Islanders general manager Garth Snow made the call to keep Rick DiPietro on the sidelines against the Rangers tonight at Madison Square Garden after the goaltender spent the past couple days grieving the death of his grandmother in Boston. But coach Ted Nolan said the idea of starting backup Wade Dubielewicz was a “strong consideration” in any case after his play in a 1-0 loss to Florida when the Isles failed to score on 53 shots.
DiPietro’s grandmother passed away on Thursday when he was in Atlanta, and he went ahead and played that night in a 5-4 overtime win and again Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum in a 4-1 loss to Philadelphia. He indicated a willingness to play Sunday against the Panthers, but the team encouraged him to take time off to tend to family matters.
“He had a wake Sunday and a funeral on Monday,” Snow said of DiPietro this evening. “It didn’t make sense [to play without practice]. I promise you he’s not hurt. As much as he wanted to play, I didn’t think it was right. He’s gone through a traumatic experience. I anticipate he’ll start Thursday, but that’s a coach’s decision.”
Entering tonight’s game, the Islanders are in 11th place, five points out of a playoff spot. They’ve lost four of their past five games, and DiPietro was touched for four goals in three of his past four starts, one of which was the OT win in Atlanta.
Asked before warmups tonight if he might have started Dubielewicz against the Rangers even if DiPietro were available, Nolan said, “That was a strong consideration, yeah. Dubielewicz played a great game for us and gave us every opportunity to win that game, and it certainly wasn’t his fault. We had a couple of missed opportunities, hit a couple of posts. We should have won that game. But he gave us a chance to win it for sure.”
Nolan also denied that injuries or fatigue have been a factor in DiPietro’s play in the second half of the season. He suffered a sprained knee just before Christmas, but by the end of a five-game western swing that ended in mid-January, DiPietro seemed back up to speed. He was named to his first Eastern Conference All-Star game during that trip, but during the skills competition, DiPietro, who was miked for television, mentioned that the “tweaked” something.
Starting with a game in Boston just before the All-Star break, DiPietro has gone 7-9 in his past 16 starts with an .886 save percentage. He allowed four goals or more in nine of those 16 starts, and since returning from his knee injury, he has allowed four or more goals in 13 of 27 starts. Since taking over for DiPietro in the Dec. 26 game in which the starter sprained his knee in warm-ups, Dubielewicz has gone 4-3 with a .932 save percentage. Dubiewlewicz has given up two goals or less in four of his past five starts.
Snow said he anticipates DiPietro will be ready to go against the Rangers Thursday night at the Coliseum after a full practice on Wednesday. Nolan wasn’t so definitive.
“It depends on here tonight,” Nolan said. “Right now, we’re in the business to win some hockey games, and Ricky hasn’t seen the ice in three or four days now. We’ll see how he responds at the next practice tomorrow and see how Dubie plays tonight.”
Coincidentally, Rangers coach Tom Renney pulled Henrik Lundqvist, who recently signed a six-year contract worth about $41.25 million, after a poor first period Sunday against Philadelphia. When that was mentioned to Nolan, he said, “A coach should have the opportunity to pull a goaltender if he’s not playing very well. Mike Keenan’s been doing that for years and years.
“Sometimes, we think they’re untouchable and you can’t do it. But it was a good move when Tommy did it to get the other guy in, and they came back and won the game.”
Sounds like the puck might be in Dubie’s court.
Comments (100)
OK Greg. Thanks for at least trying to address the hidden injury issue. And of course it makes sense to not play DP if he hasn't practiced at all for 3 days.
But here's the question... If DP had been playing lights-out hockey leading up to this game, wouldn't he be in the net tonight? Sure he would. So that means that the real reason for sitting tonight is NOT because of the death in his family. It's because he's playing poorly.
Garth swore that DP isn't injured. I just can't buy that. The numbers tell a much different story, in that he's a very different goalie since the AS game. Very different.
OK Greg. Thanks for at least trying to address the hidden injury issue. And of course it makes sense to not play DP if he hasn't practiced at all for 3 days.
