A split in TB is probably about the best we could have hoped for, but game 2 has left a bad taste in everyone's mouths. What better remedy than to go out and claim the next 2 on home ice. But there needs to be a better 60 minute effort (stop me if you've heard this before).
While it's comforting to know Greiss will again guard the nets, we know that Pulock is still not greenlit for a return, so there's the possibility of Zid again (yeesh...he needs a rest), but this may also signal a Pelech sighting. We'll see. And Cappy's favorite whipping boy, Ryan Strome, sinks deeper into the doghouse and will sit in favor of the juggernaut that is...Josh Bailey. Seems like a completely logical move designed to help the team. More brilliant lineup optimization by our illustrious head coach. Cappy points out that Bailey has played 500+ games, and at this time of year, "you need experience". Hint: if the "experience" sucks, maybe avoid the experience altogether.
Here's what's on the team's minds heading into tonight:
Cappy (on game 2): "I just think it's a function of us not moving our feet. They're a good team. They rely on their speed, their skill and quickness and deception. If you're going to stand around and watch, it's going to be a long period for you. I think for us, we know that we were real soft and we stopped taking the body. We let them create a little bit too much time and space, and that's what happens when you do that."
“They’re a fast team, they’re one of the quicker teams in the league, but we’ve played against a lot of fast teams,” Capuano said. “It has to be a pack mentality. We have to work as a unit of five. When you don’t work as a unit of five, you look slow.”
Boychuk: “If you sit back (against them), you’re dead. If we attack more, we’ll have more hits and be more physical. But if you’re sitting back, they have more time to build speed and come into the zone. Pretty simple.
“They’re a little bit smaller and faster, so it’s tough to gauge their speed sometimes when we’re sitting back,” said Boychuk. “It’s hard to gap-up when you’re already sitting back. You’re already in the water. So, better gap. That’s what it comes down to. Better gap, [taking away] time and space.”
Tavares: "We want to obviously play a lot better than we did on Saturday. We know it wasn't our best. We have to make it a lot tougher on them." |
Additionally, Jaro Halak is back to practicing and could be pronounced fit soon. Promising young defenseman Parker Wotherspoon, who was brought up to BPT after his WHL season with Tri City ended, signed an ELC with the Isles yesterday.
Let's Go Islanders!
Every breath a static charge --
A tongue that tastes like tin
Steely-eyed outside --
To hide
The enemy within... 
I thought so. But it's playoffs OT so no calls.
True, he didn't have a great game but he should've had 2 assists if KO and Kulemin could finish.
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Know how to neutralize Tavares.
True, he didn't have a great game but he should've had 2 assists if KO and Kulemin could finish.
And game 2. Very quiet.
Too many great opportunities missed is the story of this game.
When did Kyle Okposo retire?
Too many great opportunities missed is the story of this game.
When did Kyle Okposo retire?
I couldn't agree more. At bare minimum switch him and Hickey but I'd prefer Pelech.
Deflating loss tonight. I'm still in the same exact spot the moment the game ended.
Awful loss
Awful loss
Are you OK bro?
I wish I could see a better angle of the hit to really judge it but a stoppage seemed at least necessary there. You blow the leads they blew tonight you don't deserve to win anyway. Hopefully mothers day brings some luck. A huge loss made even bigger knowing that the Isles can't play day games.
[quote] And capuano is man enough to out martin out and away we go! [/quot
Hmmm Stars and Islanders for Finals if not islanders than the Capitols.....
He wanted Tavares and/or Okposo to get an easy goal. That is the only reason why they were out there on the ice. There's no excuse for that and it cost them the game. Tavares/Okposo have no business being on the ice at that time. Those 2 cost them, as Okposo watched Drouin pass the puck instead of attacking him, and Tavares was again delinquent in covering the middle. Unacceptable, but expected with a buffoon behind the bench.
What I do know is that we got a good effort last night - good enough to win the game. They (generally) played fast, hit and got pucks to the net munch better than they did in the previous 4 to 5 period going back to Game 1.
Where they are struggling is with sustained pressure in their own end. They are not getting beat with speed or odd man rushes. They are loosing because once the lightning set up in our zone, we need Greiss to freeze the puck, or we break down defensively. Some of it is the forwards, but much of that is on the D simply getting outworked. The forwards are also doing a miserable job of covering in the slot. Too many guys getting the puck with all kinds of time and space.
If the Isles play Friday like they played last night they can certainly win. But the play in the D zone needs to pick up.
What I do know is that we got a good effort last night - good enough to win the game. They (generally) played fast, hit and got pucks to the net munch better than they did in the previous 4 to 5 period going back to Game 1.
Where they are struggling is with sustained pressure in their own end. They are not getting beat with speed or odd man rushes. They are loosing because once the lightning set up in our zone, we need Greiss to freeze the puck, or we break down defensively. Some of it is the forwards, but much of that is on the D simply getting outworked. The forwards are also doing a miserable job of covering in the slot. Too many guys getting the puck with all kinds of time and space.
If the Isles play Friday like they played last night they can certainly win. But the play in the D zone needs to pick up.
Capuano had a timeout. I think we all already know the coach really stinks. He should stop blaming the refs in his press conf and answer why he had JT and Okposo out there in that situation. Defense was needed not scoring. Those 2 are by far the worst forwards in their own zone.
Game 4 hopefully sees Pulock in for Zidlicky and Strome in for Bernier (though you could argue that Brock or Kuley should sit - Bernier just looks painfully slow out there).
This is all I have right now. The idea of "we stole one last time we were home, last night we had one stolen."
Even with that though, UGHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
The Isles can beat this team. Just bounce back Friday and tie it up.
Totally agree.
It's time for JT to reassert himself. Last night we got the secondary scoring, but did not get much from the top line. Okposo had a couple of chances he let go through his fingers, but the play was noticeably off from where it was against Florida. Stop trying to keep JT away from Hedman and just put him out there and let him play minutes (except the last minute with a one goal lead)
Greiss is still playing well, but doesn't seem to be making as many of those unexpectedly crucial saves he did in Game 1 or against Florida. Need both of our series one heroes to re-emerge on Friday.
Effort was there. Clean up the mistakes. Go back to Tampa 2-2
Doubtful. When you're down 2-1, you can't be looking for revenge. Most likely, a penalty will be called. Not the time for nonsense.
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Now he has to deal with Matt Martin on friday
Doubtful. When you're down 2-1, you can't be looking for revenge. Most likely, a penalty will be called. Not the time for nonsense.
Martin can challenge him. Dont need to drop the gloves and start punching him. Boyle can be a pussy and not take up the challenge and martin can try to search him out and hit him like webb did to tucker
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In comment 12944568 theold5j said:
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Now he has to deal with Matt Martin on friday
Doubtful. When you're down 2-1, you can't be looking for revenge. Most likely, a penalty will be called. Not the time for nonsense.
Martin can challenge him. Dont need to drop the gloves and start punching him. Boyle can be a pussy and not take up the challenge and martin can try to search him out and hit him like webb did to tucker
I remember that hit clear as day. It was a great lick, deserved, and really amped up the crowd. However, that was a clear charging penalty that refs let go. If Martin attempted something like that, it's 2 minutes at least. I say let it go and put it in the box for next season. Unless of course it's a 5-1 game in the 3rd.
The finalists are John Tavares, Alex Ovechkin and Shea Weber.
Now let's just wait and see what lines he comes up with
Lol.
Probably biased since I'm not a fan, but they couldn't find something better to do in NYC?
There are no better options than bernier.
He said thread would be a bit late today