Laura Albanese ‏@AlbaneseLaura 11s11 seconds ago
Hamonic says he feels good. Said he's excited to be part of the playoffs this year.

Laura Albanese ‏@AlbaneseLaura 13s14 seconds ago
Hamonic said it'll be Capuano's call but he feels OK. Said the prognosis was better than originally thought.

George Richards ‏@GeorgeRichards 17s17 seconds ago
#FlaPanthers Vincent Trocheck still in a walking boot

I want the playoffs to start already! At least there are games tomorrow even if its not the Islanders.

I want the playoffs to start already! At least there are games tomorrow even it its not the Islanders.
- JimmyP

The longer we wait the healthy we are getting. I hope they postpone them a few weeks..lol.

Laura Albanese ‏@AlbaneseLaura 11s11 seconds ago
Hamonic says he feels good. Said he's excited to be part of the playoffs this year.

Laura Albanese ‏@AlbaneseLaura 13s14 seconds ago
Hamonic said it'll be Capuano's call but he feels OK. Said the prognosis was better than originally thought.
- eichiefs9

This is really big news......for the isles to win a series, Hamonic's gonna log major minutes.

Laura Albanese ‏@AlbaneseLaura 11s11 seconds ago
Hamonic says he feels good. Said he's excited to be part of the playoffs this year.

Laura Albanese ‏@AlbaneseLaura 13s14 seconds ago
Hamonic said it'll be Capuano's call but he feels OK. Said the prognosis was better than originally thought.
- eichiefs9

Capuano's call? STRAIT it IS!!!

This is really big news......for the isles to win a series, Hamonic's gonna log major minutes.
- kindlyrick

Takes away a good number of excuses. You could make a fair argument that we would have beat WSH last year with Hammer in the lineup.

Not having Lee is going to hurt though, he's a big, physical player that would have been key against a big, physical team like FLA. Nobody on this roster can replace him. Nelson has the size, but he doesn't use it like Lee does. We'll have to see if he can adapt. If I were some hacky broadcaster that would be one of: Chief's Keys to Controlling the Cats™ brought to you by WeatherTech Floorliners©

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 26s26 seconds ago
Lines at practice: Nielsen-Tavares-Okposo, Kulemin-Nelson-Bailey, Prince/Quine-Strome-Bernier, Martin/Boulton-Cizikas-Clutterbuck.
- eichiefs9

really you don't like Nielsen on top line. this line has been best first line assembled all year.

As for Bailey, I think get start b/c he was good last year. My sense is he stinks it up in game 1, he will be scratched for game 2.

Why are Prince and Quine competing for spot. Quine actually is better than Bernier.

Takes away a good number of excuses. You could make a fair argument that we would have beat WSH last year with Hammer in the lineup.

Not having Lee is going to hurt though, he's a big, physical player that would have been key against a big, physical team like FLA. Nobody on this roster can replace him. Nelson has the size, but he doesn't use it like Lee does. We'll have to see if he can adapt. If I were some hacky broadcaster that would be one of: Chief's Keys to Controlling the Cats™ brought to you by WeatherTech Floorliners©
- eichiefs9

It does take a big excuse away, but Cappy will not be shy about using Halak or Lee or Grabo as needed. It would be nice if Nelson starts to use his size more. He would be a key to the series.I hope Strome can add some offense in this series. He has a chance to make up for a lousy regular season.

Takes away a good number of excuses. You could make a fair argument that we would have beat WSH last year with Hammer in the lineup.

Not having Lee is going to hurt though, he's a big, physical player that would have been key against a big, physical team like FLA. Nobody on this roster can replace him. Nelson has the size, but he doesn't use it like Lee does. We'll have to see if he can adapt. If I were some hacky broadcaster that would be one of: Chief's Keys to Controlling the Cats™ brought to you by WeatherTech Floorliners©
- eichiefs9

here we go again with the BIG PHYSICAL Team like Florida. its like saying the mean ferocious Rangers. There isn't one Florida Panther in the top 50 for hits. Martin is 1 and Clutterbuck is 4th. you can add Cizikas, Lee and Boychuk too before the first Panther appears.
Curious to what the Caps, Kings and Flyers are.

Barkov and Ekblad, maybe? Trocheck who's been on fire?
- eichiefs9

I thought I read that he's injured

I hope to God not... Nielsen on top line is not my first choice either..
- niteislander

This is ridiculous.

I thought I read that he's injured
- LetsGoIsles

Injured for a week or two, but he was having a fantastic season prior.

here we go again with the BIG PHYSICAL Team like Florida. its like saying the mean ferocious Rangers. There isn't one Florida Panther in the top 50 for hits. Martin is 1 and Clutterbuck is 4th. you can add Cizikas, Lee and Boychuk too before the first Panther appears.
Curious to what the Caps, Kings and Flyers are.
- Spartiarti

"Physical" doens't mean how many hits get subjectively recorded on the scoresheet.

