100% to blame? Of course not...but defend him all you want, an .857 save percentage ain't gonna get it done on most nights. As bad as Neuvirth looked in that game, he actually walked out of there with better numbers on the night than Nabby. And the win. And he made a couple of big saves in between the bad goals...two on Bailey come immediately to mind. Don't recall offhand Nabby robbing anyone last night. I remember him not being busy at all until the Washington goal parade started.

It's not like this was an anomaly for recent games either... his last 7 games, including last night, he's .857, .889, .750, a very respectable .941, .828, .912, and .826. His season sv% has gone from near-career highs down to .914 in that time.

I expect better from a guy we preemptively took off the market and who we're likely going to have to overpay to keep...if he stays.
- UIF

As I said much earlier in the season.. many of the games we lose we get out goalied. not all.... but Most. I am furious we did not trade Nabby at the deadline.. furious.

As I said much earlier in the season.. many of the games we lose we get out goalied. not all.... but Most. I am furious we did not trade Nabby at the deadline.. furious.
- niteislander

the reason we get out goalied is when the other team's goalie leaves a rebound their defense have our men covered...you can not say that about the isles..every rebound ends up in the back of the net or guys are wide open for blown coverage..the only goal that may have been stoppable was the caps first one last night..nappy was left out to dry on the others...goaltending is not the problem..our AHL defense is..

As I said much earlier in the season.. many of the games we lose we get out goalied. not all.... but Most. I am furious we did not trade Nabby at the deadline.. furious.
- niteislander

Nabby was not out-played by Neuwirth (sp). You can't let Ovechkin get three whacks at a puck from point blank range with two Isles defenders standing right next to him with their thumbs up their a**es. The Isles were manhandled once the Caps started playing like the game meant something, which it did, to them. Its all about character and push back. Good teams, even average ones, are able to get a multi-goal lead at home and hold it. Sh**ty teams don't. The Isles are a sh**ty team. Staple said the Isles have lost nine of 23 games that they've had third-period leads in, worst percentage in hockey. This team, like the ones from the four previous bottom-five finishes, is drastically flawed and is in need of a culture change from the bench down to the stick boy.

Well after last night's visual-abortion we all watched, it's time to embrace March as an exciting time of year for Isles fans...the time to start arguing about who we want to draft in 3 months. Nite's boy Murray took a bit of a tumble in Button's new rankings. I wish Dumba was 2-3 inches bigger.

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649

the reason we get out goalied is when the other team's goalie leaves a rebound their defense have our men covered...you can not say that about the isles..every rebound ends up in the back of the net or guys are wide open for blown coverage..the only goal that may have been stoppable was the caps first one last night..nappy was left out to dry on the others...goaltending is not the problem..our AHL defense is..
- NYI78

Yes, the Caps got good scoring chances. But I don't know how anyone can say Nabby played a good game. I'm not usually one to jump all over the goaltending. I'm usually on the other side defending the goalies when everyone's blaming them because we lost 1-0 or 2-1. But the guy was kicking out rebounds in front all night, looked shaky when he did make saves, and was not challenging shooters the way he was when he was playing well, leaving players with a lot of net to look at when they did get those good opportunities. Look at a replay of Orlov's goal. Yes, a great opportunity in front he shouldn't have had. But look at where Nabby is playing that shot. He looks like that picture someone posted the other day of Tommy Soderstrom:

I hear what u guys are saying but in general we have had sub par goaltending this year. We had a few stints where Nabby or Al actually played well and we were in those games. If you don't have a top goaltender in this league u are toast. Nillson and Poulin show flashes of great... I am hopeful they will be great. Our biggest issue in the last 5 years has been goaltender.. it is the most important position on the ice. Our "franchise" goalie has been hurt and we have been marching out backups, has beens and never heard of for 5 years now hoping to catch lightening in a bottle.

Well after last night's visual-abortion we all watched, it's time to embrace March as an exciting time of year for Isles fans...the time to start arguing about who we want to draft in 3 months. Nite's boy Murray took a bit of a tumble in Button's new rankings. I wish Dumba was 2-3 inches bigger.

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649
- eichiefs9

I think I would go Reilly or Reinhart over Dumba... (for the record right now I am thinking Nail on a lottery win)

Did anyone besides me throw up their mouth when they showed tape of DiPietro practicing between the 1st and 2nd period? If you think Nabakov is going to sign here with that 800 pound gorilla in the room you're crazy.

