It's down to a one game series for the Islanders, do or die today. The right outcome gets them to another one game series, but that isn't anything to think about today.These 60 minutes are the only thing on the Islanders' minds. Backs to the wall. Are we used to any other way?
They're saying the right things:
| “At some point it was going to come to this, right?” Head Coach Jack Capuano said. “We have a chance in our building to take it to a Game 7. Our backs were up against the wall a lot this year. We’ve responded really well and I think we’ll do the same.” |
Hickey:
| “We know what it means to our fans. That can’t be the last game there, it can’t be the last game for them. We’re going to come with our heads on and be ready to play and make sure that it’s not the last game there. We have to find a way.” |
Kyle Okposo:
| We need to keep our emotions in check and make sure that we are focusing on the right things,” Okposo said. “We’re a little bit banged up, but it gives other guys an opportunity to step up. You’re going to have to deal with injuries as a team and we have to find a way to put together a full team and get a big win.” |
John Tavares:
| “We’ve had injuries during the year,” Tavares said. “We’ve found a way to win hockey games and play well. At this time of year it gets heightened and we’re missing some defensive guys, some big presence, but we just have to be better. Individually we still believe in our group. We’ve responded to adversity well, we’ve overcome a lot this year and it’s another chance for that if we want to keep playing.” |
Another ally should be the raucous home crowd, who surely are not ready for this to potentially be NVMC's swan song. Cappy also knows this:
| “There’s going to be a lot of emotion in the building,” Capuano said. “The fans have been great. We work as a unit of one here. We’ve built a lot of energy off them.” |
I'm not ready for this to be over and I know you're not, either. We work as a unit of one...despite the challenges we know - will we field the best combo of forwards? The reality of having 3 d-men in there that in a perfect world would not be on the ice? - this game presents the chance to even things up with an all-out assault. Let's be good fans. Let's all row in the same direction here. Let's give the boys our support. Let's all be Islanders today.
Let's Go Islanders!
Commit to Grace Under Pressure
All that we can do is just survive
All that we can do to help ourselves
Is stay alive... 
LET'S DO THIS!
I know they want to dress the best forwards but any thoughts on only dressing 5 dmen and 10 forwards? I know they wouldn't but having and extra body may help tired forwards. Maybe use Grabner and another forward not named Kennedy(Boulton CMac) in a rotation and just lean on Boychuk,Leddy, and Hickey more. You can rest when the seasons over.
Additionally, I think Grabner is toast, with speculative reports that he needs another hernia surgery. So is he more an asset or liability at this point (although I know either way, he's better then Kennedy)? If anything, I think you could double shift some of the forwards if needed.
While emotions will be high, the Isles need to come out strong yet disciplined. I would expect (or really just hope times infinity) that they will leave nothing in the tank today. I think the Old Barn may have some more surprises left in store for us.
It's gone - who's going?
Can I get a check on this
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We didn't come back from 3-0 vs Pens. We did however come back from 3-2 by winning Game 6 at home after getting blown out in Game 5.
Can I get a check on this
Isles came back fron 3-0 against Pittsburgh in the 70s(75 was it). In 93 it was a 3-2 deficit I believe.
"We've got some veteran forwards in there today and they've got to take the game over."
Looks like I called the 7 dmen. I'm okay with adding the grit, but not at the expense of Lee. Cappy is either daft or a mad genius. Should know in about 3 hours.
As I said earlier, let's all have our rooting interests aligned. Without a win today, there is no tomorrow. I was sent a great quote today, attributed to Helen Keller that is poignant given the circumstances:
One shift at a time, boys. Win your battles. Win each period.
Really hope we force a game 7.
So pumped! Let's go. NBC fully expexts us to lose. It can't happen.
Let's go!!!!
Let's fucking go. Hit them in the mouth non stop.
F U Orpick!!!!!
Just spilled my scotch, totally worth it.
But whatever...who calls the game doesn't matter. Getting the right result on the board is all that matters.
I actually thought the whistle was for a penalty for holding Martins stick. What was it for? Holtby holding the puck. If that was it that's a huge difference over the last game.
Hey! Refs blew the whistle on a shot Jaro covered....progress!
Exactly
Hey! Refs blew the whistle on a shot Jaro covered....progress!
