, I always charged the player to prevent a break-away. Any goalie who CAN skate would do the same.
I didn't realize Dunham had been sitting for soooo long. That is brutal for him and the team playing in front of him. A major coaching error as far as I am concerned. You have to get the backup in every 12-16 games!
No channels I get have the game on tonight. If I could see it, I would be watching for the opposition getting in DPs face. This will happen, and when it does, do they get hammered by Ilses Defense or not? I am talking face-wash and then sitting on their butt! This will be a big tell.
Kevin T.
Vancouver Island
Canada
Boy Matt, are you looking through orange and blue colored glasses. You think that our next four games are realistic wins? What over the last three weeks gave you that impession? Getting DP back does NOT solve all the problems. Trouble's continuing to brew boys and the pasta is almost done.
And Matt, never ever come out to the blue line to stop a breakaway. You give old defensemen like me heart palpatations.
Does anyone know what havoc dates are left?
I'm pumped for this game and a few beers and hopefully we come out with the W. Worst comes to worst, it'll be a few more beers. I expect this to be a tight checking game from the Isles and winning with a couple garbage goals.
John:
I'm an Islanders fan. I'm not going to get down on the team because they had three (admittedly) bad losses. Like I said above, I know this team is capable of playing with anyone, and I don't watch any opening faceoff thinking "the Isles don't have a chance in this game."
The next four games ARE realistic wins. Obviously not if they play like they did over the last couple of weeks. But I saw them school the Penguins-this season. I saw them embarrass the Rangers-this season. I saw them beating the Flyers-this season.
But tonight's game is huge no matter how you slice it, and if I can't be an optimistic Islanders fan at this point in the season, then I shouldn't be an Islanders fan at all.
The Isles are 0-10 in there last ten against TB. There last win came in the 2002 p-offs when, behind DP, they won 2-0. let's hope we can repeat that. Also, TB goalies are swiss cheese, so I hope the boyz will pepper the guy with a lot of shots.
That's right... I agree with matt... lets be optimistic. The only reason I watch the games, is to see the isles win. I feel we will see some nice old fashion dirty hockey. They need to so this because tb is having issues between the pipes. Get it down low, fighting for position, and leading for shot on goal... just like 4 weeks ago... LETS GET DIRTY. Lets see how my boy DP responds today.... LETS GO ISLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matt /Kevin T:
OK. Lets say hypothetically, because this whole dialogue whether the Islanders OR Rangers can make the playoffs is hypothetical, the Islanders do make the playoffs. Do you guys really think that DP would come out of his net in a freckin playoff game!! And if you can honestly tell me that these last few weeks haven't been semi-playoff games, then maybe I'm mistaken. No way DP, Lundquist, Luongo, Emery,Brodeur come out of their net! They're too valuable to their teams. They may have to put in a backup that gives up 18 goals in a few games! (eg. Dunham)
Geeba:
I think DP would come out of his net in a playoff game PARTICULARLY because it's a playoff game.
Look, DP is our goalie for the long-term. Those of you who are his detractors better get used to the idea that DP is a roaming goalie. Early in his career, Martin Brodeur did a lot of the same things DP does now. As he matured into a Hall of Famer, he learned when to make the hustle play and when to make the smart play. Jacques Plante came out of his net. Patrick Roy came out of his net. My all-time favourite goalie is Ron Hextall, who seems to have been reincarnated as #39 in the orange and blue.
Bottom line--we should all be behind DP because he hustles and he plays the game to win. No one was saying "Oh my stars and garters, what if he hurts himself!" when Pete Rose was flying all round the basepaths.
Umm, Matt. Did you just compare DP to Brodeur, Plante and Roy?
Roll 4 lines...
Keep the bolts from running our goalie...
Get bodies in front of shots again...
And for the love of Potvin.. IMPROVE THE PASSING....
Matt,
Maybe so. He is still young with a lot to learn. Obviously, the collision seemed to outweigh everything else during this slide, because like others have said, DP is not the problem. He does have that "Billy Smith" grit about him. He will definitely help us in the 2010 Olympics with a few more years experience. Last year (2006 Turin), DP didn't play that well, and Esche and Grahame basically sucked. Granted the USA defense didn't help DP either. I'm a huge hockey fan, hoping to get tickets to the 2009 NHL All-Star Game in Montreal and I'm already making plans to get to Vancouver 2010.
