Dan Petriw: Isles/Avs 9P, Johnson in net

Has Johnson been playing better than Halak?

Has Johnson been playing better than Halak?
- LeftCoaster

Johnson has played well, save for the gong show against Dallas. Halak has let in a few too many softies so far.

Johnson has played well, save for the gong show against Dallas. Halak has let in a few too many softies so far.
- eichiefs9

What happened to danformos calculations that halak would reduce your GA by 43 goals which would in turn guarantee 16 more points which wouldve got you in the playoffs?

What happened to danformos calculations that halak would reduce your GA by 43 goals which would in turn guarantee 16 more points which wouldve got you in the playoffs?
- rangerdanger94

Perhaps you should've waited until after game 82 to make this comment. The season is still young.

Dan Petriw: Isles/Avs 9P, Johnson in net
- Dan Petriw

When Bailey and Grabner come back changes will have to be made. I think our 4th line will be stronger. I do have to say Cizikas seems to be playing ok the other 2 not so much.

On the brighter side they were a solid road team last year and maybe a long trip will give them more time to improve. The play of the defensemen and goaltender is classical defensive hockey. One thing you get from these western teams is alot of great skating so it wil be a great test.

Perhaps you should've waited until after game 82 to make this comment. The season is still young.
- Charlie21

Valid rebuttal.

On the brighter side they were a solid road team last year and maybe a long trip will give them more time to improve. The play of the defensemen and goaltender is classical defensive hockey. One thing you get from these western teams is alot of great skating so it wil be a great test.
- Fan101

Are the dads coming on this trips? I remember when they used to do that and the team actual played well with their dads there

Are the dads coming on this trips? I remember when they used to do that and the team actual played well with their dads there
- kasperrko

I think that's usually a Florida trip.

This trip will be a positive one of two ways(IN MY OPINION). 1....They play excellent defense, get great goaltending, above average special teams and they come home with 7 or more points. 2....They continue the downward spiral exposing not the players, but the horrific coaching staff and they get 4 points or less, in which case the coach is fired and the team is sparked and season saved. So far with this team there is no consistency so who really has any idea what to predict?
My question to fellow fans is: Would you sacrifice wins on this trip if you knew it meant Cappy would be gone?

This trip will be a positive one of two ways(IN MY OPINION). 1....They play excellent defense, get great goaltending, above average special teams and they come home with 7 or more points. 2....They continue the downward spiral exposing not the players, but the horrific coaching staff and they get 4 points or less, in which case the coach is fired and the team is sparked and season saved. So far with this team there is no consistency so who really has any idea what to predict?
My question to fellow fans is: Would you sacrifice wins on this trip if you knew it meant Cappy would be gone?
- islesrbettr

I want wins, we'll worry about Cappy later.

Well said, Dan.

I actually like Conacher as a player, but it just isn't working with him on the top line.

And, of course, there's the chronic overuse of the 4th line which is something Cappy has done throughout his tenure no matter the roster. Nonsensical.

Why are adjustments so hard for this coaching staff to make?

6-3, but a lackluster roadtrip away from being 8-6 or 7-7, which would negate this nice start.

When Bailey and Grabner come back changes will have to be made. I think our 4th line will be stronger. I do have to say Cizikas seems to be playing ok the other 2 not so much.
- jwbadlands

Why do they have to come back for changes to be made? Obviously Conacher is not a good fit on the first line. Why waste time with replacing him? Chances are it will be neither Bailey or Grabner on that line so insert one of Grabovski, Strome, or Lee and start figuring out who fits.
We can't afford to be giving up points while we wait for players to get back from injury. Makes zero sense.

This trip will be a positive one of two ways(IN MY OPINION). 1....They play excellent defense, get great goaltending, above average special teams and they come home with 7 or more points. 2....They continue the downward spiral exposing not the players, but the horrific coaching staff and they get 4 points or less, in which case the coach is fired and the team is sparked and season saved. So far with this team there is no consistency so who really has any idea what to predict?
My question to fellow fans is: Would you sacrifice wins on this trip if you knew it meant Cappy would be gone?
- islesrbettr

Yes if there was an adequate replacement and NO I do not consider Weight, Cronin, or Thompson adequate replacements. If he's going to be fired(which i believe should have happened last season)lets do it now before we get to far into the season.

Yes if there was an adequate replacement and NO I do not consider Weight, Cronin, or Thompson adequate replacements. If he's going to be fired(which i believe should have happened last season)lets do it now before we get to far into the season.
- Cptmjl

While none of them would be ideal, I doubt Weight or Thompson would be as passive with their in-game decisions (or lack thereof) as Jack 'we've tried nothing and it ain't workin' Capuano.

