This is what they have to learn- MacDonald has to block that shot during that last sequence. HAS TO- he blocks the shot, a forward is busting straight out with the puck, it's 4-2, and the fans go home. You have to block shots. I don't know what that half-as*ed thing is that they all try to do all the time with one leg, like a goalie with no pads, but someone needs to explain shot blocking to them. That would go a long way towards ensuring they don't blow any points.

That said- it was nice to finally beat the orange pile of cr*p. They suck, and it's a shame that a GOOD coach is going to lose his job because the GM is an idiot, but that's how it works in this business.
- dcb1

Good points and I would love to see Lavy back here

Would love to see laviolette back as coach if Philly fires him. One of the biggest mistakes of the Milbury Era was firing Laviolette. It would be nice to correct that mistake.
- Jethro09

One game at a time
- Vukota

Agreed. I think we've all been on sugar highs before with this team only to crash hard. From a team mentality standpoint, I'll be satisfied even if they miss out on the playoffs as long as they're right there until the end. I think they'd come back hungrier next season with a better idea of what they need to do down the stretch. All of those other "we're still in it and every game's a playoff game now" seasons were kind of just pretend...they weren't really that close when you consider three-point games and all the teams they had to leapfrog. Now they're legitimately in the race down the stretch. It'll be good for these guys regardless of whether they squeak in or fall short. Much better experience than settling back into the comfortable losing ways and getting a better pick as a consolation, imo.

"Grass in greener" mindset. I'm all for moves, but jeez, people, there's a reason his goal total dropped from a career-high 31 in his contract year to 20 after he got his big payday down to just 5 this year...
- UIF

Given the potential UFA field going into the 2015 season, I'd probably discourage the idea of trading players like Nino unless it were clear they aren't going to work out here. I understand folks wanting an immediate upgrade but we're at a real crossroads for the Isles rebuild. This franchise (BPT and NYI) is getting deeper and deeper with kids like Strome, Reinhart, Mayfield, Lee, Pedan, etc soon to join the field.
It's a given that we've suffered being an embarassment for years upon years now but I think we're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. There's some BIG names on the UFA board going into the 2015 season, granted some will be extended by their teams, but we should be peaking at just the right time to add a big name or two at that point. I honestly believe if they do that and our bluechippers are playing here, this team will be a contender.

I don't think the Isles will have a choice but to add salary and higher end talent this summer. They are so far below the floor through artificial contract hits (Vis makes $3M, but his cap hit is $5.6; Tim Thomas' hit, etc.) that they will have to sign guys to get to the floor. They're likely losing the contract hit of Vis and will definitely lose Thomas' number next season. You're also likely losing Reasoner's and Martinek's salaries as well, so that's like over $12M in cap money alone. And that's assuming they re-sign Streit (which will be to a lower number than his $4M hit), Nabby and Boyes, which aren't guarantees.

the only guy on the roster who's in for a significant raise is Hamonic. Moulson has to be extended, but he's not going to make much more than the $3M he makes now. Its all lining up for an requirement to spend next summer. If this team makes the playoffs, they are now a playoff team moving into a new arena in no more than two years shopping for UFA's as opposed to a bottom five team with no idea where they'll be in a couple of years shopping for UFA's, which they've been the past few summers. Garth should be able to add decent pieces to fill out this roster even if he were to promote guys like Donovan, Nino, Strome and Nelson/Lee.
- Jethro09

This all sounds way to familiar...

Oh I believe it. I think we're at least 6-8 points ahead with a better coach and probably would have been on the bubble for the playoffs last year.
- keaner17

Agreed, this team to me is performing beyond expectations in spite of Capuano. I swear i can see frustration in Tavares sometimes bcs of Capuano's coaching decisions. I am a professional face reader, some of you may have realized that from last years draft?

