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... 
It's time for the 4th line to regain their edge.
Good thread. Let's fucking go.
They've been very good this series, actually. It's that 3rd line that needs to not be shitty yet again, IMO.
It's time for the 4th line to regain their edge.
They played really strong in the first game. Not so much the second.
I think, out of all the lines, they feed the most off of the crowd and they'll be flying around all night long
Stome 6 games - 1g 3a +3
Bailey 6 games - 0g 1a -4
To be fair though, big picture wise, Bailey/Strome/Bernier isn't that big of a difference right now. There's at least a dozen other players more important to whether NYI wins or loses tonight and can win this series. Hopefully they come up pissed off and buzzing after the Game 2 stinker.
PS, thanks, Tony. I hope you guys can make yours a long, battle-filled seven game series.
The Barc will be loud. This freaking team better come out flying. No excuses.
Maybe start line 4 and have them pester Tampa to keep the energy from the fans going.
Let's go Islanders!
The Barc will be loud. This freaking team better come out flying. No excuses.
Maybe start line 4 and have them pester Tampa to keep the energy from the fans going.
Let's go Islanders!
Who else is going?
have a great time to those going
will try to post pic of my "obstructed" seats after
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will try to post pic of my "obstructed" seats after
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Thanks Jay... I'm pretty aware of the actual appearance. The pic is helpful, but I'm actually more interested in hearing about your experience. Like, if you found the obstruction truly took away in a big way from your night, or if it really was okay to look up at the jumbotron every now and again.
will try to post pic of my "obstructed" seats after
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I think you'll have a blast so long as the team shows up.
For the playoffs, you really aren't going for the view, you're going for the atmosphere. Yea, you'll be looking at the tron a lot, but can the people in row 22 in section 222 really see the nuances of what's going on?
I know the Lightning are deep. I know they're talented. But the bottom line is they don't have their best player and their 2nd best defenseman. Even with them for most of the year, they only accumulated 97 points.
We should win this series, but we have to win at least one of these home games, and probably both.
The Isles have a huge opportunity to get to the ECF. Once they're there, underdogs or not, they have a puncher's chance. Monstrously big game tonight. I feel like the breaks in between games are not only messing with the Isles' mojo, but also the fans. We need to be loud tonight, baby.
If it's really annoying, I may try to stand by 217 as someone pointed out here in a past thread
Link - ( New Window )
https://twitter.com/RNs_Funhouse/status/727573630620557312 - ( New Window )
Part of me wants to call and ask him how he feels the difference of playing the smaller, faster Tampa team benefits the Isles compared to the bigger Florida team to see if he'd stumble through a response.
Then the other part of me realizes I don't want to wait on hold for hours
Low expectations - ( New Window )
Lol
I'm sure there have been pranks from all the teams but that was a good line, considering it was posted in 2009
I agree 100% 12th man. We need to find a new gear tonight: one we haven't had all postseason, and have others have pointed out, we have to maintain that gear for 60 minutes.
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agree 100% 12th man. We need to find a new gear tonight: one we haven't had all postseason
Give me the effort of the last 10 minutes of game 1 and I'll be a happy camper
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In comment 12943328 The 12th Man said:
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agree 100% 12th man. We need to find a new gear tonight: one we haven't had all postseason
Give me the effort of the last 10 minutes of game 1 and I'll be a happy camper
Haha, this is either a brain cramp or a joke. Either way I support it.
Just have to be careful when they're on vs the triplets. Martin, in particular, was getting really exposed due to their speed.
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In comment 12943364 Mike in Long Beach said:
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In comment 12943328 The 12th Man said:
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agree 100% 12th man. We need to find a new gear tonight: one we haven't had all postseason
Give me the effort of the last 10 minutes of game 1 and I'll be a happy camper
Haha, this is either a brain cramp or a joke. Either way I support it.
Lol whoops, meant last 10 minutes of THE FIRST PERIOD OF game 1...
It would be funny IF they make the next round and continue to boycott his show. You think he's angry now, it would be radio gold in 2 weeks.
Fuck the beard, he needs to grow some stones.
Yup. He don't belong
Martin, Mark Giordano and PK Subban are the other finalists.
Crowd is awesome here but it's annoying
I really want the Isles to keep the aggressiveness and not get down from that late goal. They'll score a few if they play as they did in the 1st.
Jesus Christ guys!!!!!
Absolutely. They're down to 9 forwards. Keep hitting them and clean up the passing out of the defensive zone.
wake up son!!!!!
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Kenny Albert just say this game is switching over to NHL network? Wtf?
Yes...LOL. No respect for this series. 9:42 they'll switch over to NHLN.
Only in Dallas and St. Louis
This game is still NYI for the taking. Time to stand tall in OT.
Fuck!!!! What a shitty loss!!!
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