Yup
Wildly inconsistent officiating.
Yep. He didn't see him.
Played well in he first. Need to keep it up
BUT...I cannot sit there, especially in light of the whole series so far, and accept that in this period - the rest of the series notwithstanding - that you can tell me there wasn't anything to call against the Caps. The quick whistle for Holtby earlier (which, by the way, Halak didn't benefit from in game 5) must have negated the very obvious holding of the stick by Carlson earlier against Martin. And if they call JT for the slash as they did, there should have been at a minimum a roughing call on Ovechkin for checking JT from behind by the benches.
It sure seems like a double standard. And wildly inconsistent. It says a lot that the ref shoo-ed Okposo away after the whistle because he didn't want to hear from him. Is it "chirping" when there's a legitimate gripe?
Only way to overcome all this is to get more goals, plain and simple.
BUT...I cannot sit there, especially in light of the whole series so far, and accept that in this period - the rest of the series notwithstanding - that you can tell me there wasn't anything to call against the Caps. The quick whistle for Holtby earlier (which, by the way, Halak didn't benefit from in game 5) must have negated the very obvious holding of the stick by Carlson earlier against Martin. And if they call JT for the slash as they did, there should have been at a minimum a roughing call on Ovechkin for checking JT from behind by the benches.
It sure seems like a double standard. And wildly inconsistent. It says a lot that the ref shoo-ed Okposo away after the whistle because he didn't want to hear from him. Is it "chirping" when there's a legitimate gripe?
Only way to overcome all this is to get more goals, plain and simple.
The Isles can't let the Caps get into their heads. First 5 minutes of second period will be interesting.
I know, right? God these guys suck as announcers
Haha.
Hope the ref luck evend out in the third
Assuming we're watching Dan O'Rourke's last playoff game. Disgraceful job.
If the hockey gods are done fisting us, there's a bunch of pent-up luck we are owed the chance to cash in.
Yup, great playoff intensity.
Cool Lemon, I love you!!
Get another one and make it hurt!!!!
DON'T LET UP
So PGA - I don't disagree with you.
The refs seem completely overwhelmed.
And that misconduct on Donovan was one of the weirdest calls I've ever seen.
This X 100000000!
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One of the most emotional games for me as a fan standpoint. I know my neighbors heard me.
I might be able to make that drive one more time. I'm thinking crazy thoughts.
Now can somebody tell me whats with the YES YES YES YES YES...chants after goals?
One of the most emotional games for me as a fan standpoint. I know my neighbors heard me.
Yup got really fucking loud on that game winner and again on the nail in the coffin.
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Let's fuck their shit up in DC. These guys on the Caps are waay too big for their britches. I think they're the ones that'll be too emotional next game and end up taking up residence in the box.
I might be able to make that drive one more time. I'm thinking crazy thoughts.
Wish I didn't live 2,000 miles away. Id toast a good chunk of my rainy day fund for this.
Go to Washington let it all hang out. The crowd was amazing.
Like I said...assuming the refs decide to actually call some penalties on WAS next game, I expect us to have the manpower as well as mental advantage.
Tony, you're a classy guy and thanks. Good luck to you next game but I hope we're on the better end of the postgame handshake.
And hopefully this team can finally score on the power play. They are due.
The refs have been beyond bad and I wonder if they just want to help Ovechkin finally win a round because he's so popular and 'marketable'. It definitely makes you question some things.
Fuck these cum guzzlers. Kick their asses in game 7 and drive Obechkin through the boards.
Time to close this one out Monday. As someone said above it feel like the caps threw everything they had at us, and we weathered it. Now we go into their building with a chance to put the stake in their heart.
Do it early and do it convincingly! LGI!
Refuting sucked, I don't know how Chimera isn't called for interference or no boarding on Tavares by the Caps.
Dirty, goon team.
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seven and the teams beat each other up, or do you have a preference of playing the Caps or Isles?
An NY series would be a huge boon to hockey locally.
Would love to see an All-NY series
With that said, the Caps are an absolutely vile and disgusting group. I really want to see Martin ram Ovechkin through the boards twice.
Since Dale Hunter, this organization has deserved every agonizing playoff loss. It would be amazing if the Isles can give them one more day of misery.
