@PeterBotte had an observation on Twitter that I found interesting. With so many injuries and man games lost last year, the Isles started the season with13-20-6 record with 32 pts. They are now 14-19-6 with 34 points.
Is the rebuild officially a failure? Is Ownership not giving the team the best chance to win? Is the General Manager at fault? The Coach? The failed Arena deals?
What we do know is the following: An inability to hold a lead, weak defensive play and inconsistent scoring caused your New York Islanders to lose to the Ducks, 4-2 and Coyotes, 5-1 in consecutive nights. At times this season, they seem to play well enough to fool us into thinking there may be a turn around in sight, only to falter and crumble, sending our hopes crashing downward into a spiral of doubt Islander fans have become so familiar with.
Although, they do seem to play to the level of their opponent most of the time, and maybe they can get a win vs the mighty Redwings tonight at the Coliseum, I for one would rather not get razed by Greg DeLiso or Jakob Hawkins Hanenberg of Fake Henrik Zetterberg fame (fakehenrikzetterberg.com) if the Isles lose to the real Zetterberg’s Redwings. I would rather see a turn around and the fruits of the rebuild ripen into a consistent winner, but this season has been more of the same.
The Islanders have several injuries, an ever spinning goalie rotation and inconsistencies in their game. Their special teams have been pretty good and their Goaltending -- respectable for the most part. Scoring 5 on 5 has been a constant weakness. See KoC over the last few months for my critique’s of the team’s play. It’s pretty much the same now as it was then. I guess that something still has to give. I just hope it happens soon and it doesn’t leave any more deep scars.
B.D. Gallof says Coach Capuano is here to stay, at least for now, and that players will be moved if the failure continues, not the coach. We know Charles Wang is a loyal owner and that Garth Snow is his GM for the long hall. We also know about the monkey on the back of the franchise when it comes to signing quality players. I can’t think of a realistic way to change the culture of a loser, to that of a winner, without some fundamental changes to the core of the machine. I know players can be called up and lines juggled, but that will probably not make the team win now or on a consistent basis. Maybe Dee Karl was right and we should just have an exorcism performed at the NVMC or at least make a second deal with the devil for another dynasty.
Looking ahead.
Per the teams Twitter account, the Islanders have killed 19-20 (95%) PPs over the last ten games and have earned points in each of the last five meetings with the Detroit, going 4-0-1, Kevin Poulin has been named AHL's Player of the Week after three straight shutouts and a 4th consecutive win with Bridgeport. He has only allowed 2 goals in 4 starts for the Soundtigers. Arthur Staple says to look for Poulin to get start vs the Redwings. UPDATE: Nabokov gets the start.
Until the present improves, here’s to the future.
Isles Notes:
Lines at practice yesterday were: Moulson-Tavares-Okposo; Rolston-Nielsen-Parenteau; Martin-Bailey-Grabner; Wallace-Pandolfo-Niederreiter, Ullstrom.
David Ullstrom and Al Montoya (concussions) practiced with the Isles as well.
Anders Nilsson practiced with the team yesterday, but has been sent back down to Bridgeport with Kevin Poulins’ recall.
The New York Islanders reported that Rick DiPietro was at Iceworks for practice, but the word is that he didn't skate with team.
Arthur Staple reported that Dylan Reese was changed to a regular recall on Friday for the Islanders since he was a scratch. It counts against # of times he can be recalled, so he should be regarded as a more closely guarded asset to avoid being lost in the waiver process.
Jay Pandolfo was removed from the IR on Saturday to join the team vs the Phoenix Coyotes.
Marty Reasoner has a broken right hand from trying to block a shot in the loss vs the Anaheim Ducks.
Tom Mascioli reported that Bridgeport head coach Brent Thompson said that newly named AHL All-Star Defensemen, Calvin de Haan suffered an “upper body injury” (shoulder) in the shoot out win against the Providence Bruins on Sunday night.
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