How Chad Johnson looks to opposing shooters.
- Fan101

That looks more like one of our skaters trying to block a shot.....like a pelican....thanks for screening me, dumbass.....

Its not a good thing to be known as a team that folds to say the least. Any team that gets a late goal on us will know they are in the teams head and will have the confidence of knowing they are in panic mode...they need a couple of strong finishes in their upcoming games. This is for sure a coaching issue, this team was never good at closing out the game, even now with all the new faces!!!

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.

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 when Grabner comes back it might be good to sit Grabovski for a couple games...or at leats until Grabner gets hurt again. It just doesnt seem like Grabo is finding his groove with this team yet. Even when paired with Kuli there just doesnt seem to be much chemistry.
Kuli has really impressed me this year, the guy is such a smart player. Definetely a threat on the PK too.

Whether its coaching or the players taking their feet off the gas, the blown leads in the third MUST STOP. They are not going to maintain a playoff spot if they keep blowing leads and losing points to divisional and conference opponents. there is over three months of season left, plenty of time for teams behind them to get hot and overtake them. While the number of blown leads has diminished from past seasons, there are still far too many of them.

I don't think this team, players or coaches, think defense or place any sense of urgency on it. The giving up of goals within minutes of each other is just unacceptable and evidence of mental lapses. The coaches need to hold the players accountable for letting their minds drift off into space and the players need to get their s**t together and stop letting it happen.

Whether its coaching or the players taking their feet off the gas, the blown leads in the third MUST STOP. They are not going to maintain a playoff spot if they keep blowing leads and losing points to divisional and conference opponents. there is over three months of season left, plenty of time for teams behind them to get hot and overtake them. While the number of blown leads has diminished from past seasons, there are still far too many of them.

I don't think this team, players or coaches, think defense or place any sense of urgency on it. The giving up of goals within minutes of each other is just unacceptable and evidence of mental lapses. The coaches need to hold the players accountable for letting their minds drift off into space and the players need to get their s**t together and stop letting it happen.
- Jethro09

Cannot have de Haan pinching up two goals in the third. I'm all for keep playing with a lead, but you cannot make risky decisions like that. You need to make it very hard for teams to even get a quality chance. The forwards also have to put more importance on playing D. The coach has to have a defensive mindset and Cappy only wants to talk about D activating.

I think when Grabner comes back it might be good to sit Grabovski for a couple games...or at leats until Grabner gets hurt again. It just doesnt seem like Grabo is finding his groove with this team yet. Even when paired with Kuli there just doesnt seem to be much chemistry.
Kuli has really impressed me this year, the guy is such a smart player. Definetely a threat on the PK too.
- NewYawkIslandez

No way do you sit Grabovski for Grabner.

No way do you sit Grabovski for Grabner.
- eichiefs9

Agreed. Hes not playing bad by any means hes just not scoring. Guy skates and works hard.

Agreed. Hes not playing bad by any means hes just not scoring. Guy skates and works hard.
- Cptmjl

He's a possession monster. When the puck is on his stick it stays there. I'd like to see him score more but as long as he can keep it off the other teams sticks for extended periods of time then he goes nowhere, if you ask me.

No way do you sit Grabovski for Grabner.
- eichiefs9

Then who do you sit? Grabs looked solid in his few games that he was back.
If you look at all the forwards right now, and there was one who you had to choose to sit based on production, who would it be?

I think you leave the first line in tact. Bailey I think has done a great job up there and they all started to wake up. You arent scratching one of these guys, obviously.

I think you leave the 4th line in tact as they have been solid. Arguably the best 4th line int he league.

You cant scratch any of Nelson/Lee/Strome since they have been all been instrumental in the Isles solid play in the first half of the seaosn.

That leaves Kuli/Neilsen/Grabo.
Kuli is an excellent defensive forward, good on the PK and a short handed threat.
Neilsen also a solid two way player, good faceoff man and always has himself in position.

That leaves Grabo. Im not saying sit him for the season in favor of Grabs, but he is the odd man out right now in my opinion. The guy can use a game or two in the press box to give Grabs a shot.

Whether its coaching or the players taking their feet off the gas, the blown leads in the third MUST STOP. They are not going to maintain a playoff spot if they keep blowing leads and losing points to divisional and conference opponents. there is over three months of season left, plenty of time for teams behind them to get hot and overtake them. While the number of blown leads has diminished from past seasons, there are still far too many of them.

