Dee Karl: Happy, but Guarded Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it.

Man when the Kings finally made the playoffs after a long drought, was not too worried how they would do in their first round.

Just enjoy the fact you are back in the playoffs again after being out much too long.
Remember its just a game.

Griffin Reinhart, Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson? Yeah, I think the Islanders have a great future. I even like how Garth Snow has handled their development as the Isles rushed Okposo/Bailey a bit. But, they learned from their mistakes.

I think the team needs to upgrade their D and add some better players to the 3-4 lines, but it will come in time.

Here's to some great NYI/Toronto playoff series again



From,

A Leafs fan

Dee thanks for the Cosmo version of the Islanders. Unfortunately I think you overstated the number of players the were "born in Bidgeport." I think a far majority of the Isles were born in Uniondale with a stint back at Bridgeport, alah Bailey.

In any case the team is playing great and something you have right that this team has that they have not had in the past is two things..... a Superstar (Tavares) and a goalie to ride. Good Luck Isles! Take it deep into the Playoffs.

By the way Dee the Islanders can sell you your Season Tickets back and include Playoff tickets for this season if you want to become a fan AGAIN.... oh wait did you stop... way to work the system!

Now if only those idiot Edmonton Tools in Cloutier's blogs could grasp the way a rebuild is done properly, just how the Isle has done it, and not trying to stuff every first round pick you get straight into the NHL immediately, screwing up their development. OOOH NOOOO... The Island is gonna be rockin for years to come with the talent in their system -being developed properly-. While Edmonton continues to finish continually in the bottom 5 trying to dig even deeper under the bottom of the barrel for what they consider first round picks that they call "Untouchable" or 'talent'.

Griffin Reinhart, Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson? Yeah, I think the Islanders have a great future. I even like how Garth Snow has handled their development as the Isles rushed Okposo/Bailey a bit. But, they learned from their mistakes.

I think the team needs to upgrade their D and add some better players to the 3-4 lines, but it will come in time.

Here's to some great NYI/Toronto playoff series again



From,

A Leafs fan
- LeafsNation91

Stop being nice, it's making it harder to root against your team.

But seriously, nice to see you guys back in it as well. It's been awhile for both of us. But I still want 5th place

Man when the Kings finally made the playoffs after a long drought, was not too worried how they would do in their first round.

Just enjoy the fact you are back in the playoffs again after being out much too long.
Remember its just a game.
- fsanford

So true... But don't try to rationalize with her... she'll get emotional again!

XxNYIxX

Dee thanks for the Cosmo version of the Islanders. Unfortunately I think you overstated the number of players the were "born in Bidgeport." I think a far majority of the Isles were born in Uniondale with a stint back at Bridgeport, alah Bailey.

In any case the team is playing great and something you have right that this team has that they have not had in the past is two things..... a Superstar (Tavares) and a goalie to ride. Good Luck Isles! Take it deep into the Playoffs.

By the way Dee the Islanders can sell you your Season Tickets back and include Playoff tickets for this season if you want to become a fan AGAIN.... oh wait did you stop... way to work the system!
- Isleswknowledge

She should have just said "Home Grown"

XxNYIxX

super stoked to see the isles in the dance. if JT was in a bigger market, he'd be recognized as one of the best top 5 players in the game. i think they're the team primed for a cindarella run.

The difference, Dee, is that if THIS team loses in the first round, it will be a learning experience for an up and coming team. THAT team was a pile of Milbury's cr*p that was built to "make the playoffs", a/k/a "lose in the first round". My concern right now is just seeing whether or not they have the drive to win out- they have a shot at Toronto, who is sinking like a stone, if they do. That will go a long way toward telling me whether or not they have a legitimate shot at winning a round in the dance.

