Next stop, Raleigh. Canes coming off a tough 2-1 OT loss last night, but they're one of the teams this year that's been a surprise, standing only 5 points outside a WC spot. They're one of the Isles' kryptonite opponents, so expect a typically hard-fought game tonight. The Islanders are gunning for their 4th win in a row. Be nice to JiC.
No morning skate today (thanks, NC State basketball), so no lineups announced yet (coming @ 5pm). I wouldn't mind Greiss again with DET and WAS coming up this week. Wouldn't be surprised to see Zid back after a 2 game scratch stint, either.
As good as the Isles finished up their home schedule against the Western teams at 12-0-2, there's work to be done in the East. The Islanders sport a very pedestrian 14-14-4 record in their own conference this season. Worse still is the 3-8-1 record against the other seven East teams currently in playoff position. Fransie knows this has to change:
| “We’ve got to be better against those teams, especially the ones in our division. To be fair, though, I think the last time we played Washington (a 3-2 loss on Feb. 4), that was one of our best games of the season. It was still a loss though, so we have to find ways to get points against the better teams.” |
JT has been a catalyst to the recent run of quality play for the Isles. Cappy notes, "As Johnny goes, we go". The captain is on a 4-game point streak, and has seven points (3G, 4A) in his last four games, 12 points (5G, 7A) in his last eight and 20 points (7G, 13A) in his last 19 contests. Says #91:
| “I just want to keep doing the right things,” Tavares said. “I think I’ve been playing well for a few weeks and I want to be consistent, keep it going and create opportunities.” |
Ryan Strome agrees:
| “He can do it all,” Strome said. “You can see that with the results in the last 10 games or so. Hopefully he stays hot. It’s good for the team, good for him and we’re going to need him at the top of his game if we’re going to do anything.” |
Michael Dal Colle was the hero of Kingston's 2-1 win last night, soring the game winning goal. He's been on a tear since moving from Oshawa to Kingston. It's a tale of 2 cities: in Oshawa, MDC was 8-17-25 and a -13 in 30 games there. Since moving to Kingston, he's gone nuclear: 16 goals, 16 assists, 32pts in
15 games and is a +15. Quite the rebound, and it's been noticed by Sportsnet which features him in this article,
Dal Colle a Real Game-Changer for Frontenacs
Let's Go Islanders!
Different eyes see different things
Different hearts
Beat on different strings
But there are times
For you and me
When all such things agree
Dave, you're right. Tlusty always seemed to be on the scoresheet against us. Always seemed to get a big goal.
On the Fronts' first goal, he had just pushed a PP tap-in wide. Instead of watching or moping, he jumped back to his skates, took the puck away from the defender, relayed it to the point where his point man sent a pass low, turned into a great pass by Crouse and return pass for a goal. If MDC gave up on the play, easy clear for Windsor.
On his goal, he created an entry, picked off an errant pass, dished to his (slick, good looking) teammate Watson and cut to the crease. Watson finds MDC heading down the royal road and Dal Colle made no mistake firing a dart upper 90 right. His head all game was on a swivel and I see a kid whose hockey IQ has improved. He has always had good vision, but he's putting together a better all around game.
He still may be a camp cut next season, but if he continues his progression as he is, he'd look awful good on JTs left side. His scoring prowess and JT's creativity will lead to a lot of goals.
They're also not a contender for a playoff spot in my book. They sit in 2nd to last in our division and that's while being the beneficiaries of 10 OTLs. 5 points out of a playoff spot is a lot in this league with this amount of time left.
No excuse not to stomp them out tonight.
Need to come out fast and strong and put them in a hole early like we did to the Kings Thursday
Weird outfit
On the Fronts' first goal, he had just pushed a PP tap-in wide. Instead of watching or moping, he jumped back to his skates, took the puck away from the defender, relayed it to the point where his point man sent a pass low, turned into a great pass by Crouse and return pass for a goal. If MDC gave up on the play, easy clear for Windsor.
On his goal, he created an entry, picked off an errant pass, dished to his (slick, good looking) teammate Watson and cut to the crease. Watson finds MDC heading down the royal road and Dal Colle made no mistake firing a dart upper 90 right. His head all game was on a swivel and I see a kid whose hockey IQ has improved. He has always had good vision, but he's putting together a better all around game.
He still may be a camp cut next season, but if he continues his progression as he is, he'd look awful good on JTs left side. His scoring prowess and JT's creativity will lead to a lot of goals.
I read that Dal Colle was having some tough personal issues, which were hampering his game. Also, he took a puck to the nuts at the beginning of the season, and it was causing a different kind of issue, for a bit. Listen, this is a kid that needs assistance scoring. But, if he's getting 30-35 per year, then I'll take the poor skating.
not dead yet.
You missed a lot of standing around.
Not saying id be in favor of it. I just wonder if he feels the pressure to make the playoffs and advance that he goes for it.
Not saying id be in favor of it. I just wonder if he feels the pressure to make the playoffs and advance that he goes for it.
For me it depends on the price. A JT/Stamkos line is nearly unstoppable. It would be bigger than the Vanek deal and at a more appropriate time. I feel the price would be too much though.
Peaked under this staff just doesn't sound right
And if you want a laugh, read Brooks' article in the Post today. At his tone-deaf dart throwing, shit-stirring best, with the "everyone hates Brooklyn thus underperformance, and JT to Toronto" attempt at journalism. How he's still employed is amazing
What would the lines look like with stamkos in
What would the lines look like with stamkos in
Stamkos / Tavares would be better than Crosby/Malkin and Toews/Kane.
Those are the players you want to use cap space on.