But here's the question... If DP had been playing lights-out hockey leading up to this game, wouldn't he be in the net tonight? Sure he would. So that means that the real reason for sitting tonight is NOT because of the death in his family. It's because he's playing poorly.
Garth swore that DP isn't injured. I just can't buy that. The numbers tell a much different story, in that he's a very different goalie since the AS game. Very different.
Davison just learned "Islander Lesson NBR 1".
If Hilbert is wide open in front of the net......DO NOT PASS IT ANYWHERE NEAR HIM. TAKE THE SHOT
Knock Knock!
Who's There?
A SHORTHANDED GOAL.
my god ... do we have the worst PP in the history of the NHL right now? we might as well put 5 D-men out there to prevent all these SH goals. Sickening.
Rule change to be considered at the next GM conference.....
The Islander's decline the penalty.
I think Dubie is playing on sheer will tonight.
TAMBELLINI!!!!!!!
DUBIE!!!!!!
THE AUDACITY OF DOPES!!!!!
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TAMBYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
Steady was right......
Simon did score a big goal down the stretch....
By not being here and allowing Tambs to play
Now I can get on the plane tomorrow and head to the Island and ENJOY that 1st free cocktail.....and the 2nd...and so on.
Time for a needed change of area code.
Best Players for the Isles: Bergy and Witt
Bergy can be one heck of a player if he keeps developing! Witt made Avery look like the wuss that he is. Avery backed down everytime. The Old Witt was in rare form tonight!
FACT: Mr. Lundquist is NOT an all star goalie. I am not going by tonights game. The league has his number. His positioning is horrible and he gives up the whole top half of the net. Even more telling is how he plays in big games....He does not have IT !!!!!
p.s Sam Rosen.....Please enlighten us with your feed bak now!
Now tell me why the hel l would you put in Park and Hunter to take the shot?? Way to go Tambs!
Islander-Naples.....
Not sure about why Hunter........but Park has done pretty well in shootouts
Steady,
Bergie has been the best player since the All-Star Break....with a nod to Freddy IV for 2nd.
I thought Freddy had a great game tonight as well. His play on Shanahan's breakaway was doubly impressive as no penalty was taken.
I'm liking the kid line combo with Colliton instead of Neilsen....
Colliton gives 'em a nice size presence and is more physical than Franz. Franz needs is more of a girlie mahn.
Better game out of Davison (he has NOT earned the nbr 3 as yet).
Except for the shootout goal, has anyone heard from Bill Guerin lately?
Looks like the kids came through big tonight ...Comeau showing the importance of putting the puck on net ...Bergy with his sweet shot ...and Tamby with the big wrister at the end to win it ...
I hope this just keeps building their confidence ...and I hope Nolan will continue to put them in situations to succeed ...
505, someone at the game on Sunday had an alternative to declining a penalty--next time the ref raises his hand for a penalty on the other club, someone on the Isles must immediately slash someone!
Let's not be too harsh; they did a great job of killing the rest of that powerplay after the Rangers tied the game and they avoided creating any more penalties.
I didn't want to give up the point, but I'll take two. Go Doobie and Tamby!
And Steady,
Sam and Micheletti were extremely nice to the Isles tonight.
I would describe their praise as generally effusive.
That's a GREAT IDEA Merrick....
Put me in coach.....I'll do it.
One more thing. Props should be given when they are deserved, and I thought Sand and Joe called a good balanced game tonight.
Steady agree about Bergy and Witt...but I think a strong second was Blake Comeau. He was everywhere tonight.
This was a great end to a great game. It had me nervous right from the start. It was amazing to finally enjoy an entire game...Isles games are usually mad boring.
Things that I loved...the play of Witt...the ferociousness of Bergenheim...the smart play of Comeau/Coliton/Tambellini...the steady play by Dubie...Davison's toughness...Tambellini coming through in the clutch....
Things that I did not love...the disappearance of Comrie/Guerin in regulation...the awful PP...Nolan not using the Kids in OT (they were clearly the best line in regulation)...using Park in the shootout OVER MIRO!!!!...
Waiting for the Rags fans to chirp...wait...I think I just heard a pin drop...