Now if only those idiot Edmonton Tools in Cloutier's blogs could grasp the way a rebuild is done properly, just how the Isle has done it, and not trying to stuff every first round pick you get straight into the NHL immediately, screwing up their development. OOOH NOOOO... The Island is gonna be rockin for years to come with the talent in their system -being developed properly-. While Edmonton continues to finish continually in the bottom 5 trying to dig even deeper under the bottom of the barrel for what they consider first round picks that they call "Untouchable" or 'talent'.
- MisterC

As I said before- the problem we had with the first couple of them was that we had NO ONE ELSE to fill roster spots. We had NO prospects, other than Bailey and Okposo, and no farm system. No nothing- this is why I also say that THIS rebuild was harder than an expansion team build....expansion teams don't start out with cr*p that they have to ditch before they make their first draft pick.

As for Edmonton, I think their real problem is more philosophy- the Gretzky/Messier team was the only one in the history of the NHL that could get away with pond hockey, and yet they still think they can win doing that. They need to watch a couple of Islanders games this year- the 7-0 loss to Philly, and one of the wins over the last few weeks, to see the difference, and help them understand that unless you have Wayne Gretzky, defense wins championships.

The same man who told me his first year as GM that so many other general managers looked to ’pick his pockets’ during that year’s trade deadline has turned into a shrewd shopper.

That's not because Snow was a rookie GM. It's because those GMs were used to calling the Islanders when they wanted to pick someone's pockets, considering their former GM.

Isles vs. Flyers on Thursday and this won’t be a ‘gimme’ for either team. The Isles won’t let up, and while the Flyers can’t play spoiler to them, they can make their lives a little more difficult. The Isles have won the last two games against the Flyers which has basically shocked them. They have a staggering amount of injuries while the Isles roster is healthy.

Yeah, you know what? They're not good anyway. We also had injuries for the last three years before this; you didn't see anyone saying "the Islanders are great, they just have injuries". That's straight up bullsh*t, in my view. They are pretty much what they are, IMO- a mediocre team with two average goaltenders, and S L O W defensemen. I'm not seeing them in the playoffs next year either, unless they DO actually get Luongo...and then they'd have to get rid of so many people to make that happen, Luongo would probably think he's back in Florida.

I expect a win tonight- now that the Isles are done scrambling for a spot, it's time to relax and go back to what they were doing defensively prior to the Toronto game. Just play your position, take care of your business, and it all comes together.

Edit: I have to work in Bristol, PA, today, so I might just take a cruise down to the building and see if I can make my way in.

super stoked to see the isles in the dance. if JT was in a bigger market, he'd be recognized as one of the best top 5 players in the game. i think they're the team primed for a cindarella run.
- therealagent

NY is the biggest market.........

The recognition will come, trust me........

People already know he's top 5 in the league.....

Would like to see the Isles up against the Canadiens. Carey Price and the rest of the team hasn't played well the past few weeks. Who would you like to see the Isles up against in the first round?

I think they should play Poulin tonight and dress Boulton/Carkner. This is going to be a physical game. Nabby could use the rest and I'd like to get some toughness out there to keep the Flyers honest.

As I said before- the problem we had with the first couple of them was that we had NO ONE ELSE to fill roster spots. We had NO prospects, other than Bailey and Okposo, and no farm system. No nothing- this is why I also say that THIS rebuild was harder than an expansion team build....expansion teams don't start out with cr*p that they have to ditch before they make their first draft pick.

As for Edmonton, I think their real problem is more philosophy- the Gretzky/Messier team was the only one in the history of the NHL that could get away with pond hockey, and yet they still think they can win doing that. They need to watch a couple of Islanders games this year- the 7-0 loss to Philly, and one of the wins over the last few weeks, to see the difference, and help them understand that unless you have Wayne Gretzky, defense wins championships.
- dcb1

I don't pay a lot of attention to the Oilers, but I don't see how they're going wrong. From all accounts, they are drafting well and signing guys like Shultz to grow a young core. It may just be taking a little longer for their guys to develop, but I can't really fault them for having three guys who were drafted #1 overall immediately playing in the NHL. It doesn't sound like Hall, RNH, Shultz, Eberle and Yakupov are the problems in Edmonton. It sounds as if their supporting cast is awful.

