Keeping An Eye On The Prize

So, I never intended to cover all the games on KoC, but I am compelled to comment on what I have seen again so far. 

I have seen many games as a fan where a team dominated for much of the game, had a ton of good chances, but their inability to finish slowly worked against them and turned their strong play into growing confidence for their opponent.  That was what happened last night in game one of a home at home series vs the Pittsburg Penguins.

Two glaring mistakes against a quality team with depth to spare is something that you just cannot do.  Malkin returning to the lineup didn’t help either.  But if you want to take the next step as an organization, these are the teams you must compete with and beat, consistently.

The fact is the Islanders played better as a team, got shots on net, played physical, had strong special teams and good goaltending.  What is still missing?  Proficient scoring 5 on 5.

The third and fourth lines did better in pressuring the opposition, the defense did ok, but the inability to sign a top pair Defensemen this summer shows in the blue line depth.

When you have an all-world Goaltender like Fleury on his game and his team in position to apparently block 26 of 33 shots, a 20^th career shutout is not a surprising feat, his 3^rd career vs the Islanders.  That’s solid team defense.

What I am saying here is I am still drinking the Kool Aid.

I am not sure if a trade or call up is the missing piece.  I am uncertain if all the pieces are already in place and just need more time, but I am sure of that it needs to happen soon.  Confidence is something that has been building over the last few seasons.  The young Islanders have made strides and proven they can answer a challenge.  What they need to build is a winning culture and that comes from one thing.  Winning.

They have game two to regroup and answer the Penguins at home.  Not an easy task, especially for them in recent years.  They need to play another solid game, minimize mistakes and rediscover their scoring touch.  Scoring first and playing physical is always a good start.  Finish checks and improve passing and positioning.  Clog the Pittsburg zone and get them out of position to minimize their ability to block shots.  I say make it a little unpleasant for Fleury, but play with controlled emotion, as the league will be watching.  Again.  They will need to improve 5 on 5 play and keep special teams and goaltending on target. 

Frustrate the Penguins for the win and get the season back on track.

Isles Notes:

Lines at practice today were Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Okposo-Nielsen-Grabner; Rolston-Bailey-Comeau; Pandolfo-Reasoner-Martin, Gillies.

Montoya, Nabokov and DiPietro made the trip to Pittsburg.

Per Coach Capuano, Jurcina is day by day and will definitely help the team defense improve while Niederreiter should skate with the team by next week.  But expecting such a young player to make the difference shouldn’t be realistic.