I don't think this team, players or coaches, think defense or place any sense of urgency on it. The giving up of goals within minutes of each other is just unacceptable and evidence of mental lapses. The coaches need to hold the players accountable for letting their minds drift off into space and the players need to get their s**t together and stop letting it happen.
- Jethro09

I agree with your overall point, but this team would have to play below .500 hockey for the rest of the season to miss the playoffs. It is extremely hard to make up ground in this league. It's almost impossible to do it unless the team(s) in front of you tank. The only way the Isles miss the playoffs is if Halak goes down.

Tavares is reminding us of the old Tavares because his play is strong and consistent. The blown leads are due to the fact that they are more worn down going into the later part of the game and can get worn down by an older vet team that can pace itself. Not a huge concern if the coaches and players are aware of it, but watching Capuano in the post game and he seems to be clueless about it. It's good for the team to be relaxed but I wonder how good their training schedule is.

Johnson's play may be a good indicator of how this team trains and overplays Halak.

Then who do you sit? Grabs looked solid in his few games that he was back.
If you look at all the forwards right now, and there was one who you had to choose to sit based on production, who would it be?

I think you leave the first line in tact. Bailey I think has done a great job up there and they all started to wake up. You arent scratching one of these guys, obviously.

I think you leave the 4th line in tact as they have been solid. Arguably the best 4th line int he league.

You cant scratch any of Nelson/Lee/Strome since they have been all been instrumental in the Isles solid play in the first half of the seaosn.

That leaves Kuli/Neilsen/Grabo.
Kuli is an excellent defensive forward, good on the PK and a short handed threat.
Neilsen also a solid two way player, good faceoff man and always has himself in position.

That leaves Grabo. Im not saying sit him for the season in favor of Grabs, but he is the odd man out right now in my opinion. The guy can use a game or two in the press box to give Grabs a shot.
- NewYawkIslandez

The Isles have the luxury of having a surplus of competent, skilled forwards. They should take advantage of it. So the decision as to who sits should be based on who is the most banged up forward. You don't want any of your guys limping into the playoffs. Thus, whoever has the most nagging little injuries should sit for a game just for the purpose of healing. Then re-assess after each game.

Johnson's play may be a good indicator of how this team trains and overplays Halak.
- Fan101

They are over playing Halak????

Johnson's play may be a good indicator of how this team trains and overplays Halak.
- Fan101

I disagree about the Isles overplaying Halak. Johnson has had his share of games and Halak is not facing 40 shots a night or even facing a high number of scoring chances. This is not the Isles team of last year.

Tavares is reminding us of the old Tavares because his play is strong and consistent. The blown leads are due to the fact that they are more worn down going into the later part of the game and can get worn down by an older vet team that can pace itself. Not a huge concern if the coaches and players are aware of it, but watching Capuano in the post game and he seems to be clueless about it. It's god for the team to be relaxed but I wonder how good their training schedule is.
- Fan101

As good as it can be at the country club (per Roloson)... Another reason the Isles get worn down in the 3rd period is that most teams are bigger and more physical than they are. The Isles' 4th line is really their only physical line, and the Isles' D is not very big either. By the 3rd period, it begins to take its toll on these guys...

I disagree about the Isles overplaying Halak. Johnson has had his share of games and Halak is not facing 40 shots a night or even facing a high number of scoring chances. This is not the Isles team of last year.
- ses111

problem is, if Johnson doesn't get better, the Isles are going to have to lean on Halak a lot. Johnson hasn't looked good in weeks, sans his game against MTL.

No way do you sit Grabovski for Grabner.
- eichiefs9

They will rotate a few guys but I think if someone is going to go it will be Grabner because of the length of his contract. Bailey still has 3+ years, Grabner only 1+ years...

They will rotate a few guys but I think if someone is going to go it will be Grabner because of the length of his contract. Bailey still has 3+ years, Grabner only 1+ years...
- kear20

A Grabner trade would not surprise me. Grabner and Johnson for a better goalie?

problem is, if Johnson doesn't get better, the Isles are going to have to lean on Halak a lot. Johnson hasn't looked good in weeks, sans his game against MTL.
- Jethro09

No question the backup goalie issue needs to be solved.

No question the backup goalie issue needs to be solved.
- ses111

Who's even out there for the trade?

Brodeur?

Who's even out there for the trade?

Brodeur?
- Mancalledsting

It's a good question. Probably no great options. The best thing would be for Johnson to find his game.

No question the backup goalie issue needs to be solved.
- ses111

Once they hire DP as the goalie coach everything will fall into place.

great win last night. that first goal by caps should have never counted. that was goalie interference. did I fear losing game. no. Halak is the difference.

Strome played a very strong game and love how he refused to just sit still on PP.

Isles PP look much improved last night.

Great win. Lets follow it up with win in Winnipeg.