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
Its been a good season, fun season with everyone not named KW (just kidding) and look forward to next season and the additions coming in. If your name is Reinhart, Hickey, Frans, Grabner and Viz expect to be moved. Notice I did not put Bailey here as he seems to be a major piece to this team. However if putting him in a trade brings us in a sniper then Im all for it.
I have friends who are big Isles fans who insist that there's an "opt out" after like 2-3 years or something like that where the Isles can get out of the lease. Is this true or are these guys completely delusional?
I told them I was pretty sure this was not the case and they just went into "dude, you're wrong.. " defensive mode.
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I will miss the coliseum immensely. Just something about that place. My first game was in 1989 as a 14 year old. My final game was game 3 last weekend. And probably somewhere between 75-100 others in between. It's been a real pain getting there from NJ so I'll enjoy the fact that Barclay's will be much easier. But I'd prefer the coliseum. The fans mad that they're moving to Barclay's should be happy. Because if it wasn't Barclay's it would have probably been Kansas City. Or something like that.
I have friends who are big Isles fans who insist that there's an "opt out" after like 2-3 years or something like that where the Isles can get out of the lease. Is this true or are these guys completely delusional?
I told them I was pretty sure this was not the case and they just went into "dude, you're wrong.. " defensive mode.
I believe the rumor is the Barclays center can opt out of keeping them after 5yrs.
It fits fine. Brooklyn is on Long Island.
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In comment 12253309 theold5j said:
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I will miss the coliseum immensely. Just something about that place. My first game was in 1989 as a 14 year old. My final game was game 3 last weekend. And probably somewhere between 75-100 others in between. It's been a real pain getting there from NJ so I'll enjoy the fact that Barclay's will be much easier. But I'd prefer the coliseum. The fans mad that they're moving to Barclay's should be happy. Because if it wasn't Barclay's it would have probably been Kansas City. Or something like that.
I have friends who are big Isles fans who insist that there's an "opt out" after like 2-3 years or something like that where the Isles can get out of the lease. Is this true or are these guys completely delusional?
I told them I was pretty sure this was not the case and they just went into "dude, you're wrong.. " defensive mode.
I believe the rumor is the Barclays center can opt out of keeping them after 5yrs.
Barclay's has an opt out after 5 years but it is doubtful they would use it. Bettman made it clear they are tired of Nassau and as LHH put it 'big fish in small ponds'.
The Caps are trashbags pure and simple. Ovechkin gets away with so much garbage on those hits from behind I have to believe if it's anyone else they're penalized immediately. I'm sure they'll resort to their usual goonery and take runs at every Rangers player on the ice - most especially Lundqvist in net. And i'm not looking forward to seeing Boyle and Yandle get worked along the defensive boards. That'll be a tough matchup.
That aside, I want to thank you guys for a great time. I really enjoy the comradery we have on here. Those of you who I met are really good guys and it's another aspect of what makes BBI a great place.
From people I know who are close to the situation and know a little about this... The NHL is not happy at all with Barclays setup for hockey. There apparently is a 5 year out clause in the deal which coincidentally is the time frame for the refurbishing of the Coliseum. The issue is going to be seating, as the current plan is to reduce capacity at the Old Barn. If Barclays doesn't adjust the arena to accommodate a hockey team I can see the Islanders moving back to Uniondale, but only if they can have enough seating to field an NHL team.
In comment 12253699 Greg from LI said:
In comment 12253699 Greg from LI said:
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The league and the team don't want to stir up a lot of controversy with this, but I've never believed that any of them were ever particularly happy with Barclay's. The move happened because of the deficiencies of the Mausoleum, not because anything about Barclay's is ideal. If they can somehow get the old barn into good shape, why WOULDN'T they move back?
Yes... the seating is the issue but there's still time for that to change. The smallest seating capacity in the NHL is the MTS Center in Winnipeg which seats 15,004. I think they could probably come to an agreement for the same at the new Coliseum.
This is the big question. If Islander fans go to the games there then they'll have no reason to move back. If they decide to watch it from the comfort of their own couch they might decide it's not worth the risk.
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... I assume that the team name will still be Islanders even though it doesn't quite fit in Brooklyn (like Lakers in LA and Jazz in Utah)?
It fits fine. Brooklyn is on Long Island.
what an odd map, why in the world does Amityville get highlighted on it?
de Haan sprained AC joint... no surgery for him, either.
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... I assume that the team name will still be Islanders even though it doesn't quite fit in Brooklyn (like Lakers in LA and Jazz in Utah)?
It fits fine. Brooklyn is on Long Island.
WTF is up with this map? Who ordered a map of Long Island and NYC and said "make sure you identify all counties except S.I., and also Flatbush, Forest Hills, Rockaway, Amityville, and the Hamptons -- nothing else"
That's a map for VERY specific needs.
A NY-NY series would have been GREAT for hockey in the NY region, it would have been as big as anything, to bad it's not now, but hopefully some year.
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In comment 12255976 Dave M said: