10:37 pm: I'd like to find out how, if "losing" and "not making the playoffs is unacceptable" it continues to be a model the team repeats?

Art Staple has the best quote from Travis Hamonic about having to learn from your mistakes, but how long does it take.

I've been doing this now for five years. It's like running to stand still.

9:39 pm: As I really didn't have words, and it's hard to think when there is yelling in the house, I'd like to quote my Twitter friend @ISGRockstar. His explanation is as follows:

The Caps finally showed up and the Isles were far from solid. They had a decent effort, but the caps are too organized.

Also, the Capitals are looking to make sure they make the playoffs and are closer to the possibility than the Isles are. They realized it with under ten minutes left and found a way to fight through it. Now, THAT is what a champion team does.

9:29 pm: On a Bailey turn over to Ovechkin, Nabokov gives up the overtime goal as Ovie goes 5-hole and beats a deflated Nabokov. There is euphoria from the Capitals and additional cursing from my den.

9:26 pm: sigh. So, after the Caps take a time out, Troy Brouwer scores a second goal with less than half a minute left.

I actually didn't see it. I had to get up for a moment. NO, I found out by listening to the Big Angry Man scream the eff word about nine times and questioning the coaching ability of Jack Capuano.

He then offered to drive the Isles personally to Kansas City as he can't watch this team any longer. I quietly made my way back to the living room and the laptop.

9:09 pm: The Isles are holding their own through the third period and managing to keep the Caps off the board.

Another power play opportunity for the Isles with under eight minutes left in the third. Nielsen rings off the post from the right hash marks.

Matt Martin surprises me every night. He's skating faster he's getting more chances, he's doing it all.

With only three and a half minutes left of the game, the Caps finally get on the board. A flukey play on Nabokov's doorstep while he's out of position and Brouwer scores ending Nabby's shutout.

8:54 pm: Steve Staios can't catch a break. He thought he had his first goal as a NY Islander, but it turns out to be a goal by Matt Moulson as the puck grazed his waist high stick. He felt it tip off and with the screen, it got by the Caps goaltender.

Moulson celebrated, but so did Steve Staois. Oh well. 2-0 Isles.

8:50 pm: Start of the third and the Isles have caught up in shots on goal during that second period.

The Isles re-tweeted something that was not only funny, but true. "Nabokov should have skates on his helmet since he's been standing on his head."

Casey Cizikas has played well on Grabner's line. This is the shot he's been waiting for and he's going to take advantage of every moment of it.

8:21 pm: Isles go on the power play as the caps are called for delay of game. But once again, the Isles take a penalty at 13 seconds left of the penalty. How does that happen? Art Staple called it 'dumb' and 'lazy.'

This is forcing Nabokov to do some unusual moves in the crease. It looks like aerobics.



8:18 pm: Marty Reasoner looking a little like Rob Lowe from under his helmet trying to control his frustration at not being able to score when he's been given many opportunities.

Maybe he and Michael Grabner should start a support group.

8:08 pm: Nice moves by David Ullstrom to put the puck on the net and Nielsen was their for the rebound, but as he passed it back to Ullstrom, his stick was broken and missed the pass. Boo hiss.

isles go on the power play with Hendricks called for tripping JT. The Isles are managing to keep the Caps away from the net so far during the second period.

MacDonald clanged one off the post and with 13 seconds left on the Caps penalty, as Ullstrom is called for holding.

Josh Bailey said they need to play more disciplined. This is not what he had in mind.

7:59 pm: Aweee... they grow up so fast. Frans Nielsen playing in his 300th NHL game. Now celebrate with a goal, thank you.

Michael Grabner is once again fighting to get the puck off his stick into the net. He's got the speed, but not the finish.

7:42 pm: I'm hoping that another early lead doesn't end up with an Isles loss. Josh Bailey, who surprisingly is better tonight from back spasms, scored the only goal of the first period. Pretty amazing considering the shots on goal are 13 - 3 in favor of the Caps.

Josh said that Frans is such a good passer, "...it gives you a lot more space and opportunity." Josh was huffing and puffing during his interview with Ruttgaizer, but at least he didn't ask anything too dumb this time.

Alexander Ovechkin showed off his acting skills as he sold a high stick call against the Isles while Andy MacDonald was hooked and there was no call. Conspiracy of super-stars? Perhaps.

11:34 am: According to the Isles Twitter feed, it is Nabby in net AGAIN. Also, the line changes seem to be shaping up as follows: Nielsen centering Ullstrom and Bailey (guess the back spasms are better, eh?) Casey Cizikas will center Grabner & Okposo and Matt Martin will skate with Reasoner & Pandolfo. (Where's Nino?)

Seems Nino will sit this one out. The top line (since PA Parenteau is still an Islander) will remain the same.

7 am: So we all sat around waiting to hear the "big" news and had less than 20 moves the entire day. If not for the 2:55 pm drama of Cody Hodgson the day would probably have been a complete bust.


Once Brian Rolston cleared waivers, he seemed to be Bridgeport bound. But perhaps as a favor to him, Garth managed to move him to the Boston Bruins along with Mike Mottau. In return Garth received an AHLer and an ECHLer, but most fans would have been happy if the Isles just paid the Bruins to take both of them. Sad, but true.


In Washington the Capitals didn't do anything. In what basically proves Brian Burke's theory of "If you don't like your team in March, you didn't do a good job in September," as GM George McPhee told reporters "I just didn't see anything that makes us better." And there's the thing.


At this point in time every team is eyeing what will make them better either for the end of this season or NEXT season. Also, some of the biggest moves are no longer made at the deadline, but prior. Deals are signed, trades are made well before the dreaded "Trade Deadline Day." This is a trend that will probably continue until "Trade Deadline Day" is no longer such a big deal (and then can officially be removed from the Canadian calendars as a National holiday.)


On ice, the Washington Capitals have managed to win their last two games. They're looking for their third straight win to help them inch closer to a playoff spot. The Islanders are looking to spoil their party. If history repeats itself, they will.


The Isles have won the last two meeting with the Capitals in November and January. With the stress of the trade deadline behind them (PA Parenteau!) they can concentrate on finding ways to win games.


Speaking of PA Parenteau, the idea that Garth Snow would entertain offers for him could have been a very clever ploy to show his agent what PA is worth on the open market. I'm pretty sure a deal will be done, but at least he's set the stage.


Talks with Nabokov's agent also continue, but that one may be a little trickier to get done. Maybe he wants too much. Maybe he has other "personal" concessions he expects. I'm not sure. But that's another deal that should get done.


Does that leave Montoya in or out of the mix? I believe I read that Garth was entertaining offers for Montoya as well leaving huge question marks about the future status of Rick DiPietro. Too many questions -- No answers.



Josh Bailey is still day to day with back spasms and Nicklas Backstrom is out indefinitely with a concussion. All-Star defenseman Dennis Wideman has no points in the last eight games while P.A. Parentau has ten points in his last eight games. Looking to improve his negotiation position, he'll add a few more tonight I'm sure.


Puck drop at 7 pm as the Isles start the final stanza of the 2011-2012 season. Make it a good one.
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