Well after last night's visual-abortion we all watched, it's time to embrace March as an exciting time of year for Isles fans...the time to start arguing about who we want to draft in 3 months. Nite's boy Murray took a bit of a tumble in Button's new rankings. I wish Dumba was 2-3 inches bigger.


http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649
- eichiefs9

http://www.heraldnet.com/...RTS/703119921/1004/SPORTS I would not short Murray either by the way.. He is the real deal.

http://www.thehockeynews....ct-Watch-Ryan-Murray.html for a while now.

To Wang and Snow:

Hi this is Kasperrko Wang we met at Dunkin Donuts and as a fellow fan I have to plead with you something. Please for all that is good do a favor to your fanbase to yourself and to all of the NHL world please I am begging you know pleading here do not I repeat do not have that ass clown DP with this team next year. This team has already embarassed itself this year with there lack of heart and determination thanks to that amazing coach you and Snow hired this summer. We are already embarassed by those asesome free agent you signed in Rolston, Pandolfo, Staios , and Reasoner. Already embarassed by the tattoo parlor you put in,. Already embarassed about the letter you sent in regards to the playoff picture. So please for next year start new. DP sucks and when I saw him practicing yesterday I threw up thinking he is going to be here next year and the years to come. So please I am begging once again to keep him away and maybe float him down a river. If DP is our goalie next year I am sorry this is one fan who is not goign to watch this team be a bottome 5 team again. In fact we will be guranteed for the number one pick if he is. Again please heed the warning and have a great day.

A troubled Islander fan,

Kasperrko

Well after last night's visual-abortion we all watched, it's time to embrace March as an exciting time of year for Isles fans...the time to start arguing about who we want to draft in 3 months. Nite's boy Murray took a bit of a tumble in Button's new rankings. I wish Dumba was 2-3 inches bigger.

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649
- eichiefs9

Haven't even had the motivation to look into who's available and what kind of game they play. Going strictly by the stats on that link, I'd say go for the 6'3, 202 lb defenseman. Plus, "Griffin Reinhart" is easily the coolest name on the list.

Did anyone besides me throw up their mouth when they showed tape of DiPietro practicing between the 1st and 2nd period? If you think Nabakov is going to sign here with that 800 pound gorilla in the room you're crazy.
- PeteM

He has never felt better he said. Of course he has said that the last 3 years and only played 48 games

Yes, the Caps got good scoring chances. But I don't know how anyone can say Nabby played a good game. I'm not usually one to jump all over the goaltending. I'm usually on the other side defending the goalies when everyone's blaming them because we lost 1-0 or 2-1. But the guy was kicking out rebounds in front all night, looked shaky when he did make saves, and was not challenging shooters the way he was when he was playing well, leaving players with a lot of net to look at when they did get those good opportunities. Look at a replay of Orlov's goal. Yes, a great opportunity in front he shouldn't have had. But look at where Nabby is playing that shot. He looks like that picture someone posted the other day of Tommy Soderstrom:


- UIF

Nabokov looked in a decent enough position to me, about in the middle of his crease. What I see is Michael Grabner caught daydreaming looking at the puck instead of watching the point, where Orlov so freely walks in from unmolested.

Grabner is in green, while the other 3 guys in the frame in coverage are in red. Bailey is on the far point, out of view.



You can clearly see Grabner isn't covering squat where he is above. Below you see Orlov beat him on the pinch and get a great pass through traffic from Johansson.

Did anyone besides me throw up their mouth when they showed tape of DiPietro practicing between the 1st and 2nd period? If you think Nabakov is going to sign here with that 800 pound gorilla in the room you're crazy.
- PeteM

Anything can happen between now and the start of next year. He could get hurt cashing his FREE paycheck before we have to worry about him returning to the ice. I could him being out next year with a papercut on his glove hand.

Did you guys see Nabby lose his jock on that SO winner? That was pretty funny.

Is Okopso the softest power forward in the NHL? Does that guy ever hit anybody. The most i have seen him do was brush against another player and say excuse me. Is he worried about reinjuring his shoulder again?

Nabokov looked in a decent enough position to me, about in the middle of his crease. What I see is Michael Grabner caught daydreaming looking at the puck instead of watching the point, where Orlov so freely walks in from unmolested.

