of course i care about the results but i have nothing to female dog about with this team right now... only in the course of the week in islander land can we make the playoffs then lose their first regulation game in a month and all of a sudden the sky is falling... relax..perspective.. once again ITS OK TO BE HAPPY ISLANDER FANS...if long island is god's country why is everyone always so (frank)ing miserable lol
- NYI78

I dont think anyone thinks the sky is falling, but it does suck to start the evening contending for the #5 spot & ending the evening in the 8th spot with only 1 game to go.
We went from a possible favorable match up with the Habs.. which the leafs won & locked up the spot.. even if we won it wouldn't have mattered..
But by losing in a piss poor effort to a non playoff team our next favorable match up with the Caps was given away & now we have the B's or most likely the Pens...
I understand they cant win every game & have had a wonderful month.. but they played flat yesterday and just because we are in the playoffs, i wont be happy that they blew a great chance at something better.

XxNYIxX

I dont think anyone thinks the sky is falling, but it does suck to start the evening contending for the #5 spot & ending the evening in the 8th spot with only 1 game to go.
We went from a possible favorable match up with the Habs.. which the leafs won & locked up the spot.. even if we won it wouldn't have mattered..
But by losing in a piss poor effort to a non playoff team our next favorable match up with the Caps was given away & now we have the B's or most likely the Pens...
I understand they cant win every game & have had a wonderful month.. but they played flat yesterday and just because we are in the playoffs, i wont be happy that they blew a great chance at something better.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

exactly

I blame every lack luster, crappy game played on Howie Rose!

XxNYIxX

I blame every lack luster, crappy game played on Howie Rose!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

On the bright side Butch has been very happy lately

On the bright side Butch has been very happy lately
- mighty13duck

He has upped his alcohol intake.

He has upped his alcohol intake.
- Cptmjl

Who hasn't?

I think stylistically the Islanders matchup a whole hell of alot better with the Penguins than the Rangers do. I have not desire for the Rangers to face the Pens, because the Rangers, this whole year, don't possess the puck enough, and if you do that with a skilled team like the Pens, they'll kill you.

The Islanders, on the other hand, matchup pretty well against the Pens. I am not saying that the Islanders will win that series, because realistically I think the Pens would win it in 6 games or so, but I can see the Islanders really playing them tough.

May I ask how old you are? I mean teh younger generation really dont understand I am 35 and I have seen this team win some great playoff series and then fall into an oblivion. TO me making it after all this team has been through with the young team they have is awesome and it is something to be happy about
- kasperrko

Im 33 so we have both basically witnessed the same stuff with this teams history and I understand you perspective here.
I think everyone on here is on the same page with the fact that we are proud of this team and what they have accomplished this season. We made the playoffs, got great goaltending, watched a superstar develop in front of our eyes....all great things.
However ill still be disappointed if we get absolutely crushed by Pitt.

I think stylistically the Islanders matchup a whole hell of alot better with the Penguins than the Rangers do. I have not desire for the Rangers to face the Pens, because the Rangers, this whole year, don't possess the puck enough, and if you do that with a skilled team like the Pens, they'll kill you.

The Islanders, on the other hand, matchup pretty well against the Pens. I am not saying that the Islanders will win that series, because realistically I think the Pens would win it in 6 games or so, but I can see the Islanders really playing them tough.
- Pete V

agreed, also stylistically we play like crap against the Bruins. Again it is basically pick your poison. I wanted MTL or Caps

Reading the thread I see some questioning by capuano dressing bouton and carkner, so i was curious who sat for them? From an outsider perpective, if it ain't broke don't try to fix it. Your lineup was doing fine. But Philly does tend to start shyt do I can see why they were in

I also posted last night that carkner drove us nuts vs Ottawa last year so he can be effective for you guys
- Slimtj100

He can be effective IF he is in position. Doesnt happen frequently though. Could be worse I guess.

I realize we were trying to add a little toughness to combat Philly's chippy game, but I really wish Cappy would stop trying to let other teams dictate his lineup. We've been one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last month and yet still felt compelled to alter the lineup for a non playoff team.

Hated the decision to sit Hickey. Quietly, I think Hickey has been one of our best dmen this year. Sitting him for Carkner simply wasn't necessary in my opinion. I'd also have preferred to have Joensuu in the lineup rather than Boulton, who brought little to nothing.

In short, I think we really tossed a major opportunity away and quite possible killed our chances at seeing round 2. That said, it's prison rules..pick the baddest mofo in the yard and punch em' right in the mouth. Teams who play the best lockdown/responsible defense will beat talented teams that run and gun. If the Isles can get back to what they've done over the last month, I'd say we should fear no one...but can we?

