troll?
- LetsGoIsles

How dare you!!!

well i think a lot of us agree that boychuk should be on the top pp...strait in for vis is a guarantee (kiss of death?) thatll be the situation
- LetsGoIsles

If Strait sees pp time tonight we know who to blame^

Cap is an idiot.. sorry. Vis scored our only goal 2 games ago. The whole team sucked the last game. Everyone stopped skating. It certainly wasn't Lubo's fault.

Cap is an idiot.. sorry. Vis scored our only goal 2 games ago. The whole team sucked the last game. Everyone stopped skating. It certainly wasn't Lubo's fault.
- niteislander

Agreed, Lubo is a legit offensive threat on D. Playing Strait instead of him is a bonehead move IMO. Guys are entitled to occasional bad games, JT had quite a few in the beginning of the season, it happens.
An average Lubo is greater than a "good" Strait.

If Strait sees pp time tonight we know who to blame^
- Cptmjl

he wont, listen I can see the rationale, Strait is way more physical. But Lubo is far more skilled.

You cant blame Viznosky for our losses. Isles deserved what they got other night against Florida. We scored a sweet nice 1st goal and they thought it was easy night. They lost focus and when Florida came on strong they seem to be off their game. Halak did make some nice saves but he did give away a pivotal very soft goal to Gudbhanson.

Lets get a win tonight. Seems we are our best in the tougher games. We put ourselves in this position. Noone else to blame but themselves.

Why do you need update on lines? Lee deserves to be on top line again. he was only one that came to play Tuesday. All the other lines will be the same.

Counter-argument to that:

- After sliding three games in a row, we don't have time to let Viz "get a few games". We need to win tonight. Pens overtook us (although we have a game in hand) and the Rangers are hot on our heels.

- Strait played significantly better than Visnovsky during his stint while Lubo was sidelined. Nobody is saying he is a better player, but only describing Strait's play as not having been "abject disasters" is unfairly undermining his play. He played well and did what he had to.

- Unfair comparison of Strait-for-Lubo and Conacher-for-Kulemin. Conacher wasn't here playing well in the absence of Kulemin. THAT would be a terrible move.
- eichiefs9

OK, first, let’s be honest here…Strait wasn’t some kind of miracle worker back there, or anything close to a significant factor. He did an admirable job at what he’s supposed to do this season…filling in on the bottom pair for an injury. The injury’s over, though, and Vis certainly brings more to the table. He plays that third-pair D role, which shouldn’t be critical to Ws and Ls no matter if it’s Strait or Vis there, but he also has value on the power play (which could use any and all options) and makes better first passes out of the zone to get the rush going. Personally, I don’t take that skill set out of the lineup just because Strait didn’t get turned around like usual for a couple of games. I play the odds that Vis’ obviously higher skill set leads to better things than having Strait in there.

Agreed, Lubo is a legit offensive threat on D. Playing Strait instead of him is a bonehead move IMO. Guys are entitled to occasional bad games, JT had quite a few in the beginning of the season, it happens.
An average Lubo is greater than a "good" Strait.
- NewYawkIslandez

Sure 4 years ago

Agreed, Lubo is a legit offensive threat on D. Playing Strait instead of him is a bonehead move IMO. Guys are entitled to occasional bad games, JT had quite a few in the beginning of the season, it happens.
An average Lubo is greater than a "good" Strait.
- NewYawkIslandez

"Legit offensive threat" is a bit of a stretch in describing Visnovsky.

OK, first, let’s be honest here…Strait wasn’t some kind of miracle worker back there, or anything close to a significant factor. He did an admirable job at what he’s supposed to do this season…filling in on the bottom pair for an injury. The injury’s over, though, and Vis certainly brings more to the table. He plays that third-pair D role, which shouldn’t be critical to Ws and Ls no matter if it’s Strait or Vis there, but he also has value on the power play (which could use any and all options) and makes better first passes out of the zone to get the rush going. Personally, I don’t take that skill set out of the lineup just because Strait didn’t get turned around like usual for a couple of games. I play the odds that Vis’ obviously higher skill set leads to better things than having Strait in there.
- UIF

Right...he did his job, which the last two games wasn't exactly something Visnovsky could manage to put together.