Grabner is in green, while the other 3 guys in the frame in coverage are in red. Bailey is on the far point, out of view.



You can clearly see Grabner isn't covering squat where he is above. Below you see Orlov beat him on the pinch and get a great pass through traffic from Johansson.


- eichiefs9

Impressive work there with the circles.

Again, I've said in every post this morning goaltending wasn't 100% to blame, and even noted in the post you quoted that Orlov was left alone in front. But similar things happened on the other side of the ice. Bailey had plenty of room in front on two separate occasions and shot the puck well just over the pad...difference is both of those chances were stopped. No big saves at all last night on the Isles' side of the ice. A month ago, Nabokov stops at least two of those goals. This month, he doesn't. I think the numbers...not just last night but over Nabby's last 7 starts...speak for themselves.

Haven't even had the motivation to look into who's available and what kind of game they play. Going strictly by the stats on that link, I'd say go for the 6'3, 202 lb defenseman. Plus, "Griffin Reinhart" is easily the coolest name on the list.
- UIF

You will all disagree with me but I say trade the pick for top quality NHL Caliber player...ie. Dustin Brown, Bobby Ryan, Keith Yandle or someone like that. If Snow keeps the pick, then trade the #2 pick for someone of NHL caliber...

Impressive work there with the circles.

Again, I've said in every post this morning goaltending wasn't 100% to blame, and even noted in the post you quoted that Orlov was left alone in front. But similar things happened on the other side of the ice. Bailey had plenty of room in front on two separate occasions and shot the puck well just over the pad...difference is both of those chances were stopped. No big saves at all last night on the Isles' side of the ice. A month ago, Nabokov stops at least two of those goals. This month, he doesn't. I think the numbers...not just last night but over Nabby's last 7 starts...speak for themselves.
- UIF

I think it is that he wanted to know about DP before resigned and I think he got his answer and well he is basically saying FU to the team and organization and I say good for him. We dont deserve him we deserve a loser like DP

You will all disagree with me but I say trade the pick for top quality NHL Caliber player...ie. Dustin Brown, Bobby Ryan, Keith Yandle or someone like that. If Snow keeps the pick, then trade the #2 pick for someone of NHL caliber...
- kear20

I totally agree with you but since Garth does not know the word trade it will never happen

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120311/SPORTS/703119921/1004/SPORTS I would not short Murray either by the way.. He is the real deal.

http://www.thehockeynews....ct-Watch-Ryan-Murray.html for a while now.
- niteislander

I'm just gonna respond to both of your responses here, and please understand I'm not saying "I'm right, your wrong" or anything like that. Rielly is all offense, and while it certainly wouldn't hurt us on the blueline I think we need size and physicality, not to mention he tore his ACL in November and has been on the shelf all season. Reinhart is low on every other draft board, and while he has size his big knock seems to be that he doesn't use it enough (a la Ty Wishart). Dumba to me is in the mold of PK Subban. Loves the highlight reel hits, makes a good first pass, and can chip in a respectable number of points. Murray at #10 on Button's list is ridiculous, that's way too low. I'd love him too. Trouba has the size at 6'2'' and the physicality, but his offfensive game is still developing.

I wouldn't put a ton of stock in either of those articles on Murray either. One is a local newspaper reporting that the best player on a horrible team won team MVP and the other is a preseason article from September. Don't forget Murray was atrocious at the World Jr's. Again, not knocking him (or your opinion of him). Just playing devils advocate.

My dark horse is Cody Ceci. He's got size and a complete game. I think whoever gets him mid-1st round is going to get a steal.

Impressive work there with the circles.

Again, I've said in every post this morning goaltending wasn't 100% to blame, and even noted in the post you quoted that Orlov was left alone in front. But similar things happened on the other side of the ice. Bailey had plenty of room in front on two separate occasions and shot the puck well just over the pad...difference is both of those chances were stopped. No big saves at all last night on the Isles' side of the ice. A month ago, Nabokov stops at least two of those goals. This month, he doesn't. I think the numbers...not just last night but over Nabby's last 7 starts...speak for themselves.
- UIF

how about the breakaway in the second that nabby stopped

Impressive work there with the circles.

