Ben Shelley: Weekly Recap: Islanders Edition (March 1)

God damn Ben you're writing 5 blogs on here

Yea he is writing 5 blogs...Hence the reason we are getting yesterday's news on these weekly updates. When he first starting blogging the Islanders here we were getting a lot more insight. Most disappointing.

We have a great opportunity to create some space in the standings with these next three games...

We have a great opportunity to create some space in the standings with these next three games...
- Cptmjl

Need to win then so will they.....Buffalo can't score

Need to win then so will they.....Buffalo can't score
- Upstate_isles

Need to take these games seriously of course can’t take either team for granted that goes without saying. I say this knowing that in a 56 game season with intradivision play the entire way every game is important but these next three games could be the most important so far. Have to take advantage of these opportunities. If we can create some space and hold onto it with our secondary scoring and PP starting to click(hopefully) we may set ourselves up not to be battling with other teams for the last PO spot in the spring...

Need to take these games seriously of course can’t take either team for granted that goes without saying. I say this knowing that in a 56 game season with intradivision play the entire way every game is important but these next three games could be the most important so far. Have to take advantage of these opportunities. If we can create some space and hold onto it with our secondary scoring and PP starting to click(hopefully) we may set ourselves up not to be battling with other teams for the last PO spot in the spring...
- Cptmjl

I think with the way this is set up and every game being a 4 point game that the isles Boston pens philly and caps are gonna battle to the end and we play the caps 6 more times

I think with the way this is set up and every game being a 4 point game that the isles Boston pens philly and caps are gonna battle to the end and we play the caps 6 more times
- Upstate_isles

You’re most likely right but I would like it better if that weren’t the case

If this team really starts firing on all cylinders I think we can distance ourselves a bit and get a little separation. I feel like the pens will start faltering a bit due to their goaltending leveling out. I don’t think Jarry or Desmith are any good. Also, hoping one of or some of the caps, Philly, and Boston take their foot off the gas some. Bruins were fired out of a cannon from the start along with the flyers while we were finding our way. If we can remain consistent while some teams are in a mid season lull we can potentially pass them. We shall see but I like our chances with us starting to find consistency and scoring(if it holds up) through our line up right now.

When this season started I was trying to figure out a safe points number that would mean you are definitely in the playoffs.

Usually in a normal season if you are close to 97/98 points you are in the playoffs. That's in 82 games.. so.. basically we have to have about 70 points would be my guess. 80 would be very safe.. so if you break it down to seven 8 game groups.. we need 1.25 points per game.. Or every 8 games we need about 10 points (or more) to get to 70. We are right on that cut line now.. and need to win these winable games. If we can be over 30 points after the next 3 games we are in good position and can move on to the next 8.

TLTR- we need 10 points every 8 games to make the playoffs.

Need to take these games seriously of course can’t take either team for granted that goes without saying. I say this knowing that in a 56 game season with intradivision play the entire way every game is important but these next three games could be the most important so far. Have to take advantage of these opportunities. If we can create some space and hold onto it with our secondary scoring and PP starting to click(hopefully) we may set ourselves up not to be battling with other teams for the last PO spot in the spring...
- Cptmjl

agreed.. really can't afford out right losses

You’re most likely right but I would like it better if that weren’t the case

If this team really starts firing on all cylinders I think we can distance ourselves a bit and get a little separation. I feel like the pens will start faltering a bit due to their goaltending leveling out. I don’t think Jarry or Desmith are any good. Also, hoping one of or some of the caps, Philly, and Boston take their foot off the gas some. Bruins were fired out of a cannon from the start along with the flyers while we were finding our way. If we can remain consistent while some teams are in a mid season lull we can potentially pass them. We shall see but I like our chances with us starting to find consistency and scoring(if it holds up) through our line up right now.
- Cptmjl

I think this team is actually really good and they are structurally sound too. There have been some breakdowns but the opposition thinks they are hard to play against so they are doing something right. They now seem to have 3 lines that can score but to me the thing that stands out the most is the pp, if they can force teams to be honest and stay out of the box I like their chances. In past playoff series any chance they got to score they other team would just take a penalty as their powerplay was inept. If it can stay like it is they are in great shape

We have a great opportunity to create some space in the standings with these next three games...
- Cptmjl

Four, really. We have the Devils, then Sabres 3x.

Looking ahead, then it's Boston again...then the Devils 3x. 7 of the next 8 games are against either NJ or BUF. Ideally they'd take at least 5 of those 7.

I think this team is actually really good and they are structurally sound too. There have been some breakdowns but the opposition thinks they are hard to play against so they are doing something right. They now seem to have 3 lines that can score but to me the thing that stands out the most is the pp, if they can force teams to be honest and stay out of the box I like their chances. In past playoff series any chance they got to score they other team would just take a penalty as their powerplay was inept. If it can stay like it is they are in great shape
- Upstate_isles

Bailey had a good quote after the game the other night. He said Wahlstrom starting to come out of his shell means they can work the puck to either side on the PP.

Teams are going to have to start respecting that. It should open some other things up once teams start to pay Wahlstrom a little more attention.

We are almost at the halfway point of this shortened season. Most if not all these teams have games in hand on us. Don't want to give these teams any reason to think they can come back. Devils have 4 games in hand on the Islanders and we have a 10 point lead.

Bailey had a good quote after the game the other night. He said Wahlstrom starting to come out of his shell means they can work the puck to either side on the PP.

Teams are going to have to start respecting that. It should open some other things up once teams start to pay Wahlstrom a little more attention.
- eichiefs9

100% that unit is the better one right now too

Amanda Stein @amandacstein
12m
#NJDevils Aaron Dell in the starters net at morning skate.

That should be your indication he’s starting tonight against the Islanders.

Mackenzie Blackwood has appeared in four straight.

Dell has played one NHL and one AHL game so far this year, neither were particularly good performances. Somehow the AHL game was worse

Amanda Stein @amandacstein
12m
#NJDevils Aaron Dell in the starters net at morning skate.

That should be your indication he’s starting tonight against the Islanders.

Mackenzie Blackwood has appeared in four straight.

Dell has played one NHL and one AHL game so far this year, neither were particularly good performances. Somehow the AHL game was worse
- eichiefs9

He will have a 56 shot shut out now always vs the isles

He will have a 56 shot shut out now always vs the isles
- Upstate_isles

He let in 4 on 41 shots against the Caps a little over a week ago

https://www.youtube.com/w...o8qZ3huAdk&has_verified=1 was listening to a John Scott podcast and it sent me down a wormhole that this came up.. don't even remember this guy

Crosby out tonight covid protocol. I hope he didn’t infect any isles with p*ssy juice he was leaving all over the ice this past weekend

Crosby out tonight covid protocol. I hope he didn’t infect any isles with p*ssy juice he was leaving all over the ice this past weekend
- Vukota

I just came here to post that...he probably spit in Beau's mouth while he was having his temper-tantrum Sunday night

How are the Isles signing Beau Sororkin and Pelech next year with literally pennies left on the cap?😂😂 Lou might have to let Seattle take Bailey or Eberle next year and still have to get rid of another decent size contract

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8qZ3huAdk&has_verified=1 was listening to a John Scott podcast and it sent me down a wormhole that this came up.. don't even remember this guy
- niteislander

I remember that moment very vividly...but I don't think anyone would fault you for not remembering a guy who played a whopping 2 NHL games ever

I just came here to post that...he probably spit in Beau's mouth while he was having his temper-tantrum Sunday night
- eichiefs9

😂😂😂😂