An independent blog on the New York Islanders, the NHL and AHL by a guy from New York.

Monday, April 29, 2013

KoC: 2013 Islanders Playoff Preview


"I'm not worried about things we have no control over. They play good hockey. We have to just go in & play our game." -Isles Matt Moulson

 

For the first time since '06, your New York Islanders have earned the right to compete for the NHL's Stanley Cup.  The Isles havent won a playoff round since they did it 20 years ago against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were poised to win a third consecutive cup.  It was an epic battle and a great come from behind victory for the Islanders.  Historically, the Isles have never lost a playoff series to the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Each of the 3 series went to a game 7 and were decided by one goal.



 

This season, not many gave the Isles a chance to even make the playoffs.  Several media outlets gave them little more than a 14th or 15th place prediction for the Lock-out shortened season.  Garth Snow added some players from waivers to fill holes and kept everything else as designed.  I felt the results of the rebuild would come into play next season and I felt that the 2013-14 team would be a strong playoff contender. 



The 2013 season would start with promise, but show the signs of inconsistency and an inability to hold a lead, especially in the third period.  I was all over coach Capuano for his leadership and like many fans, frustrated beyond belief.  In February to March, things changed and the team seemed to mature as we watched them in each game.  So much so, that I may have guessed this year's team had a shot at 4th or 5th position after going 11-2-4.  That they did.

 

But despite the impressive streak, the Isles failed to deliver in their last 3 games and they started needing help from other teams instead of writing their own ticket.  As a result, the Islanders were placed 8th in the eastern conference.  This means they will face the 1st place Pittsburgh Penguins as follows:

 

G1 WEDS         5/1             7:30 pm

G2 FRI              5/3             7 pm

G3 SUN            5/5             Noon (Section 329 advantage)

G4 TUE            5/7             7 pm (Section 329 advantage)

G5 THU           5/9              7 pm

G6 SAT           5/11             TBD

G7 SUN          5/12             TBD.

 

 

8. Isles             24-17-7          54pts               1. Pittsburgh            36-12-0          72pts

 

PP                   11th                 19.9%                                                 2nd                  24.7%

 

PK                   21st                 80.3%                                                25th                 79.6%

 

John Tavares              3rd w/ 28 goals               Sidney Crosby                        4th w/ 56 pts

 

Evgeni Nabokov          tied 4th 23 Wins             Marc A. Fleury                    tied 4th 23 Wins


 

The Isles will have a tough test against Pittsburgh.  They have a high level of skill, depth and coaching.  They know what it takes to win in the playoffs with a cup win in 2008-09.  Sidney Crosby will most likely be cleared to play, and when he is listed among the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Jerome Igilna and Brendan Morrow, look out.  For all their offensive talents, Pittsburgh's defense and Goaltending has been suspect at times.  If the Isles can use their speed, check hard, cycle the puck and get all four of their lines going, it can be a long series for the penguins.

 

I think the Isles will shake off what they did wrong in the last 3 games, relish the roll of underdog and follow the leadership of John Tavares.  This is the kind of opportunity he has been waiting for his whole life.  Quietly, the Islanders are going to be tough to play and if they can dial into the game they brought for the second half of the season, winning a seven game series is possible.  That will require Evgeni Nabokov as a crucial piece of the Isles game and if he is playing well enough to just keep the Isles each game, the Isles will steal some games.

 

The Isles need to watch a lot of tape and dissect the weakness in Pittsburgh's game.  Tavares, Moulson and Boyes are a very good line to say the least, but they will be under siege in the series.  The Isles can use their speed, physical play, 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines to off set the Penguins game plan.  Casey Cizikas and Colin McDonald will do what they do best while Nielsen, Bailey and Okposo continue to outwork their opposition and create chances.  And don't forget that Aucoin has been a thorn in Pittsburgh's side for his tenure with the Isles.



Defensively, the Isles have a huge assignment with the Pens in a 7 game series.  They need to have minimal mistakes and score off Pens turnovers & misplays.  Isles have to play a solid defensive game with the forwards and manage the neutral zone play.  The pairing of Lubomir Visnovsky & Thomas Hickey has really impressed me.  With Visnovsky's skill and the improving play of Hickey, they should be a major part of the Blue line in the next two seasons.  But with all due respect, I think Reasoner, Carkner and Boulton should be the first scratches by the coaching staff.