Phyiscal means they win battles along the boards and in front of the net. And they are a very big team.

"Physical" doens't mean how many hits get subjectively recorded on the scoresheet.

Phyiscal means they win battles along the boards and in front of the net. And they are a very big team.
- eichiefs9

This!

"Physical" doens't mean how many hits get subjectively recorded on the scoresheet.

Phyiscal means they win battles along the boards and in front of the net. And they are a very big team.
- eichiefs9

Exactly this is what the Panthers are all about and I hate to say but the Islanders have a very hard time with all of this.

Takes away a good number of excuses. You could make a fair argument that we would have beat WSH last year with Hammer in the lineup.

Not having Lee is going to hurt though, he's a big, physical player that would have been key against a big, physical team like FLA. Nobody on this roster can replace him. Nelson has the size, but he doesn't use it like Lee does. We'll have to see if he can adapt. If I were some hacky broadcaster that would be one of: Chief's Keys to Controlling the Cats™ brought to you by WeatherTech Floorliners©
- eichiefs9

I know a lot of guys like to equate Nelson to Lee as far as net presence. But, I think without Anders Lee, you need to look to Cizikas, to get in front and tip. He's the kinda guy that will not shy away from the dirty area and he's got hands.

I hope they plaster Bailey's ass to the bench. I thought Quine played really well.

Sure it was only two games, but he (frank)ing tries.
- eichiefs9

I'll take a hungry rookie over a regular Bailey every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

This is ridiculous.
- LetsGoIsles

Interesting that Cappy decided to go with Fransy on the first line. Has he ever played with JT on a line consistently (meaning on a regular basis)?

I know a lot of guys like to equate Nelson to Lee as far as net presence. But, I think without Anders Lee, you need to look to Cizikas, to get in front and tip. He's the kinda guy that will not shy away from the dirty area and he's got hands.
- kindlyrick

Every guy has the ability to get to the front of the net. It's whether they want to pay the price. A guy like Lee does. A guy like Bailey, not so much. Also, the coach can demand it from the players. We'll see who screens Luongo in Game 1.

I'll take a hungry rookie over a regular Bailey every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
- PeteM

I'd really like to see Bailey just come out and play with some passion. Im not looking for him to score the game winner, but I really wanna see him skating out there, finishing checks, blocking shots. If all the passengers on this team someone decide to be a part of it, watch out.

Every guy has the ability to get to the front of the net. It's whether they want to pay the price. A guy like Lee does. A guy like Bailey, not so much. Also, the coach can demand it from the players. We'll see who screens Luongo in Game 1.
- Mancalledsting

Of course everyone has the ability, but I mentioned Cizikas, cause he's a tough mother phucker. I dont see Nelson battling in front like Casey.

I know a lot of guys like to equate Nelson to Lee as far as net presence. But, I think without Anders Lee, you need to look to Cizikas, to get in front and tip. He's the kinda guy that will not shy away from the dirty area and he's got hands.
- kindlyrick

Cizikas has the feistiness, but maybe not the size. It's hard to imagine him being durable enough to take the pounding of playing in front of the crease over a long series, let alone multiple series (if they somehow advance). On the other hand, his linemate, Martin, does have the size......plus the willingness to drop the gloves if it comes to that (like when a d-man takes too many liberties with cross-checks).

Every guy has the ability to get to the front of the net. It's whether they want to pay the price. A guy like Lee does. A guy like Bailey, not so much. Also, the coach can demand it from the players. We'll see who screens Luongo in Game 1.
- Mancalledsting

Nelson will be the screen. He is hard to move as well.
Its playoffs, talk to me after game 1 who is more physical.

Let me break down the series for you. Florida is coached by Gerard Gallant. (he was former Isles and Habs Assistant coach. Key to Florida game is scoring and then playing devil like hockey.
Isles score first in these games and we can wrap up this season quickly. we need one of the two games in Florida. Preferably game 1.

Cizikas has the feistiness, but maybe not the size. It's hard to imagine him being durable enough to take the pounding of playing in front of the crease over a long series, let alone multiple series (if they somehow advance). On the other hand, his linemate, Martin, does have the size......plus the willingness to drop the gloves if it comes to that (like when a d-man takes too many liberties with cross-checks).
- JohnScammo

I think come playoffs you gotta shorten the bench. Im not sure how many minutes Martin is gonna be getting. But, I agree he's got more size, but all you really need to do is get position on the dman and with Casey's hands, he can tip.