Maybe but the team as a whole looks better and they are forechecking and pressuring teams look how many turnovers they created at the blue line
- Upstate_isles

Like I said the other day before the Pens game. Maybe a certain Islanders coach saw my post and decided to give it a try. Or Jt just tied Crappy up in a sheet and threw him in the closet until right before game time.

Like I said the other day before the Pens game. Maybe a certain Islanders coach saw my post and decided to give it a try. Or Jt just tied Crappy up in a sheet and threw him in the closet until right before game time.
- Isleshockeyman

Does that mean he had to break into snow basement

Does that mean he had to break into snow basement
- Upstate_isles

No, I was thinking more like the janitors closet at the rink or something like that.

what they've stopped doing is blindly throwing the puck backwards in their own zone as soon as the forecheck gets near them.

defensively, the third period against the caps was the best they've been this season.

sadly, winning 3 straight games has resulted in them passing absolutely no one in the east.

too big a hole to climb out of for this year.
- Isles_since_6

Team is 3 point out of a wildcard spot. I doubt the Isles will come close to challenging for the division, but playoffs are not out of the question.

Team is 3 point out of a wildcard spot. I doubt the Isles will come close to challenging for the division, but playoffs are not out of the question.
- ses111

we're 5 back, with 7 teams in the way. they won 3 in a row and passed no one in the east.

it's not impossible, but the point spread is a lot less significant than the fact they have to pass 7 teams who will all gain points playing each other.

I'd love to see them climb back into the playoff chase, but I'd be very surprised if they do make it at this point.

we're 5 back, with 7 teams in the way. they won 3 in a row and passed no one in the east.

it's not impossible, but the point spread is a lot less significant than the fact they have to pass 7 teams who will all gain points playing each other.

I'd love to see them climb back into the playoff chase, but I'd be very surprised if they do make it at this point.
- Isles_since_6

East is not very strong though. It's not going to be easy but getting one of the wild card spots is very doable. Hopefully the Isles got their bad stretch out of the way and teams like the Rangers are coming back to earth. They need to win Sunday to get back to 500 and then take down the Rangers. Hopefully Hank keeps up the spotty play on Tuesday.

we're 5 back, with 7 teams in the way. they won 3 in a row and passed no one in the east.

it's not impossible, but the point spread is a lot less significant than the fact they have to pass 7 teams who will all gain points playing each other.

I'd love to see them climb back into the playoff chase, but I'd be very surprised if they do make it at this point.
- Isles_since_6

60 games to do it that's a lot of games

East is not very strong though. It's not going to be easy but getting one of the wild card spots is very doable. Hopefully the Isles got their bad stretch out of the way and teams like the Rangers are coming back to earth.
- ses111

I just don't see it. Maybe they've sucked all optimism out of me with the terrible play so far this year but don't forget they still pissed away a 3-0 lead against the Pens in the 3rd period, and the first 2 against the caps were scoreless thanks to Halak.

I don't have any confidence that they've turned a corner. Now if they manage to extend this streak to 5 or 6 games, maybe I'll feel differently. They've left themselves no margin for error.

60 games to do it that's a lot of games
- Upstate_isles

Yep and lots of games left against teams we need to catch.

60 games to do it that's a lot of games
- Upstate_isles

yes, but which islanders show up for the next 20 games? The gong show from the first 1/4 of the season or the team that played the last 20 minutes against the caps?

I just don't see it. Maybe they've sucked all optimism out of me with the terrible play so far this year but don't forget they still pissed away a 3-0 lead against the Pens in the 3rd period, and the first 2 against the caps were scoreless thanks to Halak.

I don't have any confidence that they've turned a corner. Now if they manage to extend this streak to 5 or 6 games, maybe I'll feel differently. They've left themselves no margin for error.
- Isles_since_6

Halak really owed the team a great game. I can understand not being very optimistic about the playoffs. I would feel really good if they could move Halak and bring in another wing, but that's very unlikely. I would not bet the farm on the Isles making the playoffs, but it would not shock me if we got one of the wild card spots.

yes, but which islanders show up for the next 20 games? The gong show from the first 1/4 of the season or the team that played the last 20 minutes against the caps?
- Isles_since_6

Well they played well out west that sj loss was a killer so at least they've looked better over the last 7 or so and seem to be getting more confidence and sometimes that's all it takes. Hopefully they can sustain their play

yes, but which islanders show up for the next 20 games? The gong show from the first 1/4 of the season or the team that played the last 20 minutes against the caps?
- Isles_since_6

They have no excuse if things go south again. They're healthy and have the goalies playing well. Garth and Cappy have nothing to cry about.

