Side note: pretty sure he's ok with "inferior" too. First seed doesn't always win the cup. You guys have a better shot at the president's trophy. It's going to be interesting. I think your lack of a system is going to hurt you. Getting outshot every night will catch up eventually
- rferrone

It's alright, let him bask in the glow of a strong regular season. As we all know, that means so much when the postseason starts.

It's alright, let him bask in the glow of a strong regular season. As we all know, that means so much when the postseason starts.
- MidnightMarauder

Islanders are peaking too early

It's dumb. You still have to pick these guys and develop them and not give them away for nothing. The Islanders had to go the rebuild route. They could not get any decent FA's to sign. It was very painful, but they built things the right way.
- ses111

100% right.....look at the frustration with Dan Boyle at the end of the last two games. Sorry DANNY, but i'll take Boychuk any day over you!

agreed with cappy and matchups, but the isles can ABSOLUTELY roll 4 lines in playoffs
- kindlyrick

No, they can't. That's the problem. Noone does. If you try it away at pittsburgh or tampa you're gonna get lit up. They need tostop giving strait and hickey so much I've time too. That's what is be more worried about, rolling all the defensive pairings

Cap isnt any good at line matchups, and even though your bottom six are great, i think it catches up to you in may. You cant roll four lines in the playoffs
- rferrone

Actually the good teams do roll four lines in the playoffs and that's why its considered a huge advantage to the teams that can

Islanders are peaking too early
- rangerdanger94

Peaking? Look at the isles 4th line.....dominating

No, they can't. That's the problem. Noone does. If you try it away at pittsburgh or tampa you're gonna get lit up. They need tostop giving strait and hickey so much I've time too. That's what is be more worried about, rolling all the defensive pairings
- rferrone

???? disagree 100%

Side note: pretty sure he's ok with "inferior" too. First seed doesn't always win the cup. You guys have a better shot at the president's trophy. It's going to be interesting. I think your lack of a system is going to hurt you. Getting outshot every night will catch up eventually
- rferrone

the isles do not get outshotevery game.. this was only the second time they were outshot since December 11th and only the second time they have given up more than 30 shots in that span but don't let facts get inthe way of an internet discussion

No, they can't. That's the problem. Noone does. If you try it away at pittsburgh or tampa you're gonna get lit up. They need tostop giving strait and hickey so much I've time too. That's what is be more worried about, rolling all the defensive pairings
- rferrone

Are you kidding me? The Blackhawks don't roll 4 lines the Kings didn't roll 4 lines, plus Strait is only filling in for Viz until he returns and Hickey has been fine as a 6th dman. I guess you don't watch many Islander games

Actually the good teams do roll four lines in the playoffs and that's why its considered a huge advantage to the teams that can
- Vukota

Theres a difference between rolling four and having confidence in your fourth line in a pinch. Like i said i would worry more about Cap rolling through the defense

the isles do not get outshotevery game.. this was only the second time they were outshot since December 11th and only the second time they have given up more than 30 shots in that span but don't let facts get inthe way of an internet discussion
- Dan Petriw

yeah i corrected myself i misread someone else's stat

Theres a difference between rolling four and having confidence in your fourth line in a pinch. Like i said i would worry more about Cap rolling through the defense
- rferrone

Not a problem with our 4th line evident by how much they are used this year and what situations they are used. You better believe the team with the best 4th line in the league is going to use that line in the playoffs

Depends how the wildcard race ends. You could play an Atlantic team if you stay as the 1 seed.
- rangerdanger94[url]

You're right, I overlooked that part.

It's already starting to look like the 8 eastern conference teams are set, with FLA, OTT, & TOR lagging so far behind BOS. It's just going to be a matter of what order, barring teams either getting super hot or super cold.

Islanders are peaking too early
- rangerdanger94

I don't think they are peaking too early but the way they look now isn't an automatic come playoff time.

There's no question if they continue this level of play, once the playoffs start, they should be one of the favorites to get out of the east.

But lately in the playoffs top seeds really don't amount to a whole lot. I am looking forward to see how it all unfolds before the cup tournament gets started.

yeah i corrected myself i misread someone else's stat
- rferrone

gotcha

Are you kidding me? The Blackhawks don't roll 4 lines the Kings didn't roll 4 lines, plus Strait is only filling in for Viz until he returns and Hickey has been fine as a 6th dman. I guess you don't watch many Islander games
- Vukota

No, they don't"roll" four lines. They use them in the right spot. Their coaches understand line matchups MUCH better than Capuano. How can you compare 3 months of success to the deepest teams in the league who are perennial contenders

I don't think they are peaking too early but the way they look now isn't an automatic come playoff time.

