Isles are in "Smashville" (as the locals call it...okayyy) to face the Preds. Although still leading the NHL in points, NSH has been out of sorts and have dropped four straight. These are the games that worry me...cannot imagine the Preds come out tonight looking to give any charity.
As Metnut mentioned earlier, Jaro Halak to get the start, and both Casey Cizikas as well as noted sniper Eric Boulton make their returns from IR and into the lineup (Mallrat to sit). Same defensive groupings as last game. My guess is Boulton takes Martin's place on L4.
Cappy on Neuvirth, who will likely get more work than just in the four sets of back-to-back games that remain.
| "He's going to get some playing time and we don't want to overwork anyone," |
And some more positive news on KO...he skated on Long Island for a third consecutive day. If he continues to progress, he should join the team's practice late next week when the Isles return home.
Funny thing I stumbled across today in hearing about that it's been nearly 13 years
(!!) since the Isles last won in Nashville (5-2, on 4/12/2002). Look at the goal scorers from that game: Brad Isbister, Kip Miller, Oleg Kvasha, Mariusz Czerkawski and Mike Peca with an ENG. The goalie for that game?:
| Garth Snow improved his April record to 2-0, and won his 101st career game. Snow was credited with 23 saves. |
Shhh...don't look now, but the PK is actually improved. Perfect in 9 of their last 11 games. Neither Hamonic nor Clutterbuck have been on-ice for an opponents PP goal in that span and they rank 4th and 5th in PK ice-time. Grabner has only been on-ice for 1 goal against, but missed the first couple of games. The PK has done well in this 11 game stretch despite a horrible faceoff win percentage on the kill of 35% (18 of 51)...this is a big issue, IMO.
And while not an Islanders-focused article (although it does make mention of Josh Ho-Sang), this is an important and disappointing read for hockey fans on issues of racism. Worth your time - Blue Lines and Black Stereotypes:
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-03-04/blue-lines-and-black-stereotypes
Let's Go Islanders!
Keep holding on so long
'Cause there's a chance
That we might not be so wrong
We could be down and gone
But we hold on
We already have plenty of depth on forward so there's no need to rush him. Let's see MDC be the undisputed best player in junior hockey next year and then let's see him look strong in the AHL in the 2016-2017 season with a midseason callup being a possibility.
my thought is, why would he travel to Florida if his return wasn't in the immediate future? I feel like they're targeting the Rangers game.
As far as next year, and of course we hate doing it because as fans, we have a lot more this year to enjoy, but I will stick to my guns about dealing Franz.
Moving him will free up a spot for Dal Colle, among other things. The team will combine the success this year, with a big deal in the offseason, to highlight the move to Brooklyn, imo.
he's been conditioning for a week.. next 4 days he will get in sync with the team. If it all works out, he will play next week.
I believe KO is back for the Rangers and will give the team the extra jolt of life it has been lacking.
That's all I care about at this point, haha (incapable of thinking big picture, unfortunately)
I believe KO is back for the Rangers and will give the team the extra jolt of life it has been lacking.
I like the line, but not on the PP. Ideally they will have JT and Frans or Bailey at the circles/boards, and Lee in front of the net. I like two great passers on the ice with a screener/junk man in front.
PP2, Okposo in front of the net.
Does Grabbo become a LTIR candidate at some point? His concussions may keep Snow from trading our depth unless he's going for a big fish type player.
Does Grabbo become a LTIR candidate at some point? His concussions may keep Snow from trading our depth unless he's going for a big fish type player.
if Nelson has found himself again (which he is playing like) then having Bailey on L2 will make that a very good line. Strome/Nelson/Bailey??
The more and more I watch this team, the more I'm convinced that "the obvious truth" is actually a biot understated. It goes without saying playing with Tavares elevates the game of his linemates, but I think it's even more pronounced than we realize. Okposo became a different player when he started playing with JT full time. Anders Lee, who was good with the kid line, pushed himself into the rookie of the year conversation with JT (he has almost no shot, but the fact that his numbers will be up there with Forsberg is amazing). Josh Bailey went from a potential healthy scratch to one of our most dependable forwards.
Tavares truly is one of the rare elites in that everyone around him is better because of him.... like A LOT better.
With that, as mentioned, I think Lee's game is the most transferrable. He can get those tip ins on any line. He won't have the space he's had with the Tavares line, but no one will. To me, we can get more out of him on lines 2-through-4 than anyone else.