Kevin T on Vancouver Island. I was in Victoria last year (great town) and hope to see Team USA kick the Canadians butts. And if Mr. Gretsky thinks he can stick freekin loonies at center ice, I'll sneek in there and chip them out!
DP has had a great season and is a huge part of this year's "success". Plain and simply, when he has played well, the Isles have done well, and when he has had poor stretches, the team has sufferred. There is simply not enough talent on this team to make up for poor goaltending on a regular basis.
But let's not forget that the change in NHL rules restricting where goalies can handle the puck has made DP less valuable than the day he was drafted #1.
The boy loved playing the puck in the corners and he clearly chafes under the NHL rules that deny him the chance. How many times do we see him racing out to play a puck just in front of the goal line--only to fee it right back behind the net to a D-man coming back anyway.
Maturity requires understanding that the game is different and channeling that energy into other places. This seems to be what Brodeur has done. And I could be wrong, but my hunch is that at least 50% of the time DP attempted plays like the one in Montreal, he has lost the race.
Regarding tonight, Jaffe noted that the Isles came out in the third against Florida with a desperation we have not seen in a while. The Dunham flub on the wrap-around killed that--but this is the desperation we need to see tonight. Tampa Bay lost a tough one to Buffalo on Friday before getting embarassed by a poor Washington team on Sunday. I suspect they'll be ready to pounce early--and if we are not ready, the game could be over in fifiteen minutes.
Hi Geeba,
The issue with coming out of the net is that the Goalie has to judge that he can get there first. That sounds obvious, but the speed of the game at the NHL level makes it a much harder decision than the level I played at. I didn't see the play in Montreal, but obviously DP wouldn't have got hurt if he only made the move on a sure thing. It should be a slam dunk, not a coin toss.
As for Canada vs. US there is alot you can say. Most Canadians love to see the US do well and want the competition at its highest level when we face each other. When a Canadian player goes to the US, he is considered to represent his US City for sure, but also Canada in how he conducts himself. If you are a cocky a-h0le then we'll disown you.
That is why Steve Yzerman, Bobby Orr, Bob Nystrom, and soon to be Ryan Smyth are National heroes. When they cross the border we can all claim them. When they play for a Canadian team, then we can respect them, but not like them them unless they're on our team.
Now I can whole heartedly cheer for Ryan!
Kevin T.
Could not agree more....Tampa is going to come out tonight all fired up.....If Nolan does not have these guys ready for ONE LAST RUN at these plaoffs shame on them!
I have said since we were in 7th place we are not playing good hockey and that are schedule was brutal..Everyone I talked with gave the same answer "This is a different Isles team from the past and we will be fine!"
Well looks like they fooled us yet again....God help them if they do not make the playoffs...It will be a box office nightmare for next year....We had half full house (if that) this year...NExt year will be empty with Blake ~ Smyth running for the hills!!
Wang and the bobbleheads that listen to his insanity will be in for a lot of scrutiny, and they DESERVE everything they get !!!
This is the end of the road. I can see it now if we blow this last stretch...Simon...DP's hurt....But there are no excuses...We picked up Smyth and the great Captain is back. We have Yashin/Smyth/Blake/Kozlov/Satan/Sillinger/DP/Witt/Hill/Hunter.....We have the horses but can they still pull or are they out of gas???? We will see tonight....The one other important piece is NOLAN....Has he really had such a great/good year or has it been that this team is much better than previous years?? Right now as far as I'm concerned Nolan has not gotten through to Yashin.....It's a double edge sword. If Yashin plays the way he did the beginning of the year he can put us over the edge. In addition if he plays the way he has since he got hurt the team is much better off without him.....Hard to explain but the team seems to sit back with him in the line up.......
we need to get back some of he players we've lost like chara, spezza, jokinen,mcabe, luongo,bertuzzi,brewer,redden and especially GODDARD!
PLEASE RICO PLEASE. DO NOT BE CRAZY AND COME OUT OF THE NET TOO MUCH.
DP starts!!!!!!!
Kevin T.
Had to go get some x-rays but I'm back. Teddy Nolan says it's only "General Muscle Aches." Just a bum knee. Anyway, yeah love the USA-Canada rivirly. Unfortunately, you guys have the upper hand lately. (Except Turin) Even in the World Jrs., Canada won the gold in Europe. I might go to Ottawa next year for the Jrs. That's why I think the Olympics in Vancouver has to be huge for you guys!! I'm sure nothing less than Gold up there, eh!
Woo! Woo! Woo!
how does one team take soooooooooo many freakin penalties???????????? this is pathetic.