Anders Lee, David Ullstrom and the guys from Bridgeport are probably there for an insurance measure and to realize that Management has tapped them for what is expected from them next season.  These guys are the real deal for the Isles and will only improve the team competition level in training camp.



With the tales of the 8th place Los Angeles kings Cup win in the rearview mirror, the Isles can take comfort that an "improbable" win is possible in today's NHL playoffs.  Special teams, grit and patience will help the Isles stay sharp.  Has coach Capuano turned the corner with his team?  Has he really got this thing under control and does his team really buy into his leadership?  Signs point to yes.  He has risen to the second winningest coach in Isles history behind the great Al Arbour.  We shall see soon enough.

 

It may be my inner-fan talking and I may not really be objective, but I dont think so.  This team works well together and I think they will shock the world and find a way to win the series in 7 games.  I have watched them really mature this year.  Bad teams find a way to lose, good ones find a way to win.  They have become a good team, but are they really ready?



 
 

 
***********************************************************************************************************************************
 

Playoff Matchups:

 

1. Chicago vs. 8. Minnesota                                        1. Pittsburgh vs. 8. NYI

 

            CHI in 5                                                                      NYI in 7

 

4. St. Louis vs. 5. L.A. Kings                                        4. Boston vs. 5. Toronto

 

            LA in 6                                                                        BOS in 6

 

2. Anahiem vs. 7. Detroit                                             2. Montreal vs. 7. Ottawa

 

            ANA in 7                                                                      OTT in 5

 

3. Vancouver vs. 6. San Jose                                        3. Washington vs. 6. NYR

 

            VAN in 6                                                                      WAS in 6

 

 


 

Isles Notes:




Lines at practice:

Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Boyes, Bailey-Reasoner-Okposo, Grabner-Aucoin-McDonald, Joensuu-Ullstrom-Martin, Boulton/Lee.

Defensive Paitings: Hamomic-MacDonald, Streit-Strait, Hickey-Visnovsky, Carkner/Finley-Martinek

Goaltenders: Nabokov & Poulin.

Islanders recall Nelson, Persson, Strome, Sundstrom, Donovan, de Haan, Ness& Nilsson from loan from Bridgeport.


Regarding Isles call ups, Nino will be at the Worlds for Switzerland and the rest of the guys will most likely just be brought up for experience of being with team as B.D. Gallof said a couple of days ago. Its about the Isles culture change I have mentioned over the course of the season. The team needs to experience operations at the next level.


Retweet #Isles fans! @NYIslanders playoff song here!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhKNuoaGHO0 … … … … … #beLIeve#STRONGisland @FFDP


Per Kevin @IPB, "Could be some traffic issues for Game Three on Sunday."
 

B.D. Gallof, "Last time Isles not in game/competitive vs opponent all they back in 3/30. Have only lost by goal since."


Per @capgeek, "#NHL teams with best bang for buck ($/pt): 1. #NHLDucks 2. #STLBlues 3. #Blackhawks 4. #Penguins 5. #NYIsles.

 

Per Arthur Staple, The turning point of the Isles season was" ... we'll go with Nabokov taking a television timeout in the first period in Montreal on Feb. 21 to go down the bench and remind his teammates what they're capable of. The Isles were down 2-0, on their way to a 6-10-1 record and more of the same Isles play. Instead of standing in a corner of the zone, head down (as most goaltenders do during those timeouts), Nabokov saw what was needed. Hickey scored the OT winner and the Isles are 17-8-5 since."

 

Isles Fans in Bklyn  @IFiBklyn

ISLANDERS GAMEWATCH: PLAYOFF-EDITION WHEN: Game Two, Friday 6:30pm WHERE: O'keefe's Bar, 62 Court St, Brooklyn.



Isles Prospect Report.

 

NHL Notes:

This year, all 14 non-playoff teams have a chance at winning the lottery.  That means the winner can move up beyond the 4 place limit as previously outlined.  The remaining teams would slide accordingly.

Seth Jones?

Draft Lottery is as follows:


1. Colorado

2. Florida

3. Tampa

4. Nashville

5. Carolina
 
 
 

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