this is really the issue...

we can second guess the carkner/boulton insertion into the lineup all we want but lets be honest, thats not WHY the team lost...and this kind of outrage wasnt shown when the SAME GUYS played a better team in a more critical position versus the maple leafs. so scapegoat carkner and boulton all you (not you dcb) want but it wasnt JUST them.

if someone is going to blame cappy for last nights game, which i cant seem to do being that they havent outright lost for the previous 15 games or so, then the ONLY thing to be upset about is the CLEAR lack of heart and hustle that the team played with last night. it was obvious, everyone saw it, it was clearly a notch below what theyve been playing. they were hesitant and timid and wanting to get into the playoffs healthy; blame cappy for that, not the hindsight argument (which again, NO ONE brought up vs the leafs) that carkner and boulton were the reason they lost.
- LetsGoIsles

Not sure if I said it on these boards after the Leaf game or not but it was a topic of conversation with my Isles fan friends. I just dont think there is ever a need to have Boulton in the lineup if Carkner is in there. Sometimes, people (not saying you, just in general) tend to forget that Matt Martin is one tough SOB and can maul people with his crushing hits and fighting ability. The difference is that Martin can also play hockey unlike Boulton. So if you have Martin and Carkner in there, no need for Boulton. That was a bad coaching choice.

I am not blaming Cappy for the loss, but I just dont agree with his decision to put in Boulton especially when Joensuu was playing well the last few games. I am no Cappy fan by any stretch, but I can certainly appreciate what he has done with this team over the past couple of months.

Matt Moulson????
- kasperrko

yes!

XxNYIxX

Poulin looked pretty bad, scoring only one goal didnt help him out, but this was a team loss, they are all to blame.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

i though he was pretty good considering how much hes been sitting on the bench and not seeing nhl level speed.

yes!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

i though he was pretty good considering how much hes been sitting on the bench and not seeing nhl level speed.
- LetsGoIsles

Agreed, I thought he looked decent. Especially with minimal NHL action over the past couple of months.

Eh, shaky on some plays, but really solid on others...coming across a few times to make multiple tough saves. For a guy who's only played, what, two games in a month and a half or whatever, I thought he wasn't too bad.
- UIF

I was impressed with poulin yesterday. He seemed to be playing with a lot mire confidence. He also held onto quite a few shots that were maybe a juicy rebound other times he has played. He looked much better.

Not sure if I said it on these boards after the Leaf game or not but it was a topic of conversation with my Isles fan friends. I just dont think there is ever a need to have Boulton in the lineup if Carkner is in there. Sometimes, people (not saying you, just in general) tend to forget that Matt Martin is one tough SOB and can maul people with his crushing hits and fighting ability. The difference is that Martin can also play hockey unlike Boulton. So if you have Martin and Carkner in there, no need for Boulton. That was a bad coaching choice.

I am not blaming Cappy for the loss, but I just dont agree with his decision to put in Boulton especially when Joensuu was playing well the last few games. I am no Cappy fan by any stretch, but I can certainly appreciate what he has done with this team over the past couple of months.
- NewYawkIslandez

I agree as far as Boulton. He just doesn't offer enough to the line up to warrant a spot on this team.A argument could be made for carkner but not for Boulton IMO

Hickey in for Visnovski tonight. Interesting....
Cappy said Vis is just "resting". Lets sure hope thats not bullsh!t

Hickey in for Visnovski tonight. Interesting....
Cappy said Vis is just "resting". Lets sure hope thats not bullsh!t
- NewYawkIslandez

If it's true to me that's stupid. This is a pretty big game as far as I'm concerned for a multitude of reasons. He can rest for the four days leading up to game one.

I was impressed with poulin yesterday. He seemed to be playing with a lot mire confidence. He also held onto quite a few shots that were maybe a juicy rebound other times he has played. He looked much better.
- Cptmjl

Early on...that first power play in particular...he was way back in his crease. But he showed off his quickness later on. He needs a combination of confidence and coaching. The tools are there, imo.

I it's true to me that's stupid. This is a pretty big game as far as I'm concerned for a multitude if reasons. He can rest for the four days leading up to game one.
- Cptmjl

Islanders are just happy to be in. I dont see them winning tonight really either. Pittsburgh here we come

Hickey in for Visnovski tonight. Interesting....
Cappy said Vis is just "resting". Lets sure hope thats not bullsh!t
- NewYawkIslandez

uh oh...rubs me the wrong way....

hope he isnt hurt.