Having said that, my power play united would be
PP L1: Tavares - Okposo - Lee
PP L2: Bailey - Nelson - Strome
Quote:
wouldn't mind going with JB/JT/AL on line 1 and KO/BN/RS on line 2. Okposo is our second best forward, but the first line is rolling now and there's something to be said for having two very dangerous scoring lines rather than just loading up line 1. I think Okposo's presence on the that second line would basically make it a "1A" line.
The more and more I watch this team, the more I'm convinced that "the obvious truth" is actually a biot understated. It goes without saying playing with Tavares elevates the game of his linemates, but I think it's even more pronounced than we realize. Okposo became a different player when he started playing with JT full time. Anders Lee, who was good with the kid line, pushed himself into the rookie of the year conversation with JT (he has almost no shot, but the fact that his numbers will be up there with Forsberg is amazing). Josh Bailey went from a potential healthy scratch to one of our most dependable forwards.
Tavares truly is one of the rare elites in that everyone around him is better because of him.... like A LOT better.
With that, as mentioned, I think Lee's game is the most transferrable. He can get those tip ins on any line. He won't have the space he's had with the Tavares line, but no one will. To me, we can get more out of him on lines 2-through-4 than anyone else.
Having said that, my power play united would be
PP L1: Tavares - Okposo - Lee
PP L2: Bailey - Nelson - Strome
then you have to ask, what players can help JTs line be more productive? Does having Lee in front of the net help L1 be more productive because of all of the rebounds?
Quote:
wouldn't mind going with JB/JT/AL on line 1 and KO/BN/RS on line 2. Okposo is our second best forward, but the first line is rolling now and there's something to be said for having two very dangerous scoring lines rather than just loading up line 1. I think Okposo's presence on the that second line would basically make it a "1A" line.
The more and more I watch this team, the more I'm convinced that "the obvious truth" is actually a biot understated. It goes without saying playing with Tavares elevates the game of his linemates, but I think it's even more pronounced than we realize. Okposo became a different player when he started playing with JT full time. Anders Lee, who was good with the kid line, pushed himself into the rookie of the year conversation with JT (he has almost no shot, but the fact that his numbers will be up there with Forsberg is amazing). Josh Bailey went from a potential healthy scratch to one of our most dependable forwards.
Tavares truly is one of the rare elites in that everyone around him is better because of him.... like A LOT better.
With that, as mentioned, I think Lee's game is the most transferrable. He can get those tip ins on any line. He won't have the space he's had with the Tavares line, but no one will. To me, we can get more out of him on lines 2-through-4 than anyone else.
Having said that, my power play united would be
PP L1: Tavares - Okposo - Lee
PP L2: Bailey - Nelson - Strome
I agree with mist of what you say, but no way Franz falls off both units. I believe Bailey sits on PP L2 and Franzie plays there.
Quote:
wouldn't mind going with JB/JT/AL on line 1 and KO/BN/RS on line 2. Okposo is our second best forward, but the first line is rolling now and there's something to be said for having two very dangerous scoring lines rather than just loading up line 1. I think Okposo's presence on the that second line would basically make it a "1A" line.
The more and more I watch this team, the more I'm convinced that "the obvious truth" is actually a biot understated. It goes without saying playing with Tavares elevates the game of his linemates, but I think it's even more pronounced than we realize. Okposo became a different player when he started playing with JT full time. Anders Lee, who was good with the kid line, pushed himself into the rookie of the year conversation with JT (he has almost no shot, but the fact that his numbers will be up there with Forsberg is amazing). Josh Bailey went from a potential healthy scratch to one of our most dependable forwards.
Tavares truly is one of the rare elites in that everyone around him is better because of him.... like A LOT better.
With that, as mentioned, I think Lee's game is the most transferrable. He can get those tip ins on any line. He won't have the space he's had with the Tavares line, but no one will. To me, we can get more out of him on lines 2-through-4 than anyone else.
Having said that, my power play united would be
PP L1: Tavares - Okposo - Lee
PP L2: Bailey - Nelson - Strome
I agree with mist of what you say, but no way Franz falls off both units. I believe Bailey sits on PP L2 and Franzie plays there.
Link - ( New Window )
Nearly a solid minute of excellent puck movement, puck possession and cycling, resulting in Leddy's goal.
Lather, rinse, repeat. That's Viagra to any true hockey fan. As I said, maybe the shift of the year for the Isles.