Heavy defensive style seems to be a thing of the past. It's a lot of pressure on the goalie and defense. You still need to be able to score when needed and especially against the elite teams.
- ses111

I don't mind the style...I like tight checking games, personally, even if that's not cool with the ESPN crowd or other fans after their teams lose to the Isles. And I think it can be more effective offensively with better talent up front. The Isles' style creates turnovers. The thing is, they need more skill and creativity up front so they can better take advantage of the turnovers they create. Sometimes they can do it well, but too often the execution is too slow and waaaay too predictable.

The power play shows that better than anything. They're not playing a defensive style then and it's been bad for how many years now? How many coaches have tried tweaks that haven't worked? Some of those coaches have gone on to manage very successful power plays on other teams, so it's not just systems and Xs and Os.

I guess I'd put it this way...I don't remember too many analysts out there complaining about boring Capitals hockey when Trotz coached them? Maybe there were some small differences in how he implemented the system there versus here, but the main difference is the Caps had a much more dynamic offense and more top-line skill.

I don't mind the style...I like tight checking games, personally, even if that's not cool with the ESPN crowd or other fans after their teams lose to the Isles. And I think it can be more effective offensively with better talent up front. The Isles' style creates turnovers. The thing is, they need more skill and creativity up front so they can better take advantage of the turnovers they create. Sometimes they can do it well, but too often the execution is too slow and waaaay too predictable.

The power play shows that better than anything. They're not playing a defensive style then and it's been bad for how many years now? How many coaches have tried tweaks that haven't worked? Some of those coaches have gone on to manage very successful power plays on other teams, so it's not just systems and Xs and Os.
- UIF

Sports in general are moving towards more offense. Look at the rule changes geared towards more offense in the other sports. It's much more than Xs and Os with the Islanders, but it's still about Lou and a certain style, rules, and having a vet team. You need players that can do more than dump the puck in. You have to be able to make plays and make them when the checking is tight.

I guess I'd put it this way...I don't remember too many analysts out there complaining about boring Capitals hockey when Trotz coached them? Maybe there were some small differences in how he implemented the system there versus here, but the main difference is the Caps had a much more dynamic offense and more top-line skill.
- UIF

The Caps having high end talent certainly helped. It's not easy playing Barry's system and it wears on the players after a while. I think the system needed some tweaks with the Islanders since they did not have the talent of the Caps.

Rags might be helping us out a little tonight.

A win tonight would be huge...Most important game of the season is tonight.

A win tonight would be huge...Most important game of the season is tonight.
- Nfdbulldawg

The Isles are playing for their playoff lives. They are playing a team that is locked into a first round match up against the Leafs. Tampa has very little chance of catching the Leafs, and it only gets them home ice advantage, not a huge deal for a skilled veteran team. So they have plenty of incentive to rest any of their stars who are a little banged up after a long regular season.

In other words, I expect a Tampa victory, 4 - 0.

The Isles are playing for their playoff lives. They are playing a team that is locked into a first round match up against the Leafs. Tampa has very little chance of catching the Leafs, and it only gets them home ice advantage, not a huge deal for a skilled veteran team. So they have plenty of incentive to rest any of their stars who are a little banged up after a long regular season.

In other words, I expect a Tampa victory, 4 - 0.
- JohnScammo

Bold pick John.

A win tonight would be huge...Most important game of the season is tonight.
- Nfdbulldawg

Have to think they come out with a purpose tonight. PO entry is in their own hands and if they don’t get in it’s on them.

Have to think they come out with a purpose tonight. PO entry is in their own hands and if they don’t get in it’s on them.
- nyisles7

On top of all that, there's also a bit of pride at stake. They got clowned by this very Tampa team not even a week ago, and the night after that, they pretty much had their heart and desire questioned by another team's coach.

On top of all that, there's also a bit of pride at stake. They got clowned by this very Tampa team not even a week ago, and the night after that, they pretty much had their heart and desire questioned by another team's coach.
- UIF

100%
Have to think they come out a different team.
If not, I don’t think anyone’s wrong questioning their desire. They are a veteran lead team and they know what it takes to win. Now they need to go out and get it done.