I think we all kinda knew something was up with DP .. but since Greg has kindly laid out the numbers that I was so currious about .... I have no doubt that something is wrong with DP .... The #'s don't lie .... these are 3rd string back up numbers ....
~Portion of Greg's post from above~
Starting with a game in Boston just before the All-Star break, DiPietro has gone 7-9 in his past 16 starts with an .886 save percentage. He allowed four goals or more in nine of those 16 starts, and since returning from his knee injury, he has allowed four or more goals in 13 of 27 starts
Spot on post Candyman...... (It's Tuesday)
I agree with everything you said......ESPECIALLY no kids in the OT. I would love to see Tams and Comeau in a 4 on 4.
I have no problem with Park over Miro in the shootout.....
Park has had success in the shootout.
Well, it always feels good to beat the Rags, but to be honest I've been in an Islander funk of late. I just haven't had the heart to read the board with my usual frequency and thoroughness (not to mention that I've had a lot of work to do). Rather than spelling it all out, I'll just say my views are pretty close to what Steady has been saying over the last week (except as to Davison, who I have not seen, because I have not been able to watch the games while in California). I am also worried about DP, though I don't know if it's hidden injuries or his state of mind that's bringing him down as the Isles once again prove unable to lift themselves above mediocrity.
On the plus side, if recent history is any guide, Snow is going into July 1 with carte blanche to sign whomever he can convince to come to the Island. I don't agree with Steady at all that Wang is an idiot, or Snow. Snow tried to sign the right guys last year but couldn't convince them to come without overpaying... and I don't disagree with the unwillingness to overpay. Or rather, I think we should be willing to overpay but only a bit -- not to a Yashinesque degree. I suspect we'll have a better July 1 this year.
But for the moment, let's enjoy the sweet victory over evil.
Oh, and HUNTER....with his 2nd goal since his signing (granted, a fluke deflection).
8 more by the end of the season Trent and I can give the Oracle a run for his money......
C'mon Trent, I KNOW you got a hat trick lurking within those Blake Line stats you are carrying around......please?
Satan has about a 50% scoring in shootouts, among the tops in NHL history in the shootout...(funny that I got to say NHL history)
Greg is writing tons of notes in the background during Dubie's post game interview ... I expect a full report Greg .. a post that blows away my longest ones.
I didn't get to see the very begining of the game ... I got home with less than 5 mins to play in the first period just intime to see Comeau's goal.
My picks for players of the game in order are:
Witt
Bergy
Meyer
Comeau
Colliton
Tamby
Berard (Is it me or has his speed and control picked up?)
Martinek
Hunter
Dubie played OK ... I think he kept the Isles in the game .. but didn't steal it.
The rest seemed to be spectators
------------------------------------------------
Another shorty against .... special teams are really the think killing the Isles the most. Mostly because they haven't been so special.
Did you notice Logan's earpiece 19Isles??
I was giving him drink orders for the team after the game for the ride back to the Island..
Witt's bottle of Glenrothes (Scotch) is gonna cost me a mint.
I don't agree with your choice of Berard 19Isles.....he is taking too many unnecessary chances at the blue line on power plays instead of dropping back and playing his D position.
And getting consistently burned.
"Satan has about a 50% scoring in shootouts, among the tops in NHL history in the shootout...("
C'mon Candyman,
Satan's "historical" stats are inflated cuz TWO YEARS ago he went 7 for 10....
Last year he was 5 for 13.
This year he is 1 for 4 (now 1 for 5).
Any coach who starts making decisions based on what a guy did TWO YEARS ago.....won't be in the league very long.
Comeau was real good tonite, would have like to see him in OT, this kid can skate, glad Bergie got some OT time, would have liked to seen him in the shootout as well. I like Trent Hunter, but has he ever scored a shootout goal??? Also, on the PK, how about giving the kids some time there, Tamby had something like 8 shorthanded goals this year in Bridgeport. Amazing that Andy Hilbert gets 1st line time, powerplay time, shorthanded time, 4on 4 OT time. He hustles out there but its just not enough, I dont get it.
GREAT JOB BY WITT on avery tonite, nice hit by Davison on Dubinsky. DUBIE, solid job, great in the shootout. He should have got 20 games this year.
