'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the arena
Not a creature was smiling, not even hostess Dina
The banners were hung from the rafters with care
In honor of the Cups that used to be there

The players were all wrapped in bandages and ice
While they took turns on IR, maybe once, maybe twice
And Scott in his suit, and Joey in his pads
Talked about rebounds and why they're so bad

When out on the ice there arose such a clatter
They sprang from the room to see what was the matter
Away to the glass they flew, Joe and Scott Flash
Threw open the gate and searched for the crash

The spotlight on the crease of the freshly cut ice
Shone like a Lighthouse (that would be nice)
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a rehabbing goalie and all of his peers!

With a lightning-quick glove and a dexterous stick
They knew it must be the goalie named Rick
More rapid his passes and clears they came
And he whistled and shouted and called teammates by name!

To Kyle and Brendan and Richard and Andy
To Billy and Mark and Trent and IV Freddy.
And here's an outlet for Sean or Campoli
Remember me?—I'm Rick D. the goalie!

Off the top of the glass and up the middle pucks flew
Would they get through the forecheck? Really, who knew?
The skaters practiced receiving the passes
They tried to skate hard but tripped over crevasses

"Skate! Skate! Skate!" Gordon did shout
"Weight! Weight! Weight!" but Doug was not about
The players cried out, "We need to transition, we're done with the kill!"
Maybe Doug was packing for Columbus or Nashville?

So the players all gathered and tried not to get hurt
For fear they'd end up in a no-contact shirt
Like Nielsen and Silly, and Nate and Gervais
And Radek and Sutton unable to play

And then, who should appear from above the last row?
The owner, the GM, Charles Wang and Garth Snow!
"Gentlemen, look around you, almost to a man...
Get used to these faces, this is the plan!"

"Your goalie's almost back, Tambellini will score
With Bailey and Comeau you couldn't want more!
Even Comrie is healthy (granted we might trade him—
And Silly and Guerin and especially Sim)"

Then they sprang to their sleigh and to the team gave a whistle
And away they both flew like the down of a thistle
But I heard them exclaim, 'ere they drove out of sight
Pray for Tavares and thank heavens for Streit!
- canadianpenfan

well done

Plus, the loud chants are all things they might not want representing the league in a primetime spot..."Potvin sucks!" "If you know the Rangers suck..." "DP sucks!" "Henry sucks!" "The Rangers suck!" (chicken dance). Pretty much all you hear the entire game...which is great as far as I'm concerned...wouldn't have it any other way.
- UIF

absolutely

I'm simply amazed. Bailey has been a beast. And a beast for a while now while the games matter. I hope he keeps it up.

This team is rolling. If they make the playoffs and go into them this hot, anything can happen.
- Jethro09

Im not, You cant teach natural ability. Everyone failed to notice that Bailey is only 23 years old. His best hockey is ahead of him.

Now if Snow took advice of Kasper and some others on this Blog, Bailey would have been shipped off for nothing last year.

I've said along the way. Stick to the rebuild. Now its all starting to come together.
you would thinks isles fans would have learned from milbury days.

Huge win last night but a more important game this saturday. Imagine what a win for the Boys would do for ther confidence. Everyone knows the rangers are overrated b/c they fighting for Playoff spot. Yes the same team that all the experts had winning the cup and first in the East this year.

Im not, You cant teach natural ability. Everyone failed to notice that Bailey is only 23 years old. His best hockey is ahead of him.

Now if Snow took advice of Kasper and some others on this Blog, Bailey would have been shipped off for nothing last year.

I've said along the way. Stick to the rebuild. Now its all starting to come together.
you would thinks isles fans would have learned from milbury days.

Huge win last night but a more important game this saturday. Imagine what a win for the Boys would do for ther confidence. Everyone knows the rangers are overrated b/c they fighting for Playoff spot. Yes the same team that all the experts had winning the cup and first in the East this year.
- Spartiarti

Hey now he is playing awesome right now. Lets not put him up on a pedestal though. He still has a way to go. If he can play like that for a full 82 game season then I will take everything back I have said. Taht being said hope he gets a hat trick against the Rangers

when i see the isles hitting stride this, i can only think of the Giants when they won their last championship.

Nooone cares what happend early in season. play your best hockey now.

Can there be a more exciting game to watch this Saturday.

Im not, You cant teach natural ability. Everyone failed to notice that Bailey is only 23 years old. His best hockey is ahead of him.

Now if Snow took advice of Kasper and some others on this Blog, Bailey would have been shipped off for nothing last year.

I've said along the way. Stick to the rebuild. Now its all starting to come together.
you would thinks isles fans would have learned from milbury days.