Even more maddening is this love affair with the fourth line. If the line was playing well and making it really difficult to play against, I’m all for the expanded ice time. This is not the case. The fourth line continues to get hemmed in their zone on a nightly basis. Why must they be on the ice, trailing late in the third? Why are they on the ice for an offensive zone face-off?

Why because every time the Other team scores or kills a penalty, Crappy automatically sends the fourth line out. Other teams coaches know this and pounce on it by sending their 1st line out and bingo we are pinned in our zone or get scored on. I thought home ice gives you the last change and match ups you want? Someone better clue Crappy in on that.
We need an NHL coach for this finally deep NHL talented Team.
Dan Bylsma is out there he took a talented young team with key veterans to the dance a couple of times and won it.
You get a Pro to drive a race car, well Snowy get a Pro to drive our team because the guy you have behind the wheel only has his drivers permit !
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This trip will be a positive one of two ways(IN MY OPINION). 1....They play excellent defense, get great goaltending, above average special teams and they come home with 7 or more points. 2....They continue the downward spiral exposing not the players, but the horrific coaching staff and they get 4 points or less, in which case the coach is fired and the team is sparked and season saved. So far with this team there is no consistency so who really has any idea what to predict?
My question to fellow fans is: Would you sacrifice wins on this trip if you knew it meant Cappy would be gone?
- islesrbettr

no! need the D to tighten up, and move Lee to JT's line and not give the opposition any space on the rush. Concerned about the goal tending..... Do not want to sacrifice wins in order to send Cappy to the gallows

Part of the issue of having the fourth line and Conacher going is to build depth because if they become a playoff team, you need the four lines and the seventh or even eighth defenseman as well.


Good teams bounce back from losses because they learn and have the resources to correct their deficiencies.

This trip will be a positive one of two ways(IN MY OPINION). 1....They play excellent defense, get great goaltending, above average special teams and they come home with 7 or more points. 2....They continue the downward spiral exposing not the players, but the horrific coaching staff and they get 4 points or less, in which case the coach is fired and the team is sparked and season saved. So far with this team there is no consistency so who really has any idea what to predict?
My question to fellow fans is: Would you sacrifice wins on this trip if you knew it meant Cappy would be gone?
- islesrbettr

In a NY minute, if it meant getting a real NHL coach, like Babcock, Crawford, or Laviolette.

For a guy who was a defenseman, his defensive scheme of passively boxing out the opposition in the defensive zone, is maddening. It's also wrong and not working.

Off with his head, or at least dump him.

This trip will be a positive one of two ways(IN MY OPINION). 1....They play excellent defense, get great goaltending, above average special teams and they come home with 7 or more points. 2....They continue the downward spiral exposing not the players, but the horrific coaching staff and they get 4 points or less, in which case the coach is fired and the team is sparked and season saved. So far with this team there is no consistency so who really has any idea what to predict?
My question to fellow fans is: Would you sacrifice wins on this trip if you knew it meant Cappy would be gone?
- islesrbettr

id rather we win, this question feels like tanking to get the best pick available... you aent supposed to wish for that, i wouldn't wish for this.


XxNYIxX

id rather we win, this question feels like tanking to get the best pick available... you aent supposed to wish for that, i wouldn't wish for this.


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

My Friend, I would never want the team to tank but after all we have been through as fans of this crazy run organization over the past 2 decades, I feel all the parts are in place to win and win for a while EXCEPT for the coaching. I am pretty sure that if this team continues to play all over the map....Cappy is gone....and I would rather see that happen immediately. I do not feel that he is capable of bringing out the best in these players, and if thats the case and they make it to the playoffs on shear talent alone, maybe they win a series maybe two? Do we feel any better? With these clowns running the team there is minimal chance to get to a final. It's all about CUPS! I would rather see a change, any change in the right direction rather than seeing this circus act behind the bench. The sooner the better! Again just my opinion......

In a NY minute, if it meant getting a real NHL coach, like Babcock, Crawford, or Laviolette.

For a guy who was a defenseman, his defensive scheme of passively boxing out the opposition in the defensive zone, is maddening. It's also wrong and not working.

Off with his head, or at least dump him.
- David_Volek

Seems to be like that sometimes...Gordon was a goalie and his system seemed to be to do all you can to leave the goalie hung out to dry.

In a NY minute, if it meant getting a real NHL coach, like Babcock, Crawford, or Laviolette.

For a guy who was a defenseman, his defensive scheme of passively boxing out the opposition in the defensive zone, is maddening. It's also wrong and not working.

Off with his head, or at least dump him.
- David_Volek

I vote beheading.

id rather we win, this question feels like tanking to get the best pick available... you aent supposed to wish for that, i wouldn't wish for this.


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Lose a few games, Cappy gets fired, REAL coach hired, Isles make playoffs vs.
Win a few games but miss playoffs

Hmmmmm....which do I choose????