Finally, we lucked out getting Billy Jaffe. This guy does a great job
Comeau was real good tonite, would have like to see him in OT, this kid can skate, glad Bergie got some OT time, would have liked to seen him in the shootout as well. I like Trent Hunter, but has he ever scored a shootout goal??? Also, on the PK, how about giving the kids some time there, Tamby had something like 8 shorthanded goals this year in Bridgeport. Amazing that Andy Hilbert gets 1st line time, powerplay time, shorthanded time, 4on 4 OT time. He hustles out there but its just not enough, I dont get it.
GREAT JOB BY WITT on avery tonite, nice hit by Davison on Dubinsky. DUBIE, solid job, great in the shootout. He should have got 20 games this year.
Finally, we lucked out getting Billy Jaffe. This guy does a great job
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=355835
I hate to go there, but doesn't he sound like a true Nolan-type Player?
LOLOL!!! Yeah 505 ... I saw Logan taking those drink orders for ya ... but there were times it looked like he was crossing stuff out and writing down something else. Where you changing your mind a lot?
Also, I added Berard to my top player of the game list because he was an offensive catalyst at times when it seemed the Isles were giving up on the pressure. He kept the play alive in the zone ... and he seemed to be skating out of the defensive zone carrying the puck with speed at times .... so was Meyer ... the 4 and 44 express.
Berard was on the ice for that shorty .. but it wasn't his assigment that got away.
That said ... he hasn't gotten over the hump for me as a player yet. He's made some strides since Jan ... and I think we'll need his play making ability on the back line going into the back stretch.
2 years?????? You're talking like it was 20 years ago. Satan should have been in top 3, and you wont convince me or most otherwise.
"but there were times it looked like he was crossing stuff out and writing down something else. Where you changing your mind a lot?"
I kept telling Logan to get Guerin a double Red Bull and he told it that HE didn't wanna be the guy to give to him, then I said to get him a Shirley Temple (Greg didn't know what that was at first) and we finally settled on a sixpack of Bud Lite for the Captain.
Logan liked the idea of getting the whole team a round of shots
(BJ's) and toasting MAB with them.
Davison, being the newbie on the squad (and wearing MY number) was given the job of saying the toast...
It went like this.....
Here's to it and to it again.
May we who get to it,
and never do it
Never get to it to do it again..
So chuck you farley,
If you're so mucking futch
Go in your own jackyard
and backoff.
and see how see how your feeder peels.
Candyman
"2 years?????? You're talking like it was 20 years ago"
The way Satan has NOT been finding the net this year, it seems like 20 years ago that he was a "sniper".
I don't see a difference right now between Satan and any other forward (ok Hilbert) getting a shot in the shootout.
Just my opinion.
sorry to do this but its a must... on our blog we dont appriciate the fools who enter only to start chit especially after a hard fought game that had a playoff atmosphere..i did expect a few rants from a few fools. so in my anger, after this shmuck brian wrote his garbage, i had to respond..
"Isles have no talent and they're fighting for the playoffs ... Rangers have soooo much talent and never live up to the hype. Which do you prefer?"...
...tell me exactly how a game in march, in which we got a POINT btw, is not living up to the hype? if you notice we still have a comfortable lead on your candy azzes, and a playoff spot. isle fans crack me up. they beat the "rags", and its like they won a playoff round let alone a playoff game and this is EVERY TIME you win a "REGULAR SEASON" game against us. also i love how after EVERYONE in "we're all islanders" country, just jumped of a bridge after CRAIG ANDERSSON of all people stopped 53 shots against you losers have jumped right back on the bandwagon. some group of fare wether fans you all got there, whos whole season rides on how many times out of 8 we can beat the "rags". go after that goal, while we go after lord stanley!
hey if you dont make the playoffs, at least you won the "hummer metro ice challenge"..enjoy that like a hole in the head, ya douche...
ciao brian, and go gloat somewhere else and temper your excitement...and remember we got a point tonight AND gained ground in the playoff race, ya moron...
