I love watching the Isles.. Hell I love watching Trotz coached teams...

But I've had to endure the Carlyle and Eakins Titanic sized disasters for the past yrs...

Isles skate and check hard... they counterpunch beautifully. Clear the net and make sharp passes. There is plenty of speed and skill in their game...

What's not to like...

Tampa may be a bridge to far.... but clutch and grab hockey... Please if that is your take.. you simply didn't see 90's hockey.
- dozerD10

100% there’s a reason the Lightning are heavily favored but that’s why we play the games. Looking forward to today.

I’m a right leaning Libertarian but he’s an idiot. There’s no correlation between Republicans and a lack of intelligence. That’s a media driven talking point to make a particular voting base feel better about themselves that far too many easily manipulated people believe. He is not a representation of Republicans as a whole nor a representation of your fan base. He’s just an idiot.
- Cptmjl

Don't blame me I voted for Gary. Seriously, you're right, he is an idiot. After I posted that, I wished I'd have called him a fascist.

I probably shouldn't have said we hate the idiot, I can only speak for myself. There may be one or two who like him.

Don't blame me I voted for Gary. Seriously, you're right, he is an idiot. After I posted that, I wished I'd have called him a fascist.

I probably shouldn't have said we hate the idiot, I can only speak for myself. There may be one or two who like him.
- Thunderbolt

If there are any people on your thread that like him you should hate them as well.

Edit; you can also go with this mindless, incoherent bullshat. We have reached our stupid people quota on here. You can come back in a month there may be some openings then.

I love watching the Isles.. Hell I love watching Trotz coached teams...

But I've had to endure the Carlyle and Eakins Titanic sized disasters for the past yrs...

Isles skate and check hard... they counterpunch beautifully. Clear the net and make sharp passes. There is plenty of speed and skill in their game...

What's not to like...

Tampa may be a bridge to far.... but clutch and grab hockey... Please if that is your take.. you simply didn't see 90's hockey.
- dozerD10

That was my first true trolling statement on here. The Isles don't really clutch and grab. At least nowhere near what the pecker head Devils did in the 90's. That was some of the worst playoff hockey ever witnessed by anyone. They would get a one goal lead and just go into that bore ass trap......almost ruined the game for everyone with the exception of the 5 fans that actually rooted for them.

100% there’s a reason the Lightning are heavily favored but that’s why we play the games. Looking forward to today.
- Cptmjl

Not sure if the isles have that answer to the best pick of the 2008 draft, Victor Hedman, BUT, they also didn’t have Pelech and Cizikas last ECF. Can’t help but root for the idea that a team has a shot at the cup in the last year of their storied coliseum.

Not sure if the isles have that answer to the best pick of the 2008 draft, Victor Hedman, BUT, they also didn’t have Pelech and Cizikas last ECF. Can’t help but root for the idea that a team has a shot at the cup in the last year of their storied coliseum.
- kindlyrick

I believe Cizikas was injured. But Pelech? I recall he was injured regular season, but was healthy for the playoffs. Or am I forgetting a subsequent injury?

Not sure if the isles have that answer to the best pick of the 2008 draft, Victor Hedman, BUT, they also didn’t have Pelech and Cizikas last ECF. Can’t help but root for the idea that a team has a shot at the cup in the last year of their storied coliseum.
- kindlyrick

Hedman has actually been playing subpar for him. There’s some thought he’s playing through an injury. I would think trotz’s plan is to hammer the hell out of both him and mcdonagh.

I believe Cizikas was injured. But Pelech? I recall he was injured regular season, but was healthy for the playoffs. Or am I forgetting a subsequent injury?
- JohnScammo

Perhaps I’m wrong…..but I also feel Pelechs game has been so super strong that he’s blossomed into a legit star

I believe Cizikas was injured. But Pelech? I recall he was injured regular season, but was healthy for the playoffs. Or am I forgetting a subsequent injury?
- JohnScammo

Pelech was playing with a broken wrist that series. I believe cizikas wasn’t injured till game 5.

Hedman has actually playing subpar for him. There’s some thought he’s playing through an injury. I would think trotz’s plan is to hammer the hell out of both him and mcdonagh.
- Cptmjl

I don’t believe the Bolts are heavy favorites. On paper yes, but the game isn’t played on paper (see corsi guru Kyle Dubas). Lou Lam brought in three guys all of whom have been big players this post season. I laugh everytime the former Devils score…..I’ll take it!!!

Pelech was playing with a broken wrist that series. I believe cizikas wasn’t injured till game 5.
- Cptmjl

Game 2 I thought. Either way there’s no denying the importance of Cizikas and Pelech to this team.

This comment actually makes more sense than most people want to admit!! It's kind of funny how the Isles are just an average team during the regular season when they call the clutching and grabbing antics, but in the playoffs when they don't call anything they excel. Prove me wrong. We all know that Lou tried to ruin the sport of hockey with those boring Devils teams back in the 1990's and now he is back at it again.
- Phillywhiteout

It is funny how the fans of team not in the playoffs and the teams the Islanders has eliminated are complaining about clutching, grabbing and hard nose body checking. My assumption is that they are one jealous, two pissed off, three do not know what they are watching. Or a combination of the three.