Good points and I would love to see Lavy back here
- Vukota

You know, I like Laviolette a lot and hated when we let him go, but I do have a concern about Lavi. You see coaches in football who happen to be good coordinators but bad coaches (Norv, Ray Rhodes, Dungy, Gilbride etc). In hockey, there seems to be some coaches who are great short term coaches but quickly go flat on their teams. I'm concerned that Lavi might be one of those guys. After getting Carolina to the cup, he wore his welcome out fast and the team stopped responding to him. Same thing has apparently happened in Philly, given the players aren't performing but you can't fire 20 guys.
There's a lot of talk in Philly right now that he may be dismissed and the team has simply stopped listening to him. Same thing was true with Guy Boucher. Mike Keenan & Ted Nolan.

Unquestionably he'd be a major upgrade on Cappy but my concern with him is that if he doesn't accomplish his mission within 2-3 years, the team suddenly starts declining.

Of course I'd probably celebrate if we announced his arrival tomorrow...

This all sounds way to familiar...
- Cptmjl

It does and I wouldn't expect much. As I've said, Wang has no interest in increasing his losses just to help Nassau and SMG make more money. He'll gladly go bare minimum one more year before moving his team into their new money maker. THAT'S when I think we'll see the real show begin.

Agreed. I think we've all been on sugar highs before with this team only to crash hard. From a team mentality standpoint, I'll be satisfied even if they miss out on the playoffs as long as they're right there until the end. I think they'd come back hungrier next season with a better idea of what they need to do down the stretch. All of those other "we're still in it and every game's a playoff game now" seasons were kind of just pretend...they weren't really that close when you consider three-point games and all the teams they had to leapfrog. Now they're legitimately in the race down the stretch. It'll be good for these guys regardless of whether they squeak in or fall short. Much better experience than settling back into the comfortable losing ways and getting a better pick as a consolation, imo.
- UIF

I won't let them do it to me again Damn it! I agree with the second sentence, I'm happy they are showing some improvement. The one thing I'm worried about is a knee jerk reaction from Snow signing everyone on this team bcs they almost made the playoffs when most of these guys should be shoved out the door. I'm almost worried they make the playoffs bcs I have zero faith in Snow doing the right thing. Capuano needs to go.

You know, I like Laviolette a lot and hated when we let him go, but I do have a concern about Lavi. You see coaches in football who happen to be good coordinators but bad coaches (Norv, Ray Rhodes, Dungy, Gilbride etc). In hockey, there seems to be some coaches who are great short term coaches but quickly go flat on their teams. I'm concerned that Lavi might be one of those guys. After getting Carolina to the cup, he wore his welcome out fast and the team stopped responding to him. Same thing has apparently happened in Philly, given the players aren't performing but you can't fire 20 guys.
There's a lot of talk in Philly right now that he may be dismissed and the team has simply stopped listening to him. Same thing was true with Guy Boucher. Mike Keenan & Ted Nolan.

Unquestionably he'd be a major upgrade on Cappy but my concern with him is that if he doesn't accomplish his mission within 2-3 years, the team suddenly starts declining.

Of course I'd probably celebrate if we announced his arrival tomorrow...
- keaner17

I would gladly have Lavy win a cup with the isles and let him burn out and get fired again a couple of years after winning it

I would gladly have Lavy win a cup with the isles and let him burn out and get fired again a couple of years after winning it

- Vukota

Yeah man and then we could bring Capuano back

I would gladly have Lavy win a cup with the isles and let him burn out and get fired again a couple of years after winning it

- Vukota

Me too. Problem is if he DOESN'T get that far and then flames out...suddenly we've lost 3-4 years. I'm not saying "DON'T GET HIM", just saying that's a concern to me. He's had three coaching jobs now and has seemingly lost his players on all three. The good news is he's also given those teams more success than they've seen in many years prior.

