Couple of things that I noticed about last nights game. Islanders had a hard time penetrating the slot. Caps did a good job keeping the Isles on the perimeter.

Also, the powerplay last night seemed to me like they were looking for the perfect shot. All you are doing is giving the defense time to counter. One...maybe two pass and then shoot.

Lastly, the Caps were getting the front of Isles net way too easy and it killed them.

Gotta grab points on the west coast. grabbing 4 of 6 points against east is okay but they need to be better. Play is still to erratic.
- Nfdbulldawg

The main issue with our PP is they have to move the puck quicker imo. I know I’ve been saying it ad nauseam but enough is enough already. It’s plain as day. Dobson is the biggest culprit with this. Yeah I get it they are also not getting the puck to the net and passing around the perimeter too much but if they move the puck quicker everything else will fall into place imo. It will open up some ice for them. I doubt Maclean is telling them to slow the play down so it’s most likely on the players with execution.

Last nights effort was a total Let down after the last couple weeks. They need to forget last nights game and get back to playing Islander hockey.

Last nights effort was a total Lee down after the last couple weeks. They need to forget last nights game and get back to playing Islander hockey.
- nyisles7

I think last night kind of was part of Islander hockey...the inconsistency has been rather consistent for probably the past four regular seasons, and they haven't seemed to figure out exactly what the reason is -- effort, talent, system, something else entirely.... But I guess they're not alone there...they're stuck in a pack of middling teams fighting for a playoff spot for a reason, and all those teams are also probably racking their brains trying to solve the riddle of consistency.

I have a hard time believing they went out there last night and decided not to try hard. They know what the situation is better than we do. But, for whatever reason, sometimes they're 1/2 step ahead of the play and their forecheck and backcheck look relentless and effective, and sometimes they're 1/2 step behind the play and look like they're chasing all night. It's a really fine line for the Isles between success and disaster.

I think last night kind of was part of Islander hockey...the inconsistency has been rather consistent for probably the past four regular seasons, and they haven't seemed to figure out exactly what the reason is -- effort, talent, system, something else entirely.... But I guess they're not alone there...they're stuck in a pack of middling teams fighting for a playoff spot for a reason, and all those teams are also probably racking their brains trying to solve the riddle of consistency.

I have a hard time believing they went out there last night and decided not to try hard. They know what the situation is better than we do. But, for whatever reason, sometimes they're 1/2 step ahead of the play and their forecheck and backcheck look relentless and effective, and sometimes they're 1/2 step behind the play and look like they're chasing all night. It's a really fine line for the Isles between success and disaster.
- UIF

Agreed. Consistently inconsistent… I will say they have been more consistent which unfortunately eased me into a false sense of security. Then last night happened.

Last night sucked but we’re still actually in not too bad of position. Team has to win at least two of the three on this trip. LA is going to be a tough one but if they can somehow manage to pull off three wins we should be in a real good spot.

Agreed. Consistently inconsistent… I will say they have been more consistent which unfortunately eased me into a false sense of security. Then last night happened.
- Cptmjl

I did not feel good about yesterday and thought the team was due for a loss.

I did not feel good about yesterday and thought the team was due for a loss.
- ses111

How do you feel about the next game against the Kings, Nostradamus?

How do you feel about the next game against the Kings, Nostradamus?
- JohnScammo

I think it will be an Islander win.

Hopefully Horvat has a nice game.

Last night sucked but we’re still actually in not too bad of position. Team has to win at least two of the three on this trip. LA is going to be a tough one but if they can somehow manage to pull off three wins we should be in a real good spot.
- Cptmjl

They're in control. There's almost no chance they can catch the Penguins, but if they can keep putting up points they can secure WC2.

I think it will be an Islander win.

Hopefully Horvat has a nice game.
- ses111

From your lips to .........

They're in control. There's almost no chance they can catch the Penguins, but if they can keep putting up points they can secure WC2.
- JimmyP

Islanders are a flawed team like most, but I feel they will make the playoffs.

They're in control. There's almost no chance they can catch the Penguins, but if they can keep putting up points they can secure WC2.
- JimmyP

I don’t know about no chance I can see the pens crapping the bed. Desmith was good last night but that tandem is far from good consistently imo. I guess it depends on who they’re playing down the stretch and I’m too lazy to look right now.

Islanders are a flawed team like most, but I feel they will make the playoffs.
- ses111

They are flawed in that they have too much of the same player. Just think of where this team might be without Horvat.

