NFT: Blues at Islanders

It's been a fun 2 weeks of hockey. Let's keep it going.

Maybe the fact that Quine is 57% on fo gets him in the lineup. Tito is also 57%.

More preferably, Chimera should be scratched but given his run of points scored, you know he won't be coming out anytime soon in Cappy World. Kulemin is a primary option on the PK, though, as it currently stands (and rightly so, IMO). However, I can see as the coaching staff starts to trust BVR more, he'll fill that role and make Kulemin expendable (assuming we'd eat part of his salary in a move).

But Tito has been a historically strong FO winner, so combined with that dependability and his offensive skill, it's why the Isles see him as the Frans heir apparent:

For the 2015-16 regular season, he won 57.9% of faceoffs and won 51.0% in the 2016 playoffs.

In 2014-15 he won 58.7% of regular season faceoffs and won 54.7% in the 2015 playoffs.

In 2013-14, he won 54.1% in the regular season and 51.9% in the 2014 playoffs.

way you scratch Chimera. If him and Ladd get it going (which is starting to happen) then the Islanders will win.
More importantly we need to keep Mayfield in the lineup. He is badass. This team is sorely missing a Matt Martin type and this guys fills that need.

but I have faith. god dam, those 7 games that they lost in the final minutes of the 3rd are going to be hanging over their heads all year long. if they only managed to get wins in 3 or 4 of them they would be in great shape

I've been beating throughout this winning streak. Until we can win the possession battle in a couple of games, I can't help but look at this little run as a mirage. We were out-Corsi'd during 5-on-5 play to the tune of -10. We've been out-attempted in every single game during 5-on-5 play since the streak started, including a -20 5v5 mark against Washington; a game everyone is convinced was our best game all year.

I certainly don't think Corsi is the end all, be all, but you can't consistently (literally every game) lose that battle and expect to be a legitimate contender. This isn't a prognostication. I think we're capable of improving here. We've certainly improved in other facets of the game (hello PK). I'm simply saying the possession numbers can't continue to be so lopsided alongside continued two-point nights. It just can't.

The Blues will be a hell of a test tonight. My best friend had a baby yesterday. Visiting him and the Mrs. so I'm gonna at least miss the beginning of the game.

Let's go Islanders!

my -10 stat was in reference to the Ranger game.

Strome (flu), Mayfield (healthy) scratched.

F: Nelson-Tavares-Bailey, Ladd-Beauvillier-Prince, Lee-Cizikas-Clutterbuck, Kulemin-Quine-Chimera

D: Leddy-Hamonic, Hickey-Boychuk, CDH-Seidenberg

Just walked in.

Leddy isn't having a strong season so far. Terrible job getting the puck in and keeping it in leading to that break.

JT!

Lee gets it, not JT.

That. Was. Awesome. JFT.

Like what I see

And that is great to see.

I was just telling my son that the Isles weren't pressing anymore and were sitting back too comfortably right before the goal. Is it so hard to ask for a solid 60 minute effort?

Leaving too much gap and allowing STL to get shots off. More importantly, boats goals on the D: Leddy's fumble at the point on the first one, Hammer deciding to make a hit instead of playing the puck leads to the second.

Clutter just was decked by a crosscheck that apparently wasn't a crosscheck.

In comment 13255880 pganut said:

Quote:

Leaving too much gap and allowing STL to get shots off. More importantly, boats goals on the D: Leddy's fumble at the point on the first one, Hammer deciding to make a hit instead of playing the puck leads to the second. Clutter just was decked by a crosscheck that apparently wasn't a crosscheck.

**Both goals, not boats.

I mean, you're unguarded in the slot with room to pick a spot, and inexplicably slide a pass to a guy who's out of the play along the boards? Damn.

C'mon, close this out.

Woooooo

Since STL has had 3 called on them to our 0 so far?

.

Solid win!

Love hammer standing up for himself after that blatant cross check.

Great goaltending tandem we have.

But the fells held strong. Nice win.

So, do we have a pretty nice little streak going now, boys?

Isles have beaten the Blues 3 consecutive times.

I thought it was maybe our best effort during this winning streak. They had some really nice sustained offensive zone time which I'll take even at the expense of some sloppy D.

The Tavares goal was something else. Just am lucky to be able to see him play all the time. Great night for Lee too.

The team is still in a sort of desperate position in the standings so why not keep this going and win again on Saturday night?

Isles are now 31.7% done with their season and have won 42.3% of their games.
When the Giants were 31.25% done with their season they had won 40% of their games (2-3).

The Giants sit at 8-4 now. Still plenty of time for the Isles to turn this around... gotta keep it up.

Best all year, IMO.

#lgr