I hope they plaster Bailey's ass to the bench. I thought Quine played really well.

Sure it was only two games, but he (frank)ing tries.
- eichiefs9

I agree

It a dumb argument. The Isles did the right thing resting guys with the injuries they already have. What would happen if JT gets hurt and misses the playoffs? Isles did not have home ice to fight for like you mentioned Jethro. AV should not have said anything as it makes it look like he is afraid of the Pens.
- ses111

That's the entire point. Last year in the second to last game of the season, the isles lost Hamonic for the playoffs due to an injury. Hamonic would have been a big help against WSH. So, why not learn from recent history and get your valuable guys rest and out of harm's way of you already have a spot clinched AND your remaining games don't affect teams making or not making the playoffs?

That's the entire point. Last year in the second to last game of the season, the isles lost Hamonic for the playoffs due to an injury. Hamonic would have been a big help against WSH. So, why not learn from recent history and get your valuable guys rest and out of harm's way of you already have a spot clinched AND your remaining games don't affect teams making or not making the playoffs?
- Jethro09

Cappy is finally getting some sort of clue. Maybe AV is feeling the heat and that is why we made the comments?

For all those hoping the isles landed Florida instead of the Penguins, you got your wish. I personally dont think this is an easier matchup. The Panthers are a sneaky team. They have top end goaltending with a very good backend. Some of the forwards are sneaky so its gonna be a tough series. I do however think the isles, can beat them. Sucks that they cant go in with their full squad with the injuries, but playoff hockey anyone can win. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!

That's the entire point. Last year in the second to last game of the season, the isles lost Hamonic for the playoffs due to an injury. Hamonic would have been a big help against WSH. So, why not learn from recent history and get your valuable guys rest and out of harm's way of you already have a spot clinched AND your remaining games don't affect teams making or not making the playoffs?
- Jethro09

I ready what AV said and I just took them as sour grapes, because his team has to face a hot Penguins team, and he gets knocked out in the first round it looks bad on him. Doesnt really matter because if you're gonna advance you gotta beat anyone and everyone. For all the chirping we give Crappy, he did nothing wrong. The isles are already rife with injuries, so resting guys was the only move.

Cappy is finally getting some sort of clue. Maybe AV is feeling the heat and that is why we made the comments?
- ses111

cappy is not getting a clue. sitting the starters and tanking last game came from Snow.

If we lose series it will be b/c Cappy does something stupid with lineup. Zidlicky and Strait for starters.

As if the Caps series wasn't hard enough last year. Benching Lee and Nelson was just outright idiotic.

Barkov and Ekblad, maybe? Trocheck who's been on fire?
- eichiefs9

How about the fact that they have a world class goalie and a strong back end. Its gonna be tough not having Lee, cause this is a series he'd excel in.

cappy is not getting a clue. sitting the starters and tanking last game came from Snow.

If we lose series it will be b/c Cappy does something stupid with lineup. Zidlicky and Strait for starters.

As if the Caps series wasn't hard enough last year. Benching Lee and Nelson was just outright idiotic.
- Spartiarti

Does it really matter where it came from? They have a few major pieces already out. Why risk more? The GM and Coach know that getting past the first round basically insures their jobs for next year.

For all those hoping the isles landed Florida instead of the Penguins, you got your wish. I personally dont think this is an easier matchup. The Panthers are a sneaky team. They have top end goaltending with a very good backend. Some of the forwards are sneaky so its gonna be a tough series. I do however think the isles, can beat them. Sucks that they cant go in with their full squad with the injuries, but playoff hockey anyone can win. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!
- kindlyrick

Again I don't think it was about who we played in the 1st rd as much as wanting to be in the other bracket beyond the 1st if they were able to win. Everybody knows the 1st rd matchup was going to be difficult no matter who they played. The question was if they advanced who would you rather play the winner of Caps/Phi of Det/TB? I think just about everybody would say Det/TB and that's why most fans wanted the wild card IMO

Again I don't think it was about who we played in the 1st rd as much as wanting to be in the other bracket beyond the 1st if they were able to win. Everybody knows the 1st rd matchup was going to be difficult no matter who they played. The question was if they advanced who would you rather play the winner of Caps/Phi of Det/TB? I think just about everybody would say Det/TB and that's why most fans wanted the wild card IMO
- Vukota

True and Stamkos is out too.......so i getya

How about the fact that they have a world class goalie and a strong back end. Its gonna be tough not having Lee, cause this is a series he'd excel in.
- kindlyrick

The Injury card is off the table for Isles with Hamonic returning. Lee while is a loss is not like losing one of our top players. Nelson is fully capable of playing LEE in front of the net on PP.

We know Okposo will get into Beast mode. Tavares, Nielsen, Cizikas, Clutterbuck and Martin will bring it hard. Its all about Nelson, Strome and Bailey wake up and play hard every game. Those 3 can be different makers in making this a 4-5 game series.

Again I don't think it was about who we played in the 1st rd as much as wanting to be in the other bracket beyond the 1st if they were able to win. Everybody knows the 1st rd matchup was going to be difficult no matter who they played. The question was if they advanced who would you rather play the winner of Caps/Phi of Det/TB? I think just about everybody would say Det/TB and that's why most fans wanted the wild card IMO
- Vukota

correct. we wouldn't see Cap or Pens till the conference finals. you cant ask for a better road to the cup.

Barkov and Ekblad, maybe? Trocheck who's been on fire?
- eichiefs9

I read dcb's post to indicate that outside of Luongo and Jagr, the Panthers had little playoff experience.........not that they lacked talent outside of those two.

True and Stamkos is out too.......so i getya
- kindlyrick

Exactly and Det is just not that good

I read dcb's post to indicate that outside of Luongo and Jagr, the Panthers had little playoff experience.........not that they lacked talent outside of those two.
- JohnScammo

Same here

I hope they plaster Bailey's ass to the bench. I thought Quine played really well.

Sure it was only two games, but he (frank)ing tries.
- eichiefs9

Bailey should be a black ace along with Strait and Zid. They're all worthless.

The Injury card is off the table for Isles with Hamonic returning. Lee while is a loss is not like losing one of our top players. Nelson is fully capable of playing LEE in front of the net on PP.

We know Okposo will get into Beast mode. Tavares, Nielsen, Cizikas, Clutterbuck and Martin will bring it hard. Its all about Nelson, Strome and Bailey wake up and play hard every game. Those 3 can be different makers in making this a 4-5 game series.
- Spartiarti

Well if you're ok with depending on a strong series outta Bailey and Strome, I dont love those odds. Do we know that Hamonic is definitely in for game 1?

Bailey should be a black ace along with Strait and Zid. They're all worthless.
- David_Volek

Ace and Bailey should never be in the same sentence, unless your name is Ace Bailey which means in this case you're dead

Well if you're ok with depending on a strong series outta Bailey and Strome, I dont love those odds. Do we know that Hamonic is definitely in for game 1?
- kindlyrick

From all reports he seems pretty much a go

From all reports he seems pretty much a go
- Vukota

Thats huge.....what about Pelech? Whats the word on him?

Thats huge.....what about Pelech? Whats the word on him?
- kindlyrick

He played the last two games so I'm sssuming he is fine. Whether he starts or not is another question

He played the last two games so I'm sssuming he is fine. Whether he starts or not is another question
- Vukota

- eichiefs9

Yeah I saw that but I'm not so sure about that, we'll see I guess

Yeah I saw that but I'm not so sure about that, we'll see I guess
- Vukota

- eichiefs9

Who is going to argue with her?