The lone goal last night was an accident. You cannot have 15 to 16 of your players in effective every night. This team only has two of the twelve forwards that are legitimate Top 6...Lee is borderline...Sorry Piggy....Palmers has digressed...

Your top two lines were -3 and -2 respectively.

When the boys are cold you are going to feel the chill.

I don’t know about no chance I can see the pens crapping the bed. Desmith was good last night but that tandem is far from good consistently imo. I guess it depends on who they’re playing down the stretch and I’m too lazy to look right now.
- Cptmjl

Okay a slim chance. They are tied with the Isles with 3 games in hand.

Okay a slim chance. They are tied with the Isles with 3 games in hand.
- JimmyP

Yep and like I said I can see them dropping some games. I read somewhere we have a fairly favorable schedule the last 14 games. I’m not looking that up either.

They are flawed in that they have too much of the same player. Just think of where this team might be without Horvat.

The lone goal last night was an accident. You cannot have 15 to 16 of your players in effective every night. This team only has two of the twelve forwards that are legitimate Top 6...Lee is borderline...Sorry Piggy....Palmers has digressed...

Your top two lines were -3 and -2 respectively.

When the boys are cold you are going to feel the chill.
- Nfdbulldawg

I think Sorokin gives the Islanders an edge in making the playoffs. Even if Barzal makes it back, the forward group is still an issue in terms of long-term playoff success.

I think Sorokin gives the Islanders an edge in making the playoffs. Even if Barzal makes it back, the forward group is still an issue in terms of long-term playoff success.
- ses111

I don’t think that’s a debate in anyone’s mind including Lameriello’s. I expect(hope) he’ll be very active during free agency and the draft. We need some wingers(with one of them being of the high end variety), a defenseman, and a backup if we don’t resign varly which we’ll more then likely do. No easy feat I know especially with our track record in these situations but that’s what needs to be done to be truly competitive in this division next season…

Yep and like I said I can see them dropping some games. I read somewhere we have a fairly favorable schedule the last 14 games. I’m not looking that up either.
- Cptmjl

Well, the Pens are leading the ranger right now.

As far as the Isles and strength of schedule goes ... I don't pay attention at all. They are just as capable of losing to bad teams as they are beating good teams.

Well, the Pens are leading the ranger right now.

As far as the Isles and strength of schedule goes ... I don't pay attention at all. They are just as capable of losing to bad teams as they are beating good teams.
- JimmyP

Absolutely. Coming away with zero points out of four against the lowly Arizona Coyotes may be what comes back to haunt them, if they miss the playoffs.

Well, the Pens are leading the ranger right now.

As far as the Isles and strength of schedule goes ... I don't pay attention at all. They are just as capable of losing to bad teams as they are beating good teams.
- JimmyP

True

The Isles got the worst possible result out of the Pens-Rags game. Pens won in OT, so they picked up 2 points, while the Rags grabbed a point. They're not getting much help, so it looks like the Islanders are just going to have to win some games if they want to make the playoffs.

The Isles got the worst possible result out of the Pens-Rags game. Pens won in OT, so they picked up 2 points, while the Rags grabbed a point. They're not getting much help, so it looks like the Islanders are just going to have to win some games if they want to make the playoffs.
- JohnScammo

Ottawa lost. Now this team has control over that last wild card spot.

The main issue with our PP is they have to move the puck quicker imo. I know I’ve been saying it ad nauseam but enough is enough already. It’s plain as day. Dobson is the biggest culprit with this. Yeah I get it they are also not getting the puck to the net and passing around the perimeter too much but if they move the puck quicker everything else will fall into place imo. It will open up some ice for them. I doubt Maclean is telling them to slow the play down so it’s most likely on the players with execution.
- Cptmjl

Completely agree. By doing this, it should lead to more shots.

The Isles got the worst possible result out of the Pens-Rags game. Pens won in OT, so they picked up 2 points, while the Rags grabbed a point. They're not getting much help, so it looks like the Islanders are just going to have to win some games if they want to make the playoffs.
- JohnScammo

.

Pitt is battle tested...Their weakest link is their goaltending. They will go as far as it takes them. Would them have a little push now rather later.

The Islanders will have several veteran players who will become unrestricted free agents after both this season and next. That list includes Josh Bailey, Cal Clutterbuck, Pierre Engvall, Hudson Fasching, Matt Martin, Scott Mayfield, and Zach Parise.

Out this bunch...Hudson Fasching, Zach Parise and maybe...I mean maybe Mayfield. Everyone else, thank you for your interest.