Eventually, the supporting cast will improve. When they do, Edmonton should be a force.

I think they should play Poulin tonight and dress Boulton/Carkner. This is going to be a physical game. Nabby could use the rest and I'd like to get some toughness out there to keep the Flyers honest.
- Jethro09

I agree that we should play Poulin to get Nabby recharged. I'm not sure how I'd want to approach things from a lineup perspective. I'd prefer we try to maintain our momentum going into the playoffs and 'out hockey' our opponents, especially considering the opportunity to grab the 5th seed.

I agree that we should play Poulin to get Nabby recharged. I'm not sure how I'd want to approach things from a lineup perspective. I'd prefer we try to maintain our momentum going into the playoffs and 'out hockey' our opponents, especially considering the opportunity to grab the 5th seed.
- keaner17

My concern is that Philly isn't playing for anything. Their a physical team and I could easily see guys on Philly taking liberties with guys like JT, Moulson, etc. maybe out of sheer frustration or whatever. I'd like to keep some semblance of a physical presence out there, without having to rely on Matt Martin to do all the protecting.

Another difference between this team and the last team that made the playoffs was the lasting result of the 01-02 series against Toronto. Peca was never really the same after the injury and as we saw Yashin was never going to be "the guy" on his own. The locker room fractured and the team splintered. That had the potential to be a good team and they came close to beating the Leafs. It has been bitter playoff disapointment since gmae 5 of that series.

No matter what happens in the playoffs of 2013 this will be a learning experience for this roster. Maybe 3 of them have NHL playoff experience, Nabakov, Vishnovski, Streit. Maybe Boyes? This is uncharted territory for the vast majority of this team and for the most part they have been playing playoff hockey for a month now. Not just in pressure of big games, but in tight checking close games. They have kept composed and won many games that have surprised us. Tavares' goal the other night is a prime example. It is plays like that that win playoff games and playoff series.

How will these guys react to playoff overtime? Double or tripple overtime? I can't wait to find out and even more I can't wait to see how they respond next season! Hopefully they build on this finish and some of those third period bombs turn in to well played wins. Then we will know if this team has truly turned a corner and those around the league that haven't taken notice yet will!

I agree that we should play Poulin to get Nabby recharged. I'm not sure how I'd want to approach things from a lineup perspective. I'd prefer we try to maintain our momentum going into the playoffs and 'out hockey' our opponents, especially considering the opportunity to grab the 5th seed.
- keaner17

Maybe Nabby today and then Poulin tomorrow...Nabby gets a nice long rest before the Playoffs. Either way...I don't think there's a wrong decision other than playing Nabby in both games.

Maybe Nabby today and then Poulin tomorrow...Nabby gets a nice long rest before the Playoffs. Either way...I don't think there's a wrong decision other than playing Nabby in both games.
- UIF

I think you play nabby tonight and try to get the 2 points. If Rag lose we can play Poulin in last game.

Reason why i say this is if Isles go 1-1 in last 2 and rangers win 2. they leapfrog us in standings.

I think you play nabby tonight and try to get the 2 points. If Rag lose we can play Poulin in last game.

Reason why i say this is if Isles go 1-1 in last 2 and rangers win 2. they leapfrog us in standings.
- Spartiarti

True. Plus Toronto lost, so taking 5th is a real possibility. Might as well go for it. Anything but 8th. Hate to get greedy, since just making it in is like a huge weight being lifted, but if they can draw Montreal or Washington rather than Pitt or Boston, I think they'll have a halfway decent shot at getting out of the first round.

Maybe Nabby today and then Poulin tomorrow...Nabby gets a nice long rest before the Playoffs. Either way...I don't think there's a wrong decision other than playing Nabby in both games.
- UIF

Play him both if there Is a chance we can get by Toronto if not play poulin.

She should have just said "Home Grown"

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Ya Mon.. Home Grown.