They have no excuse if things go south again. They're healthy and have the goalies playing well. Garth and Cappy have nothing to cry about.
- ses111

But they will. Pick luck, hockey gods and battle level sit firmly in their back pocket ready to pull out at any time.

Well I just finished watching the game as I didn't know score and wtf is going on here they look good beat 2 legit teams and have won 3

Also great game in Buffalo mainly because the rags blew the game late and I got to yell at their fans. Eichal doesn't look great on TV but live he's sick
- Upstate_isles

60 games to do it that's a lot of games
- Upstate_isles

The three point games make it very hard to pass teams. The three point games mean about .556 hockey is break even. That means the Islanders would have to play better than .600 hockey for the 59 remaining games. Realistically they will need 75 more points (maybe more). I'm not going to say it can't be done, but does anyone really think this team can go 37-21-1 for the rest of the season? I don't see it. They dug themselves too big a whole. Playoff teams can't afford to tank they way they did.

- nyisles7

wish i could find the sabres pre game montage its great ko is benching its almost as good as bailey in chains

The three point games make it very hard to pass teams. The three point games mean about .556 hockey is break even. That means the Islanders would have to play better than .600 hockey for the 59 remaining games. Realistically they will need 75 more points (maybe more). I'm not going to say it can't be done, but does anyone really think this team can go 37-21-1 for the rest of the season? I don't see it. They dug themselves too big a whole. Playoff teams can't afford to tank they way they did.
- JimmyP

No but 36 22 1 seems doable 73 points just miss thanks to all thel blown games
http://www.newsday.com/sp...roit-red-wings-1.12700564


Puck possession as opposed to a simple system

Also you've all been waiting for this and Ladd takes a semi swipe about the line changes
http://www.newsday.com/sp...ve-source-says-1.12700729

No but 36 22 1 seems doable 73 points just miss thanks to all thel blown games
http://www.newsday.com/sp...roit-red-wings-1.12700564


Puck possession as opposed to a simple system

Also you've all been waiting for this
http://www.newsday.com/sp...ve-source-says-1.12700729
- Upstate_isles

I hate these 3 point games. 9-10 record with plenty of games to play should not be such an uphill climb.

I love the idea of Tallon being brought in. I would love Patty coming back as an FU to Wang, but Patty worries me after what happened with the Isles and Buffalo.

I hate these 3 point games. 9-10 record with plenty of games to play should not be such an uphill climb.

I love the idea of Tallon being brought in. I would love Patty coming back as an FU to Wang, but Patty worries me after what happened with the Isles and Buffalo.
- ses111

At least they are looking

At least they are looking
- Upstate_isles

It is good news. Rather not have Brad Richards. Patty is a favorite of mine and an emotional choice, but Tallon would be the best guy to get. He seems done with Florida and no surprise they would let him leave as he seems to have no power left. No idea why he would want to say? Ledecky and Malkin should at least try to get him.

It is good news. Rather not have Brad Richards. Patty is a favorite of mine and an emotional choice, but Tallon would be the best guy to get. He seems done with Florida and no surprise they would let him leave as he seems to have no power left. No idea why he would want to say? Ledecky and Malkin should at least try to get him.
- ses111

Tallon would be my choice but they'd have to wait till after the season. Patty has left 2 jobs rather abruptly so I'm on the fence there although he was my favorite player as a kid

Was just told by a leafs fan that Pulock is a bust because he is 22 and just cracked the lineup

Tallon would be my choice but they'd have to wait till after the season. Patty has left 2 jobs rather abruptly so I'm on the fence there although he was my favorite player as a kid
- Upstate_isles

Honestly I think Patty should have to work his way up to a big job after what happened. I would not be upset with Patty though. Tallon is the no brain and has to be a top choice. It would be great to hire someone now so they can evaluate, but Tallon is well worth the wait.

Was just told by a leafs fan that Pulock is a bust because he is 22 and just cracked the lineup
- Dan Petriw

Same fan would probably kill the Isles if they brought Pulock up to soon and rushed him.