U rather play Bailey instead of Grabs???
- Ur Not Me

Grabner is earning his pay right now without even appearing in a game. His mere presence on the team pushes guys like Bailey to play harder. In the old days when the Isles were lacking in talent, Bailey wouldn't just take shifts off, he'd take entire games off. His improvement this season isn't coincidental.

U rather play Bailey instead of Grabs???
- Ur Not Me

at the moment I have no issue with Bailey's play, he's been decent the last few games on the top line and JT seems to have more chemistry with him than Kulemin. I'd leave it as is, rather than putting grabner there or moving others around.

Well that's my point. where do you play Grabner. Do I like Bailey on the 1st line ? No. But I don't really want to see Grabner there either. If Bailey were playing on a different line, then I could see Grabner taking his spot, but on top line ? No. Which means if you play Grabner you have to change 3 or 4 lines around. Since our buddy Cappy switched the lines up a little last night, maybe its time to try Lee with JT/OK.?? Put Grabner on 3rd line with Strome and Nelson?? Rotate Bailey in and out of lineup depending on matchup. Waive Strait?!?!?!?

The goaltender position is the biggest crapshoot in the entire draft. It's nearly impossible to determine with any degree of certainty which 18 year old kid is going to be able to handle both the technical/physical aspects as well as the immense mental pressure, 4-5 years down the line.
- eichiefs9

Amen which is why I did not like the Isles taking Luongo higher than any goaltender ever drafted.. and then breaking their own record with DP. Then in the JT draft taking 2 goalies in a row with first pick in second and thrid.. WTF? (Koskinen and Nilsson).

I think Snow used middling draft picks to draft goalies who were large, hoping they'd be good, and they were not. Maybe he's over that "6'5" is better" thing....that works great for a defenseman who can skate, but not necessarily a goaltender.
- dcb1

first pick in second round and 3rd in 2009. (same draft we got JT and Dehaan in first and Casey C in 4th and Anders Lee in 7th though.. I guess I should give him a pass).

Grabner is earning his pay right now without even appearing in a game. His mere presence on the team pushes guys like Bailey to play harder. In the old days when the Isles were lacking in talent, Bailey wouldn't just take shifts off, he'd take entire games off. His improvement this season isn't coincidental.
- JohnScammo

A guy like Bailey is mostly invisible. Grabner adds another element that Bailey doesn't have, (breakaway speed) which regardless opens the ice more for other players. Plus provides PK ability at top of key bc of his speed.

I'd rather play Grabner more and build up his confidence or value instead of Bailey who will be here another 3yrs or so while Grabner has 1yr left....

Regardless of how this game ends, this is a problem. Officially a gigantic problem. Good teams don't continually blow leads, especially 3 goal leads. Nice point for the Caps.
- potvin05

Agreed.. It can't keep happening.

Boychuk on the Pp gets it done. You see that Cappy?

Boychuk!
- David_Volek

Hell of a shot.

Amen which is why I did not like the Isles taking Luongo higher than any goaltender ever drafted.. and then breaking their own record with DP. Then in the JT draft taking 2 goalies in a row with first pick in second and thrid.. WTF? (Koskinen and Nilsson).
- niteislander

Never wanted him traded.......

Tavares looks like hes getting slowly back into form again. Couple times he slowed down the play and got some good looks in the slot. Hoping he has a dominant second half. Team needs him. Strome to me gets better every game. Kid was bounced around last night and looked good every where he played. Grabovski has got to get going along with Nielsen who has looked out of sorts lately.
- Cptmjl

I think he has been fully back since the Habs game.

why are the pens ahead of us in standings...36 games each, we have same points and we have more wins????

Stamkos went 8 games without a goal.
Crosby had 2 goals in 13 games.

Even superstars have "slumps" or dry spells.

Everyone get over it.
- jmo16

Heard a crazy stat on NHL radio... Crosby last 50 games (going back to last season) He has 12 goals.

why are the pens ahead of us in standings...36 games each, we have same points and we have more wins????
- Nolanders

ROW --- they have 20 we have 18.

why are the pens ahead of us in standings...36 games each, we have same points and we have more wins????
- Nolanders

More ROW

ROW --- they have 20 we have 18.
- niteislander

(frank) you

Johnson was mostly "back-up acceptable" against MTL, so I'm willing to give him another look at some point. Looking at the upcoming schedule maybe against the Oilers?
- eichiefs9

I would not mind seeing Poulin on full rest.. just sayin.

at the moment I have no issue with Bailey's play, he's been decent the last few games on the top line and JT seems to have more chemistry with him than Kulemin. I'd leave it as is, rather than putting grabner there or moving others around.
- Isles_since_6

Shockingly, I completely agree!

(frank) you
- eichiefs9

More ROW
- eichiefs9

Well that's my point. where do you play Grabner. Do I like Bailey on the 1st line ? No. But I don't really want to see Grabner there either. If Bailey were playing on a different line, then I could see Grabner taking his spot, but on top line ? No. Which means if you play Grabner you have to change 3 or 4 lines around. Since our buddy Cappy switched the lines up a little last night, maybe its time to try Lee with JT/OK.?? Put Grabner on 3rd line with Strome and Nelson?? Rotate Bailey in and out of lineup depending on matchup. Waive Strait?!?!?!?
- chazpet

I'd love to see Lee on the top line.

I miss Grabner on the PK. His speed just changes the game.

I would not mind seeing Poulin on full rest.. just sayin.
- niteislander

Im still a Poulin supporter, although I will say he needed to stop at least one of those three and the first was on him for pushing it past his defensemen into the slot instead of covering it

ROW --- they have 20 we have 18.
- niteislander

lol thanks guiys

ROW --- they have 20 we have 18.
- niteislander

I thought that only factors in if both teams have the same amount of wins then the ROW would be the tie breaker???

**EDIT** ROW is the first tie breaker regardless of wins

I thought that only factors in if both teams have the same amount of wins then the ROW would be the tie breaker???

**EDIT** ROW is the first tie breaker regardless of wins
- Vukota

The Pens are technically in first place due to more ROWs, but the Isles have a better chance of winning the division title, according to this website........probably due to an easier schedule for the remainder of the regular season.

http://playoffstatus.com/nhl/easternstandings.html