Have to think they come out with a purpose tonight. PO entry is in their own hands and if they don’t get in it’s on them.
- nyisles7

For the second time in three years when the Isles lost Pelech for an extended period of time, they went into a complete tailspin. This time they lost their offensive MVP as well. Despite that, once Pelech came back they managed to start winning and clawed their way back. Unfortunately, I think Perry's DDT of Romanov may be one injury too many for these guys to endure. Romanov had arguably morphed into our second best dman seemingly overnight. We just can't afford to lean more heavily on guys like Mayfield and Aho.
Point being, what looks like a lackluster effort to us may just be this team is tired and overwhelmed at this point. I have a bad feeling they come out and still find a way to underperform. Maybe they outshoot Tampa 40-25, but we're not scoring so I could see that end in disaster too.

For the second time in three years when the Isles lost Pelech for an extended period of time, they went into a complete tailspin. This time they lost their offensive MVP as well. Despite that, once Pelech came back they managed to start winning and clawed their way back. Unfortunately, I think Perry's DDT of Romanov may be one injury too many for these guys to endure. Romanov had arguably morphed into our second best dman seemingly overnight. We just can't afford to lean more heavily on guys like Mayfield and Aho.
Point being, what looks like a lackluster effort to us may just be this team is tired and overwhelmed at this point. I have a bad feeling they come out and still find a way to underperform. Maybe they outshoot Tampa 40-25, but we're not scoring so I could see that end in disaster too.
- keaner17

Isles win tonight 4-2 with an empty net and Horvat gets two.
On the defense, Pelech is great period. I think Romy has been a bright addition but has had inconsistent performances as had most of our defense. Especially in the first half. As far as bad season Pulock has been for me non existent. I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t try using him as trade bait, or at least see what he might bring back. He’s never become the offensive player they thought he would be and has struggled defensively.

For the second time in three years when the Isles lost Pelech for an extended period of time, they went into a complete tailspin. This time they lost their offensive MVP as well. Despite that, once Pelech came back they managed to start winning and clawed their way back. Unfortunately, I think Perry's DDT of Romanov may be one injury too many for these guys to endure. Romanov had arguably morphed into our second best dman seemingly overnight. We just can't afford to lean more heavily on guys like Mayfield and Aho.
Point being, what looks like a lackluster effort to us may just be this team is tired and overwhelmed at this point. I have a bad feeling they come out and still find a way to underperform. Maybe they outshoot Tampa 40-25, but we're not scoring so I could see that end in disaster too.
- keaner17

I think the team being tired and overwhelmed is a huge factor keaner. Defense is obviously very important, but a good offense also takes pressure off the goalie and defense. I have no doubt the team wants to win, but they have a lot going against them.

New York Islanders@NYIslanders · 4m

“Romanov is still day to day (upper body)” - Lambert

Isles win tonight 4-2 with an empty net and Horvat gets two.
On the defense, Pelech is great period. I think Romy has been a bright addition but has had inconsistent performances as had most of our defense. Especially in the first half. As far as bad season Pulock has been for me non existent. I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t try using him as trade bait, or at least see what he might bring back. He’s never become the offensive player they thought he would be and has struggled defensively.
- nyisles7

I was thinking 4-2 with empty netter. I think Horvat finds the back of the net.

New York Islanders@NYIslanders · 4m

“Romanov is still day to day (upper body)” - Lambert
- JimmyP

I realize this is an extremely important game, but I’d love to see Lambert dress Johnston with the one goal of terminating Corey Perry. That guy is a POS.

I realize this is an extremely important game, but I’d love to see Lambert dress Johnston with the one goal of terminating Corey Perry. That guy is a POS.
- streaks

I'd like to see them give Johnston a one way ticket to Bridgeport.

I'd like to see them give Johnston a one way ticket to Bridgeport.
- JimmyP

No offense to Johnston but agreed. From what I understand Bailey Chainz is on the top line again so no need for Johnston.

I'd like to see them give Johnston a one way ticket to Bridgeport.
- JimmyP

Hahaha. If he does the job I’d like him to do he’d likely have a pretty hefty ban. Which would effectively so what your suggesting 😃😃

No offense to Johnston but agreed. From what I understand Bailey Chainz is on the top line again so no need for Johnston.
- Cptmjl

I didn’t see what Perry did to Romanov but from what I read on here it was his typical douchebag play. I’m sick of that banana eater.

Here we go

I was thinking 4-2 with empty netter. I think Horvat finds the back of the net.
- Nfdbulldawg

Get start. Let’s go!

Here we go
- Upstate_isles

STFU!

Florida and Pittsburgh are both winning, so a win is critical....