Eastern Quarter Finals, Game 4 - Islanders vs. Pittsburgh
From a fans perspective, the environment and the energy throughout the NVMC and the Marriott grounds was awesome. Tailgates and celebrations were happening all around and it was all to support the team. The Fans were thrilled to be at the old barn for another playoff game and like the team they were there to watch, they are in it for the long haul. I was with MaryBeth at Champions, in the parking lot and the indoor concourse prior to the game. What we noticed was that everyone was smiling, talking about the team and the players and of what could be. It was awesome to see again. How could you not cheer for this team?
There is a reason the Isles (2.3) are drawing higher television ratings in N.Y. than the Rangers (2.1). It's because they are playing like they played in game 4 on Tuesday night. What an amazing experience it was to be there, watching the next Islanders coming of age take shape right before my eyes. The Isles puled off a 6-4 victory in a hard fought, back and forth game that saw both teams grab the lead from each other and dig deep to out manuver their opposition.
The keys to the success for New York in game 4 and moving forward is their relentless style of play that utilizes a strong fore and back checking, finishing all their hits and an improving puck control game. They have been able to clog the neutral zone and force turnovers, especially to exploit the Penguins defense and transitional game. Bailey and Okposo continue to make things happen for the offense and seem to get better with each game. Cizikas and McDonald were solid as was Hamonic. In game 4, Strait, Streit (2), Okposo, Tavares & Cizikas scored for the Islanders. Visnovsky, Cizikas, Boyes, Tavares, Hamonic, Streit, Grabner & McDonald had assists in the game.
In addition, physical coverages of Crosby and Malkin have been quite effective in taking away both star forwards comfort zones and affecting there on ice play. Crosby had another scare in the game when he was hit up high with the puck and skated around, slouched over grabbing at his neck to the jeers of the Long Island crowd. Some, like Crosby would question the "class" of people who would do this. As far as I am concerned, fans cheering when Crosby gets hurt is mostly a by product of how much he cries wolf, takes dives and seems to use his star staus to look for favoritism in penalty calls. All fans, both NHL and Isles alike wouldn't be so desensitized to his theatrics & might show more concern if they weren't so jaded.
I love hearing Bylsma & Crosby blame bounces & deflections for the game 4 loss. It's not like it couldn't be the Isles work ethic & talent that beat them. Still, after being outplayed for much of the series, two solid wins and a narrow Isles loss in O.T., you would think that Pittsburgh would have a little more respect for the Isles as a team.
I want to point out that head coach, Jack Capuano deserves more credit for his improved game plans and his team's close knit work ethic. What was inconsitent, faltering or weakened earlier in the season seems to have come into its own and the Isles are confident and diligent in their compete level during games. This is especially evident against a quality opponent like the Penguins, seemed able to answer each Islanders goal with one of their own throughout the early part of game 4. But they did just that, and took the lead themselves to hold on for the win.
Pittsburgh outshot the Islanders 31-24 in the game and Nabokov went 24-28 with a .871Sv%. He will have to be better than this in game 5 and beyond to even steal a few periods if the Isles are going to outlast the Pens in a 7 game series.
With the series now tied at 2-2, Vokoun will get the start in game 5 after Fleury's shakey play in Pittsburgh's net thus far. He has a .963Sv% and is 3-0 against the Isles this season. But John Tavares had his first NHL career hatrick against Vokoun and while a member of the Predators, Vokoun was 3-8 with a .922Sv% and 2.47 gaa with 1 shut out in his NHL playoff career. Vokoun wont be much good if the Pens defense continues to make the same mistakes in front of him. It shouldn't really change the Isles game plan much.
Arthur Staple, "Source says Andrew MacDonald suffered broken hand. Likely to miss rest of postseason." This is a big issue for the Isles on defense. Who do you bring in to replace him? You could argue Martinek has playoff experience and has played well all season when called upon and Hickey has grown as a defensive pressence for the Isles while boasting the 2nd (Visnovsky) strongest plus minus on the team during the regular season.
Lets look at some of the amazing examples that I witnessed first hand from the stands and was blown away by the way the NHL Officiatials completely ignored.
Morrow smashing Cizikas' head into ice directly in front of Official.
Grabner speared by kunitz
Chris Letang cross checking an NHL Official.
Player reactions to game 4:
Per Mark Herrmann on John Tavares when asked about Pens room, "I don't know what they're thinking in there, but we've got a lot of belief in here, a lot of heart."
Casey Cizikas
"We're battling hard, playing our best. We're giving it our best and leaving it all on the ice."
Kyle Okposo
"It's the players in the locker. We've got competitors and we want to win. We didn't give up."
Mark Streit
"Once we got the lead we didn't back down. We didn't give up and thats the way we need to play."
Evgen Nabokov
"The passion, desire and heart of this team is amazing. We don't get down if we make mistakes, we fight back."
Grail Knight of the game is a new category for KoC that awards a player for his standout performance that kept his team in the game, helped them win or just never surrendered.
Grail Knight for Game 4: Mark Streit is my choice for Grail Knight. He led by example on the scoreboard, on special teams and with his leadership on the ice.
#beLIeve #STRONGisland
Isles Notes:
I salute Section 329, The Blue & Orange Army for their tireless chants and high energy songs throughout the course of each Islander's home game. Most of the energy in the building was maintained or spaked by these die hard fans. With them in the Colisieum, the crowd is truly the 7th man.
When: Thursday, May 9th
Where: O'Keefe's Bar (62 Court St, Bklyn)
Retweet #Islesfans! Never Say Die!!!!@NYIslanders playoff song here!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhKNuoaGHO0 … … … … … … … #beLIeve# STRONGisland @FFDP
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