Early on...that first power play in particular...he was way back in his crease. But he showed off his quickness later on. He needs a combination of confidence and coaching. The tools are there, imo.
- UIF

Poor kid dont have a chance

Early on...that first power play in particular...he was way back in his crease. But he showed off his quickness later on. He needs a combination of confidence and coaching. The tools are there, imo.
- UIF

Yeah he's got the ability

Islanders are just happy to be in. I dont see them winning tonight really either. Pittsburgh here we come
- kasperrko

If that's their attitude it's pretty lame. The winning attitude is what got them here in the first place. Maintaining that is what seperates good teams from bad ones.

I agree as far as Boulton. He just doesn't offer enough to the line up to warrant a spot on this team.A argument could be made for carkner but not for Boulton IMO
- Cptmjl

Carkner gets caught out of position a lot but he also makes solid plays from time to time. He is much more useful than Boulton but he certainly isnt a player that should crack an NHL lineup night after night.
With Hickey playing for Vis, Carkner will definetely be in the lineup tonight. if you are able to watch the game, try paying attention to his positioning. Last night he was horrible, especially on the PK.

Carkner gets caught out of position a lot but he also makes solid plays from time to time. He is much more useful than Boulton but he certainly isnt a player that should crack an NHL lineup night after night.
With Hickey playing for Vis, Carkner will definetely be in the lineup tonight. if you are able to watch the game, try paying attention to his positioning. Last night he was horrible, especially on the PK.
- NewYawkIslandez

Oh I know about carkner. He is someone who has to be positionally sound because he doesn't have the speed. He is still much more effective than Boulton.

If that's their attitude it's pretty lame. The winning attitude is what got them here in the first place. Maintaining that is what seperates good teams from bad ones.
- Cptmjl

I don’t think they will have a laid back attitude at all in the playoffs. My bet is that we see the Isles of April and not of last night.
If the Isles of April are not the Isles playing in the playoffs, we will get swept and embarrassed in every game no matter who we play.

I don’t think they will have a laid back attitude at all in the playoffs. My bet is that we see the Isles of April and not of last night.
If the Isles of April are not the Isles playing in the playoffs, we will get swept and embarrassed in every game no matter who we play.
- NewYawkIslandez

Absolutely, they better get their act together real quick. At least look like you deserve to be there.

I don’t think they will have a laid back attitude at all in the playoffs. My bet is that we see the Isles of April and not of last night.
If the Isles of April are not the Isles playing in the playoffs, we will get swept and embarrassed in every game no matter who we play.
- NewYawkIslandez

i agree... the players have to realize that the grinding, forechecking, and getting in the dirty areas is what got the team to where they are

If it's true to me that's stupid. This is a pretty big game as far as I'm concerned for a multitude of reasons. He can rest for the four days leading up to game one.
- Cptmjl

if guys are banged up now is the time to rest them

if guys are banged up now is the time to rest them
- NYI78

Its a tough call. Look at it from 2 perspectives.

1) We are in the playoffs no matter what so its justifiable to rest players because we don’t have to worry about falling out of the race anymore.

2) If we play our full lineup tonight and get the W, then we have a chance at not playing Pitt although our destiny would not be in our own hands. If we lose tonight, its Pitt no matter what.

Islanders are just happy to be in. I dont see them winning tonight really either. Pittsburgh here we come
- kasperrko

Maybe the fact the last night we played them we were playing rotten hockey we can surprise the Pens or they will take us lightly....we have road ice advantage remember

Its a tough call. Look at it from 2 perspectives.

1) We are in the playoffs no matter what so its justifiable to rest players because we don’t have to worry about falling out of the race anymore.

2) If we play our full lineup tonight and get the W, then we have a chance at not playing Pitt although our destiny would not be in our own hands. If we lose tonight, its Pitt no matter what.
- NewYawkIslandez

One thing though granted the Penguins are like a power house but the Islanders have played them enough times to play pretty good against them. Thing is to not take penalties and play as tight defensively as possible. We shocked them once before and well we can do it again

Maybe the fact the last night we played them we were playing rotten hockey we can surprise the Pens or they will take us lightly....we have road ice advantage remember
- Nolanders

We sure do and I think we will do just fine against them. I just want them to be competitive if we lose in 6 or seven I would be happy