Again, I'm not arguing that Strait is a better player or deserves a permanent spot in the lineup over Visnovsky. But right now the guy who is currently playing better is going tonight. It should serve as a wake-up call to the rest of these guys to get their sh!t together, in case they needed a reminder.

Right...he did his job, which the last two games wasn't exactly something Visnovsky could manage to put together.

Again, I'm not arguing that Strait is a better player or deserves a permanent spot in the lineup over Visnovsky. But right now the guy who is currently playing better is going tonight. It should serve as a wake-up call to the rest of these guys to get their sh!t together, in case they needed a reminder.
- eichiefs9

This

Halak needs to pick it up. He can't let in garbage goals like Gudbranson's backhander. I was sitting a couple rows off the ice behind that net...that goal was utterly atrocious.
- eichiefs9

Lets not worry about Halak. He's been great this year. He's allowed a clunker now and then.

I'm really not worried about this team 5 on 5 or on the PP. I'm concerned about this team on the PK. I still can't believe this team's PK is as abysmal as it is. the losing streak's biggest contributor has been the PK, not the line combos, not the goaltending.

Its an 82-game season. There are going to be peaks and valleys. 50 games in and only 3 three-game losing streaks, and no streaks longer than that. Also not too many 2-game losing streaks. This team has found a way to right its ship a couple of times already. They will again now.

he wont, listen I can see the rationale, Strait is way more physical. But Lubo is far more skilled.

You cant blame Viznosky for our losses. Isles deserved what they got other night against Florida. We scored a sweet nice 1st goal and they thought it was easy night. They lost focus and when Florida came on strong they seem to be off their game. Halak did make some nice saves but he did give away a pivotal very soft goal to Gudbhanson.

Lets get a win tonight. Seems we are our best in the tougher games. We put ourselves in this position. Noone else to blame but themselves.

Why do you need update on lines? Lee deserves to be on top line again. he was only one that came to play Tuesday. All the other lines will be the same.
- Spartiarti

First iff that post was a joke. Also its not a matter of whether lee deserves it or not to be on the firstline. Its about the team. Bailey has been horrid for a while now. Grabovski was great on that line for two games. The kid line was our most dominant line for a veey long time. Everyone forgets nelson being our leading scorer. Nielsen grabovski and kulimen and every other line that wasnt the first have been awful for three games. Nelson so obviously does not belong with grabner. We are a one line team again with these lines which is a veey easy team to play against. Itd be moronic if the lines are the same we have been outscored by 2-4 goals the last three games and you think these lines are fine?

Lee does. Halak has had his dicey moments this year.
- ses111

His dicey moments have come trying to play the puck, which I flat out wish he'd stop doing, since he clearly can't handle the puck. But for the most part, he's been real solid between the pipes stopping shots. I'm not concerned with Halak at all.

Johnson's save % is 86

Right...he did his job, which the last two games wasn't exactly something Visnovsky could manage to put together.

Again, I'm not arguing that Strait is a better player or deserves a permanent spot in the lineup over Visnovsky. But right now the guy who is currently playing better is going tonight. It should serve as a wake-up call to the rest of these guys to get their sh!t together, in case they needed a reminder.
- eichiefs9

Bailey, hickey, and nielsen all need reminders

His dicey moments have come trying to play the puck, which I flat out wish he'd stop doing, since he clearly can't handle the puck. But for the most part, he's been real solid between the pipes stopping shots. I'm not concerned with Halak at all.
- Jethro09

Agreed. Not yet at least

Lets not worry about Halak. He's been great this year. He's allowed a clunker now and then.