There's no question if they continue this level of play, once the playoffs start, they should be one of the favorites to get out of the east.

But lately in the playoffs top seeds really don't amount to a whole lot. I am looking forward to see how it all unfolds before the cup tournament gets started.
- MidnightMarauder

nobody is automatic come playoof time... there are so many good teams inthis league..anyone who gets into the playoffs has a real shot and their are no pushovers

Out of curiosity, when the isles aren't in the playoffs do you root for NY? I know its a hated rivalry and i dont ever want to lose on the island, but if you were in and we were out, id have a hard time rooting against you. Because what are my other options?? Pittsburgh? No franking thanks
- rferrone

Hell motherfacking no . All kidding aside I was rooting for you guys against the pens and it was tough to not cheer for you guys last year. You pretty much proved a lot of critics wrong but ive been an islander fan for a long time. So thats an honest no with the exception of when you guys play the Pens. I dislike them that much.

nobody is automatic come playoof time... there are so many good teams inthis league..anyone who gets into the playoffs has a real shot and their are no pushovers
- Dan Petriw

In the major sports league with the most parity, i think it's unnaturally deep this year. Aside from the four or five bottom dwellers, anyone has a decent shot

Hell motherfacking no . All kidding aside I was rooting for you guys against the pens and it was tough to not cheer for you guys last year. You pretty much proved a lot of critics wrong but ive been an islander fan for a long time. So thats an honest no with the exception of when you guys play the Pens. I dislike them that much.
- Cptmjl

Lol them philly and nj are probably the only time I'd root for you guys

Theres a difference between rolling four and having confidence in your fourth line in a pinch. Like i said i would worry more about Cap rolling through the defense
- rferrone

The Islanders fourth line is really good. Haven't seen many fourth lines better in the league this season.

If I was an Isles fan my biggest concern would be burning out Halak before the playoffs start and the bottom pairings on defense. Hamonic, Boychuk, Leddy and DeHaan are all solid defenders. But even a healthy Visnovsky, Hickey or Strait rotation is not exactly rock solid. If there are any weaknesses, in this lineup, it's lack of depth in net and the bottom pair defense.

No, they don't"roll" four lines. They use them in the right spot. Their coaches understand line matchups MUCH better than Capuano. How can you compare 3 months of success to the deepest teams in the league who are perennial contenders
- rferrone

Ok good teams don't roll 4 lines in the playoffs Got it. I'm not comparing them to any team. You said NOBODY rolls 4 lines in the playoffs and I pointed out that the deep teams that can roll 4 lines do which isn't many. Right now the isles are as deep as any team in the league up front and what really makes them tough to play against is there 4th line and how good it is. So yes come playoff time the isles will be rolling 4 lines because they can!!

I don't think they are peaking too early but the way they look now isn't an automatic come playoff time.

There's no question if they continue this level of play, once the playoffs start, they should be one of the favorites to get out of the east.

But lately in the playoffs top seeds really don't amount to a whole lot. I am looking forward to see how it all unfolds before the cup tournament gets started.
- MidnightMarauder

When it comes to the playoffs I'm not counting on anything. I'm not sure how many people thought the Rangers would make the Cup? I like the Islanders chances of at least winning a round and maybe two if things go well. They better win at least one round this year.

The Islanders fourth line is really good. Haven't seen many fourth lines better in the league this season.

If I was an Isles fan my biggest concern would be burning out Halak before the playoffs start and the bottom pairings on defense. Hamonic, Boychuk, Leddy and DeHaan are all solid defenders. But even a healthy Visnovsky, Hickey or Strait rotation is not exactly rock solid. If there are any weaknesses, in this lineup, it's lack of depth in net and the bottom pair defense.
- MidnightMarauder

i mentioned the bottom pair and i agree they are phenomenal, but the ECF is a whole different animal and thats a ton of hockey, i just think Capuano needs a finer hand when it comes to knowing who he should put out there

The Islanders fourth line is really good. Haven't seen many fourth lines better in the league this season.

If I was an Isles fan my biggest concern would be burning out Halak before the playoffs start and the bottom pairings on defense. Hamonic, Boychuk, Leddy and DeHaan are all solid defenders. But even a healthy Visnovsky, Hickey or Strait rotation is not exactly rock solid. If there are any weaknesses, in this lineup, it's lack of depth in net and the bottom pair defense.
- MidnightMarauder

Which I think would be safe to say many teams don't have the luxury of having good 7th and 8th dman. People criticize hickey don't really watch him much. Solid for a 6th dman. And how many teams can withstand losing their #1 goalie for a long period of time? If that's all they have to worry about then they aren't much different then most teams