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