I'm really not worried about this team 5 on 5 or on the PP. I'm concerned about this team on the PK. I still can't believe this team's PK is as abysmal as it is. the losing streak's biggest contributor has been the PK, not the line combos, not the goaltending.

Its an 82-game season. There are going to be peaks and valleys. 50 games in and only 3 three-game losing streaks, and no streaks longer than that. Also not too many 2-game losing streaks. This team has found a way to right its ship a couple of times already. They will again now.
- Jethro09

I agree. The one factor that can change that is Capuano and bad personnel decisions. We will see.

Lets not worry about Halak. He's been great this year. He's allowed a clunker now and then.

I'm really not worried about this team 5 on 5 or on the PP. I'm concerned about this team on the PK. I still can't believe this team's PK is as abysmal as it is. the losing streak's biggest contributor has been the PK, not the line combos, not the goaltending.

Its an 82-game season. There are going to be peaks and valleys. 50 games in and only 3 three-game losing streaks, and no streaks longer than that. Also not too many 2-game losing streaks. This team has found a way to right its ship a couple of times already. They will again now.
- Jethro09

I'm not worried about Halak and frankly I'm not all that worried about the 3 game skid. Just pointing out that both Halak and the team itself need to pick it up tonight. We've had two other 3 game skid's this season and we bounced back perfectly fine.

EK claims there is a prominent player looking to get traded ala St Louis last year. I wonder if it could be JT?
- jwbadlands

Do you really think that now, after enduring 5 miserable years as an islander with the team now on the upswing that any player on the team, in particular JT, a guy who signed a six year extension with this team when it was a dumpster fire, wants out?

Ek's stuff is practically all made up gibberish anyway.

"Legit offensive threat" is a bit of a stretch in describing Visnovsky.
- eichiefs9

Guess I like him a little more than you guys. Such a smooth skater, love how he brings the puck up the ice and can pot a few goals. Just think what he brings to the table is significantly better than what Brian Strait brings.
Perhaps went a bit overboard with my legit offensive threat comment but just loves how he sees the ice.

Agreed. Not yet at least
- Vukota

He's not known for playing a huge amount of games in the season. I hate to be the one who says it but he very well may need a break. Its not out of the realm of possibilities. Hopefully not the case but its plausible.

Johnson's save % is 86
- Vukota

That's RDP-esque

That's RDP-esque
- Jethro09

Honestly thats an insult to RDP

Lets not worry about Halak. He's been great this year. He's allowed a clunker now and then.

I'm really not worried about this team 5 on 5 or on the PP. I'm concerned about this team on the PK. I still can't believe this team's PK is as abysmal as it is. the losing streak's biggest contributor has been the PK, not the line combos, not the goaltending.

Its an 82-game season. There are going to be peaks and valleys. 50 games in and only 3 three-game losing streaks, and no streaks longer than that. Also not too many 2-game losing streaks. This team has found a way to right its ship a couple of times already. They will again now.
- Jethro09

Hopefully when they worked on the PK yesterday, they revamped it. Box it up.

My issue with Strait over Viz is, Crappy puts Strait out on the PK. The #7 Dman on the PK. Incredible.

Guess I like him a little more than you guys. Such a smooth skater, love how he brings the puck up the ice and can pot a few goals. Just think what he brings to the table is significantly better than what Brian Strait brings.
Perhaps went a bit overboard with my legit offensive threat comment but just loves how he sees the ice.
- NewYawkIslandez

You're mistaking me criticizing him for me not liking the way he plays. When Lubo is on his game (now, not 6 years ago) he's a very good 3rd pairing guy that can move the puck and chip in some points. I love him and Hickey as a bottom pairing. But that doesn't excuse him from being held responsible for his poor play when it happens. It's not like they traded him for a pick and let Strait permanently have his spot. He got benched for a game to shake things up. I don't doubt that he'll be right back in there against Boston on Saturday.