TEAM HAS QUIT:
Nolan is a joke....Supposed to be this great speaker in the dressing room...BS...Team has quit on him and all he does is whine about injuries and make excuses....NOW you can see why this guy has not been in the league for 10 years!
Hilbert ~ Campoli ~ Park ~ Robitaille.....Is this team serious??? Snow and the rest of the bobbleheads have put together a bunch of players from the land of misfit toys...NO OTHER TEAMS want these guys and we take them???
The Smyth deal is going to go right up there with not drafting Heatley ~ trading Chara ~ Spezza ~ McCabe ~ etc. etc...... Rented this guy for three #1's when we could of got a SIGNED PLAYER, not someone walking away in a week or so.
WANG MUST SELL THIS TEAM....HE HAS ZERO HOCKEY KNOWLEDGE...Anyone who keeps Milbury around after what he did to our franchise deserves to be hung!!!
GOLF HERE WE COME...THEY FOOLED US AGAIN....Attendance will be 3K a game next year when all these guys run for the hills.....Our Proud organization is once again in complete shambles....No onder Lafontaine left along wiht the other guys with hockey prowless.
i know u needed to vent steady, but their back.
there back
what a garbage goal. two of the three TB goals have been absolute garbage!!!!!!!!!
WE ARE SUCK CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IS IT POSSIBLE TO CLEAR THE PUCKING ZONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-O
holly crap we need to learn how to clear the zone..this is gettin real ugly now
Alright 1 point. Never thought I would be happy for just that!
i want to smash the TV , but i'll just have to try and chill.
that goal in OT happened so fast, it was like a blur going across the screen. then it was over, the comeback was over. we might be over.
i'm gonna go beat my wife now to get out some of the frustration.
thanks a lot miro - i guess since you scored a goal that means you don't have to skate anymore or play defense...
yashin is an embarassment to every islander who ever wore a "C"
Disappointing loss (we had those two points in our hands), but there's a significant silver lining: that was the best game we've played in a long time.
We lost tonight because of bad luck: the first period OT goal was a bad bounce, as was the tying goal. That was a solid game all around, and some real _effort_ which we haven't seen in a while.
Yes, it's very late in the season, but that was a big step in the right direction. Our eyes are on the prize again.
unfortunately, the prize just got further away....
It was a well played game on our part, minus the penalties. Just gonna have to suck it up and move foward. DP played well. I don't know what happend on the 2nd TB goal, i guess he didn't see it. The other three goals were pretty much garbage. well the OT goal was poor backcheck by the slovakuian wuss Miro. let's just move on to thursday against Pitt.
oh yeah, Yashin = unemployment.
Yashin - he's just so darn slow, and didn't react to lecalviar's goal. that's why he was benched.
Well, we got NO help tonight... friggen Blues couldn't beat Ottawa, and fraggen Devils couldn't beat the Leafs! Ugh.
Watching the Isles try to clear the puck is entertaining, to say the least. Ugh. At least the energy level in the game tonight was better.
it's like when they try to clear they just get nothing behind it(MEYER). i don't give a rat's a$$ if they ice it every time, just get it the F out of the zone!!!
man its times like these when we are really lucky to have a no nonsense, hard playing captain to stand up and lead the team into the playoffs...its hard to imagine how we did so well when he was hurt...and to think we ONLY pay him $7.6 million a year...its practically a steal!!!
also dan boyle #22, it seemed like he was on the ice all game bringing the puck into our zone. he's really freakin good. i think he had over 30 minutes of ice time.
dz - right on pally.
ryan smyth is ten times the player yash is and should be our C right now even if it is only for 10 games.
CLEAR THE ZONE GOD DAMNIT!!!!IS IT THAT HARD????
yes, we played an improved and more desperate game - only after the first period...
but its difficult to be optimistic when
- we continue to take lazy, stupid penalties
- we can not put two passes together tape to tape
- RR, hilbert, asham, yashin, satan are weak on the puck and lose possession at the slightest contact
-witt, hill, campoli, meyer are slow & can't clear the zone
-DP under siege every game
these symptoms have reared their ugly head even before this recent losing streak - it started president's day with the deceptive win against pittsburgh which only happened because of the crappy goaltending of fleury...
this is the time when playoff-bubble teams should be stepping up, not regressing...
as much as i hate the rangers, they have been playing much better hockey since adding dubinsky, callahan and girardi...
we need to call up tambellini and fata...scratch the dead weight - the fresh legs will rub off on the rest of the team!