...maybe you can let him know he's a fool
Rocket science...the rags are better than the isles....their record says so....their roster says so....but we can bask in the idea that you're team can't beat our minor leaguers...it doesn't mean we just won a playoff round....but it is funny.... ;-)
tj
I understand your frustration with the mental midgets of the world.
Just know that it is a 2 way street.
If you guys had squeaked out the extra point (in the shootout, of all things) our board would have the same litter from your camp over here doing the same thing.
It ain't right, but is is the nature of the beast of this greatest of all RIVALRIES (in any sport.....yes, better than the Yanks/Bosox).
You have all valid points (just don't sell us out of the playoffs....yet) especially the one about "jumping off the bridge".
That is an all too common phenomena with MOST NY sports teams. There are an inordinate number of bandwagon jumpers (both on AND off) among NY sports fans.
While they might be "the greatest fans in the word", they can also be the most fickle fans as well.
I know it's easier said than done.......cuz I go off on a rant from time to time when I see your trolls over here.....but ya just gotta ignore 'em....
On to Thursday....may the Isles be the better team...
And BTW,
Ranger's Suck.
Only Jussi Jokinen (17) and Viktor Kozlov (14) have more career shootout goals than Satan. However, Miro is 1-for-5 this season, dropping him to 13-for-28 all-time. (Jokinen is 17-30 and Kozlov is 14-30).
Thanks Eric.
I have to disagree with whoever said Dubie didn't "steal" the game (19Isles, I think?). That's the first SOLID start we've gotten from a goalie since...well, since Dubie played and faced down 49 shots in Carolina two games before the All Star break. He stopped like two breakaways, many shots through a screen, one while he had the wind knocked out of him, and he withstood an early flurry that could have knocked them out of the game from the start, not to mention stopping 5 out of 6 in the shootout. Not a bad night's work. Maybe he could've had Drury's goal...
505 - As far as Hunter and his fluke deflection - those are the types of goals he used to score all the time. Ever since Smyth was here, Hunter stopped going to the front of the net. It was good to see him finally go back there.
Not too impressed with Colliton. He's got energy, but I think Nielson looked a lot better as far as positioning and coordinating that line's efforts (maybe that speaks more to Nielson's ability).
I've sung Bergy's praises enough lately, but he was the strongest player on the puck last night besides Jagr - who is still a machine out there when he decides to be.
19 Isles,
I like Berard aswell, but I have to respectfully disagree on one point. He was the one with the puck on the boards. He was the one who had the puck taken away at the blue line and let himself get taken to the boards, which is why Tank had to try and cover his "D" spot. Really, that shorty started because of Berard's turnover at the blue line and his inability to get back in the play.
That being said, I do like his fiesty play over the last few games ...
505, I may be taking something literally that wasn't meant so, but did you actually talk to Logan at the game?
KH,
Yes you are, no I wasn't..
(almost downright believable, eh?)
LOL. I should consider myself lucky I got a straight answer.
Candyman ~
Satan's success 2 years ago .. and even a bit last year ... in the shootout was much appreciated ... However .. as 505 put it ... it felt like 20 years ago. 2 years ago's stats don't count this year. If that was the case Satan would be on a 30 goal pace this season. If Nolan is coaching the Isles based on the talent and personel of 2 years ago then he isn't coaching this team.
Personally I think they should of had Tamby in the first 3 .. Park? Eh ... he's done well in shootouts this season ... and I'm sure they work on it a little at practice ... so I'm assuming Nolan selected the hotter hands for the SO .. Satan is going to have to reprove himself.
-----------------------------------------
TJ ~
505 pretty much covered everything in his response to your complaint of "knuckle heads" posting on the Ranger board. If you have read our board the last week ... you'll see we put up with more than our fair share of Ranger "Trolls" ... and most of it is 10 times worse than what you complained about.
You are more than welcome to participate on this board. We respond in kind to fans of ALL teams that choose to provide their opinion. But be prepared for people to disagree with you and your opinion at times. If you post a constructive arguement you may find a lot of us are open minded and would agree with you.
BTW ... Speaking of Ranger fan posters on this board ... I haven't seen Mookie or MM on here in ages.
