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
Yup
On to next year.
Obviously, this was a resurgent, hopeful year. Happy to get to the playoffs, unhappy we couldn't do more. The future is now, and it is bright.
Rangers bretheren...please, please kick the shit out of the Caps. I'll be rooting for you in your series.
Most of all, to you other Islanders fans....this has been a ton of fun having these threads with you. It was many years of simmering that has finally reached a full boil. These threads were great; I appreciate your contributions, and am thankful that we've built camaraderie and friendships. We'll have to have an inaugural BBI Isles get-together at Barclay's next season.
Philadelphia Eagles
New York Jets
It's funny though how important that game 82 of the regular season turned out to be. Home ice was in fact the difference in this incredibly close series.
And I'm a Rangers fan.
Just a sad ending
Wish Hammer could have played this series.
How do we play game 6 with one style and mentality and play game 7 completely different??
That shit goal the Flyers scored was a killer.
This sucks.
Anyway, I wish y'all the best and I hope the Caps have enough energy left for taking on the Blue-shirts.
Take care.
Anyway, I wish y'all the best and I hope the Caps have enough energy left for taking on the Blue-shirts.
Take care.
In comment 12252749 Fish said:
Lots to build on from this. The team is young and talented, but not ready yet. Next year we take another step forward.
PGA - thanks for all you did with these threads. You are a great fan and a good dude. I look forward to these threads again next year,
Ranger fans - Good luck against the Caps. Appreciate the kind words, and looking forward to more smack talk next year!
LGI!
Yup.
Jeez my autocorrect damning not damming. Totally different defintions
B, arc, beard, Seth, MAB and hoya (ok, Greg, too)...thanks for the occasional glove to the mush and facewashes; always fun and appreciate your (reluctant) rooting for us when it made sense to do so. Looking forward to the next half dozen or so years when our squads should be battling for Metro/East supremacy.
B, arc, beard, Seth, MAB and hoya (ok, Greg, too)...thanks for the occasional glove to the mush and facewashes; always fun and appreciate your (reluctant) rooting for us when it made sense to do so. Looking forward to the next half dozen or so years when our squads should be battling for Metro/East supremacy.
yeah man I mean as a rival fan I can say your team was (if not overachieving at some points of the year) really impressively improved. The GM finally made some solid moves that everyone agreed were good ones. The team was solid.
I'm a little confused why your coach didn't make hardcore adjustments to change up the flow of this game. But that's probably a little black and white.
BTW, great season guys.
BTW, great season guys.
BTW, great season guys.
Well done all season pga. Your nuggets of info gave us great insight. Much appreciated.
We have a great core to build around. Still need to make a few more moves, but we're gonna be in the thick of it for the next several years.
BTW, great season guys.
Thanks for the game threads this year PGA.
The other thing I noticed last night is that the physical play from Game 6 had much more of an impact on the Islanders. Several of the defensive zone turnovers and missed passes in the offensive zone came when guys were conscious of a hit coming, and tried to avoid that rather than focus on making the play and taking the hit. Part of that was nerves, part of that was knowing that the refs were not calling stuff so many of the hits were likely going to be illegal. Ovechkin's hit on Hickey was a prime example of them taking liberties when they knew they had free reign.
The other takeaway for this team is they need more size, particularly on defense. When the caps escalated from hard hitting to cheap hitting, there was no answer outside Boychuk and the 4th line. This team needs more of a physical presence to address those things. I don't root for guys to get injured, but somewhere in games 5, 6 and 7 either Ovechkin and/or Backstrom should have been run. I think the size difference, plus the fear of the caps power play stopped them from doing that.
It was a great season and the team is moving in the right direction. The emergence of Strome and Lee, and locking up Leddy and Boychuk have this team on the right path. I don't think Cappy is the guy to take them to the promised land but I also don't think he will be gone unless this team fails to win a playoff series again next year, which I really hope is not the case.
Lots to be positive about for next year. This is a marathon not a sprint.
1. i would say that they played a great defensive series on ovechkin. he did not do very much offensively. credit to the players and coaches for that.
2. caps scored 3 huge goals on plays where our guy was playing without a broken stick.
3. i cant say we win the series if Hamonic plays but he would have been a difference maker
4. 0-14 on the PP is just pathetic no matter how you look at it. The players will tell you its their fault for not executing. but blame has to go around the horn here.
5. we need another elite offensive player. we have a very solid group. of 15-20 goal scorers. either someone needs to step up and become that 30+ goal scorer or we need to acquire one.
6. Griffin Reinhart = Trade Bait
7. Jaro is a goalie that can win you playoff series. A lot of people questioned if that was the case. I think after this series, even in a loss, he proved that.
8. I doubt that Capuano gets fired. I more on the supportive side than some others here. I cant really explain why. maybe the fact that they got over 100 points this year. He had the balls to play 2 minor league defensemen. Took a huge risk and it paid off. I know some people hate him.