Not Perfect. Still Improving.

 

Tonight, your New York Islanders face the Philadelphia Flyers, who would like nothing more than to help Kevin Poulin and the Isles to fall down to the 8th playoff spot with a win against them tonight.  The Islanders would like to control their own destiny and in this writers opinion, win tonight and tomorrow and reach 5th spot and face Montreal in the playoffs.  We will see what story unfolds.  #beLIeve #STRONGisland

 

Arthur Staple spells out the Isles playoff picture.  "Of the several dozen playoff scenarios that could come from tonight's results, #Isles can clinch no worse than 7th w/ win and #NYR loss.  Also with #Isles win and Leafs/Sens losses, #Isles would control destiny for 5th seed going into tomorrow vs. Buff.  #Isles loss tonight could drop them all the way back to 8th with #NYR/Sens wins; would also take their seeding fate out of their own hands.

 

Because it's the cup.

Forwards:  Moulson-Tavares-Boyes, Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Grabner-Aucoin-McDonald, Boulton-Cizikas-Martin.

Defensive Pairings:  Streit-Strait, Hamonic-MacDonald, Carkner-Visnovsky.

Kevin Poulin gets the start in goal.  Evgeni Nabokov gets a well deserved breather and should play against Buffalo tomorrow.

 

 

 

In the first period, the mood seems somber on both sides of the ice and the crowd seems lifeless.  The pace quickens about 6 minutes in as the first shot on goal is registered.  Isles may be in the midst of a let down and that is not good.  Hopefully, someone will wake them up soon before its too late.  Kevin Poulin makes a couple of nice stops and looks ok so far.  He has to be a little rusty.  Flyers on the PP, Boulton to the box.  Flyers take the lead 1-0 on a failed Carkner clear and a cross crease pass.  That one is not on Poulin.  Philly crowd is starting to get back into it.  Period ends with Flyers out shooting Isles 12-3.  This is where a winnig coach steps up.  Hoping for a better effort in the second with some fore & back checking.  Maybe some hits finished, better positioning and some cycling of the puck.

 

 

The second period opens with more of the same.  But then Carkner jumps in on the rush and Matt Moulson sets up John Tavares for the tip in.  He ties the game at 1-1, again leading the Isles by example.  Isles kill another Flyers PP.  Isles get first PP opportunity, but a fast whistle blows play dead.  Tavares gets stiff cross check behind Flyers net, play continues.  PP expires with little to show for it.  Arthur Staple mentions that the Isles are now 1 for their last 13 with the man advantage.  Reason for concern?  I'd say so.  Isles with some strong efforts in the Flyers zone at the end of the second period.  More shots on net and a more aggressive style of play have New York playing better.  Isles get a 8-6 shot advantage in the period, but Philly leads 19-12 after the second.

 

 

The Isles are struggling to move the puck and be in position to threaten in the offensive zone.  Visnovsky can do everything on both sides on the puck.  Isles outworking Philadelphia in the neutral zone resulting in a few turnovers for the Islanders thus far.  Isles are starting to gain momentum, especially the efforts of the 3rd and 4th lines.  Things getting nasty on the ice, Isles forced to answer and will be down a man for 2:00 at the half way point of the third period.  Poulin has tightened up and ooks more comfortable.  He looks good for an isolated road start late in the season.  Isles kill penalty.  Flyers get multiple chances on net, Isles defense has been too soft for too long.  Flyers score, 2-1 Philadelphia.  Poulin still looking sharp, keeping the Isles in this.  He is showing what he can do.  Its time for another set of heroics by someone.  Isles have an empty net with 1:40 to go.  Isles muster some strong pressure in the waining moments of the game, but fall short.  Flyers with the 11-10 shots advantage in the period and 30-22 in the game.  Kevin Poulin made 28 saves with a .933Sv%. 

Game recap:

 

Isles fall behind the Rangers in the standings, technically tied with a loss and a Ranger win tonight.  Rangers clinch a playoff birth and have the final tie breaker over Long Island.  Per Arthur Staple, " Worst possible result for #Isles: regulation loss and wins for Sens and #NYR. #Isles now in 8th and will stay there if those teams win again." 

Its the 1st regulation loss this month and 6 regulation loses in last 26 games is nothing to sneeze at, but the Isles fans are a fragile bunch. We cant handle what looks like habitual set backs once we feel the team has gone beyond. Consistency is key, but one failure does not deconstruct consistency.  But the reality is, it was a big loss tonight.  How big it really was, we have yet to see.

 

Unless the Isles bring their game, they surrender too much to chance.  So they need to bring it each and every shift.  They can't be wondering about yesterday, tomorrow or next week.  They need to focus on the now, which is tomorrow against Buffalo.  Hopefully, the Isles can move past the playoff celebration distractions and retool for their final "practice" before the big show next week.  The Isles have a big opportunity in making the playoffs this season.  Lets see what they can build on and how far they can go. 

I think the Isles should respond tomorrow.  #beLIeve.

 

 

Isles Notes:

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

 

Today's game against Philadelphia marks @MattyMarts17 200th career #NHL game (all in #Isles Orange & Blue).

Isles went 11-1-3 in last 15 games to get into the playoffs.

 

Road Warriors this season:  14-5-3.  The Blackhawks & Penguines lead NHL with 18 road wins.  Isles right behind them with 14.

Per Chris Botta, Over the last week, Islanders have sold more than 1,000 new full season tickets for 2013-14."

 

Per B.D. Galllof, "Been told if there are any Bridgeport call-ups for playoffs: not to play. To practice, to be around, to learn. "No one will play"

Griffin Reinhart, "Congrats to the @NYIslanders on making playoffs!

 

Rhett Rhakshani, "Congrats to the @NYIslanders staff and especially all of my former teammates for going to the playoffs! Rooting you all on!"

 

Per Zenon Konopka, "@NYIslanders @91Tavares @MMoulson @grabs40 @mattymarts17 Congrats boys on the playoff berth, you guys deserve this #playoffrun"

 

John Buccigross, "Islanders: have earned at least 1 point in 11 straight games (8 wins, 3 OT/SO losses). 14-5-3 on road this season #hugobossymen"

Per Kevin Morris, "Scary thought: Isles are a playoff team and their last 5 first round picks aren't even on the roster yet. #isles #playoffs #becauseitsthecup"

@RoseTintedVisor sums up, "Nino, Nelson, Strome, Rhino and CDH all waiting."

On rumor that the Isles will be changing colors and jersey in Brooklyn, my OPINION is this.  "If #Isles change colors, it will be third jersey honoring Bklyn. You may see patch added to current jersey at most. Colors, name, logo stay.  Wang & Bettman said colors, NY name & logo stay as condition for move @ Barclays presser. See my KoC article for press conf."  Here's my article on the Barclays presser and here is the spirit article I wrote about team jerseys.  We all know how well new Isles jersey designs are embraced by the fans.  Not advised.

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

Jordan Hill, "I want to thank @TheSoundTigers fans and organization for all the support this season! #BST"

 

NHL Notes:

NHL Network will release the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoff schedule at 11 p.m. ET Sunday.

 

NHL announces draft lottery will be held Monday.