TJ ... just take it from where it comes ... it could also be this troll that annoys both Isle and Ranger fans as well .. he hijacks peoples "handles" and just posts "Rot" on here.
-------------------------------------------
Upstate ~
Yeah ... that was me that said "I think Dubie kept us in the game .. but didn't "steal" it."
I prefaced in that post that I missed the first 15 minutes of the 1st period. So I was basing it on what I saw from that point on. I never saw the flurry against Dubie in the begining .. so I only saw the Rangers last 18 SOG or so, including OT.
I'll acknowledge that Dubie made some nice saves ... but most of what I saw were crafty solid saves ... I didn't see him "rob" anybody outright ... even the break away that I saw it appeared that the puck wasn't cooperating. Even so .. I think every goalie does "rob" a few goals in any given game.
The SO? Well I'm not sure you can argue about "stealing" much during the SO ... both goalies face breakaways. I think infact that the Rangers coming at Dubie with speed actually inhibited them ... the ice surface isn't the best in a SO ... and the puck doesn't alway sit true ... I'm not going to argue the semantics of a breakaway and who has the advantage ... goalie or skater? Too many variables.
I'll just say as I thought I conveyed by making Dubie one of my top players of the game that Dubie had a solid game and really helped the Isles earn the victory and leave it at that.
-----------------------------------------
AZS~
I'm not going to justify Berard's mistakes in a game and make an excuse for why he is out of position at times. My intention in making him one of my top performers of the game was to recognize his positive contributions to the Isles success last night.
True enough .. he'll make his mistakes .. I just felt that he was noticable in a positive way last night. He was pinching and keeping the puck deep ... he forced the Rangers to not cheat as much. The Isles didn't get many PPs last night or I think he'd of made stuff happen. Another thing he did was get the puck to the net ... the Isles have to get forwards in there and "pay the price" because I think they haven't tapped that enough this season. We saw what can happen last night when players get infront of the net.
I also noticed that Berard was getting the puck moving out of the D-Zone with speed.
And regarding the shorty situation last night. Well ... That is Tank's job to cover the open man. A PP is a fluid movement of players and the puck ... he had to do what he attempted to do in order to keep the PP going. If you don't and just move the puck around the perimeter ... then you are helping the penalty killers kill the penalty ... That is another thing the Isles do a lot this year ... and I think that is why they are less successful on the PP ... they don't have players that can move the puck and move around and yet prevent break downs that cause these breakaway shorty opportunities.
I think I'm going to analyze the Isles PP more and see if I can really break down what they do wrong to cause these failures and shorty ops ... but I think my preliminary analysis is close.
Well, well, well,
Scratch one item off of my "to do" list for the little junket to the "Apple of My Island"....
Some editor in Melville just got a pass from an arsewhooping.
Check out the back page of LONG ISLAND'S HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER this morning.....
God Save the Queen.....
DUBIE get's premium face and lead time in LONG ISLAND'S HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER...
I hope I get back there in time so I can grab a copy before they are all sold out.
GEEZUS.....someone SAVE ME A COPY!!!!!
Oh the power of the Audacity of Dopes!!!!!
Did anyone see that Craig Anderson had 40 saves in a 1-0 OT win against Boston last night?
Thank God the guy in charge of back page lead stories didn't.
KH
"LOL. I should consider myself lucky I got a straight answer"
I consider myself lucky to be straight.
Not that being straight brings me very much luck.
Of course, being too lucky might make me reconsider being straight.
I think I'll play it safe and simply get crooked on the plane today.
Wish me luck.
Thanks 19Isles....
I needed some reading material for the SEVEN HOUR TRIP TODAY.
tj....ome on man....one guy "Brian" makes you spew venom like that on our board? Do yourself a favor and look at ALL THE POSTS from your fellow fans all SUMMER long and before last nights game.
It is the around four guys. That guy JD, Reality, Gary, and Jim from woodvury which changes his tag name more than he changes his underwear. Then they go on your board and say it is people like me that post negative stuff.
