I long for the days of Jack Capuano and a time when the Islanders owned the Rangers. Now it seems to be the Rangers have Trotz's number. Big one tonight for both teams.
Not expecting much from them. Georgiev owns them the same way Halak owned the Rangers. He gets lit up by other teams and becomes a brick wall against the Isles. I noticed he is really good low but not so much high yet they keep going low and do not put traffic in front of him.
Offensively away from Georgiev the Isles have struggled and players such as Barzal are trying to do too much. He has become a turnover machine.
Varlamov has been awful lately. Greiss gave up 1 goal his last game and stopped numerous penalty attempts. On top of that he won vs Detroit and played well against the Rangers after Varly was pulled last week. If Varly gets the start then you know all they care about is trying to woo Sorokin with his Russian buddy because LL screwed up when he gave a 4 year deal to this guy when he had a much better goalie in Lehner.
Islanders are crumbling, Rangers just can’t seem to put together a big run (longest win streak this season is 3). It would be tough to go into the break as a Rangers fan after the gut wrenching loss against Columbus and a loss to the Islanders, while on the flip side, if they win tonight, they get to look forward to a home/home with Detroit after the break. Islanders better look out because Columbus, Carolina, Philly are all creeping up on them, after they looked like they were a lock to make the playoffs a month ago. This is one of the bigger Rangers/Islanders games in a long time.
It starts with the decision to keep Kravtsov off the roster to start the season. Made no sense then makes less now. Bad roster decisions made, bad line combinations that fluctuate far too often. Useless cogs like Haley, Mckegg and Smith getting minutes. Howden is awful.
They made the mistake of trying to piece together a team that can compete for the playoffs while obviously embracing a youth movement. You can't be all things to all people. The only positive surprise on the entire roster has been Strome.
The defense is an abortion on ice by every mainstream stat or analytic measure they are among the worst defensive teams in the NHL.
After an intriguing rookie season Quinn hyas done a lousy job this year so far. They need to be sellers and embrace the future.
35 games remaining....I don’t know how you think you don’t have a chance for the playoffs? Especially with a hot goalie, and a hot goal scorer, you could do what other teams have done and win 8 in a row too.
In my opinion, this is Way to early to throw in the towel.
the 2 pts. Isles didn't handle the 7 games in 11 nights well, but they made it to the break and are still in good position to make the playoffs and even open the playoffs at the Coliseum.
29-15-5 is a successful first half for this team by any measure, but the late slide means they'll have to come out and keep winning games in the second half.
I'll be curious to see what the team does at the trading deadline. I don't think they'll be able to add a huge top line type of all-star, but even adding another legit top 9 forward who can play both ways and add-in 40pts or so over a full season would be a nice depth addition.
to simply add a top 6 forward. They have Pulock and Barzal coming up for extensions and they are locked in long term now with Eberle, Lee and Nelson. I think helping out this offense is going to need to come via trade of someone on the active roster.
This team has skill and plays well, but they simply don't have the scorers a true Stanley Cup contender needs. The problem is that none of their big contracts are really movable except for possibly the guys they just signed this offseason.
Last game before the break, would be nice for the Blueshirts to go out on a high note. Get that Jackets debacle out of their heads.
IMO, Barzal has been trying to do too much lately. To many turnovers trying to make the fantastic play. Settle down and trust the system.
LGI
Barzal hasn't been himself lately. I don't even know what it is, but he hasn't been dynamic at all for about 3-4 weeks now.
Offensively away from Georgiev the Isles have struggled and players such as Barzal are trying to do too much. He has become a turnover machine.
Varlamov has been awful lately. Greiss gave up 1 goal his last game and stopped numerous penalty attempts. On top of that he won vs Detroit and played well against the Rangers after Varly was pulled last week. If Varly gets the start then you know all they care about is trying to woo Sorokin with his Russian buddy because LL screwed up when he gave a 4 year deal to this guy when he had a much better goalie in Lehner.
Just heard that. Bad news .
FUUUUUUUUUDGE
They made the mistake of trying to piece together a team that can compete for the playoffs while obviously embracing a youth movement. You can't be all things to all people. The only positive surprise on the entire roster has been Strome.
The defense is an abortion on ice by every mainstream stat or analytic measure they are among the worst defensive teams in the NHL.
After an intriguing rookie season Quinn hyas done a lousy job this year so far. They need to be sellers and embrace the future.
Might not have been better with Kakko as well.
In my opinion, this is Way to early to throw in the towel.
I love Kreider, but we won't be able to keep him. I hope we
29-15-5 is a successful first half for this team by any measure, but the late slide means they'll have to come out and keep winning games in the second half.
I'll be curious to see what the team does at the trading deadline. I don't think they'll be able to add a huge top line type of all-star, but even adding another legit top 9 forward who can play both ways and add-in 40pts or so over a full season would be a nice depth addition.
This team has skill and plays well, but they simply don't have the scorers a true Stanley Cup contender needs. The problem is that none of their big contracts are really movable except for possibly the guys they just signed this offseason.