Weekend Lookback: Pittsburgh

 

 

Your New York Islanders had a wake up call of sorts against the Penguins yesterday in Pittsburgh.

 

 

Thomas Hickey (Strome & Nelson) scored the lone goal for the Islanders who fell to the Penguins by the score of 3-1.  Hickeys goal was scored less than 6 minutes into the first period, but what followed was an Islanders team that changed its game and went 0 for 7 on the PP.  The PK was 2/4 and although they brought a physical game to bear against Penguins, Pittsburgh was able to capitalize on some of their chances while the Islanders once again failed to do the same.  The defense was pretty good in a close game against a quality opponent, and should get better as Lubomir Visnovsky is closer to returning.  Special teams are a work in progress, so the there's that. Terrible PP when it had worked well in prior games was a major reason for the loss. Their PK is a big weakness, despite all the teams improvements.  It is certainly a concerning issue so early in the campaign, but we aren't only ones to see it.  While the players need to execute, the staff needs to rework the scheme and change what isn't working.  What is working thus far is a strong net presence.  Jaroslv Halak was good again for the Islanders.  His performance (35/37 and a .945 Sv%) was good enough for the third star of the game honors.

 

 

There were bad calls against them, but the Isles made too many mistakes & and the ghosts of past seasons incomplete efforts haunted them in the game.  The great teams overcome the bad calls and learn form their mistakes.  It is yet to be seen how good this team will be, but we must focus on the positives. The Islanders are a very good team and have done a lot of good things in the first five games.  Even against the Pens, they played hard, did well 5 on 5, were strong defensively & in net while limiting Crosby's effectiveness in the game.  The team can learn from their shortcomings while they are still in control of their future so early in the season. 


Its prime time for the coaching staff & captains to hold accountability lectures, and then look to themselves to address their own shortcomings & failures.  The leadership needs to be there, helping the team to continue succeeding and enforce their belief that this season can be different.  After an empty net goal to make the score 3-1 Penguins, the loss should leave bad taste with the team.

 

 

They must learn from the experience, correct their issues and focus on Tuesday's game with Toronto.

 

 

 

 

Isles Notes:

 

It has been reported that Mikhail Grabovski awoke with concussion symptoms the day after the hit and his status has been changed to "out indefinitely."  He will be evaluated again sometime next week.  Colin McDonald took his roster spot and the lines were reshuffled for the game against Pittsburgh.

 

Eric Hornick, said the loss against Pittsburgh was the 1400th L in Isles history (includes OT loss in the pre-loser point era) & the Isles fell to 1-7-1 in last nine reg ssn games against the Pens.

 

Anders Lee scored twice, gets the game-winner just :41 secs into the OT frame of today's game against Springfield.

Per Neil Sheehy, "Anders Lee has 3G-2A-5P in 5 games for Bridgeport this season after scoring 9G in 22 gms with NYI last season and 10G in 24 NYI career gms."  Bring him up.  Seriously, do it now.

 

Griffin Reinhart scored his first goal as a pro in the AHL with Bridgeport.

 

Per Arthur Staple, "Report: Isles sales price is $485 million."