You simply have to ignore it. Bottom line your team is better right now. We do have your number though, and your goalie is NOT going to bring you Lord Stanleys Cup. He simply is not a BIG TIME goalie. Do not get me wrong, he is very very good. Yet in BIG games he gets exposed. With that said the East is wide open and I do not see a dominant goalie in the field, so anything can happen!
p.s OVECHKIN ??????? How is my favorite Isles fan that said we would get smoked by the Rangers ??? Com on pal, just admit you are a Caps fan!
Did you see the deer in the headlights look on MacDonald's face when Dubie got hurt?
Ride the hot hand and play Dubie. He may not always be pretty but he seems to get the guys to play for him.
I have two extra tickets for the Isles vs. Panthers here in Sunrise Florida. 8th row center ice if anyone is interested?
I will also have 6 extra tickets for the Isles vs. Flyers game in NY on the 29th.
Swamped with work; gotta run.
tj - saw that about Anderson's shutout vs. Boston. Goalies are strange like that. Sometimes a healthy dose of confidence can trump all the ability in the world. That guy's on quite a run though - stopping over 90 shots in two games and not letting in a single goal? Not too shabby.
505 ~ That long Tolstoyesque version was written specifically for you to kill time for your plane ride.... have a safe flight.
"have a safe flight"
Fortunately I have no control over that.
But I just worked out a deal with the 1st officer....
He's gonna let me use his hi-tech million dollar satellite hookup laptop so I can keep blogging while on the plane...
It only cost me 6 drink coupons.
Look at the replays. On the shorty, Callhan wanted that rebound MUCH MORE than Fedetenko wanted to stop him. That simple.
Here's the kids' contributions last night.....there IS hope!!!
Comrie, Guerin seemed invisible most of the night. The other 3 lines were good.
505, and now 19 ISLE in NJ 22, regarding shootouts...
I still disagree about Satan. Regardless of Satan's inability to score consistently this season, he has always been one of the top breakaway guys in the NHL over his career. His 1-5 this year also includes hitting two posts. Guys who can score on good goalies on breakaways don't grow on trees. Forget the year he is having, a shootout is a skills competition and Miro will always be a skilled shootout contestant.
And what is all of this Park has had success in the shootout nonsense? Come on. He scored ONE shootout goal in his career. If you want to make an arguement, at least support it. He's had 3 chances, scoring on the first one, and totally screwing up the second one (and not even getting a shot on goal). How do you not get a shot on goal on a penalty shot? Last night he looked overmatched against Lundqvist (but hey at least it was on net). He is now 1-3 and will be 1-however many times Nolan uses him over his more skilled players.
I agree that Tambellini should now be in the top 3. So I would now say our top 3 should be Tambs, Satan, and Comrie/Guerin. And I'm not trying to rip on Park--he's a tremendous asset for the team. I'm just trying to point out that the shootout can get us extra points in the standing, and I think Nolan should use a skilled deteriorating sniper over a checking line winger.
Candyman,
WHATEVER,
The Isles won the game....
So Satan batted cleanup instead of 3rd or 2nd...
HE STILL FARED NO BETTER THAN PARK.
Game's over....
The horse ain't moving....he's dead.
But apparently you're gonna pick every nit out of him now anyway.
FINE
SATAN BEFORE PARK.
SATAN BEFORE CHRIST
SATAN TAKE THE 1ST THREE SHOTS!!!
Can we not beat the devil outta this?
Move on to the next game?
Start Dubie again?
Hahaha don't get nutty b/c I'm right. I hada beat it again b/c NJ brought it up again. And it's important b/c it's a potential game breaker.
If DP is HEALTHY then he absolutley must play. 100% IMO.
Thoughts??
Dubie is a nice little goalie (literally) but I think the Rags will figure him out if given a second crack at him. All you have to do is throw some high floaters toward the net, and one is bound to go in. Dubie also had a very beatable 5-hole last night--I was surprised more Rags didnt try to go there in the shootout after Dawes scored there. HOPEFULLY THE RAGS DON'T READ THIS BLOG!!!
DP is the franchuise, and I think he will play great in front of his home crowd. I would have been a little worried with DP's family issues then playing at the Garden and listening to thousands of people chant that he sucks.
Observations...
