By all accounts, a good game 1 for the Islanders. Let's keep it going.
Grabbo's agent reports he's "close" to returning, which would be a huge lift in the playoffs.
MDC's Oshawa Generals moved closer to closing out their series against Josh Ho-Sang's Niagara squad and are up 3 games to 1. MDC continues his hot streak with 2 goals and 3 assists last night.
Some reading:
1.
Pelech & Mayfield Grew Into Shutdown Pair
2.
Islanders' Young Players Benefit from Patient Approach
3.
Josh Bailey Steps Into Playoff Spotlight
4.
Ryan Strome: Modeling Game After John Tavares, This Young Isles Star Thrives
You guys will get us started tonight...my sons have their opening night for baseball tonight, which is great because we'll have an all-pganut battery with one pitching and the other catching. Both are wearing their Isles sweaters today until their game...and if it was permitted, they'd wear 'em at the game!
Let's Go Islanders!
Why try, I know why
The feeling inside me says it's time I was gone
Clear head, new life ahead
I want to be king now not just one more pawn
Just want to get out of here 1-0
Thought I heard a yes chant after.
Our 4th line rocks.
Amazing that they weather the storm and are up 3-1 right now after that caps push
Gotta get the next goal
Funny because listening to the Caps broadcast they specifically said there were very few Isles fans.
From what I just flipped through on the DVR, we effectively allowed 3 SHG...2 came with our guys hemmed in when someone lost/broke their sticks, and the actual PPG by Backstrom. The last 2 goals irked me the most given Backstrom came in basically 1 on 4 and each Islander thought someone else would take him. Very poor communication. And the last fling by Leddy that was a bad turnover was just a WTF moment. Shoulda won this one, but looking at the 6 periods in DC, the Isles have been very good more than not. Carry that over to NVMC, eliminate the very fixable mistakes they know they made tonight, and come back to DC up 3-1. Nothing I plan on losing sleep over.
As I said, the Isles can - and I expect they will - fix the mistakes they made last night in the game tomorrow. NVMC is gonna be loud...let's take game 3.
Last night was a good time even with the outcome.
We've seen two different Islander teams so far this playoffs. The pre-All Star Game Isles were on display the first 85 minutes of the series and the post-All Star Game Isles were on display the last 35.
Even keeping that ratio up this is a series that can be won. If the Isles play their game Washington doesn't stand a chance.
Have to give credit where credit is due though. Wash took advantage of opportunities (broken sticks, bad communication) and didn't panic when they went down early.
The old barn will be rocking for game 3.
Who else is going?
As Butchie said 2 nights earlier they had the puck luck last night. A couple of broken sticks, lack of clearing of pucks, a horrible outlet by Leddy and a ridiculous call on Strome. Add it all up you get a Caps win. We have to play and check harder and want it more! Game 3 is huge in this series.
There are some nice toys in the toybox.
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