Is it me that the isles squeaked a win out by default?? Halak played superb except for that weak goal but the rags were so much faster and didnt capitalize on their opportunities... Team really doesnt look good to start the season ...

Is it me that the isles squeaked a win out by default?? Halak played superb except for that weak goal but the rags were so much faster and didnt capitalize on their opportunities... Team really doesnt look good to start the season ...
- Ur Not Me

If the team can squeak out wins while guys like Tavares and Leddy look, well, not like what we're used to, then that gives me at least a little hope of where the team can be when those guys and some others get on a roll.

If the team can squeak out wins while guys like Tavares and Leddy look, well, not like what we're used to, then that gives me at least a little hope of where the team can be when those guys and some others get on a roll.
- UIF

Feel the same way. Question: And someone could have mentioned this earlier but was Ho Sang benched for most of the game last night?

Feel the same way. Question: And someone could have mentioned this earlier but was Ho Sang benched for most of the game last night?
- Mancalledsting

Most of the third I read somewhere. Apparently he took a long shift early in the period and was nailed to the bench after that.

Most of the third I read somewhere. Apparently he took a long shift early in the period and was nailed to the bench after that.
- PeteM

Basically played the third with 10 forwards instead of 12, which may or may not explain at least a little bit why they were getting beaten to almost every puck that period.

Most of the third I read somewhere. Apparently he took a long shift early in the period and was nailed to the bench after that.
- PeteM

Yet guys like dehaan keep getting thrown out there shift after shift no matter HOW bad the turnovers get! Makes Islandersense.

Bouv should be playing.. period.

Bouv should be playing.. period.
- niteislander

If Ho-Sang is benched tomorrow, Beauvillier will be in. Either that or he goes down to Bridgeport.

Bouv should be playing.. period.
- niteislander

No question he should be playing and I would put Beau and Ho Sang with Barzal.

Training camp exhibition games are a joke facing minor league and rookie players. This is more like Training Camp II and at .500 the next month can go either way. I think the lines look good but the d can be a factor. Maybe playing Halak more early in the season may help since he thrives playing a lot early and the d can adjust to him. Greiss has proven he's good but still broke down after he carried the load last year. However he does have a good record against teams like SJ where he stood on his head last week.

Most of the third I read somewhere. Apparently he took a long shift early in the period and was nailed to the bench after that.
- PeteM

Bad turnover early in the third. He has to drop those from his game or he is going to be in the presser.

Bad turnover early in the third. He has to drop those from his game or he is going to be in the presser.
- nyisles7

Ho Sang also has to shoot more like a lot of players on this team.

No question he should be playing and I would put Beau and Ho Sang with Barzal.
- ses111

Totally agree. It makes no sense to play these fast guys on different lines. Otherwise, a guy like Ho-Sang skates quickly over the blue line, looks around to make a pass and finds he's the only Islander in the zone, because his line mates are trailing the play.

Bad turnover early in the third. He has to drop those from his game or he is going to be in the presser.
- nyisles7

Agreed, but his line mates also have to skate harder to get open. I missed most of last night's game, but in other games I have seen Ho-Sang skate into the offensive zone, look around and there's no teammate who isn't being closely guarded.

Bad turnover early in the third. He has to drop those from his game or he is going to be in the presser.
- nyisles7

Josh Ho-Sang had a few strong moments but he only played one minute in the third and nothing in overtime. Ho-Sang had a golden chance driving the slot in the second and room to shoot, but he chose to look back for a pass and the misfire sent the Rangers rushing the other way and sent Ho-Sang to the bench.

“It’s not because he doesn’t care, he’s a young guy who loves playing hockey,” Weight said. “There’s just some habits there that you have to get rid of at this level.”

Josh Ho-Sang had a few strong moments but he only played one minute in the third and nothing in overtime. Ho-Sang had a golden chance driving the slot in the second and room to shoot, but he chose to look back for a pass and the misfire sent the Rangers rushing the other way and sent Ho-Sang to the bench.

“It’s not because he doesn’t care, he’s a young guy who loves playing hockey,” Weight said. “There’s just some habits there that you have to get rid of at this level.”
- Upstate_isles

Bailey and Ho Sang both have the overpassing issue. They pass up prime scoring chances way too much.

Josh Ho-Sang had a few strong moments but he only played one minute in the third and nothing in overtime. Ho-Sang had a golden chance driving the slot in the second and room to shoot, but he chose to look back for a pass and the misfire sent the Rangers rushing the other way and sent Ho-Sang to the bench.

“It’s not because he doesn’t care, he’s a young guy who loves playing hockey,” Weight said. “There’s just some habits there that you have to get rid of at this level.”
- Upstate_isles

Spot on Upstate and he did turn the puck ove on the first shift in the third and I guess Dougie saw enough.

Spot on Upstate and he did turn the puck ove on the first shift in the third and I guess Dougie saw enough.
- nyisles7

You like that? It's from Newsday so I can't take credit, remember I was drunk

Can't play a kid for the sake of playing a kid. He's gotta earn it.
- bgainesDM

But which six guys have been so lights out to deserve playing over Pulock?

But which six guys have been so lights out to deserve playing over Pulock?
- Jethro09

You mean our stable of Norris Trophy candidates?

https://thehockeywriters....-ryan-pulock-opportunity/

Boy does Montreal suck.

https://thehockeywriters.com/new-york-islanders-ryan-pulock-opportunity/
- ses111

Pulock was the piece that stood in the way of the Isles getting Matt Duchene? The story keeps changing. I thought it was Hamonic? Or maybe Sakic wanted both.........plus draft picks.... ?

Pulock was the piece that stood in the way of the Isles getting Matt Duchene? The story keeps changing. I thought it was Hamonic? Or maybe Sakic wanted both.........plus draft picks.... ?
- JohnScammo

If barzal was part of the deal for duchene then the isles made the right choice in standing pat

If barzal was part of the deal for duchene then the isles made the right choice in standing pat
- Upstate_isles

Agreed. I'm just trying to understand what the negotiation looked like. Which players was Sakic demanding? Did Snow make a counter-offer? If so, what was it? Inquiring minds want to know....