- Shootout line up... Satan is the most gifted GOAL SCORER on this team right now. As already pointed out, his shoot out record is among the very best IN THE LEAGUE. He's got to be in the first 3 to shoot. And Hunter should be the LAST one on the bench to shoot.
- Dubinsky... This kid is a complete stud. I saw it from the very first time he was called up. DAMMIT!!!
- Fedotenko... This isn't a popular opinion, but... he needs to be signed for at least one more year. Three years would be best. I know, I know... I've got some balls to say this after he got beat on the SHG last night. And yes, he fell asleep for most of the middle part of this season. But here are the facts... (1) The Isles have the WORST offense in the league with few, if any, pure goal scorers... (2) Fedotenko has responded incredibly well to his sit down with Nolan. He said all he wanted to here from the coach was what he needed to do "specifically", and he needed a vote of confidence. No one can doubt that Fedotenko has been possibly the most dangerous offensive player on the ice since the western trip. The Isles has 53 shots and no goals. Why? Because their shots are mostly easy to save. Fedotenko's are not easy. His shot's are among the toughest. He has a goal-scorer's shot. The Isles need that right now. He only just turned 29. His next 3 years will be his peak. SIGN HIM!!!
- Dubie... He's got to play Thursday. If he lets in a bad one early pull him immediately. And if DP starts instead, employ the same strategy. Pull him after any softies before the 3rd period.
If someone came from another planet in January 2007 and watched Miro Satan live for any appreciable number of games, they would conclude that this guy is not a goal scorer and would see no appreciable goal scoring prowess beyond that exhibited by Bergie, Park, Vacisek, Comeau, Hunter, and dare I say Andy Hilbert. That is reality! As afr as I'm concerned, he's aking to a younger version of Mike Mussina on the Yankees--he does not get the job done as a scorer. Period.
Merrick...I agree with everything you wrote...but he's still a better shootout contestant....
505...who should be in goal? Dubie played well, but THIS is the game that could make or break our season...a big win might propel us into contention...you gotta play the horse...if the horse is healthy...
Play the hot hand.
I vote Dubie.
I agree with Candy on using Miro over Park. Park's role on the team is that of PK specialist/grinder and any offense is a plus BUT there is no way he should be out there in a shootout. How many goals does he have in 2008?
Nolan got all excited b/c Park scored on one shootout goal. His last two efforts, he's looked silly. Miro usually puts forth a good attempt. Sadly, Miro only has about 5 more goals than Park.
Maybe Rags should come back with Valiquette?
The Audacity of Dopes....(cont'd and ONGOING)
YO NICK!!!!
How 'bout them Flyers?
Hoops team wins the CHSAA Championship last night after EVERYONE picked them for LAST in the league. (One of my childhood buddies--A TITAN star in his day...has a kid on the team).
"It was a challenge to them," Chaminade coach Jim Quinn said of his team being picked last. "They amazed everyone on Long Island."
Hmmmm.....
Picked to finish last, nobody gave them a shot.
Now WHERE, and about WHAT LONG ISLAND team, have I seen and read that before?
Fat guys prefer dancing over singing.
GEEZUS CANDYMAN, give the shootout drill a rest.
The sad thing is, IF MIRO WOULD DO HIS EFFIN JOB AND SCORE A COUPLA GOALS WE WOULDN'T TALKING ABOUT THE GD BATTING LINEUP FOR THE SHOOTOUT!!!!.
Tried to post yesterday but it seems my comments were held for review.
I thought the Isles took it to the Rangers last night after getting hemmed in for the first 10 minutes. Bergenheim showed a lot o heart and a touch of skill out there and I think the kids line really turned the game around with their speed. What a difference when a couple of the bounces actually go our way.
Dubie always gives me fits with his play style. He's very erratic moving laterally and seems to lunge to save with every near attempt at the net. I think he would benefit from learning a little "economy of movement". How many times during the game does he have to grip the post or the ice in order to stop sliding? Not saying he's ineffective though, the guy makes the saves, he just gives me fits!
Also, before I forget, Johnson really stepped up last night with his rough play and diving in front of shots. He needs to keep that fire going.
Ummmm was I talkin to you? Chill your bones out kid.