I agree with your first sentence. His changing up the lines turned around the game. It was a nice job at the perfect time of the season. I don't live capuano but we have to give him credit tonight. He made adjustments and they worked
- Isles316

I have no way of proving it but I feel as though it was Weight who probably made those changes. Just doesnt' seem like something Capuano would do.

I have no way of proving it but I feel as though it was Weight who probably made those changes. Just doesnt' seem like something Capuano would do.
- TurkishPancake

Perhaps he sneaked the line changes in and once Cappy noticed he changed it all back....the Ides of March and all.....

I have no way of proving it but I feel as though it was Weight who probably made those changes. Just doesnt' seem like something Capuano would do.
- TurkishPancake

I think it was Wang

Perhaps he sneaked the line changes in and once Cappy noticed he changed it all back....the Ides of March and all.....
- keaner17

Their battle level went off the charts and Capuano got nervous

Their battle level went off the charts and Capuano got nervous
- TurkishPancake

We have limited Battle Level resources,...can't burn it all on two shifts!

I wouldn't trade Niño for Stafford. Stafford is a nice player, but Niño has a higher ceiling.
- Jethro09

I don't see why you all like Nino so much...I think he is going to be a bust...sorry anyone who was a -29 and only playing 8 minutes a game (about 8 or 9 shifts a game) has bust written all over it....

I don't see why you all like Nino so much...I think he is going to be a bust...sorry anyone who was a -29 and only playing 8 minutes a game (about 8 or 9 shifts a game) has bust written all over it....
- kear20

A lot of that had to do with where he played and who he was stuck with. I wouldn't call him a bust at least until he has a chance to play where he was projected to be able to play.

I don't see why you all like Nino so much...I think he is going to be a bust...sorry anyone who was a -29 and only playing 8 minutes a game (about 8 or 9 shifts a game) has bust written all over it....
- kear20

Zdeno Chara in 2000-01: 2000-2001 ISLANDERS 82 2 7 9 -27

BUST!!!!!

I don't see why you all like Nino so much...I think he is going to be a bust...sorry anyone who was a -29 and only playing 8 minutes a game (about 8 or 9 shifts a game) has bust written all over it....
- kear20

Can we get off blaming Nino for his +/- already? That team was awful. Jurcina was a -34, Streit a -29, Reasoner -27. That whole team had bad +/- stats and it was his rookie year. I promise you, as awesome as he is, if you put Tavares on line with Reasoner and Pandolfo as a rookie, his +/- would have been attrocious too.

Let the kid have a chance to perform with actual NHL players and then talk bust.

I don't see why you all like Nino so much...I think he is going to be a bust...sorry anyone who was a -29 and only playing 8 minutes a game (about 8 or 9 shifts a game) has bust written all over it....
- kear20

Meh, he needs a real opportunity to play. From what I've heard and what little I've honestly seen his game has improved. He was not really given a chance playing with Pandalfo and Reasoner. Those two together where terrible beyond words. Tough to come into the league and play with those two guys with limited ice time. Of course he could be a bust as well but I won't judge him till he gets a real chance to succeed.

Zdeno Chara in 2000-01: 2000-2001 ISLANDERS 82 2 7 9 -27

BUST!!!!!
- UIF

that guys terrible

Can we get off blaming Nino for his +/- already? That team was awful. Jurcina was a -34, Streit a -29, Reasoner -27. That whole team had bad +/- stats and it was his rookie year. I promise you, as awesome as he is, if you put Tavares on line with Reasoner and Pandolfo as a rookie, his +/- would have been attrocious too.

Let the kid have a chance to perform with actual NHL players and then talk bust.
- keaner17

Well at least these guys are consistent

Zdeno Chara in 2000-01: 2000-2001 ISLANDERS 82 2 7 9 -27

BUST!!!!!
- UIF

I have to admit I never envisioned Chara turning into what he has, I thought he had a shot at being good but his skating was so atrocious it was tough to see. I think his first game was a preseason with the Rangers(?) and I was at the game. It was some of the worst skating I've ever seen