The Islanders' season ended last night at the hands of the Capitals with a 2-1 defeat. New York's season of hope went out with a dud as the Caps carried play throughout the contest and if it wasn’t for Isles goalie Jaroslav Halak, this game would have gotten ugly. Before I continue, I am acknowledging that this was an entertaining season and the fact that the Isles were in the bottom five last year and managed a 101 point season is encouraging.
With that being said, the failure to win a playoff series is not acceptable. It just isn’t. Just being happy to be in the playoffs is a loser’s mentality and unfortunately, in my opinion, this is the mentality that is expressed publicly by this coaching staff. After the loss, I knew what was coming from Islanders’ Head Coach Jack Capuano. Sunshine and lollipops. It was the typical response…To paraphrase. It was a great season. We made great strides. We had injuries. Nobody in the media believed in us. Nobody thought we would make it. Wait, what? Are you kidding me Jack? When Islanders General Manger Garth Snow acquired Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk, everyone expected the Isles to make the playoffs and nobody said they had no shot. Excuse after excuse after excuse. Loser’s mentality.
I don’t want to hear about injuries when another team in New York lost their goalie for most of the season and won the president’s trophy. How about some accountability? How about 11 shots on goal is inexcusable in a hockey game, let alone Game 7 in the playoffs. 11 shots on net. ELEVEN!! Just typing the words makes me furious.
When you hear the players, you can hear the disappointment roll of their lips. Listen to John Tavares, listen to Johnny Boychuk. They talk about making good strides, however they talk about laying an egg at the worst time. Meanwhile, the head coach is yucking it up with Capitals Head Coach Barry Trotz. When you hear the coach talk and you hear the players talk there is a clear and present disconnect. It’s embarrassing. This fan base for the most part has a first rate roster. One that needs some tweaks but is built to be successful moving forward. It is time they get a first rate coaching staff at the helm to get them over this hump and to the next level which should be to compete for the Stanley Cup in the near future.
Jack Capuano hands out praise like Oprah Winfrey gives away cars. And you did a good job, and you did a good job and the other team did a nice job, WE ALL DID A NICE JOB!!!!! Let’s hold hands and skip to Dairy Queen, BLIZZARDS ON ME!!!!
If I can find some clarity in my own tirade it is this. Jack Capuano is an awesome human being. But being a great person is not good enough. I respect the work he did to get this team out of the doldrums and the players like him and play hard for him. Moving forward however, this team cannot be taken serious with this coaching staff. There has to be a change.
This organization needs a more hands-on coach. It needs a coach that can make better roster decisions and can manage a game better in-game. They need a coach that can get the most out of its team even when the team is at its worst. That is what separates the men from the boys in this league. The ability to win when you have no business winning.
This team doesn’t need much when it comes to the roster. There is some tweaks here and there and we will discuss this over the offseason. What this team needs is focus and direction. No more participation ribbons or Miss Congeniality awards. I want to be the belle of the ball for once! This team is moving on up next season to the big city. They will have money to spend and need to make an impact in their first season in Brooklyn. They are no longer the little engine that could and if they want to stop getting derailed in the postseason then they need a better conductor to lead them out of the station.
I just wanted to take a minute and thank all of you for an amazing season. Without you I would be nothing and I appreciate you all taking the time to read my articles and watch my appearances on the webcasts. I am truly honored to be able to cover the sport that I love and be a part of such passionate debate and banter. As the offseason hits we will still have plenty to talk about and keep coming back for more articles throughout the summer. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.