You know what Frank it. Lets get the Pens first round. Knocking them out would be the biggest upset in hockey in many years. If we did this the team would have a crazy amount of confidence and then who knows

You know what Frank it. Lets get the Pens first round. Knocking them out would be the biggest upset in hockey in many years. If we did this the team would have a crazy amount of confidence and then who knows
- mighty13duck

Absolutley. Anything can happen as we saw in 93. If this team finds the game they had two weeks ago we could beat anyone. Including the pens.

The biggest issue I had last night was Hickey sitting.
Hickey has arguably been our 3rd or 2nd best defender in our recent winning streak. AMac is the worst defender on this team right now in my honest opinion. and.. HOW THE (frank) is Amac on the 2PP unit over Hickey

Absolutley. Anything can happen as we saw in 93. If this team finds the game they had two weeks ago we could beat anyone. Including the pens.
- Cptmjl

You need to get great goaltending from Nabby and bad Fleury, an its a possibility.

You need to get great goaltending from Nabby and bad Fleury, an its a possibility.
- Pete V

I'm not trying to inspire false hope but we all know "bad Fleury" is completely plausible. If we get in his head who knows? Of course we have to get by their allstar lines 1 through 3 and awesome defense to get to him

I'm not trying to inspire false hope but we all know "bad Fleury" is completely plausible. If we get in his head who knows? Of course we have to get by their allstar lines 1 through 3 and awesome defense to get to him
- Cptmjl

The best way to play the Pens is to have a lot of pushing and shoving after the whistle. For some reason we never try to push Crosby or Malkin around, but they both are pretty soft

The best way to play the Pens is to have a lot of pushing and shoving after the whistle. For some reason we never try to push Crosby or Malkin around, but they both are pretty soft
- Danformo

Well Crosby is going to be handled with kid gloves now, you can bet players will be scared to even breathe on him. You're right of course if we did face them we should knock the ever loving shat out of him and Malkin and send an immediate message. It's worked for us before and we should follow that same game plan. If we try to beat them at their own game we know what the results will be.

Well Crosby is going to be handled with kid gloves now, you can bet players will be scared to even breathe on him. You're right of course if we did face them we should knock the ever loving shat out of him and Malkin and send an immediate message. It's worked for us before and we should follow that same game plan. If we try to beat them at their own game we know what the results will be.
- Cptmjl

I'm not saying you shouldn't be physical with Malkin, but he is the furthest thing from soft. If you messes with him, he takes numbers, and then waits for the right time and tries to take your head off. He can be a real dirty SOB, but he's tough, and he fights his own battles, so I have to give him that.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be physical with Malkin, but he is the furthest thing from soft. If you messes with him, he takes numbers, and then waits for the right time and tries to take your head off. He can be a real dirty SOB, but he's tough, and he fights his own battles, so I have to give him that.
- Pete V

Oh I know, he's a tough dude. He's also one of the biggest divers in the league, especially when he's playing with the BIGGEST DIVER in the league hands down.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be physical with Malkin, but he is the furthest thing from soft. If you messes with him, he takes numbers, and then waits for the right time and tries to take your head off. He can be a real dirty SOB, but he's tough, and he fights his own battles, so I have to give him that.
- Pete V

Yeah soft was a poor choice of words, but when he goes against guys his size (ie. Martin or Carkner) he turns into a little puppy

Oh I know, he's a tough dude. He's also one of the biggest divers in the league, especially when he's playing with the BIGGEST DIVER in the league hands down.
- Cptmjl

I think if anyone so much as farts on Crosby you are going to the penalty box. With his broken jaw, you know the refs will make sure he doesnt get touched.

I think if anyone so much as farts on Crosby you are going to the penalty box. With his broken jaw, you know the refs will make sure he doesnt get touched.
- NewYawkIslandez

I wonder if Karlsson or Crosby really should have been cleared...

I think if anyone so much as farts on Crosby you are going to the penalty box. With his broken jaw, you know the refs will make sure he doesnt get touched.
- NewYawkIslandez

Yep. You're 100% correct and that's going to be a real shatty situation for whomever plays against them. That's why we go the rough route and beat the (frank)ing piss out of him. You're dammed if you do dammed if you don't so you might as well do it. Play a tough, physical game with them. It's worked before. Not that they are a bunch of slouches bcs they are not but we are going to have to play a physical game to have a chance.

I wonder if Karlsson or Crosby really should have been cleared...
- Danformo

Was one of the best plays Boyes made all year deflecting that puck