Richard Park... shorthanded goal... woohooooooo!
i'd take smyth over all four of these guys yashin/meyer/kozlov/satan - get rid of them and SIGN SMYTH!!!!!!!
hey kickedinthejunk,
get a life!!!!!!
SIGN SMYTH and we rebuild.
what's the problem howatt??
40 shots, 6 power plays against, losing 1 on 1 battles in the corner, tb gaining blue line with ease, no defense against faster teams, another game leading heading into the 3rd and can't get 2 points. tell me why i should be optimistic again?
Can we officially start discussing how Yashin should be cut? Is it that time of year yet? COULD HE BE ANY MORE INVISIBLE OUT THERE?!!!!
I was proud today fellas... you all might think I'm crazy but I was. The truth is that tb's 3rd goal was purely lucky... look at the replay... seriously. These things happen and we have to move on. They also beat dp twice and hit the bar... so lets take this 1 point as a blessing. On the flip side, blake and hilbert had some high percentage situations that they failed to capitalize on. My boy dp played alright.... there was a little bit of noticable rust though, (his rebound control wasn't too good). This guy is crazy though... first game back he attempts (successfully) the same move that got him injured. I think that zednik and koslov played an improved game today
Ps... yo cincy... you probably don't remember but I'm sorry about arguing with you about yashin... that said, its not his fault they gave him that contract, and its not his fault they gave him the "c", but under these circumstances he's useless to the team, and like you said, should be bought out. ITS NOT OVER YET. KEEP THE FAITH... LETS GO ISLANDERS
One more thing... I've been reading the comments on this board for a few months now. Its really a shame how this organization has f***ed its fans over for the last 10 to12 years. It has resulted in an amazing amount of negativity. I don't blame anyone... but in my opinion this is one of the better teams we've had in the recent past. We, as the greatest sports fans, should be behind them 100% win or lose, in or out of the playoffs
Peace... I'm out. The mass has left the building
After reading the post game quotes, I think this team still believes. I have my doubts, but I am not giving up just yet.
what sneaky pete and themass said...
Just saw the highlights. The puck looked it was on a pinball table. Very strange goals on DP.
If it is true the Yashin got to sit on the pine for a while, then that is a good sign. New leadership in the dressing room has to step up and fill the void.
I don't think I've even read a quote from Captain Yashin about what his team needs to do to win.
A point is a point. So they might be turning it around. Still have to wait until the next game to see if they're playing as a unit again.
Kevin T.
Andy Hilbert couldn't score nowadays on Gump Worsley, and he's dead!
Campoli skates ~ hits ~ shoots like a jr. high school hockey player....I believe he was on the ice for three of their goals last night.....This guy is HORRIBLE!
He has no power on his shots. No power in his hits. What does he add to this team????
As for Hilbert~ Park ~ Robitaille....Come on...To have one roll player like that is fine we have around 4.....
Yashin is what he is and will not change for ANY COACH....He has been through 4....One of which left us and won a cup with Carolina.
I blame this ALL on upper mgmt. It starts at the top boys and filters it's way down....We have an owner that should own a Best Buy not an NHL team....
"Attitude and desire is the reflection of leadership!"
We are TOAST now and the offseason is going to be the worst in recent history...Like RATS fleeing a sinking ship!
The F^*ing Rags ~ MTL ~ Maple LEafs all who I hate ......ALLL STEPPED IT UP WHEN IT COUNTED....and we folded like a cheap suit!
Team has broken our hearts yet again...In the 80's we sold our soul to the Devil for the greatness we witnessed!
Steady,
I'm not ready to raise the white flag yet. We went from 7th to 11th in a week and could go back to 7th in another week. At a bare minimum, we need four out of six points through this weekend. I'm not sure if I expect it, but with New Jersey, Buffalo, and Ottawa to follow, anything less comes as close to spelling doom for me.
Regarding Wang, I appreciate that he is not exactly the world's leading hockey expert, but I do believe the Islanders may not be here at all if it were not for his ownership. His primary mistake--for whatever reason, is his longstanding allegience to Milbury, king of the Alexei SpezzaChara$$$$ deal--which has been an albatross around the neck of this franchise from Day 1. SpezzaChara$$$$ is exactly the player signed--with diminsihing talent each successive year.
Btw, Smyth is awesome, but unless his wife falls in love with Nordstrom's, Broadway, and beaches, he will be gone, gone, gone.