Let's bring the ghosts of Pat LaFontaine with us into game seven.
And Dave, the Balvenie Caribbean Cask is flowing well here also!
Still have some business to take care of, but a shout out to Boychuk and Leddy, who played 29 and 28 minutes respectively today. Huge. My two fearless predictions for the next 24 months: Strome will be an all-star, and Leddy will win a Norris. He has shined brightly since getting top pair minutes here on LI.
I'm still pumped. Even at dinner just a shit eating grin on my face.
Cappy:
Mayfield:
Kulemin:
Would need to see the replay to see how suspect some of those calls were. Either way credit to the team for stepping up against all odds and outplaying the Caps.
Bring on 7
I can see Lee back in for Cmac. Maybe this woke him up.
Let's ride this wave...
That said, read the comments. There is concern that Niskanen could face discipline for throwing a bottle back in the stands...
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All that we can do is just survive
All that we can do to help ourselves
Is stay alive...
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Penalties- Islanders- call everything!!!! Caps- nothing short of murder by stick.
Undisciplined play by the cheapshotting Caps, and it cost them. Looking for more of the same tomorrow.
Caps fans think the islanders are playing dirtier than they are
Caps fans think the islanders are playing dirtier than they are
I would love for those caps fans to show where we did anything equal to brouwers hit on de haan in this series? Waaa the isles have a 4th line that hits everyone in site cleanly. Boo fucking hoo. No islander has delivered a concussion on a questionable hit or seperated a guys shoulder on a late hit. I question caps fans knowledge of what they are watching. Also they chanted we are louder? The only time they get loud is when their team scores. Otherwise playing at that place is like studying in a library.
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Undisciplined play by the cheapshotting Caps, and it cost them. Looking for more of the same tomorrow.
JT knew he was getting crushed and sent the puck to the corner instead of bracing for the hit. Stupid Ovi was looking for the puck meanwhile Leddy had it. Love that play.
Do you have the link to the replay of the game with no commericals?
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I don't mind heavy hits, but the Caps seem to be targeting rather than letting the course of play dictate the hits. Viz, CDH, Grabbo and JT have all been clearly targeted.
But I did love Boychuk's bodyslam on Ward. Beautiful.
If anything, the way it unfolded may workout being good for us. That was a very cut and dry example of their physical play negatively impacting their ability to win. Everyone focused on bashing us and no one picked up Kulemin. If we can get an early goal tomorrow, Washington might be reevaluating their strategy mid-game, which usually a good thing for the opposition.
Caps fans think the islanders are playing dirtier than they are
Caps fans? They are as knowledgeable and diehard about hockey as Nats fans are about baseball.
I think it could've been checking from behind.
Is anyone else sick just thinking about tomorrow? Game 7. The two most terrifying words ever put together.
Completely agree. Huge momentum shift... Go in with the same game plan, everyone does their job, we win... Isles have been the better team for the better part of this series...
pressure totally on washington. as said above. We have been the better team thus Far. I love the attitude that tavares has. You can hear it in his interviews. And love his emotion after the game yesterday. He's fired up.
Your goal scorers tomorrow night. Tavares, okposo, leddy
And a big kudos to garth for the Clutterbuck for Nino trade. Cal might not be the best skill guy for an 80 game season And his act might be a bit tiring. But in a short series he really turns it on. And good teams need players like him
If anything, the way it unfolded may workout being good for us. That was a very cut and dry example of their physical play negatively impacting their ability to win. Everyone focused on bashing us and no one picked up Kulemin. If we can get an early goal tomorrow, Washington might be reevaluating their strategy mid-game, which usually a good thing for the opposition.
Mike...serious question...what was the % of Caps fans?
I thought our young D guys held their own and Boychuk/Leddy are keeping us in this. Tavares is great, the refs are brutal, really glad to have Grabovski back, our 4th line really brought us momentum and will need to do so again tonight.
Please stay out of the box tonight and please don't let up if we score a few early ones.
One passerby had some really funny trash talk for them. Walked by and was like "Good luck today guys! Let's have some fun out there! We don't want you to start blogging again. May the best team win! Have a safe trip back to DC after." They took it in stride.
After that I think I saw 1 Caps jersey the rest of the game.