Again, I've said in every post this morning goaltending wasn't 100% to blame, and even noted in the post you quoted that Orlov was left alone in front. But similar things happened on the other side of the ice. Bailey had plenty of room in front on two separate occasions and shot the puck well just over the pad...difference is both of those chances were stopped. No big saves at all last night on the Isles' side of the ice. A month ago, Nabokov stops at least two of those goals. This month, he doesn't. I think the numbers...not just last night but over Nabby's last 7 starts...speak for themselves.
- UIF

- Microsoft Paint. Took years of training, if you ever need instruction..just let me know.

I know you weren't dumping it all on Nabokov, and I'm certainly not blaming the whole play on Grabner either. Maybe it's because I've always been a defenseman, but to me the bulk of the blame is going to lie on the guy who ignored the defenseman walking all the way down from the blueline into the slot untouched. Any NHL player that gets the puck cleanly in the slot and is allowed to walk it all the way to the net, with out so much as getting a couple whacks taken at him, is going to (and should) score.

how about the breakaway in the second that nabby stopped
- NYI78

There's a very good answer to that...and it's that I don't remember the play

I'm just gonna respond to both of your responses here, and please understand I'm not saying "I'm right, your wrong" or anything like that. Rielly is all offense, and while it certainly wouldn't hurt us on the blueline I think we need size and physicality, not to mention he tore his ACL in November and has been on the shelf all season. Reinhart is low on every other draft board, and while he has size his big knock seems to be that he doesn't use it enough (a la Ty Wishart). Dumba to me is in the mold of PK Subban. Loves the highlight reel hits, makes a good first pass, and can chip in a respectable number of points. Murray at #9 on Button's list is ridiculous, that's way too low. I'd love him too. Trouba has the size at 6'2'' and the physicality, but his offfensive game is still developing.

I wouldn't put a ton of stock in either of those articles on Murray either. One is a local newspaper reporting that the best player on a horrible team won team MVP and the other is a preseason article from September. Don't forget Murray was atrocious at the World Jr's. Again, not knocking him (or your opinion of him). Just playing devils advocate.

My dark horse is Cody Ceci. He's got size and a complete game. I think whoever gets him mid-1st round is going to get a steal.
- eichiefs9

A work friend of mine who is a big time Hockey guy LOVES HIM. He was the same guy that was telling me the Isles should grab Skinner 2 months before that draft.

- Microsoft Paint. Took years of training, if you ever need instruction..just let me know.

I know you weren't dumping it all on Nabokov, and I'm certainly not blaming the whole play on Grabner either. Maybe it's because I've always been a defenseman, but to me the bulk of the blame is going to lie on the guy who ignored the defenseman walking all the way down from the blueline into the slot untouched. Any NHL player that gets the puck cleanly in the slot and is allowed to walk it all the way to the net, with out so much as getting a couple whacks taken at him, is going to (and should) score.
- eichiefs9

I too was impressed with the circles. Can u do a blog.. based on that analysis alone I believe I would enjoy reading it. Grabner has to learn to backcheck .... period. He is terrible in his own end.

I'm just gonna respond to both of your responses here, and please understand I'm not saying "I'm right, your wrong" or anything like that. Rielly is all offense, and while it certainly wouldn't hurt us on the blueline I think we need size and physicality, not to mention he tore his ACL in November and has been on the shelf all season. Reinhart is low on every other draft board, and while he has size his big knock seems to be that he doesn't use it enough (a la Ty Wishart). Dumba to me is in the mold of PK Subban. Loves the highlight reel hits, makes a good first pass, and can chip in a respectable number of points. Murray at #10 on Button's list is ridiculous, that's way too low. I'd love him too. Trouba has the size at 6'2'' and the physicality, but his offfensive game is still developing.

I wouldn't put a ton of stock in either of those articles on Murray either. One is a local newspaper reporting that the best player on a horrible team won team MVP and the other is a preseason article from September. Don't forget Murray was atrocious at the World Jr's. Again, not knocking him (or your opinion of him). Just playing devils advocate.

My dark horse is Cody Ceci. He's got size and a complete game. I think whoever gets him mid-1st round is going to get a steal.
- eichiefs9

by the way.. Grigorenko is not going to last 4 picks.
'
This is one of the main reasons I am soo angry we did not trade PA and Nabby. We could have at least gotten some second round picks. You could then have used those 3 second round picks to get somewhere into the first round for another pick to grab one of the many big D- prospects that will go in the later first round (Faska, Finn, Reinhart, Ceci, Maata, etc.). That way if a Girgorenko or Nail by some miracle is there u can take him.