Tought he carried the play well today. Faked lindback out of his jock in the 3rd. Didn't finish but thought he was much better today.
- Isles316

I think with KO it's just crystal clear he wasn't playing competitively during the lockout. Falling down, losing the puck when he's all alone with it, etc....he's just not in "mid-season form" at all. Imo, he really should have been in Europe, or if not, working non-stop with JT's skating coach.

I think with KO it's just crystal clear he wasn't playing competitively during the lockout. Falling down, losing the puck when he's all alone with it, etc....he's just not in "mid-season form" at all. Imo, he really should have been in Europe, or if not, working non-stop with JT's skating coach.
- UIF

Can't argue with that. Skating with his boys every day is much different than being in game shape.

Aucoin actually looked good today. Reasoner needs to go when Bailey comes back.
- mighty13duck

As much as I B!tched about picking him up. I have to give him credit. He played a spirited game this afternoon.

Doesnt change my opinion though. Not what I'm looking for at this stage of the game.

All in all a decent effort this afternoon. And a "W".

Not sure where "The Bolts" were for the 1st 48 minutes of the game.though.

I wonder if they'd be able to play the third defensive pair more than 10 minutes a game if they put martinek or hickey in with carkner instead of finley. Would have to figure trying to play 3 defensivemen 25+ minutes a night for the shortened season isn't going to end well.

Grabner so far is much more encouraging than last season, wish I'd pvr'd this one, I didn't get much more than the goals on the highlight clip.

I wonder if they'd be able to play the third defensive pair more than 10 minutes a game if they put martinek or hickey in with carkner instead of finley. Would have to figure trying to play 3 defensivemen 25+ minutes a night for the shortened season isn't going to end well.

Grabner so far is much more encouraging than last season, wish I'd pvr'd this one, I didn't get much more than the goals on the highlight clip.
- Isles_since_6

I would think Finley takes a seat Thursday. Hope to see visnovsky and martinek in the lineup

I would think Finley takes a seat Thursday. Hope to see visnovsky and martinek in the lineup
- Isles316

Visnovsky won't be here for a few weeks. I'd rather give Hickey a shot at a few games than Martinek. Hope Finely gets benched though.

Visnovsky won't be here for a few weeks. I'd rather give Hickey a shot at a few games than Martinek.
- eichiefs9

Why not both? Maybe not against Toronto, since the games against them always get chippy...probably want Carkner in there. But against a skating team like TBL, having a third pair of Martinek-Hickey would probably be an asset.

Visnovsky won't be here for a few weeks. I'd rather give Hickey a shot at a few games than Martinek. Hope Finely gets benched though.
- eichiefs9

Yes. Wouldnt mind seeing Hickey.

That's the positive . After cappy called timeout, they snapped out of it and looked like the team that played the rest of the game. Lots of very good things today. Look very cohesive as a group. Bailey and visnovsky added to this lineup can only help.

Btw, ullstrom looks like he took a step forward. Two very nice games from him.
- Isles316

Ullstrom has impressed me from the start. I would like to see what Bailey can do with JT. I just want to some young guys step up this year.

Why not both? Maybe not against Toronto, since the games against them always get chippy...probably want Carkner in there. But against a skating team like TBL, having a third pair of Martinek-Hickey would probably be an asset.
- UIF

I wouldn't mind that, I can't really comment much on anyone's play I've had to work during both games so far

Why not both? Maybe not against Toronto, since the games against them always get chippy...probably want Carkner in there. But against a skating team like TBL, having a third pair of Martinek-Hickey would probably be an asset.
- UIF

I though for sure Hickey would play today. I want a Hickey dammit.

I though for sure Hickey would play today. I want a Hickey dammit.
- ses111

possible future chant from the (female) fans?

possible future chant from the (female) fans?
- jmo16

That would work.

Tarasenko is awesome

Aucoin actually looked good today. Reasoner needs to go when Bailey comes back.
- mighty13duck

Yes and yes. Okposo does not belong on the first line i don't care if he scored. Tavares has become a good skater. I can't believe how much his skating has improved since he started.

