LA comes to Barclays, coming in hot off a nine goal explosion in Boston. 57 shots. Hoping they tired themselves out good on that one.
Thomas Greiss gets the start, and Cappy keeps the lineup the same.
I had some goodies that'll wait till next thread since I'm traveling today.
Over the past 18 games, JT has returned to a point per game pace and has 10 points in his last 7 games.
Let's Go Islanders!
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise
Can't we raise our eyes
And make a start
Side note: From February 19 to March 19, the Islanders have a ridiculous stretch of road action. 12 of their 14 games will be on the road, including a bunch against some very good hockey teams (Rangers, Boston, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Dallas, Tampa Bay... Minnesota as well, who is as strong as anyone on their home ice).
Toronto has the least amount of road points in the East with 24. The Islanders have 25. We've had a very good home ice advantage thus far this season, but it's important we use this upcoming stretch to develop a true killer instinct on the road.
As we all know, points are tremendously precious.
Side note: From February 19 to March 19, the Islanders have a ridiculous stretch of road action. 12 of their 14 games will be on the road, including a bunch against some very good hockey teams (Rangers, Boston, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Dallas, Tampa Bay... Minnesota as well, who is as strong as anyone on their home ice).
Toronto has the least amount of road points in the East with 24. The Islanders have 25. We've had a very good home ice advantage thus far this season, but it's important we use this upcoming stretch to develop a true killer instinct on the road.
As we all know, points are tremendously precious.
Without a doubt the most important stretch of the season.
I was thinking about your latter point a little today. There's no doubt they don't have that transition game where they skate like bats out of hell and create chaos. At the same time, their defensive game has no doubt improved significantly.
It makes you wonder if the offense can improve without compromising the strides we've made in front of our own net. I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing, but I think the coaching staff has put an extra emphasis on playing intelligently in our own zone, and they're trying to do other things to generate offense. It sort of works, sort of doesn't. We quietly had 46 shots the other night, but the word "quietly" is not to be lost there.
Quote:
Only 2 weeks until the trade deadline. Playing well against a good group of teams might spur Snow to make that final move to put them over top. Playing poorly might convince him to sell off Okposo, Nielsen and maybe Hamonic. I feel he will not do much, we will lose Okposo, trade Hamonic in off-season and maybe resign Nielsen and either barely make playoffs and get knocked out in 1st round or miss. They just don't seem to have the same spark as last year.
I was thinking about your latter point a little today. There's no doubt they don't have that transition game where they skate like bats out of hell and create chaos. At the same time, their defensive game has no doubt improved significantly.
It makes you wonder if the offense can improve without compromising the strides we've made in front of our own net. I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing, but I think the coaching staff has put an extra emphasis on playing intelligently in our own zone, and they're trying to do other things to generate offense. It sort of works, sort of doesn't. We quietly had 46 shots the other night, but the word "quietly" is not to be lost there.
The problem I have isn't the number of shots they generate, it's the quality ones.
Making a goalie work for 40 saves is one thing but it seems like they either try to hard for the corners and miss the net or shoot right at the logo.
I agree with you up to a certain extent. They have showed that spark but they are just way too inconsistent with it. To me, that falls back on the system and the coach. IMO, if the talent is there and they show at times they can do it then there first place to point the finger are the coaches. Of course we've known that for years!!!!!
Making a goalie work for 40 saves is one thing but it seems like they either try to hard for the corners and miss the net or shoot right at the logo.
That's why I truly meant "quietly." But that leads me to the question of whether or not our improved defensive play is come at the expense of our offense.
Not just trying to be positive, but I don't think that's the case. Our penalty kill has completely 180'd too, and that has nothing to do with being more cautious from an offensive perspective. You're never "trying" to score on the PK.
So that leads me to believe the two turnarounds aren't related, and there's an opportunity to bring that offensive fire back.
Quote:
The problem I have isn't the number of shots they generate, it's the quality ones.
Making a goalie work for 40 saves is one thing but it seems like they either try to hard for the corners and miss the net or shoot right at the logo.
That's why I truly meant "quietly." But that leads me to the question of whether or not our improved defensive play is come at the expense of our offense.
Not just trying to be positive, but I don't think that's the case. Our penalty kill has completely 180'd too, and that has nothing to do with being more cautious from an offensive perspective. You're never "trying" to score on the PK.
So that leads me to believe the two turnarounds aren't related, and there's an opportunity to bring that offensive fire back.
The biggest difference in pk that I've noticed is that they or so much more aggressive. Last season it seemed like they just sat back and collapsed giving up way too many shots. Plus I think they are playing Zeeker and CBuck a lot more on the pk which helps a lot. I remember reading articles at LHH last season where they openly asked why CBuck wasn't out there because he was so good in Minny on the pk. Jack knows best!
Quote:
In comment 12810880 giantsfan227B said:
Quote:
Only 2 weeks until the trade deadline. Playing well against a good group of teams might spur Snow to make that final move to put them over top. Playing poorly might convince him to sell off Okposo, Nielsen and maybe Hamonic. I feel he will not do much, we will lose Okposo, trade Hamonic in off-season and maybe resign Nielsen and either barely make playoffs and get knocked out in 1st round or miss. They just don't seem to have the same spark as last year.
