More afternoon hockey today, because your friendly commish
is forcefeeding us wants us to watch the stimulating Stadium Series game featuring the 2 Keystone State teams tonight. Reminds me of an old joke...what's the sound that's made when a tuck carrying water collides with a truck carrying vinegar?
Dooosh!
Anyhow, on to more pressing matters. As expected, no lineup changes tonight. On the injury front, there's positive news in that Prince, Clutterbuck and Hamonic will practice on Monday. The Isles have definitely played well of late, but Dougie knows the team can't get complacent:
| "We’ve scratched and clawed to get our relevance back. Now we have to continue with that same attitude." |
He's also settling into a coaching role he wasn't sure he even wanted, given he's also the team's assistant GM. From a rare USA Today article with a positive spin on the Islanders:
Weight admits that he’s still learning because it wasn’t his post-career objective to be an NHL coach. When general manager Garth Snow offered him the opportunity to be an assistant coach and assistant general manager following his career as a player in 2011, he thought the opportunity was too great to pass up.
“I’ve had a lot on my plate, but I’ve learned a lot and I love both parts of the game,” Weight said. “But I will be honest and say I would not be here if I didn’t trust (Snow) and if I hadn’t been treated so well by (former owner) Charles Wang and if I didn’t trust new ownership. The professionalism in our work place – I trust it. It’s a great place to be.”
Weight said he stayed with the Islanders because he wanted to help.
“It was a tough day when Jack was fired because I love Jack,” Weight said. “But I was ready. I had been taking notes. I didn’t see coaching in my future. But I’ve been invigorated by it. And I’m going to put everything I have into it.” |
And he's also pumping his team up to ensure the path upwards is one they stay on:
| “I feel like we are made for the road and made for the playoffs,” Weight said. “(But) we are going to have to convince ourselves.” |
The first line, who has been doing yeoman's work, is leading the way. Anders Lee, John Tavares and Josh Bailey had been solid since Capuano put them together just after Christmas. But in the last five weeks, solid doesn’t begin to describe it. All three have a shots for/against percentage of more than .590 in this 18-game span. Lee has eight goals and eight assists, Tavares has seven goals and 13 assists and Bailey has six goals and eight assists.
“They’ve had spans where you’re going to rip it up, get 12 points in eight games or whatever,” Weight said. “But just the way they’ve played — reliable. Not to harp on structure, but what they’re doing in the neutral zone, to tracking, to breakouts, they’re playing like a bunch of Selke Trophyists.
“And making some highlight-reel goals come to fruition at the other end. It’s been a clinic by them for six, seven weeks. They’re really confident right now and I’m confident in them. The team’s feeding off their play as well. |
And finally, hoping for a birthday win for one of our own top-6 guys, Dave M. Happy Birthday, dude!
Let's Go Islanders
Absolutely. Dont know why butch and brendan are giving that guy credit for great eye hand coordination when leddys skate put it in