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Preparing To Lose to the Flyers Update 7:39 pm 7-0

February 17, 2013, 10:26 PM ET [359 Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
7:40 pm: Yes, I did the unthinkable, I left the game before it was finished and missed two additional Flyer goals. It was the worst loss on home ice in the NY Islanders history. Amazing this is the same team that beat the Rangers and Devils. But it was.

When the players were asked in the locker room what they need to do to fix the power play, there was some silence and a mixture of expected answers: "play better."

The Flyers played the way the Isles needed to. What should they do tomorrow in Ottawa? Come out strong. The answers seem so simple, but they really aren't or at least they don't seem to be.

Brian Strait has broken his ankle and will be lost for the season as it's an estimate 6 - 8 weeks for recovery. Radek Martinek has been removed from the IR tonight as Carkner is not ready to play. Thomas Hickey is available and should be back in the line-up.

It's expected Rick will get the nod tomorrow, although maybe it will still be Nabokov. I am not sure why Jack didn't pull Nabby after five goals and put Rick in net. I am even guessing Rick thought he was going in, but Jack didn't make the change.

Speaking of change... did Rick shave?

3:03 pm: ugly, ugly and uglier. This game is done as Nabokov out of the crease again, and with Andy MacDonald unaware, Rinaldo crashes the boards and scores a goal.

2:56 pm: A lone voice in the top of the 300s chants "Let's Go Islanders" as if to will the Isles into life here in the third period. Brian Strait will not return as he has an ankle injury and needs to be evaluated tomorrow.

Art Staple wanted Nabokov out of the net but I'm thinking Jack doesn't agree.

2:33 pm: A fourth Flyers goal came with Nabokov swimming out of his net to the left leaving it totally exposed. I am not sure what is wrong with this team today, but they now have dug a hole they can't get out of. Strait is still in the dressing room and Aucoin just went off as well.

Isles have another power play with 1:31 left of the second. Even Art Staple is wondering why Jack has put the same unit out that hasn't been able to score during their last chances.

2:25 pm: Even with the Isles on a power play -- again -- they could generate nothing but blown opportunities.

This is not what the fans came to see today.

2:15 pm: An Islanders power play didn't help their situation with Danny Briere in the box then halfway through the penalty, Kyle Okposo was called for cross checking. That was all the Flyers needed to score their third goal, a power play goal by Shenn at 7:57 of the second.

So... will a three goal lead be tough for the Flyers to keep as it is for other teams?

2:04 pm: Second period starts and if you blink you missed the Flyers second goal while Nabokov was waaaaaay out of the net and Travis Hamonic was trying to play goal.

18:16 of the second, Matt Martin does what he can to spark his team by taking on Wayne Simmonds. I have to say, I hate that. I don't like the fact that Matt Martin has to do it all.

Brian Strait fell in front of the bench and his skates hit the boards. he's hurt but still on the bench beig tended to by the trainer.

1 :42 pm: John Tavares, named 1st star of the week, is trying too damn hard and has taken another penalty. Nabokov makes a great glove save on Giroux during the power play and the fans start chanting his name.

The sell out crowd is decidedly Islanders with a smattering of Flyers jerseys. You can tell by the way the "Let's go Flyers" chant is quickly drowned out and stopped.

1:33 pm: Isles with a two man advantage still can't keep the puck in Flyer's zone.

1:23 pm: Okay, so it looks like NOW the Isles realized the game is being played. From bad goal to terrific save by Nabokov.

1:08 pm: Well, at the 19:34 mark of the 1st period, someone forgot to tell Nabokov the puck had dropped. One shot, one Flyer's goal. And so it begins. It was almost two goals against had Visnovsky not cleared a puck from Nabby's crease.

They announced Giroux's goal and there was a good amount of cheers from the crowd.
Mon 12:40 pm: Same line up as Sat. hamonic/MacDonald, Visnovsky/Strait, Streit/Finley. Nabokov in goal (leaving Rick for tomorrow.) Isles in blac
k 3rds today for a change.

Anyone else bothered by the "Islanders game NIGHT" when it's an afternoon game? Or should we just be happy it's being broadcast at all.


10 pm Sunday: Matt Moulson: when you win it seems you get so much more credit than you deserve and when you lose you probably get reprimanded more than you deserve, so it goes both ways.”

Moulson should hold onto those words for tomorrow’s afternoon tilt against the Flyers. Historically the Isles do not fare well against the Flyers, but that could possibly change tomorrow. The Flyers have played 16 games so far this season and stand at 13 points, the Isles have played only 14 and won six and also have 13 points. The Isles line-up has 45 goals on their score card while the Flyers have 38 spread across only 10 players (including ex-NYI Bruno Gervais) while the Isles have goals spread across 13 players. The Isles have won their last two games and the Flyers have lost their last two games.

Does any of this mean anything for tomorrow? Probably not.

How about the PK stat of 87.2 for the Isles to the Flyers 81.8? No? Okay, Power play number 27.6 to 17.2 has to impress. We know that special teams can make the difference and the Isles are finding ways to do that.

Brad Boyes has 12 points and is an excellent addition to the top line. Visnovsky has played four games for the Isles and already has four assist points. Jack Capuano has nothing but excellent things to say about him and what he brings to the team.

Then there is John Tavares who has more ink on him in the last few days that I really don’t need to add more. Yes, he’s an elite player. He always was. His hard work is now paying off and we get to watch.


Art Staple of Newsday offered up the information that Reasoner is being shopped and Mark Streit’s agent is talking extension. The New York Post say they have an “exclusive” regarding Charles Wang’s desire to sell the Islanders. The Isles have denied the reports, however, whether it’s true or not, Charles Wang will not be the owner of the Isles forever. The man has put in too much money, time and emotion with little to no return. Add to that to the fact that he’s not getting any younger and I’d estimate Mr. Wang will not be the team’s owner in the very near future -- if like me you believe the near future is say -- three years.









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