The Islanders were one of the least penalized teams during the regular season. You talk about ruining the sport of hockey??? The Islanders are playing system brand of hockey. The Coach is actually coaching !!! not putting his three all-stars out every other shift. He utilizing 18 players !!!

If you look at both the Pens series and the Bruins series, and say that those two series were not exciting to watch. You my friend do not understand playoff hockey.

Game 2 I thought. Either way there’s no denying the importance of Cizikas and Pelech to this team.
- kindlyrick

I 100% agree but Tampa had some key injuries that series as well. I’m not trying to deflate what you’re saying because I believe it has substance just stating facts. I think we have a legit chance this series. Not sure if we’ll win but we’re capable of it. The Islanders are a focused group right now. I think officiating will play a key role in this series unfortunately. If the refs let us play our hard nosed game I think we have a real good chance of winning.

The absolute # 1 item for the Isles has to be to stay out of the box...

Tampa's PP has been completely blowtorching everything in its path...

I 100% agree but Tampa had some key injuries that series as well. I’m not trying to deflate what you’re saying because I believe it has substance just stating facts. I think we have a legit chance this series. Not sure if we’ll win but we’re capable of it. The Islanders are a focused group.
- Cptmjl

Absolutely they have a chance. Numbers never lie. They’ve had “success” every season under the Trotz/Lou era. How many years did we endure sub par coaching, with sub par management. These Trotz teams are a pleasure to watch. Anyone who calls it boring is clearly not paying attention. They play as a unit, all 4 lines!!

The absolute # 1 item for the Isles has to be to stay out of the box...

Tampa's PP has been completely blowtorching everything in its path...
- dozerD10

And continue getting strong net presence

The absolute # 1 item for the Isles has to be to stay out of the box...

Tampa's PP has been completely blowtorching everything in its path...
- dozerD10

We have a much better, structured, PK then any of the other teams Tampa faced so far but yeah I agree. That’s why I said officiating is going to play a key role in this series. Unfortunately. I just hope they let them play.

We have a much better, structured, PK then any of the other teams Tampa faced so far but yeah I agree. That’s why I said officiating is going to play a key role in this series. Unfortunately. I just hope they let them play.
- Cptmjl

I'm just looking for the same calls both ways. Call any way you want...just make sure if it's a penalty for Isles that same call applies to the Bolts...

I'll be very interested in who gets the refs these games.. that will tell us a lot on how it's going to be called.

100% there’s a reason the Lightning are heavily favored but that’s why we play the games. Looking forward to today.
- Cptmjl

It is going to be a battle. They have showed that they do not panic under pressure. Looking forward to see if they are up to the test.

Pelech was playing with a broken wrist that series. I believe cizikas wasn’t injured till game 5.
- Cptmjl

OK, I did not remember that. Thanks.

I'm just looking for the same calls both ways. Call any way you want...just make sure if it's a penalty for Isles that same call applies to the Bolts...

I'll be very interested in who gets the refs these games.. that will tell us a lot on how it's going to be called.
- dozerD10

As long as that dirty (frank) Kucherov doesn’t continuously get away with his horse crap .

Guy is such a good player but like Kris Letang who is also a great player I hate his (frank)ing guts. Neither of which I hate because they’re good they are just such whiny, dirty, jackarses.

I’m a right leaning Libertarian but he’s an idiot. There’s no correlation between Republicans and a lack of intelligence. That’s a media driven talking point to make a particular voting base feel better about themselves that far too many easily manipulated people believe. He is not a representation of Republicans as a whole nor a representation of your fan base. He’s just an idiot.
- Cptmjl

At least we did not vote for the arsehole in the White House You own that idiot

Not sure if the isles have that answer to the best pick of the 2008 draft, Victor Hedman, BUT, they also didn’t have Pelech and Cizikas last ECF. Can’t help but root for the idea that a team has a shot at the cup in the last year of their storied coliseum.
- kindlyrick

TBL did not get Stamkos and Hedman in the 2008 draft.

Hedman has actually been playing subpar for him. There’s some thought he’s playing through an injury. I would think trotz’s plan is to hammer the hell out of both him and mcdonagh.
- Cptmjl

Unlike the Bruins the Lightning will push back against the Islanders if they try to hammer and target one of their players. Watching Boston let McAvoy get eaten alive was a sight to behold to be honest, I could not believe they would not stand up for him though I also think McAvoy is somewhat soft he turtled in last years playoffs when both Cernak and Bogosian went with him. The Lightning will not allow that to happen, the targeted player himself or other guys the team has will keep that in check.

The Lightning can muck it up with the best of them and still win. What makes them so dangerous is the fact they can play any style and still win. I expect a hard checking, hard fought series, what I don't want to see is cheap shots like Palmeri did on McAvoy or Palat did to Pesce. I want to see the best players play against each other not and get knocked out with petty bullcrap. Hopefully the officials are fair and call it both ways. Going to be a great series just like last year.

Also last year the Lightning had no Stamkos, Point missed two games and played injured, Killorn missed a game, McDonagh was hurt, Kucherov was hurt, etc. I agree with you 100% we can't use last year as a gauge for this year based on who played and who did not. Its a whole new series, I am sure each coach has tweaked their game plan and this series is going to be a long hard fought battle. I feel the Lightning will win but would not shock me at all if the Islanders pull it off. Going to be fun to watch.

Hahaha 100%.
- TogaIsles

Headache this morning