Its amazing......i could have told you exactly how last nights game was gonna go before it started..........the seasons over!!!....its a shame we Isles fans got our hopes up at the trade deadline.....Smyth and Blake will be gone next year and Yashin will still be our "C"....I guess the only good thing is that we had a better year than expected.
You people make me sick to my stomach. We go on this bad losing streak but remain 1pt out of a playoff spot with 10 games left. You are the reason that there will be only 11-12K at Thursday's game vs. Pitt. Yes, this team has been garbage since 1993 but the Islanders may have some of the most fair-weathered fans in sports. If they do make the playoffs the same people who are cursing them out will be talking about how they never give up and will always be the die-hards. Pathetic, get behind the team during these next few home games!
Observations:
1) I agree with Merrick. Charles Wang is the reason this team has not moved. You cannot blame him for anything. He might not know hockey but how many owners are willing to lose millions of dollars every year and not move the team??? He is very loyal and all Islander Fans are very lucky he came to the rescue...
2) Yashin is horrible. They are playing so much worse since he has come back. I knew this was going to happen too. He doesnt bring anything to the table and he is a worse captain then Kenny Johnson
3) They need another big defenseman. Not going to happen this year but there are still way to many opposing players in front of the net ALL THE TIME
4) This team is not agressive enough at attacking the net or camping out in front of it. TAKE THE PUCK TO THE NET
5) Time to break up the Hunter-Sillinger-Hilbert line. I love Hilbert's work ethic but they guy CANNOT score. He should be moved to the 4th line. Maybe try Zednik there or bring in Tamby. Zednik looked solid last night..
6) Anyone who hates on Richard Park doesnt know anything. This guy is perfect for the role they signed him for. He is not supposed to score goals. He is perfect for the 4th line and is an outstanding penalty killer
7) DP is playing awesome. I am so psyched to finally have a great goalie
I really hope this team bounces back. I root so hard for this team every year and I was feeling great after the trading deadline. It sucks right now what is going on... BOUNCE BACK BOYS... LETS GO ISLANDERS
Hey mike.....I have been behind this team for like 10 years.....even though i feel like this season is lost i will still attend the games i can make....You think we are in such a good position being only 1 point out, take a look at the remaining schedule....by the way we only won 2 games all month, when we were supposed to be in a "playoff push"
Let's go Islanders! Let's go Islanders! I wish I could be part of the crowd at the Coliseum tomorrow night vs. the Pens (I'll have to watch it on cable). The last game vs. them on President's Day was exciting to watch live, albeit somewhat sloppy.
Is it any wonder that we've lost every game (sans Washington) since Yashin returned. He freakin sucks, I wish we could trade him or buyout his contract. He's like Jagr with no talent.
Nolan is not getting the job done...we have to go to 3 lines...team has to get their chemistry back...sometimes you need to give the team more ice time to get their groove back before you rest them.
I agree with Merrick and Andrew. If not for Wang this team would be the Kansas City Islanders. He continues to lose money because of a terrible lease and because nobody shows up to the games. If I were you I'd cut the guy some slack and thank him for his efforts.
I think you guys are reacting exactly as you should to what has gone on with the team and its past trades. I see passion in this forum, otherwise I wouldn't waste my time here.
The Ilses have turned the corner from a Pretender to a Contender. Snow and Nolan have stated their vision to the team and league. Why, because it lets all future potential players know what the Ilses are about. The Smyth trade was more about this year, it sends a signal that if you join the Ilses they will do what it takes to win.
As for existing players running for the hills, I think this is different. The team started losing because of what happenned on the ice, not in management. That is something players can understand.
All NHL players want to win the Stanely cup in their career. They know that it can only be done when backed up by a great goal tender. You have that in DP. Therefore, there is a lot of reason to be optimistic for the teams future.
It is just that this season, I don't see any weakness in the other teams gunning for the final playoff spots. Although it will be heart-breaking for a lot of fans, it is a great sign for the NHL. Parity in the league means that every year, good teams with great seasons will be left behind come playoff team. Teams will be hungry earlier in the season.
The Ilses are now recognized as a genuine threat. The opposing teams are getting more prepared to face them. Every game in the stretch will be tough. But you should be proud of your team if they can get it together and compete.
After the the Bertuzzi suspension in Vancouver, we had a team hang-over for an entire season.
Kevin T
Vancouver Island
Wang might be fed up in a few years if things keep going down hill
How come everyone from Canada feels they know everything there is to know about hockey and our organization???