Tought he carried the play well today. Faked lindback out of his jock in the 3rd. Didn't finish but thought he was much better today.
- Isles316

I just finished watching it, dvr'd the game. Okposo doesn't belong on the first line. He's out of step with those guys. Ullstrom was the best player on the ice today, even without that pretty goal.

I think with KO it's just crystal clear he wasn't playing competitively during the lockout. Falling down, losing the puck when he's all alone with it, etc....he's just not in "mid-season form" at all. Imo, he really should have been in Europe, or if not, working non-stop with JT's skating coach.
- UIF

Playing video games, smoking trees, and eating Mcdonalds for the last 6 months would do that to anyone

I wonder if they'd be able to play the third defensive pair more than 10 minutes a game if they put martinek or hickey in with carkner instead of finley. Would have to figure trying to play 3 defensivemen 25+ minutes a night for the shortened season isn't going to end well.

Grabner so far is much more encouraging than last season, wish I'd pvr'd this one, I didn't get much more than the goals on the highlight clip.
- Isles_since_6

Grabner looked good

Ullstrom has impressed me from the start. I would like to see what Bailey can do with JT. I just want to some young guys step up this year.
- ses111

would love to see Ullstrom given a shot next to Tavares at some point. Good speed, good shot, drives to the net. IMO that's a very good fit for JT. KO I believe should play on the second line with Grabner and Nielson. Boyes on the third line, where I think his recent history fits him better.

Playing video games, smoking trees, and eating Mcdonalds for the last 6 months would do that to anyone
- Cptmjl

Well, let's face it. Who else is there? Please don't say Bailey when he's back, because he'll need a month to get up to speed - an obscene amount of time in this season. KO is gonna do well, as PA did. He's not a set up guy but battles hard and will chip in dirty goals and the Line will produce. He's also pretty creative with passing(opening minute of NJ game - he helped draw the 1st penalty on scoring opp for MM) and the two best players on this team that react well to blind passes are JT & MM.

Boyes looks good where he is and is gonna help that line produce - no sense swapping him & KO unless KO fails completely.

Best players in the game miss 87-90% of all shots, so get used to it. He will miss, just like everyone else. Remember, it's not pure skill -- it's matching players that can feed off one another and make the plays.

If his team can put forth the effort we saw that put them up 4-0, they can do some damage.

Over 15,000 attendance at the NCC...what's going on?
- kear20

Nassau Community Collage?

XxNYIxX

I was at the game with my wife and kids. It was a great first two periods to see how Islanders performed. Of course when they lead as that much, we still worry about if they blow it in the end. Fortunately, we still won the game at the end of the day. I have to admit that Ullstrom, Grabner, Martin, Aucoin, Mcdonald, Tavares and Hamonic really performed awesome. I can't say the same for Okposo. It is hard to predict how he would fare on every shift. One time, he would treat the puck as it is a basketball then the next thing he is a hockey player after all! It is difficult to watch him sometimes. Lets go islanders!

Nassau Community Collage?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

You know what I meant..

You know what I meant..
- kear20

Day game on MLK, always a big draw, usually one of the sellouts or close to it every year.

Well, let's face it. Who else is there? Please don't say Bailey when he's back, because he'll need a month to get up to speed - an obscene amount of time in this season. KO is gonna do well, as PA did. He's not a set up guy but battles hard and will chip in dirty goals and the Line will produce. He's also pretty creative with passing(opening minute of NJ game - he helped draw the 1st penalty on scoring opp for MM) and the two best players on this team that react well to blind passes are JT & MM.

Boyes looks good where he is and is gonna help that line produce - no sense swapping him & KO unless KO fails completely.

Best players in the game miss 87-90% of all shots, so get used to it. He will miss, just like everyone else. Remember, it's not pure skill -- it's matching players that can feed off one another and make the plays.

If his team can put forth the effort we saw that put them up 4-0, they can do some damage.
- jmo16

I thought they looked good don't get me wrong but as much if not more than they looked good Tampa looked horrid. As soon as they woke up the Islanders were on their heals. Okposo is fine as a 2/3 ine winger. Just like Nielsen(who I like) doesn't belong on the 2nd line Okposo doesn't belong on the 1st line. I would say he needs to find his legs but this is his game, was every other year. I like the kid just not on the first line.