I was thinking about your latter point a little today. There's no doubt they don't have that transition game where they skate like bats out of hell and create chaos. At the same time, their defensive game has no doubt improved significantly.
It makes you wonder if the offense can improve without compromising the strides we've made in front of our own net. I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing, but I think the coaching staff has put an extra emphasis on playing intelligently in our own zone, and they're trying to do other things to generate offense. It sort of works, sort of doesn't. We quietly had 46 shots the other night, but the word "quietly" is not to be lost there.
The problem I have isn't the number of shots they generate, it's the quality ones.
Making a goalie work for 40 saves is one thing but it seems like they either try to hard for the corners and miss the net or shoot right at the logo.
Columbus's goalie stood on his head the last game. The Islanders had many good scoring chances that just did not go in the net. They got their 2 points anyway so just move on. Just win, do not care if it is 2-1 or 6-5.
Quote:
In comment 12810915 Mike in Long Beach said:
Quote:
In comment 12810880 giantsfan227B said:
Quote:
Only 2 weeks until the trade deadline. Playing well against a good group of teams might spur Snow to make that final move to put them over top. Playing poorly might convince him to sell off Okposo, Nielsen and maybe Hamonic. I feel he will not do much, we will lose Okposo, trade Hamonic in off-season and maybe resign Nielsen and either barely make playoffs and get knocked out in 1st round or miss. They just don't seem to have the same spark as last year.
I was thinking about your latter point a little today. There's no doubt they don't have that transition game where they skate like bats out of hell and create chaos. At the same time, their defensive game has no doubt improved significantly.
It makes you wonder if the offense can improve without compromising the strides we've made in front of our own net. I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing, but I think the coaching staff has put an extra emphasis on playing intelligently in our own zone, and they're trying to do other things to generate offense. It sort of works, sort of doesn't. We quietly had 46 shots the other night, but the word "quietly" is not to be lost there.
The problem I have isn't the number of shots they generate, it's the quality ones.
Making a goalie work for 40 saves is one thing but it seems like they either try to hard for the corners and miss the net or shoot right at the logo.
Columbus's goalie stood on his head the last game. The Islanders had many good scoring chances that just did not go in the net. They got their 2 points anyway so just move on. Just win, do not care if it is 2-1 or 6-5.
Agreed - he played really well. My comment was more as a general statement on the season so far
One thing o have been consistent on is the just wide passes or bouncing pucks that minimize their chances. Happens a lot with them. Is it talent or thinking too much or just bad luck?
One thing o have been consistent on is the just wide passes or bouncing pucks that minimize their chances. Happens a lot with them. Is it talent or thinking too much or just bad luck?
I think the team as a whole suffers from paralysis by analysis, coaches and players alike. Sports at the professional level have to be technical in practice. That's when you develop muscle memory and become a sound hockey player.
But in the game? Go out there and play and trust yourself. I don't think they do that enough.
I agree; it they'd just go out and let it rip once in a while instead of trying to be technically perfect, we may see different results. Yes, it's a business event to win a game from an opponent, but it'd be great to see them smile every now and then out there. Play loose, but responsible.
I agree; it they'd just go out and let it rip once in a while instead of trying to be technically perfect, we may see different results. Yes, it's a business event to win a game from an opponent, but it'd be great to see them smile every now and then out there. Play loose, but responsible.
Spot on, yep. For 2-3 months last year they played loose and had fun. Then the reality of how good they were started settling in.
Haha, it's narrative arcarsenal correctly pointed out last season, and they've stuck with it despite it not really being a relevant talking point this year.
They're schmuckos, and are particularly salty about this one because it probably means Quick will be in net tomorrow, assuming he's healed from that colision.
Tough game tonight regardless of who is in goal. The recent lack of success against playoff teams has surely been noted by the team and we'll see how they respond.
Aside from starting Strait again (although it's sort of understandable tonight given how Zid was crushed last time vs this team), I'll complain about Cap starting Greiss tonight. Greiss gives us a fine chance to win, but Halak played good last time and I'd like to get him into a strong rhythm and he's going to need consecutive starts to do that.
T'birds website - ( New Window )
I was discussing with a friend this morning how Michol Neuvirth and Chad Johnson combined to go 9-11 with a GAA over 3 and a SV% under 900.
Could you imagine where we'd be this year if Greiss had similar "success?" If you choose to look at it that way, you could argue Greiss has been the most important player on the Islanders this year.
FWIW, Neuvirth has actually been good this year.
FWIW, Neuvirth has actually been good this year.
And Johnson has not been bad either. .918 2.44
The mental midget under-used Johnson, especially. You can't expect to throw these guys in every 3 weeks and expect production.
JT vs kopitar
Toffoli vs Brock I guess
Doughty vs boychuk
Lucic vs ????
Quick over Halak Or Greiss
love the moves by JT to set up that goal.. just the space they have to give him ALONE helps him set up these goals.
Quote:
Goal. Nice .
love the moves by JT to set up that goal.. just the space they have to give him ALONE helps him set up these goals.