This is it. Win or go home. I'm not ready to go home. Hope you're not, either.
Rule of the day for the Islanders: keep your composure. The Caps are gonna be physical, as they've been all series. So what. Turn the other cheek. The Isles can't, and shouldn't get caught up in any retaliation. Stay out of the box. While each team has 14 goals in the series, the only place where the Caps have any advantage is on the PP, where they've outscored the Isles 2-0. That's it. Stay out of the box, the chances of winning increase.
The Isles, while relatively green in playoff experience, are unfazed by the situation. Cappy says they're gonna be the same team they've been all year:
“They’ve had that refuse-to-lose attitude, and I’ve said that. They’re a relentless team. It doesn’t matter how young we are or the rookies we have, they’ve got a veteran team on that side. They have a veteran hockey team from the back end to their goaltender right on out. I think we respect them but we don’t fear anybody.
That’s been our attitude all year. We just keep coming. We’re not going to go away. Whatever happens, and I told you going into tonight’s game, I knew our guys would work hard and give us everything they’ve got." |
Boychuk brings the perspective we knew he would, with his pedigree:
“Don’t be scared out there. Play with confidence. It’s one game, but it’s a very important game.”
“You have to stay in the moment and not let emotions get the best of you. That’s the main thing. You don’t want to take a penalty. You could be going home because of that penalty.” |
Finally, Cal Clutterbuck touches on what we're all feeling:
| “I think there’s a feeling of guys realizing how hard it’s been to get to this point—and I think there are a lot of guys in this room who aren’t ready to let that go.” |
Jaro Halak brings the playoff experience you'd want in a goalie with the series on the line. In playoff elimination games, Jaro is 6-1 in his career with only 12 goals allowed. He's relaxed heading into tonight:
| “I’m not trying to put extra pressure on myself. I’m just trying to go out there, have fun and help the guys try to win the game.” |
Regardless of the outcome, I'm proud of our boys. Let's get it done tonight.
Let's Go Islanders!
He's got a problem with his power
With weapons on patrol
He's got to walk a fine line
And keep his self-control
Let's Go Islanders!!
I hope my clients don't expect me to work today.
Most importantly, play loose. There are a lot of guys on this roster who have never been in this situation before and may be tight and be doing too much thinking. Hopefully some of the veterans are telling them to focus on making a play rather than on not giving one up.
Halak needs to be sharp. This team has to attack to win so he will be tested. He may very well be the story of this game.
LGI!!!
Most importantly, play loose. There are a lot of guys on this roster who have never been in this situation before and may be tight and be doing too much thinking. Hopefully some of the veterans are telling them to focus on making a play rather than on not giving one up.
Halak needs to be sharp. This team has to attack to win so he will be tested. He may very well be the story of this game.
LGI!!!
Which scares the crap out of me. I am not a big Halak fan, but I have to tip my hat to his performance on Saturday. He was excellent. We need that again tonight
That's a lovely coincidence, my good man. A friend of mine who is on an email chain we've got going recommended it, as well. That's where we'll be going. This will be our first time there.
I think we have a good shot as our forwards are deeper and better than the Capitals outside of the Caps #1 line. My main concern is that on the road, Trotz look really hard to find ways to exploit matchups and get his skill guys in against our young DMen.
I'm up to go to the bar tonight but are people going to Promenade or Overlook?
Also, this may sound weird, but I feel better about tonight's game than I did before game six. While I expected a great effort, I just thought they would be worn down late in the third period (especially with a depleted defense).
Tonight, the pressure is all on the Caps. Whatever happens tonight, we can be pleased at the strides the Isles have made. This group has showed a lot of grit, and have not backed down.
I will be chewing on my knuckles by game time. But this is what makes game seven so special. Embrace it, and channel positive energy. This group has grown before our eyes. And hopefully they earn the opportunity for more growth later in the week.
But for tonight we must all BeLIeve!
Quote:
The Overlook on 44th and 3rd has become an Islanders bar where they pipe in the game audio and everyone gets a free shot when they score.
That's a lovely coincidence, my good man. A friend of mine who is on an email chain we've got going recommended it, as well. That's where we'll be going. This will be our first time there.
Yea definitely spread the word. Islanders fans have never really had their own bar until now. The owner seems like a good guy, big fan and the atmosphere has been great the past few games.
Hahah, wtf? Where's this positivity been all year!! :)
I'm actually surprisingly torn here. He's been invisible out there and McDonald did a good job matching the Caps physicality and he's a guy who can every now and then make some noise in the offensive zone, too.
Anders Lee has been tremendous but... I'm sincerely not sure. I won't complain no matter what's decided.
Good luck me. Enjoy it. Game 7 is the best thing in sport. Let's do this!!
Lol. Good one.
OK, I'll leave y'all alone and I won't be "that guy". Win or lose, I'll be back for the virtual post series handshake and wish y'all the best.
Later.
OK, I'll leave y'all alone and I won't be "that guy". Win or lose, I'll be back for the virtual post series handshake and wish y'all the best.
Later.
You've been a respectful guy, and sensitive to the fact that every emotionally invested fan on this board is an Islanders fan. I've turned to the Lord as well for this one. Please state your religion so after the game we can see who's God is legit :)
Enjoy.
Very well said. Trotz really has lured us in. The refs haven't helped much, though. If they call 1 or 2 of those penalties that should've been called, maybe the Islanders would've let the Caps hang themselves.
I am probably one of the least likely die hard sports fans to bitch about officiating. I've always seen it as part of the game and the breaks go back and forth. But for Game 6, it was truly shocking to see those ticky-tack calls against us in the 1st period after two dirty hits by Caps players knocked 1/3 of our defense from the series.
When Isles fans have complained about them officiating during this season, I've often noted that we were one of the least penalized teams in the league. I try to see it how it is... and I can't help but feel like the refs have been very poor this series and we've predominantly been on the short end of it.
Let's hope they stay out of this one, and if they interject themselves, it's done in a reasonable way.
OK, I'll leave y'all alone and I won't be "that guy". Win or lose, I'll be back for the virtual post series handshake and wish y'all the best.
Later.
Caps fans are welcome here. Either way it's going to be a great game to enjoy. Hopefully, the Isles have it in them to win. I say keep cmac in the game. Lee hasn't been good at any point of the series. I think the matchup may just may not be good for him. He seems so slow out there. If he does play Nelsen or Bailey should sit but I'm personally for the same lineup as last game unless DeHaan is ready then Dono can sit. just my opinion
This worries me, but not enough to make a lineup change tonight. I'd roll game 6 lineup tonight, and find a way to get Lee in over CMac if we make it to the next round.
I'm completely distracted at work today. This is brutal.
I could be wrong, and it could be a huge deal, but I think this is slightly overstated. No matter who has the first or last change, the Islanders are seldom going to put Donovan and Mayfield in the game in the defensive zone. I think they did it once in all of game 6 (maybe twice). So that means there will be a max of 1 or 2 shifts where they will need to clear the zone with Ovi and Backstrom in there.
They played strong enough games in Game 6 where I'm not terrified of this (which I know is the kiss of death). It's an issue, but I don't think it's as make-or-break as some are making it out to be.
Would like to see us not just score first but get a 2nd past holtby before the caps get going. Holtby was a little shaky last game with controlling pucks. Holtby is the better goalie but Halak has thrived under pressure. I can say, I thought the coach left him in 1 goal too late in gm 5. That last goal was an awful goal and I fully expected him to look shaky in game 6, glad he proved me wrong.
One guy that NEEDS to show up is Frans. He's been pretty invisible and its time for him to bring something to the team tonight.
Link - ( New Window )
In comment 12251627 KWhite2250 said:
I don't think they were biased. I think they were incompetent. It's just another factor I'd prefer wasn't at play tonight.
Only Dan O'Rourke (#9) is the same from Game 6. Dan O'Halloran (#13) was one of the refs from Game 4. I do not think the Islanders have seen either linesman (Greg Devorski #54 and Michel Cormier #76) this postseason
Staios
Pandolfo
Boyes
Mottau
Sim
Konopka
Schremp
Reasoner
Regin
Staios
Pandolfo
Boyes
Mottau
Sim
Konopka
Schremp
Reasoner
Regin
While I agree with you on this, in my eyes if they don't win this series after how they started this season it's a failure.
Let's get off to a quick start and put all the pressure on them.
Let's Go!!!!!