Huge win last night but a more important game this saturday. Imagine what a win for the Boys would do for ther confidence. Everyone knows the rangers are overrated b/c they fighting for Playoff spot. Yes the same team that all the experts had winning the cup and first in the East this year.
- Spartiarti

Not for nothing honestly I feel this would not have been an issue if it was an 82 game season

Hey now he is playing awesome right now. Lets not put him up on a pedestal though. He still has a way to go. If he can play like that for a full 82 game season then I will take everything back I have said. Taht being said hope he gets a hat trick against the Rangers
- kasperrko

Point is players find their grove at different times. While it would have been nice if bailey did it last year, you also have to be put in right situations. Bailey is a plus 7 rating now. He getting down in both zones.

His Physical play has been most noticeably as of late. He muscle thru to score his second goal.

Nice to see he using his shot more.

Im not, You cant teach natural ability. Everyone failed to notice that Bailey is only 23 years old. His best hockey is ahead of him.

Now if Snow took advice of Kasper and some others on this Blog, Bailey would have been shipped off for nothing last year.

I've said along the way. Stick to the rebuild. Now its all starting to come together.
you would thinks isles fans would have learned from milbury days.

Huge win last night but a more important game this saturday. Imagine what a win for the Boys would do for ther confidence. Everyone knows the rangers are overrated b/c they fighting for Playoff spot. Yes the same team that all the experts had winning the cup and first in the East this year.
- Spartiarti

I think last night's win should tell this team that they can beat anyone in the league. To go in to Boston, pretty much dominate, should be all they need to give themselves some condifdence if they make the playoffs. I say "if", because I'm an Islander fan and take nothing for granted.

Not for nothing honestly I feel this would not have been an issue if it was an 82 game season
- kasperrko

the 48 game season wasnt a surprise to anyone, the rangers were predicted to compete for the cup after the schedules were announced.

Not for nothing honestly I feel this would not have been an issue if it was an 82 game season
- kasperrko

right b/c Pens, Boston , Blackhawks were were not affected by it. they dont have excuses.

I think last night's win should tell this team that they can beat anyone in the league. To go in to Boston, pretty much dominate, should be all they need to give themselves some condifdence if they make the playoffs. I say "if", because I'm an Islander fan and take nothing for granted.
- Charlie21

Absolutely...very fine line between confidence and overconfidence. I'd feel better about it all if they got some help, but the teams around them are taking care of business too, so it's going to come down to the wire.

right b/c Pens, Boston , Blackhawks were were not affected by it. they dont have excuses.
- Spartiarti

Just saying you cant judge a team on a shortened season

the 48 game season wasnt a surprise to anyone, the rangers were predicted to compete for the cup after the schedules were announced.
- LetsGoIsles

Funny thing is they still might

Absolutely...very fine line between confidence and overconfidence. I'd feel better about it all if they got some help, but the teams around them are taking care of business too, so it's going to come down to the wire.
- UIF

I wont feel better until they clinch a playoff spot which they still have time to screw up

Still the greatest picture on all of the internets.


- eichiefs9

How many Internets are there?

XxNYIxX

How many Internets are there?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Welcome back!!! We were all worried about ya

How many Internets are there?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

2....one that's all about hockey and another that's all about porn.

Welcome back!!! We were all worried about ya
- kasperrko

thank you, I missed you all!!

Not "back" yet..

but I hope to be back for good, tomorrow.


XxNYIxX

2....one that's all about hockey and another that's all about porn.
- Charlie21

I need to check out the porn one then.. because the internet I have.. ive seen it all.

XxNYIxX

thank you, I missed you all!!

Not "back" yet..

but I hope to be back for good, tomorrow.


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Ok well good to hear from you and hope everything is all right

How many Internets are there?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

3

I need to check out the porn one then.. because the internet I have.. ive seen it all.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Long time no see? Welcome back

Funny thing is they still might
- kasperrko

They have no offense. One of the most overrated teams in the league. I am not worried about them

Im not, You cant teach natural ability. Everyone failed to notice that Bailey is only 23 years old. His best hockey is ahead of him.

Now if Snow took advice of Kasper and some others on this Blog, Bailey would have been shipped off for nothing last year.

I've said along the way. Stick to the rebuild. Now its all starting to come together.
you would thinks isles fans would have learned from milbury days.

Huge win last night but a more important game this saturday. Imagine what a win for the Boys would do for ther confidence. Everyone knows the rangers are overrated b/c they fighting for Playoff spot. Yes the same team that all the experts had winning the cup and first in the East this year.
- Spartiarti

islanders are 2 points in the playoffs at a point that would be half way through the season if it was an 82 game season and you guys are getting cocky and all high and mighty

do you really think your isles would be able to keep this up for 41 more games if it was a real season?

They have no offense. One of the most overrated teams in the league. I am not worried about them
- mighty13duck

your team is literally tavares and that's it buddy