The Isles bring the show to the wretched hive of scum and villainy known as Wells Fargo Center. Huge game as the Islanders sit 3 points out of the WC2 spot currently occupied by the orange ooze. With a regulation win tonight, it becomes a very slim 1 point lead. Lose, and 5 out isn't as exciting. Brock Nelson knows what's at stake:
| “We’ve done some good things now, we’re knocking on the door but we have a little more to give to get where we want to be. It’s a huge game. We expect their best and we expect to be ready.” |
Thomas Greiss to start in net. Same lineup as recent games (Clutterbuck will miss the weekend but will start skating Saturday or Sunday, Hammer still week to week). Despite Ryan Pulock's run of great play in BPT, still no callup yet, so more Seidenberg for everyone.
On the coaching front, Dougie Fresh is having success, so the Isles likely not to jump on the coaching search carousel until after the season. Both Julien and Hitch will probably wait until the offseason to make any decisions, so we're not missing out on anything here. Personally, if they decide not to keep Weight, I'm not a huge Julien fan and would hope we'd go in a different direction altogether. On a related note, Simple Jack is in Las Vegas meeting with McPhee. Who knows, maybe they need some more craps table dealers in the concourse out there.
Still not much clear around the trade deadline and what the Isles will do. The more I read about Duchene or Landeskog, the more likely it seems that the Avs will wait until the draft to make changes. A good Q& A from Staple's mailbag
here that discusses some wide-ranging topics. Finally, Mat Barzal continues his assault on the WHL since returning from the WJC. He had 4 assists last night. 6 points in his last 2, 14 in his last 7, and 20 in his last 10. He's now 7-38-45 in only 27 games played.
Let's Go Islanders
4-1 Islanders win.
One thing about Julien, I was skeptical at first but read that BOS actually had some really good possession numbers this year but were done in be really bad PDO. Also, they did play a number of talented young players during their cup run. Personally, I hope we keep the run going and Weight gets another year next year, but if not, Julien should get a real chance to interview for the job.
Also of note, Flyers good looking rookie Travis Konecny is out 4-6 weeks and is out of the lineup.
One thing about Julien, I was skeptical at first but read that BOS actually had some really good possession numbers this year but were done in be really bad PDO. Also, they did play a number of talented young players during their cup run. Personally, I hope we keep the run going and Weight gets another year next year, but if not, Julien should get a real chance to interview for the job.
I read the same and the stats do check out, but there does come a point where the bad puck luck becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and you just lose an edge as a team. I think they're in a lot of trouble with no leadership and a deflated team.
Quote:
Sounds like Ghost stepping out of the doghouse for the night and in the lineup. Just popped up on my LastWordOnHockey Facebook feed.
Saw that; thanks hoya. Yay, just in time for this game. Part of me feels like MiLB is on the money with a 4-1 or 5-1 type score for the Isles. But then, Flyers have been shut out 2 in a row and I can't imagine they'll stay that quiet; Neuvirth and Mason both play inexplicably well against us, and now Ghost slots back in. This also feels like a trap game in many ways to me. Would really just like the Isles to come out firing and maintain it all game. It'd be cool to bludgeon them here.
Philly is probably the most difficult team to quantify in the NHL right now.
4 games ago they get outshot 28-16 and get blown out. Then they basically dominate Montreal. 24-16 in shots and win. Then the Kings dominate them 28-17 in shots and the Flyers lose in OT. And then again they get it together and outshoot the Blues 26-16 but lose the game 2-0.
You don't really know what you get with them. But similar to my comments on the Bruins, I think Philly lacks an identity and the Islanders are coming in here knowing what they have to do to win. I could be talking out of my rear end but I think we're ready for this one. Fully prepared to eat crow on that later :)
I'm pissed they didn't send him down to Lehigh Valley for conditioning. That would've been SWEET.
I'm cautiously optimistic that they'll come out strong. My only hope is that they don't fall back and keep their foot on the throat.
I'm about to smash something here...a total shit effort so far in a meaningful game, against a team that has been shit for 6 weeks. It's like the Isles don't even want it tonight. Fix this shit, pronto.
Lucky to not be tied.
Let's gooooooooooooooooo
I thought it was for defending himself against Simmonds
I'll take it though!
Haha. I know. Awful.
Not saying the P word here just yet, but we're almost pulling into the driveway.
And how about Thomas Greiss? 33 saves on 34 shots. That's a .971 save percentage. He's a beauty.
Was nice to see the team rally and play better after the bad first period. The PPG at the end of the 1st, and the strike by Chimera in the second really demoralized Philly.
NYI aren't really trailing for the last playoff spot but there's so many teams that are essentially sort of tied or right in the mix that each game is still really important. The Islanders have a ton of games coming up. Sat @Ott, Sun COL, Tue @Tor, Thu, NYR. Hopefully the team has the stamina to play well even with all of these games bunched up.
Hoping this little streak can give us the opportunity to keep it that way.
Hoping this little streak can give us the opportunity to keep it that way.
That is true. Rangers and Giants were blown out last year, the Yankees and Knicks missed the cut, and Familia handed the SF Giants the wild card game in the 9th inning.
Not sure about the Liberty.
Not exactly the peak of NY sports past few years though. A second round quick exit to Tampa is I suppose the best the city has produced over the past year ...and thats not saying much.
Haha, definitely not saying much. At that point the convo shifted from some friendly banter to a "holy shit, rough year for NY sports," so I completely agree with you.
Wow, is that right???
So we're gonna be the ones having more games in 2 weeks when it comes to Philly.